The Day of the Lord - 12/27/09pm

Isaiah 13:1-22
The word of the Lord against Babylon, who would conquer Judah
The day of the Lord was the punishment of Babylon’s sins by the hand of the Medes

Zephaniah 1:1-2:3
The day of the Lord was to be the Lord’s punishment of Judah (specifically mentioned is Jerusalem) for their sins
The people are called to repent

Malachi 3:1-3
Malachi 4:1-6
The day of the Lord appears to be referring to the coming of the Messiah
The Messiah not only brought hope, but also condemnation

Joel 2:28-32
Acts 2:14-21
The day of the Lord in Joel is stated as being a reference to the day of Pentecost and following period of time: the New Covenant
This time period to come before a day of the Lord.

I Thessalonians 5:1-11
The day of the Lord being referred to here is final judgment at the end of the world
The day of the Lord should bring us comfort, if we have been living as we should

II Peter 3:1-18
Again, we see referenced the final day of the Lord: judgment at Christ’s return
Because of this, we should be living in a way that is upright and steadfast

Saved from What? - 12/27/09am

II Peter 3:8-9 -That all should come to repentance
I Timothy 2:3-7 -God wants all to be saved

Matthew 18:1-5 -Become as little children
Ecclesiastes 7:29 -God made man upright, but men have searched out many schemes
Romans 3:23 -All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Saved from the Consequences of Our Actions
Romans 6:20-23 -The wages of sin is death
II Thessalonians 1:1-10 -Punished with everlasting destruction
Revelation 19:19-21 -The beast and false prophet cast to the lake of fire
Revelation 20:7-10 -Satan is cast into the lake of fire
Revelation 20:11-21:8 -The sinful are cast into the lake of fire
I Thessalonians 1:6-10 -Christ delivers us from wrath

We Must Follow Directions
I John 3:16-23 -Command to believe and love
John 6:28-40 -Belief is a work, Christ did the Father’s work
Acts 2:38-42 -Repent and be baptized
Ephesians 6:5-8 -Serve in sincerity of heart
Revelation 2:18-29 -Corrupt Thyatira, but he who keeps Christ’s words to the end receive the reward

Jephthah - 12/20/09pm

Hebrews 11:32-34 -Jephthah among the heroes of faith
I Samuel 12:6-12 -Jephthah among those raised up by God to lead Israel

The Judges Cycle
In the second chapter of Judges, we learn of the spiritual state of Israel during the time when Jephthah lived. It was one of constant apostasy, followed by brief periods of repentance when God punished His people for their sin and unfaithfulness.
Judges 2:7-9 -The death of Joshua
Judges 2:10-15 -Israel sins and is punished by God
Judges 2:16-18 -The people cry to God, and God raises up a savior
Judges 2:19-23 -Israel sins again, and God punishes them again

Jephthah and the Ammonites
In the tenth and eleventh chapters of Judges, we are introduced to Jephthah, who is cast out of his family and then later turned to as a savior. We see his fight against the Ammonites who had been sent as punishment on unfaithful Israel.
Judges 10:6-17 -After Jair, Israel is oppressed by the Philistines and Ammonites
Judges 11:1-3 -Jephthah, son of a harlot, expelled by his brothers
Judges 11:4-11 -The people promise Jepthah will be leader if he saves them
Judges 11:12-28 -Jephthah tries diplomacy with the people of Ammon
Judges 11:29-33 -Jephthah makes a vow to God and defeats the Ammonites
Judges 11:34-40 -Jephthah’s daughter

Jephthah and the Ephraimites
In the beginning of the twelfth chapter, Jephthah struggles against the jealous Ephraimites, who were angry that Jephthah had gone to war, and succeeded, without them. Sadly, sometimes one must struggle not only those outside of God's people, but those who should be living and doing as they ought.
Judges 12:1-7 -Jephthah fights against Ephraim

Paul's Last Letter - 12/20/09am

II Timothy 1:1-2 -A fatherly greeting, his care for Timothy
II Timothy 1:3-7 -Timothy’s faith, and who taught him
II Timothy 1:8-12 -Do not be ashamed of the gospel
II Timothy 1:13-18 -Hold fast the pattern of sound words and an example

II Timothy 2:1-7 -Stay focused
II Timothy 2:8-13 -A faithful saying of consequence
II Timothy 2:14-15 -Be diligent and remind them
II Timothy 2:16-19 -Shun babbling, and the firm foundation remains
II Timothy 2:20-23 -Flee and pursue
II Timothy 2:24-26 -A servant of the Lord

II Timothy 3:1-9 -Turn away from such
II Timothy 3:10-15 -Continue in the doctrine and work
II Timothy 3:16-17 -All scripture is from God

II Timothy 4:1-5 -Preach the word
II Timothy 4:6-8 -Paul’s work and reward
II Timothy 4:9-13 -Paul’s companions
II Timothy 4:14-18 -The Lord stood by Paul
II Timothy 4:19-22 -Hurry

On Dry Land - 12/13/09pm

Exodus 14:14 -Israel camped before the sea
Exodus 14:5-9 -Pharaoh gathered chariots to pursue Israel
Exodus 14:10-12 -The people cry out against Moses
Exodus 14:13-14 -Moses tells the people the Lord will fight for them
Exodus 14:15-18 -God instructs Moses
Exodus 14:19-20 -The pillar of cloud moved between the Egyptians and Israel
Exodus 14:21-22 -God divides the waters of the Red Sea
Exodus 14:23-25 -The Lord causes trouble for the Egyptians
Exodus 14:26-28 -The waters move back, drowning Pharaoh’s army
Exodus 14:29-31 -Israel was saved, and believed the Lord and Moses

Murmuring and Complaining
We must be careful not to murmur, complain, and cry out against God as the people did when they saw the Egyptian army coming. Such shows a lack of faith and is displeasing to God.
Jude 12-19 -These are grumblers, complainers
I Corinthians 10:1-11 -Nor complain as some of them also complained

The Lord Provides
When it looked like there was no way for them to survive, God provided a way. It was not a way that they perhaps looked for or that seemed best to the people, but God provided what was necessary.
Matthew 6:25-34 -Do not worry
Acts 8:26-29, 35-39 -In desert, God provided water for baptism

Belief is Found and Lost
The believed enough to camp where God told them, but then lost that faith. They rebuilt their faith after being saved from the Egyptian army by God, but would lose their faith again. We must be sure not to have a faith as wavering and weak as theirs!
Numbers 13:26-33 -The spies say that they land is too strong to take
Numbers 14:1-4, 11-19 -The people heed the 10 spies, angering God
John 8:30-31, 33, 39, 41, 57-79 -Those who believed tried to stone Christ

The Whole Armor of God - 12/13/09am

II Timothy 2:1-4 -Directions to Timothy as a soldier of Christ
II Corinthians 10:3-6 -Our war is not a physical war

Ephesians 6:10-19 -The whole armor of God

Girded waist with Truth (v14)
John 14:6 -I am the way, the truth, and the life
Colossians 1:3-8 -The word of truth of the gospel
John 7:25-29 -The Father and the Son are true

Breastplate of Righteousness (v14)
I John 3:4-9 -He who practices righteousness is righteous
I Peter 3:16 -That they may be ashamed when they defame

Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel (v15)
I Peter 3:15 -Be prepared to give a defense
II Timothy 4:1-5 -Preach in season and out

Shield of Faith (v16)
II Samuel 22:29-31 -He is a shield to all who trust in Him
II Timothy 1:12 -I know whom I have believed
II Corinthians 4:7-15 -Though hard pressed, not crushed; I believe, so I speak

Helmet of Salvation (v17)
Galatians 3:26-29 -Put on Christ in baptism

Sword of the Spirit (v17)
Hebrews 4:12 -Word of God is sharper than a two edged sword
Revelation 2:12-16 -He would come and fight with the sword of His mouth
Revelation 19:11-16 -Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword

Watchful Prayer (v18)
I Peter 5:8-9 -Be sober and vigilant
I Peter 4:7 -Be serious and watchful in your prayers
I Corinthians 16:13 -Watch, stand fast, be brave, be strong

I Corinthians 15 - 12/6/09pm

Hebrews 5:12-6:3 -First principles, including the resurrection and judgment

I Corinthians 15:1-2
The same gospel was taught by Paul both in word and in writing
If we hold fast to the gospel, we are saved by it
It is possible to believe in vain

I Corinthians 15:3-8
Evidence provided of Christ’s resurrection
Acts 1:1-3 -Infallible proofs of Christ’s resurrection
Other evidence provided that God can raise the dead:
The starving widow’s son, through Elijah -I Kings 17
The Shunammite’s (replenishing oil) Son, through Elisha -II Kings 4
A dead man, through Elisha’s body -II Kings 13
The widow of Nain’s son, by Jesus -Luke 7
The ruler’s daughter, by Jesus -Matthew 9
Lazarus, by Jesus -John 11
Many saints, at crucifixion -Matthew 27
Dorcas, through Peter -Acts 9
Eutychus, through Paul -Acts 20

I Corinthians 15:9-11
Unity of teaching among the apostles

I Corinthians 15:12-19
Christ’s resurrection is of first importance in Christianity
Belief in the resurrection is necessary

I Corinthians 15:20-28
We are currently under Christ’s reign - the kingdom is now
Acts 1:4-8 -Disciples ask if Christ is to restore the kingdom
Acts 2:1-4 -The kingdom comes with power
Christ, by the resurrection, brings the end of death as brought by Adam
Genesis 3:15 -Seed of woman will crush the serpent’s head

I Corinthians 15:29-32
Without the resurrection, there is no point to following Christ

I Corinthians 15:33-34
Evil company corrupts the faith and actions of the good

I Corinthians 15:35-49
We will rise and be changed from physical and earthly to spiritual and heavenly
The kingdom is not a physical earthly kingdom, but a heavenly, spiritual, and eternal kingdom

I Corinthians 15:50-57
All the dead shall rise at the same time
Acts 24:14-15 -Resurrection of the just and the unjust
John 5:28-29 - One resurrection
Physical death will be defeated
Hebrews 9:27 -It is appointed to man once to die, then judgment
Revelation 21:6-8 -The second death

I Corinthians 15:58
Because of all this, we must life for Christ, in faithful obedience
There is purpose to laboring for God, it is not in vain (vv. 1-2)

I Peter 1:1-3 -A living hope through Christ’s resurrection
Romans 6:3-9 -United through baptism to His death, burial, and resurrection

Faith is the Victory 0 12/6/09am

I John 5:1-5 -This is the victory that has overcome the world

The Example of Noah
In Noah we see an example of one who lived by faith, and so was victorious and overcame the world. Because of his faith and his obedient adherence to that faith, he and his family alone were saved from destruction.
II Peter 2:4-5 -Noah, a preacher of righteousness
I Peter 3:18-20 -Christ preached through Noah
Genesis 6:1-8 -The wicked world to be destroyed, but Noah found favor with God
Genesis 6:9-22 -Noah receives directions to build the ark and obeys
Genesis 7:1-16 -Noah, his family, and the animals get on the ark
Genesis 7:17-24 -All creatures were destroyed save those on the ark
Genesis 8:1-5 -The ark comes to rest on Ararat
Genesis 8:6-19 -The earth is dried, and Noah, his family, and the animals leave the ark
Hebrews 11:7 -Noah, by faith, did these things

The Reward for Overcoming
Revelation 21:1-8 -He who overcomes shall inherit all things

Stephen's Sermon - 11/29/09pm

Acts 6:1-7 -Stephen is one of seven chosen to oversee the distribution
Acts 6:8-10 -Stephen disputes with unbelievers
Acts 6:11-15 -Stephen is falsely accused of blasphemy and brought to trial

Acts 7:1-8 -The history of Abraham
Acts 7:9-16 -Joseph, and his family, in Egypt
Acts 7:17-22 -The enslavement of the Israelites by Egypt
Acts 7:23-29 -Moses leaves Egypt for Midian
Acts 7:30-36 -God speaks to Moses, who leads the people from slavery
Acts 7:37 -Moses’ prophecy of the Messiah
Acts 7:38-43 -Israel’s rejection of God’s word
Acts 7:44-50 -The tabernacle and presence of God
Acts 7:51-53 -Stephen convicts them of resisting the Holy Spirit and killing the Messiah

Acts 7:54-60 -Stephen is killed by stoning
I Peter 2:18-24 -Be like Christ, enduring suffering and persecution

A Description of Christians - 11/29/09am

Romans 1:1-7 -Paul’s introduction to the Roman letter

Being Called
II Thessalonians 2:13-15 -To which He called you by the gospel
Acts 2:36-42 -As many as our Lord God will call
II Peter 1:2-4 -Given us all things through knowledge of Him who called us
Philippians 3:8-16 -Press on to the goal of the for the prize of the upward high calling

Separated to the Gospel / Saints
II Corinthians 6:14-18 -Come out and be separate
Hebrews 10:1-18 -Sanctified by Christ

Jesus Christ our Lord
Matthew 22:41-46 -The Lord said to my Lord

Receive Grace for Obedience to the Faith
James 2:14-26 -Faith without works

Beloved of God
I John 4:7-11 -God loved us and sent His Son
I John 2:3-6 -God’s love is perfected in word keepers
Jude 20-21 -Keep yourself in God’s love
Romans 8:38-39 -No external force can separate us from God’s love

Grace and Peace
Philippians 4:4-7 -The peace of God
Colossians 3:12-17 -Let the peace of God rule in your hearts

A Cheerful Giver - 11/22/09pm

Mark 12:41-44 -The widow’s mite

In the Old Testament
Exodus 35:4-9 -Israelites to give from a willing heart
Exodus 36:2-7 -The Israelites had brought too much
Deuteronomy 15:7-11 -Generosity to the poor

The Collection
Acts 4:32-37 -Laying money at the apostles’ feet
I Corinthians 16:1-4 -1st day of the week, as you have prospered
II Corinthians 8:1-7 -The generosity of the Macedonian churches
II Corinthians 9:1-15 -For ministering to the saints, a cheerful giver

General Generosity
Matthew 6:1-4 -Don’t give to be seen by others
Acts 10:1-4 -Cornelius’ alms and prayers
Romans 12:6-8 -He who gives, with liberality
Galatians 6:7-10 -Do good to all, especially to Christians
I Timothy 6:17-19 -Ready to give, willing to share

Not Giving
I John 3:10-23 -Love one another, shutting up the heart against a brother in need is not love
Matthew 6:19-21 -Do not lay up treasure on earth
Colossians 3:5-7 -Greed/covetousness, which is idolatry
I Timothy 6:6-10 -The love of money

Denying Christ - 11/22/09am

Matthew 26:31-35 -Christ foretells Peter’s denial
John 18:15-27 -Peter denies Christ
Luke 22:54-62 -Peter denies Christ, then weeps

Peter’s Teaching on Denying Christ
Acts 3:11-26 -The Jews had denies the Holy One (Christ)
I Peter 3:13-17 -Sanctify Christ in your heart, be ready to give an answer
II Peter 2:1-17 -False teachers, denying the Lord

Denying Christ in Word
Matthew 10:32-33 -Whoever denies Christ, Christ will deny
Romans 10:8-13 -With the mouth, one confesses unto salvation

Denying Christ in Action
Titus 1:15-16 -Deny God through works
Jude 3-19 -Ungodly men who deny God and Christ
I Timothy 5:3-8 -Those who don’t provide for family deny the faith
I John 2:18-23 -Antichrists deny the Father and Son

Run Away! - 11/15/09pm

I Timothy 6:6-11 -Flee these things
II Timothy 2:22 -Flee youthful lusts
I Corinthians 6:18-20 -Flee sexual immorality
Sometimes Christians do not flee sin. Perhaps it is because they assume that this is strictly something to be done mentally (which is sometimes the case). But it is also something that must be done physically. When you find yourself in a situation or around people that brings temptation, run away! Literally! Even better, think ahead and as much as possible do not allow yourself to be placed in that situation or around those people.

If you find yourself tempted by people to speak foul language, gossip, or tell obscene jokes, get away from them! If you find yourself tempted by the people you around to drink, get away from them! Or, as in the example that we are about to look at, if you are tempted towards fornication, run away! Remove yourself far from the temptation.

Genesis 39:1-23 -Joseph and Potipher’s wife
Genesis 41:1-57 -Joseph released and promoted
Genesis 42:1-7 -Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt for food
Genesis 46:1-7 -Israel moves to Egypt
It’s worth noting that because Joseph chose to flee from sin, salvation was obtained. In this case, literal salvation for his family. When we choose to flee from sin, salvation is there.

But when you flee, where do you go?
Hebrews 6:17-20 -Flee to God for refuge

The Weightier Matters - 11/15/09am

John 5:1-15 -Jesus heals a man at the pool of Bethesda
Matthew 23:23-24 -The weightier matters, without leaving the other undone

Justice
Colossians 4:1 -Masters, treat servants with justice and fairness
John 7:21-24 -Jesus healed on the Sabbath, and is judged unrighteously
James 2:1-13 -Do not show favoritism

Mercy
Matthew 5:7 -Blessed are the merciful, they shall receive mercy
Luke 6:27-36 -Love your enemies, show mercy
Luke 10:25-37 -The good Samaritan

Faith
Hebrews 11:6 -That God is, and the He rewards those who seek Him
Matthew 16:13-16 -Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God
I Corinthians 15:3-17 -If Jesus was not raised, our faith is in vain
II Corinthians 5:7 -We walk by faith
Hebrews 11:4-12, 17-31 -Men and women who acted by faith

You've Got to Crucify Somebody - 11/8/09pm

Matthew 27:15-50 -Christ’s crucifixion
We are all familiar with the crucifixion of our Lord, and of what it means to us. We are aware of the pain and agony and of the burden Christ bore that we might be forgiven of our sins and have the hope of eternal life. As we will see, there are two options available to us. Either we can crucify Christ, or we can crucify self.

Crucifying the Son of God
Acts 2:14-41 -Peter’s sermon on Pentecost
Acts 3:12-26 -Sermon to the Jews, convicting them of crucifying Christ
Hebrews 6:4-6 -They crucify for themselves the Son of God
If we choose to sin, we choose to crucify Christ, for we have made it necessary. When you sin, you crucify and shame the Son of God.

Crucifying Self
If we do not wish to crucify Christ, we must instead crucify self. We must put our own desires, self-will, and sin to death and shame, and live as a new man, alive to Christ.
Galatians 2:20 -Crucified with Christ
Galatians 5:19-25 -Crucified the flesh with its passions and desires
Romans 6:5-14 -The old man is crucified, dead to sin, alive to Christ

In Remembrance of Me - 11/8/09am

Luke 22:7-23 -The Lord’ Supper is instituted

Manner and Means of Partaking
It is, of course, worth calling to attention what the Bible has to say about what the Lord’s Supper consists of, how often we are to partake of it, and in what manner we should do so.
Exodus 12:14-20 -The feast of unleavened bread, no leaven
Exodus 13:3-10 -The feast of unleavened bread, no leaven, remember
Acts 20:7-12 -The first day of the week
I Corinthians 11:17-34 -Properly partake of the Lord’s Supper

Examine Self
The Lord’s Supper is an opportunity to examine ourselves and see where we need to make corrections in our life. We should, at that moment, be careful to consider where our minds are, that we may be properly focused on Christ and His will. And we must look at whether our own lives are in line with Christ’s.
Galatians 6:1-5 -Each should examine his own work

Remembrance of Christ
We, as people, tend to forget things, don’t we? We have many holidays in this country, and most of them people don’t know why it is we celebrate them. Thus, Christ, in His Divine wisdom, established opportunity to be continually reminded.
II Timothy 2:8 -Remember
II Peter 3:1-2 -Bring to remembrance

Proclaim the Lord’s Death until He Comes
Each time we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we declare our faith that the Lord was crucified for our sins, was buried, rose again the third day, ascended to heaven, and will at some point return, that we may all face judgment.
Mark 15:22-37 -The crucifixion
Hebrews 9:16-28 -Christ’s sacrifice
Acts 1:9-11 -Christ will return
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 -Christ will return

God's Promises - 10/25/19pm

God Does Not Promise Good Health
Some believe that God promises good health and long life to those who follow Him. While faithfully serving God does remove many things that cause life to be shortened, there is no promise that those who are faithful will enjoy good health all their life.
I Timothy 5:23 -Timothy’s frequent illnesses
I Corinthians 12:7-12 -Paul’s thorn in the flesh
Galatians 4:12-14 -Paul’s sickness when preaching to the Galatians
James 5:13-18 -Prayer for the sick

God Does Not Promise Wealth
Some believe that God promises great wealth to those who follow Him. Some even put a specific amount on it (7, 10, 100, etc. times what is contributed). God makes no such promise to Christians. Much to the contrary, what we are shown is poverty.
II Corinthians 8:1-5 -The great poverty of the Macedonians
Romans 15:26-27 -The poor among the saints of Jerusalem
Matthew 19:23-26 -A camel through the eye of a needle
Matthew 6:19-34 -Needs (not wants) will be met

God Does Promise Persecution
God does not promise an easy life if you choose to follow Him. Quite the contrary, He promises persecution. You can expect to suffer various forms of persecution as a Christian.
Revelation 2:8-11 -The poverty and persecution of the church in Smyrna
II Timothy 3:1-13 -All who want to live a godly life will be persecuted
II Corinthians 4:7-11 -Persecuted and being delivered over to death
II Thessalonians 1:1-5 -Their persecution was as sign of their worthiness

God Does Promise Eternal Life
God does promise eternal life to those who follow Him. This is surely a greater promise than any promise of temporary health, wealth that is easily consumed or lost, or status among the world.
James 1:12 -Endure, for the Lord has promised a crown
Titus 1:1-4 -God, who cannot lie, has promised eternal life
II Peter 1:1-11 -Great and precious promises if we add these qualities
Revelation 21:1-8 -The one who overcomes shall inherit

What Must I Do? - 10/25/09am

Mark 10:17-22 -The rich young ruler
This man asks a question which is a familiar one that has been asked many times. He asks the question of what a person’s duty is in order to receive salvation and eternal life.
Acts 2:37-41 -What shall we do?
Acts 16:25-34 -What must I do to be saved?

Question Denotes a Degree of Faith
…That God has made salvation available
Titus 2:11-14 -Grace has appeared, bringing salvation to all men
I Timothy 2:1-6 -God our Saviors wants all men to be saved

…That Jesus is the Christ
I John 5:1-5 -Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God
John 6:66-69 -Christ, the Holy One of God, has words of eternal life

The Answer Requires Obedient Action
We see that Christ’s response to the rich young ruler began with reminding him of the commandments that had been given. The meaning is clear: if we wish to receive eternal life, we must do what the Lord has said to do, and avoid those things which the Lord forbids.
I John 2:1-6 -We know Him if we keep His commandments
Acts 3:17-21 -Repent and convert, that yours sins may be removed
Romans 10:5-13 -Confess with the mouth
Galatians 3:23-29 -As many as have been baptized

The Answer Requires Focus
The rich young man went away sad because he lacked the proper focus. His wealth was more important to him than was eternal life. We must be diligent to always have the proper focus and priorities in our life. We must be focused on Christ.
Mark 10:23-31 -Leave all for Christ to receive the reward
Matthew 10:32-39 -Love Christ more than family or life
Hebrews 12:1-2 -Cast off every weight, looking unto Jesus
Hebrews 11:17-19 -Abraham loved God more than he loved Isaac
Hebrews 11:24-29 -Moses loved God more than Egypt’s riches
Matthew 6:33 -Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness

Gideon: Let Baal Contend - 10/18/09pm

Hebrews 11:32-34 -Heroes of faith, including Gideon

Judges 6:11-16 -Gideon was among the least of Israel
Social standing is not a barrier to serving God: everyone can.

Judges 6:17-21 -Gideon asks for a sign as proof
Judges 6:22-27 -Gideon accepts the sign and obeys the Lord
God provides proof and evidence for many things. When we see it, we should accept it and follow it.

Judges 6:28-30 -The men seek to kill Gideon
Judges 6:31-32 -Gideon’s father speaks, and Gideon is given the name Jerubbaal
The importance of a good name/reputation: we should be known for standing for truth and contending against sin.

Judges 6:33-35 -Gideon gathers Israel to oppose the Midianites
Judges 6:36-40 -Gideon asks for, and receives, two more signs
Judges 7:1-3 -God tells Gideon he has too many men, and that the glory should obviously be the Lords. 22,000 men leave, 10,000 remain
Judges 7:4-8 -The Lord narrows down to 300 men
The glory always should go to God. God’s will will be done, even if it seems impossible.

Judges 7:9-14 -Gideon, afraid to go into the Midianite camp, hears a man telling of a dream and finds courage
Sometimes we are afraid to do as the Lord would want. We must have courage and confidence in God.

Judges 7:15-18 -The plan
Judges 7:19-22 -The Midianite are routed
Judges 7:23-25 -The Israelites pursue the Midianites and capture two princes
Consider what the Lord did for Israel! The Lord is not limited: we can have confidence that He will overcome and the He will help when we pray for it.

Judges 8:1-3 -The men of Ephraim are upset they weren’t “invited along”
Judges 8:4-9 -Gideon asks for supplies for his men, and it is not provided
Judges 8:10-17 -Gideon captures the kings of Midian and punishes those that refused to aid the Israel army
When our assistance is needed, how do we respond? Do we want to help? Do we seek excuse not to help?

Judges 8:18-21 -Zebah and Zalmunna are executed
Judges 8:22-23 -Gideon refuses to be made king
Gideon here shows proper understanding: God rules in the kingdoms of men. When Israel eventually was given the king they asked for, think of how well that went.

Judges 8:24-27 -Gideon makes a golden ephod, which serves as an idol and becomes a snare to Gideon and his house
And yet we see that Gideon takes action which results in idolatry, although not to the Baals. We must be careful not to cause others, or ourselves, to sin.

Judges 8:28-35 -Gideon dies, and Israel turns back to the Baals
And after all of Gideon’s work, people still turned back. We cannot force others to choose to follow the Lord. But like Gideon, we must work diligently.

Working in the Vineyard - 10/18/09am

Matthew 20:1-16 -Parable of the workers in the vineyard

The Promise
Each worker was made a promise of a denarius for their labor. We have a promise for our labor. Our promise, however, is far greater than a day’s worth of pay. Our promise is of Christ’s return and of eternal life to follow.
I Timothy 4:1-11 -Godliness holds the promise of life
II Peter 3:1-13 -The promise of His coming
I John 2:25 -The Lord has promised eternal life
Luke 14:25-33 -Count the cost...is the promise worth the work?

The Work
In order to carry out their part of the arrangement, the hired men had to spend the rest of the day working. The same is very much true for us. We must spend our time working if we wish to receive what has been promised. The promise is conditional.
Matthew 9:35-38 -The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few
I Timothy 3:1-5 -Timothy, the fellow worker
Ephesians 4:11-16 -Prepared for works of service, each does his own work
Titus 2:1-15 -Instruction on good works

The Payment
It is not too late to begin working. It is not to late to start serving the Lord, carrying out His will. Whether you have never obeyed the gospel or whether you have obeyed but have not been a diligent worker, it is not too late to start...if you start now. You are not guaranteed a later. But if we are His workers, we will receive what He has promised.
Hebrews 11:6 -He rewards those who seek Him
James 1:12 -Receive the crown of life that God has promised
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 -Meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever
Hebrews 10:19-25 -He who promised is faithful

A Corrupt Priesthood - 10/11/09pm

Malachi 1:6-8 -The vain offering of the priests
Malachi 2:1-9 -The sins of the priests

The priesthood in the days of Malachi had become corrupt. Sadly, this had often been the case for the priesthood. Let us take a few moments and consider some of the times in scripture where God’s priests had chosen to stray.

Leviticus 10:1-7 -Nadab and Abihu offer strange fire
I Samuel 2:12-25, 34 -Eli’s sinful sons
Micah 3:1-12 -The priests teach for pay
Nehemiah 13:28-31 -The defiled priesthood
Matthew 26:1-5 -The chef priests plot to kill Jesus
Matthew 27:15-26 -The chief priests ask for Jesus’ crucifixion and Barabbas’ release
Acts 26:9-13 -The priests send Paul to persecute the church

So what is the lesson in this for us?

I Peter 2:1-10 -You are a holy priesthood
Revelation 1:4-6 -You are kings and priests

Under the new covenant, all Christians are priests. All Christians have that obligation to God and to man. If we grow corrupt, if we choose not to fulfill our responsibilities, we include ourselves among those that we just read of a few minutes ago. We must each remain pure, blameless, and undefiled before God. We must serve God, we must teach, we must be dedicated and offer ourselves up as an offering to Him.

You Owe Him - 10/11/09am

Sometimes people feel that God requires too much, or that simply assembling is enough, or that they’ve already done enough for God. When we examine the scriptures we see that we owe God everything, and should be spending our lives dedicated to His service.

Because He Created You
God created you. Not only that, but everything you have enjoyed in this life, He created. Everything you have needed in this life is there by His Hand. Ever enjoy a day at an outdoor barbeque with family and loved ones? The sunshine you enjoyed, the food you ate, the people you were around, the ground you stood on, the air you breathed…all there because God created it.
Genesis 1:1-31 -Creation

Because His Son Died for You
Not only did God create all things, but He put in motion a plan by which men can be saved. He sacrificed His Son that we might have salvation. The cost was paid for our sin with the blood of God’s only begotten.
Romans 5:6-11 -While we were sinners, Christ died for us, allowing for reconciliation
Luke 23:26-46 -Crucifixion

Because He has Blessed Us in Life
In this life God has given us each many blessings and gifts. There are many nonessentials that we enjoy. There are also spiritual blessings, such as the word of God that have been provided for us.
James 1:16-18 -Every good and perfect gift is from God
II Peter 1:2-4 -God has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness

Because He Has Given Us Hope
Lastly, because of the sacrifice made by His Son, we can have hope of eternal life. Not that we deserve it or have earned it (or ever can earn it), but we owe God a great deal for making such a thing available to us.
Revelation 21:1-22:5 -The eternal reward

The Running Man - 10/4/09pm

Running from a Task
Jonah 1:1-2 -God gives directions to Jonah
Jonah 1:3 -Jonah chooses to flee to avoid the task God had given him
Jonah 1:4-8 -God sends a storm
Jonah 1:9-16 -Jonah is thrown overboard to quiet the storm
Jonah 1:17 -Jonah is swallowed by a great fish
I Corinthians 3:1-15 -Each has a task to carry out, one should neither be proud about or avoid theirs

Running back to God
Jonah 2:1 -Jonah prays to God
Jonah 2:2-9 -Jonah’s prayer
Jonah 2:10 -Jonah is saved from the great fish
Acts 8:18-24 -Simon is told to repent and pray

Running to Condemn
Jonah 3:1-5 -Jonah preaches Nineveh’s punishment
Jonah 3:6-9 -The people of Nineveh repent, hoping for God’s mercy
Jonah 3:10 -The Lord relents against Nineveh
Philippians 1:12-18 -Teaching done form good and wrong motives

Running from Love
Jonah 4:1-4 -Jonah is angry that the Lord relented against Nineveh
Jonah 4:5-11 -Jonah is provided an example of God’s compassion
I John 4:7-21 -God’s love, our love for Him, our love for one another

Demonic Faith - 10/4/09am

James 2:19 -Even the demons believe that there is one God

Demons Believe in Christ

Matthew 8:28-33 -Jesus is recognized as the Son of God by demons
Mark 1:32-34 -The demons knew who Jesus was
Luke 4:31-37 -Jesus is called the Holy One of God by a demon

Demons Believe and Submit to Christ’s Authority

Matthew 8:16-17 -Jesus casts out demons
Matthew 5:13-19 -Apostles given authority to cast out demons
Luke 11:14-26 -Jesus was using the authority of God, which the demons heeded because it was stronger

Faith that is in Common with Demonic Faith

James 2:14-26 -Faith without works is dead

Profitless Faith (v 16)
Matthew 25:14-30 -The unprofitable servant

Dead Faith (v 17)
Romans 6:1-22 -Must be dead to sin, alive to God

Unseen Faith (v 18)
Matthew 7:15-20 -By their fruits you shall know them

Unperfected Faith (v 22)
Hebrews 5:12-6:3 -Go on to perfection

Unjustifiable Faith (v 24)
Galatians 2:6-17 -A faith in Christ that justifies

Two Kings' Pride - 9/27/09pm

Proverbs 11:2 -Pride brings disgrace, humility brings wisdom
Proverbs 16:18 -Pride goes before a fall

Nebuchadnezzar
Daniel 4:1-37 -Nebuchadnezzar is full of pride, but is humbled

Belshazzar
Daniel 5:1-31 -Belshazzar is proud, and does not humble himself

James 4:6-10 -Humble yourself
I Peter 5:1-9 -Humble yourself

The Prince of this World - 9/27/09am

John 16:5-11 -The prince of this world stands condemned
These three passages speak of the prince of this world in relation to Christ’s crucifixion. It is at this time that prince of this world will be defeated. And the fulfillment of the first prophecy of Christ will be fulfilled (Genesis 3:15).

II Corinthians 4:3-6 -The god of this age has blinded unbelievers’
Minds

Satan is not only the prince of this world, but its god. It is he that so many follow, even without realizing it. We must be aware of what it means to make Satan your king.

What can we learn about Satan from scripture?

It is easy to follow him
It is easy to follow Satan. All you have to do is…nothing. Do whatever you want, whatever seems good to you, and you are following him. He doesn’t ask anything of you, except that you do what it easiest, and ignore whether it is right or wrong. You don’t have to actively follow him, you can passively serve him if you choose.
Romans 6:12-23 -Slave to sin = serve sin = serve Satan
James 4:17 -Not doing the good you should be doing is sin
I John 3:8 -He who does what is sinful is of the devil

He constantly seeks new subjects
Satan is always on the lookout for more people to serve under him. He’s always looking for people to convert to his banner.
I Peter 5:8 -Like a roaring lion, seeking who he can devour
-He is always prowling, looking for someone new
Luke 4:2 -Satan even tempted the Christ
-If he was tempted God‘s Son, he’ll tempt us
Luke 8:12 -Takes the word from their hearts
-He will do what it takes to make people ignore
the word of God


He is crafty
While he is looking for new subjects, he is crafty and deceptive. He will lie and disguise himself, doing whatever it takes to gain followers.
Matthew 13:37-39 -Satan places his followers among the good
Ephesians 6:11 -The devil schemes
Matthew 4:1-11 -Satan twists the word of God to his own ends
Genesis 3 -Adam, Eve, the serpent, and the fruit

He is deceptive
Satan is a liar. He lies about what it means to serve him, he lies about what is good and righteous, he lies about eternity, he lies about who is saved and who is not. Those who follow him are deceived, and we must be careful to not be so deceived!
II Corinthians 11:14-15 -Satan disguises himself as an angel of light
John 8:44 -He is a liar and the father of lies
II Timothy 3:12-14 -Evil men and imposters deceive and are
Deceived

He is limited in power
For a prince, a king, he is limited in power. He does not possess the power and might of the Lord God, but is hampered in what he does. He is not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent. Would you want to serve a king who is so weakened?
Job 1-2 -Satan is limited in what harm he can cause

The reward for following him will be to spend eternity with him
We are promised that if we live according to what he wants, if we serve him in this life, if we follow him as our king, that we will be rewarded with spending eternity with him, in the place prepared for him.
Revelation 20:10-15 -Those not written in the book of life are thrown
into the lake of fire
Matthew 25:41-43 -Those who sinned through omission sent to the
eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels

The Holy Spirit - 9/20/09pm

This sermon will hardly be all-inclusive or exhaustive on speaking of the Holy Spirit. Nor do I claim to perfectly understand Him and His work. But the Holy Spirit is a subject worth studying, so let us consult the scriptures!

The Holy Spirit is a Person of God
The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force that emanates from God. The Holy Spirit is one of the three Persons of Deity.
Acts 5:1-11 -Holy Spirit and God are used interchangeably
Matthew 3:13-17 -The Son, the Father, and the Holy Spirit
Matthew 28:18-20 -Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit and the Bible
The scriptures are give to us by the Holy Spirit, working through men. The Bible is not a book of stories that men came up with, but given by God.
John 14:25-26 -The comforter, the Holy Spirit, will teach the apostles
I Peter 1:10-12 -The Gospel was taught by those who preached by the Holy Spirit
II Peter 1:19-21 -All prophecy came from the Holy Spirit
II Timothy 3:16-17 -All scripture is God-breathed

The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Much confusion exists when speaking on the subject of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. That the Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian is simple Biblical truth. The means by which He does so is sometimes more difficult to understand. To this purpose, it becomes useful to see consider the indwelling of the Father and the Son.
Ephesians 3:14-19 -Christ dwells in the Christian’s heart by faith
John 14:19-24 -The indwelling of the Son and Father through faithful obedience
Galatians 3:1-14 -The Spirit dwells in us by faith
Romans 10:17 -Faith comes by hearing the word of God
Acts 5:26-32 -The Holy Spirit given to those who obey
Galatians 3:26-4:7 -The Spirit dwells in those who are sons (those who have been baptized)
What we see then is that the Holy Spirit dwells in us by faith, through the word of God. It is not a personal literal indwelling anymore than the indwelling of the Father and of the Son. It is also worth noting that everything that the Holy Spirit does for us is also stated as the word of God doing for us, showing the means by which the Holy Spirit has chosen to operate.

(The Power Point chart showing the verses correlating the Holy Spirit to the Bible are available upon request)

The Holy Spirit and Salvation
The Holy Spirit is involved in our salvation. Not by a miraculous event, but in our faithful obedience to the will of Christ, we are washed by the Spirit of God.
I Corinthians 6:9-11 -Washed, sanctified, and justified by the name of Christ and by the Spirit of God
Titus 3:1-8 -Salvation by Christ and the Holy Spirit
Matthew 28:18-20 -Be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

God's Watchman - 9/20/09am

Ezekiel 33:1-6 -The responsibility of a watchman
Ezekiel 33:7-9 -Ezekiel made God’s watchman to Israel
Colossians 1:24-29 -Warning every man and teaching

A Watchman’s Warnings
God, through Ezekiel, warns that He “has no pleasure,” that is, He is displeased. This is a dire warning, as God’s displeasure has been made known to men in the past. Just Israel should have been striving to avoid God’s displeasure, we must as well. We must aim to be pleasing to the Lord.
Ezekiel 33:10-11 -Ezekiel is to warn that God is displeased
Numbers 11:1-3 -God is displeased and brings fire on the Israelites
II Samuel 11:26-12:15 -David displeased the Lord by sinning with Bathsheba, and God punishes David

Ezekiel warns that God will punish those who are guilty and reward those who are righteous. In this is both a warning and an encouragement. First, a warning against sin. Second, an encouragement to live upright and blameless. And just as the Lord did then, we know that we will be judged by our actions and hearts.
Ezekiel 33:12-16 -Ezekiel is to warn that God will punish the guilty but save the righteous
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -The Lord judges all by their actions
Revelation 20:11-15 -All will be judged by their actions
John 5:24-30 -Christ judges justly

A People’s Response
Ezekiel 33:17-20 -The people complain that God’s way is “unfair”
Does this sound familiar? God has made the same promise: obey and be rewarded or disobey and punished. It’s reasonable, yet many call it unfair or unloving.

Ezekiel 33:21-22 -God’s judgment on Jerusalem is carried out
Ezekiel 33:23-29 -The reason Jerusalem feel was because of their wickedness
The judgment God had promised was carried out because of the sins of the people. Though they were warned clearly and plainly, the warning was not heeded, and destruction came.

Ezekiel 33:30-33 -The people hear, but do not obey God’s will
James 1:19-27 -Be doers, not only hearers of the word, deceiving yourselves
Just as they “listened” to Ezekiel, many “listen” to God today. It is essential that we do not be like the people in that day, but rather that we hear and faithfully obey the Lord.
I Corinthians 10:1-22 -Pay attention to Israel’s poor example, follow the Lord, do not turn aside to Idolatry and sin

God's Patience - 9/13/09pm

Ezekiel 20:1-4 -The elders of Israel seek the Lord
Ezekiel 20:5-9 -Israel’s unfaithfulness when coming out of Egypt
Ezekiel 20:10-17 -Israel’s unfaithfulness on the way to Canaan
Ezekiel 20:18-24 -Israel’s unfaithfulness when wandering in the wilderness
Ezekiel 20:25-26 -The depths of Israel’s depravity
Ezekiel 20:27-32 -Israel’s unfaithfulness in the promised land

Romans 9:18-33 -God’s patience had a purpose: it was for those who were obedient, and those to come who would be obedient
Israel had been rebellious against God, yet the Lord did not destroy them. Why? Because there were those that would come later that would serve the Lord, and by patiently enduring those who rebelled, He could show mercy on those who did not. In short, that God was patient with rebellious Israel so that we today might be saved.

Romans 2:1-11 -Do not despise God’s patience, leading to repentance
Some in Rome had been unrighteous judging others of the same thing they themselves had been doing. Paul here makes a point: God has shown patience to those that sin that they might repent of what they are doing and turn back to following Him. We too should have this attitude. Not to tolerate and accept the sin, but to patiently strive to turn the sinner back to God and to give opportunity and time for such to happen.

I Timothy 1:12-17 -Paul is an example of God’s patience
Paul serves as an example of God’s patience. The Lord did not destroy Paul when he blasphemed and persecuted the Lord’s church. Instead, opportunity was provided for Paul to repent and obey the Lord.

I Peter 3:18-22 -God’s patience in the days of Noah led to salvation
Christ, through Noah, preached what men must do. They rejected the word of God and continued in their sin, leading to their “imprisonment.” Nonetheless, eight were saved by the Lord’s patience. Instead of immediately destroying all, he gave opportunity for salvation.

II Peter 3:1-18 -”The longsuffering of our Lord is salvation”
The Lord has not destroyed the earth, giving opportunity for all men to obey the gospel and have eternal salvation. Will you not obey the gospel? Or will you delay until God’s patience has reached its end and it is too late?

Fervent in Spirit - 9/13/09am

John 2:13-17 -Jesus clears the temple

II Peter 3:10-13 -Fervent heat

Zeal is Commanded
Titus 2:11-15 -The Lord wants His people to be zealous for good works
Romans 12:9-21 -Among other things that Christ requires, we must be fervent in spirit
Jude 3 -Contend earnestly for the faith

Zeal is Contagious
II Corinthians 7:5-16 -Repentance produces zeal, their zeal causes Paul to rejoice
II Corinthians 9:1-2 -Their zeal stirred up others

Zeal in Love
I Peter 1:22-25 -Love fervently with a pure heart
I Peter 4:7-11 -Among other things, be fervent in love

Zeal in Prayer
James 5:13-18 -Fervent prayer
Luke 22:39-44 -Christ’s fervent prayer
Acts 12:1-10 -The church’s fervent prayer on Peter’s behalf

Zeal with Knowledge
Acts 18:24-28 -Zealous/fervent Apollos
Romans 10:1-4 -Zeal needs to be built on knowledge
Philippians 3:2-6 -Paul had been zealously wrong
Galatians 4:12-20 -We must be zealous for the right things

Jeremiah's Letter - 9/6/09pm

Jeremiah 29:1-3 -The letter containing God’s word that Jeremiah sent

Jeremiah 29:4 -The Lord had caused the exile to be
The Lord is in control, and all has gone by His plan
A reminder that though they are in captivity, they are still God’s people
Job 42:1-6 -Job realizes God’s plans cannot be stopped, and that God’s way are greater

Jeremiah 29:5-9 -Build houses, do not listen to false prophets
They are going to be in exile for a while, so get used to it
Turn to the Lord in prayer, seek peace
Do not heed the many false prophets
I John 4:1-6 -Test the spirits

Jeremiah 29:10-14 -Exile will end after 70 years, and the people will turn to God
Things will continue to go as God has planned, even to when they will leave exile
The exile will cause the people to turn back to God, as they should have done from the beginning
Acts 26:19-23 -God wants all to turn to Him

Jeremiah 29:15-20 -Because the people have turned to others, those remaining will face trials
Because they still have not turned to God, but rather to the false prophets, punishment will continue in Jerusalem as well as in Babylon
They had ignored God’s prophets to listen to false prophets
Romans 1:20-25 -Reject the truth for a lie

Jeremiah 29:21-23 -The problem of false prophets
Two false prophets are singled out and condemned by God
They will become a curse, taken up by all of Israel
II Peter 2:1-3, 12-22 -As there were false prophets, there will be false teachers

Jeremiah 29:24-28 -Shemaiah is rebuked for not heeding prophets
Shemaiah had written letters telling Zephaniah the priest to put Jeremiah in prison with others who are “demented”
Shemaiah seems to blame Jeremiah for the captivity
I Peter 3:13-17 -Live so that shame comes on those who revile

Jeremiah 29:29-32 -Shemaiah’s house to be cursed, never to see the good that the Lord will do
Zephaniah had shared the letter with Jeremiah
The Lord will punish and destroy the house of Shemaiah for teaching rebellion
The Lord will do good things for His people
Matthew 25:31-46 -The sheep and the goats

Will you be one of the sheep who will see the good that God does for His people? Or will you be like Shemaiah who rejected what God had to say, and so was accursed?

The Value of Prayer - 9/6/09am

Abraham’s Servant
Abraham sought a wife for his son Isaac. He wanted a wife not of the people around him, but of his own people, so he sent a servant to seek one.
Genesis 24:1-28 -The servant prays for guidance and a sign to know when his task is completed
The servant’s prayer was no for himself so much as for his master. He wanted to make sure the task was correctly done as Abraham wanted it. And we see that he is rewarded for his prayerful diligence, in that his prayer is answered.

Elijah
Elijah stood before Ahab, possibly the worst king Israel had ever suffered. And in rebuke, Elijah prayed and there was drought for 3 ½ years. And then he prays, and rain comes.
I Kings 17:1-7 -Elijah prays for drought
I Kings 18:41-46 -Elijah prays for the drought to end
Elijah’s prayers were answered. Once again, we see that there is nothing immediately miraculous about the answer, but what he had asked for came to be.

Daniel
Daniel was in exile in Babylon. But he did not stop praying to the Lord. When Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians, he continued his prayer.
Daniel 2:1-23 -Daniel prayers for understanding of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
Daniel 6:1-23 -Daniel prayers daily, survives lion’s den
We see Daniel’s effective prayer in that he was able to save the ungodly “wise men” of Nebuchadnezzar’s court. God answered his pryer on the behalf of others. We see also that Daniel made a practice of regularly going to the Lord in prayer. And for this he is rewarded for his diligence and godliness.

Disciples
Just as we see prayers fulfilled in the past, we can know that our prayers are heard by God today. We can have confidence that our prayers will be answered.
James 5:13-18 -The effective prayer of a righteous man
I Peter 3:7 -Do not let your prayers be hindered
I John 5:14-17 -God hears prayers
Acts 10:30-33 -God hears those who seek Him

A Man of Perseverance - 8/30/09pm

Matthew 10:22 -He who endures to the end will be saved

Jeremiah 1:1-19 -Jeremiah introduced and called. God gives him the message to preach
Covers a period of about 40 years
Young people can serve the Lord and valuable in His work
Jeremiah was to only preach/teach what was given Him
Jeremiah was not given a message that was going to be well liked

Jeremiah 8:4-22 -God’s indictment of Judah
Judah’s false wisdom and false piety
Judah’s complacent “peace”
Judah’s idolatry
Judah will be destroyed

Jeremiah 9:1-2 -Jeremiah’s sad response
Jeremiah does not rejoice at the destruction of his people
Jeremiah often referred to as the “weeping prophet”

Jeremiah 18:11-18 -Hearing God’s word, the people plot to slander and ignore Jeremiah
The people are called to repent and are condemned for their sin
They do not like this, so plot to see that Jeremiah is not heard

Jeremiah 18:19-23 -Jeremiah prays to God
Jeremiah had said what God wanted said
Jeremiah is willing to let them be judged accordingly

Jeremiah 28:1-17 -Jeremiah contends with Hananiah
Hananiah falsely prophesied peace and safety to Jerusalem, telling the king what he wanted to hear
Jeremiah stated the will of God
Hananiah, stating what people wanted to hear, died
Jeremiah, stating what was distasteful to people but pleasing to God, lived

Jeremiah 38:1-13 -Jeremiah is thrown into a pit, rescued by
Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian
Jeremiah’s life is sought by the princes of Jerusalem, and is cast into a pit
Jeremiah is rescued by one who is not a Jew

Jeremiah 38:14-28 -Jeremiah continues to preach until Jerusalem is captured
Jeremiah did not let previous events stop him, but continued to speak what the Lord had spoken

God and Man in Salvation - 8/30/09am

What God Does
Genesis 3:9-15 -God made a Plan
From when sin entered the world, God set in motion a plan for redeeming man. He did this because He loved us. Not as a collective, but each as individuals. Even while we turned from Him, He continued His plan for our salvation.
I John 4:7-11 -God loved us first
John 3:13-16 -God so loved the world
Romans 5:8-11 -God loved us, His Son died so we may be justified
By His blood, we are saved. God has done for us what no man can do: offered the perfect sacrifice for sin. And when He had done this, and the Christ rose again the third day, He did not keep it hidden, known only to a select few. He did it publicly, and sent men to spread the good news of salvation, that even those who had rejected Him might have opportunity for eternal life.
Matthew 28:18-20 -Christ sent men to spread the gospel
II Peter 1:2-4 -The gospel is complete and all that we need
Titus 2:11-14 -His grace has appeared to all men
And this good news and grace is something we all need, for we have all chosen to sin. We have each fallen short of what we should be.
Romans 3:23 -All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God
Ecclesiastes 7:29 -Though created upright, men seek out other paths

What Man Does
Salvation has been made available by God. So what do we each have to do in order to grasp this good and perfect gift?
Hebrews 5:5-11 -Salvation goes to those who obey
I John 3:16-24 -Love and belief: commands of God
John 6:26-33 -Believing is doing a work of God
I Corinthians 16:22 -The importance of loving the Lord
Acts 17:30 -All men need to repent
II Timothy 2:22 -Flee youthful lusts, pursue righteousness
Romans 10:8-13 -Confess Christ
Acts 2:38 -Repent and be baptized
These things are necessary to grasp hold of salvation for the first time. But once we have it, we cannot let go of the hope we have. We must continue to live for Christ.
I John 1:5-2:6 -Walk in the light with Christ
What is required of us is so insignificant compared to what the Lord has already done. He does not ask us to do things that will “earn” salvation. Instead, He asks for small, simple things, done out of love and faith. Are you walking in the light? Are you with Christ? Have you obeyed the gospel?

Isaiah: The Coming Messiah - 8/23/09pm

Last week we considered some of the prophecies Isaiah made against Israel, of their sin, and of their return to come. This week we will take a brief look at some of what Isaiah had to say about the long awaited Messiah, how He could be recognized, and what would happen.

Prophecies of the Messiah
Isaiah makes several prophecies of the coming Savior. Some were regarding signs that would make it apparent who the Messiah was. Some were in regard to what the Messiah would do, or what would occur to the Savior.
Isaiah 7:13-17 -Immanuel, virgin birth
Isaiah 9:1-7 -From Galilee, names for, throne of David
Isaiah 11:1-16 -Root of Jesse
Isaiah 53:1-12 -The suffering savior

Fulfillment by the Messiah
We can read in the New Testament of the fulfillment of these prophecies. In this we find evidence that Jesus is the Messiah. In this we can have faith and trust that in following Him, we have not misplaced our hearts. We follow no lie, but the Truth.
Matthew 1:1-25 -Immanuel, virgin birth, root of Jesse fulfilled
Matthew 4:12-17 -From Galilee fulfilled
Acts 8:29-39 -Isaiah 53 refers to Jesus, the Christ

The Messiah’s Followers
Not only does Isaiah have something to say about the Messiah, but also regarding His followers: the church.
Isaiah 2:1-4 -The mountain of the Lord’s house
Hebrew 3:1-6 -We can be part of His house

Would you follow the Messiah that had been prophesied of and has now come? Would you be a part of His house?

Preach the Word and Teach the World, Part 3 - 8/23/09am

Romans 10:14-17

Previously we looked at each of our roles in teaching others. We also looked at who we are supposed to be bringing the word, and what we are to be teaching. To conclude this series, we will take a look at how we are supposed to be teaching, and why we are supposed to be teaching.

How we should Teach
II Timothy 4:2 -With patience
II Timothy 1:8 -Not ashamedly (Romans 1:16)
Matthew 23:3 -Not hypocritically
II Timothy 2:25 -Gently instruct
Acts 4:29-31 -With boldness (Acts 9:27-29, Acts 14:3, Acts 19:8)
Ephesians 4:15 -In love
Philippians 1:15-16 -With love and good will
Titus 2:7-8 -With integrity and seriousness
I Timothy 2:1 -Without favoritism

We should teach with longsuffering, with patience, and with love. We should speak boldly, and unashamed of what we are speaking. We should freely preach to all men, without favoring some over others. And we should be practicing the word of God that we are teaching.

Why we should Teach
Philippians 1:15-18 -Should be freely and willingly preaching
I Corinthians 9:16-18 -We are rewarded for preaching voluntary work
Acts 4:18-20 -God said to, and we shouldn’t be able to stop ourselves from doing so
Acts 14:11-17 -For God’s glory
Ephesians 4:29 -To build up
Romans 10:14-17 -Teaching will lead to faith
II Peter 3:9 -That all might repent
I Corinthians 9:19-23 -To save souls
I Corinthians 15:1-11 -For salvation through the gospel

We should be preaching from the proper motives. We should be doing so willingly, not begrudgingly. If we are doing so because we are compelled, the word I still spread, but it shows that our priorities are other than what Christ wants it to be. We should be preaching to help save souls and bring others to Christ. We should be soul winners for Him, striving to increase the size of His kingdom and bring glory to Him. We must be sure to do it for Him, and for the souls of others, and not for ourselves.

Paul’s Example and Preaching
Acts 18:1-23
-Paul taught boldly, willingly, without hesitation
-Paul reasoned from the scriptures
-Paul traveled often to save souls

Have you obeyed the gospel preached by Paul? Are you willing to become one of the Lord’s disciples?

Isaiah: Judgment of Israel - 8/16/09pm

Isaiah can be divided up in different ways. The way I usually look at this book is that Isaiah primarily has three different subjects he deals with. The first is the judgment of Israel, the second is similar and deals with God’s judgment of the nations surrounding and affecting Israel, and the third is prophecy of the Messiah. This week, let us consider God’s judgment of Israel. Next week, Lord willing, we will consider some of what Isaiah has to say about the Messiah.

Israel’s Sin
Israel and Judah, rather than following the Lord as they should, chose to sin against the Almighty and go their own way. God, through Isaiah, names some of the sin that they had committed and which had separated them from the Lord.
Isaiah 1:1-23 -Judah’s empty worship and degeneracy
Isaiah 3:13-23 -Judah’s prideful materialism
Isaiah 5:8-12 -Judah’s materialism
Isaiah 5:18-23 -Judah’s reversing of evil into good and good into evil
Isaiah 32:9-11 -Their complacency
Isaiah 59:1-8 -Their sins have separated them from God

Israel’s Punishment
For their sins, Israel was to be punished. Their cities would be laid waste, and the people would be carried off in captivity.
Isaiah 29:1-8 -Jerusalem to be destroyed
Isaiah 39:1-8 -Babylon to carry them into captivity

Israel’s Return
The Lord, being merciful, would later bring a remnant back to the land of Israel and allow Jerusalem to be rebuilt. Even when Israel has rejected God continually, we see that he offers hope should they repent.
Isaiah 10:20-27 -A remnant will return
Isaiah 26:20-27:13 -Israel is to return
Isaiah 44:24-25:7 -Through Cyrus, Judah will return from captivity

Preach the Word and Teach the World, Part 2 - 8/16/09am

Romans 10:14-17

Continuing our study on what we, as Christians, should be doing to spread the gospel of Christ, we will look at some more specifics. Last time we looked at the role of an evangelist and what every Christian should be doing to teach others. Today we’ll look at who we should be teaching and what we should be teaching.

Who do we Teach?
Romans 1:16
Titus 2:2 -Older men
Titus 2:3 -Older women
Titus 2:4-5 -Younger women
Titus 2:6 -Younger men
Titus 2:9-10 -Slaves
Acts 20:7 -The church
II Timothy 2:25-26 -Opponents of Christ
(Romans 15:20, Luke 9:10)
Matthew 28:18-20 -All the world
(Mark 16:15, Acts 22:15)
Everyone is included among those who need to be taught. Whether you are in a saved condition or a lost condition, you need to be taught. Whether you are male or female, young or old, and whatever your lot in life may be, you need to be taught. And as Christians, we are supposed to be teaching them.

What do we Teach?
Matthew 28:18-20 -What Christ taught the apostles
Titus 2:1 -Sound doctrine
II Peter 3:15 -To explain the faith
II Corinthians 11:4 -Jesus
(I Corinthians 1:23)
Acts 8:35 -Good new about Jesus
(Galatians 1:6-9, Romans 10:14-15)
II Timothy 4:2 -The word
Ephesians 4:15 -The truth
Galatians 1:11-12 -What God revealed
Acts 26:20 -Repentance and turning to God
Acts 22:16 -Baptism and remission of sins
We should be teaching the Bible. The word of God. We should be bringing people the true good news about our savior, who was crucified for our sins, and was raised again on the 3rd day. We should be letting everyone know about Christ, and what Christ wants us to do, in return for his sacrifice. We should be teaching people to bring them to God.

Philip’s Example and Preaching
Acts 8:4-8, 26-40
-Philip preached about Christ to Samaria and the Eunuch
-Philip preached from the scriptures, using what God had provided
-Philip’s teaching of Christ included baptism and information about salvation
Have you obeyed the gospel of Christ?

The Whole of Man - 8/9/09pm

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

The Feet
While before we have looked at “walking” in a figurative sense, now we consider how we can literally use our feet in the Lord’s service: to carry us to teach others and to speed us towards doing His work.
Ephesians 6:15 -Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel
Romans 10:14-15 -Beautiful feet

The Body
We must submit the body, and all of its desires, to God, using what we physically in such a way as to serve Him.
I Corinthians 6:12-20 -Glorify God in your body
Romans 12:1-2 -Present body as a living sacrifice

The Heart
We must focus our hearts on Christ. We cannot have our hearts set on other things, but must desire the will of God.
Matthew 22:34-40 -The greatest commandment
Psalm 131 -A humble heart

The Hands
Our hands must be innocent of wrong doing, and clean. We should also be working diligently in all things, as though unto the Lord. When we work diligently in our lives at secular work and such things, the Lord is pleased.
James 4:7-11 -Cleanse your hands
I Thessalonians 4:1-12 -Work with your own hands, consider context

The Tongue
How are we using the tongue in the Lord’s work? We must be careful to speak those things He wishes to be said, and to not speak those things we should not.
James 3:1-13 -Taming the tongue
Palm 119:169-176 -Speaking to God, and about His law

The Ears
We should be receptive and quick to heed the word of God. We must not let teaching simply slip in one ear and out the other, but rather be prepared to listen and apply.
Matthew 13:10-17 -Christ’s reason for speaking in parables
Psalm 78:1-3 -Incline your ears
I Timothy 4:1-14 -Itching ears

The Eyes
We must keep our focus on Christ, and on those things he would have us focus on. We must not allow ourselves to look instead towards sin.
Matthew 5:27-32 -Do not look after a woman to lust
Hebrews 12:1-2 -Looking unto Jesus
Psalm 123 -Lifting up eyes unto God

The Mind
We must follow and love the Lord with our mind. Our mind, as it controls the rest of the body, must be in line with what God wants. If we cannot bring our minds into subjection, then the rest of us will not be either.
I Peter 1:13-16 -Gird up the loins of your mind
Philippians 3:18-19 -Minds set on earthly things
Philippians 4:8-9 -Think on these things

Preach the Word and Teach the World, Part 1 - 8/9/09am

Romans 10:14-17

It is profitable to take a look at not only the role of a preacher/evangelist, but also what the teaching responsibilities of all Christians are. We should look at who we should be teaching, what we should be teaching, how we should be teaching, and consider why we teach. It also behooves us to take a look at the Bible examples of Bible teachers, that we can emulate their good examples.

The Role of a Preacher/Evangelist
I Timothy 3:1-13 -NOT to oversee the congregation (Titus 1:5-9, II Peter 5:1-3)
II Timothy 4:2-5 -To preach the word, regardless of whether it is popular
II Corinthians 10:14-15 -To teach the word plainly
I Timothy 4:12-13 -To provide an example
Romans 10:14-15 -To bring the gospel to people
II Thessalonians 2:13-15 -To bring people to Christ (Colossians 1:28-29)
II Timothy 3:16-17 -To teach, rebuke, correct, and train (I Timothy 6:20, I Timothy 4:6, II Timothy 2:8-14)
Colossians 1:25-27 -To give hope
I Corinthians 10:31 -To give glory to God

The role of an evangelist is to speak what is written in scripture, regardless of whether people want to hear it or not. He is tasked with using the gospel effectively and properly. It is necessary for him to teach those both in and out of the body of Christ. He does not guide or oversee a congregation in the way an elder does. Nor does he have any inherent authority except to speak what God has spoken. This is both his authority and responsibility.

Who Should Preach/Teach?
Hebrews 5:12 -Members of the Church (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 8:4)
I Corinthians 9:16-18 -Those who voluntarily do so and those who are compelled
I Corinthians 12:27-31 -Those so gifted (Ephesians 4:11-13)
Titus 2:3-4 -Older women
I Timothy 3:2 -Elders
I Timothy 4:12-13 -Young men
I Corinthians 7:16 -Husbands and wives

Everyone should b teaching the word. Whether you are male or female, young or old, you have a responsibility to spread the good news about Christ. Everyone can teach something to someone, even if it is only to give the reason you believe and obey. In example and speech, we must always strive to teach others (Colossians 3:17).

Peter’s Example and Preaching
Acts 2:14-39
-Peter teaches of Christ
-Peter preaches boldly, not softening what he is saying
-He preaches of repentance, baptism, and salvation

Have you obeyed what Peter preached?

Don't Be Stupid - 8/2/09pm

Proverbs 12:1 -The stupid man hates correction
Proverbs 30:1-3 -The stupid man has no wisdom or knowledge of God
Jeremiah 10:1-25 -Stupidity of idols and idolatry (vv. 8, 14)
Jeremiah 51:15-19 -Lacking knowledge and following idols is stupid
Ecclesiastes 10:1-3 -Actions make stupidity obvious
We see then that stupidity is found in rejecting that which God has made known, and in turning to other things. It is truly stupid to not heed that which is made clear by God, and it is truly stupid to put our trust in idols, false religions, and other things, instead of in the Lord.

In the Bible, we have examples of people who, knowing the truth, choose to reject it and turn to something else. In other words, we are shown examples of stupid people in the Bible.
Exodus 32:1-20 -Israel, knowing God, turns to an idol
Luke 22:1-6, 47-53 -Judas, knowing Christ, betrays him
Acts 26:19-32 -Agrippa, knowing the law and prophets, rejects Christ

Jude 3 -The faith has been delivered, once and for all
II Peter 1:2-3 -All things pertaining to life and godliness
The word of God has made the Lord clear to us. God has seen to it that we have all that we need in order to know Christ, to follow Him, and to not turn aside. If we choose to do anyway, we, like the Israelites, like Judas, like Agrippa, and like many others, choose to be stupid. Don’t be stupid.

Excuses Christ Failed to Make - 8/2/09am

Luke 14:16-24
It’s easy and common for us to make excuses to get out of things. We make excuses to not wash dishes, to not go to the doctor, or to not go to work. We also make excuses to not teach others, to assemble, or to study the Bible. I would like to take a few minutes and think about the results if Christ had made these same excuses.

“It’s just too hard to do God’s will!”
How often do we make or hear this excuse? It just seems like God has asked so much of us! But consider Christ, our ultimate example. Instead of making this excuse, He did as the Lord commanded.
John 6:32-40
Luke 22:39-46

“But I’ll have to give up things that I like!”
To follow Christ we may have to give up certain possessions, hobbies, entertainments, and friends. But no matter how much we must remove from our lives, consider what Christ gave up. Imagine if He had made this excuse!
Philippians 2:5-11

“No one will listen if I try to teach!”
This excuse is used to keep from teaching others. Again, consider the consequences if Christ had made this excuse. Yet He did not: He taught.
John 7:25-31
John 10:22-30

“I’ll do it later.”
When in doubt, procrastinate, right? Imagine if Christ had put off our salvation, instead of doing what needed to be done when it needed to be done: in the fullness of time.
Galatians 3:26-4:7

“I’m just too tired right now.”
This is an easy excuse to make, particularly on Sunday mornings, isn’t it? Again, we see Christ not making this excuse. Even when tired, He sought to do God’s will. In fact, it’s only recorded once that He ever went apart to rest.
John 4:2-14
Mark 6:30-32

“But I may be laughed at or persecuted!”
Yes, people may laugh at us. They may even throw things. But imagine if Christ made this excuse. He would not have gone to the cross, and we would not have salvation.
Matthew 27:22-50

I Peter 2:21 -Be like Christ

Calling on the Name of the Lord - 7/26/09pm

Romans 10:1-21 -Whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord
Matthew 7:21-23 -Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord
Calling on the name of the Lord is linked to confessing Christ, and of course, salvation. However, we know from the passage in Matthew that it is not simply giving vocal acknowledgement of the Lord. Let us consider, again, some of the psalms which call upon the Lord.

Psalm 18:1-3 -David calls upon the Lord in praise
Psalm 31:9-18 -David calls upon the Lord
Psalm 105:1-7 -Giving thanks, praise, calling on the Lord
Psalm 141:1-10 -A prayer to be kept from sin
Psalm 148:17-21 -The Lord is near those who call upon Him
We see that calling on the Lord includes spoken confession, but goes far deeper. Calling on the Lord involves confessing Christ throughout all our lives, in word and in deed. Calling on the Lord involves turning to the Lord in all circumstances.

I Corinthians 1:1-3 -The church, those who call upon the Lord
II Timothy 2:14-26 -Those who call on the Lord with a pure heart
Those who truly call upon the Lord are the church, those who have been sanctified. If we wish to call upon the Lord, we must do more than simply do so vocally: we must live it.

God's Gift: Grace - 7/26/09am

II Peter 3:17-18 -Grow in grace and knowledge
As in previous weeks, we consider this passage. We have looked at growth and we have looked at knowledge. This week we consider God’s grace, by which we have salvation.
Ephesians 2:1-10 -Saved by grace, the gift of God
Titus 2:11-15 -The grace of God has appeared to all men

I Peter 1:3-16 -Salvation, grace to be given to you, obedience
I Timothy 1:8-12 -Saved and called to a holy life by His grace
Romans 6:1-23 -A life of sin is opposed to God’s gift of eternal life
After considering these verses, let us look at an example of how a gift from God works. Consider Jericho, which God gave to the Israelites.
Joshua 6:1-21 -Example of God giving a gift: Jericho

Philippians 3:1-21 -Paul’s faith, righteousness from God, and pursuit of the goal

Singing the Psalms - 7/12/09pm

Colossians 3:16-17 -Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs

Psalm 104:1-2 -Praise for God
Psalm 104:3-9 -God created all things
Psalm 104:10-23 -God’s continuing work
Psalm 104:24-30 -God’s concern for His creation
Psalm 104:31-33 -Praise for God
Psalm 104:34-35 -Victory of the Lord
Song # 513

Psalm 113:1-3 -Continual praise for God
Psalm 113:4-6 -The height and power of the Lord
Psalm 113:7-9 -The love of God for the lowly
Song # 601

Psalm 24:1-2 -All belongs to the Lord
Psalm 24:3-6 -Blessings for the righteous
Psalm 24:7-10 -The Lord of hosts
Song # 597

Psalm 118:1-4 -Give thanks for God’s mercy
Psalm 118:5-14 -Strength and refuge in the Lord
Psalm 118:15-18 -Salvation and chastening
Psalm 118:19-21 -Praise for God’s salvation
Psalm 118:22-24 -The rejected stone
Psalm 118:25-28 -Praise for God
Psalm 118:29 -God’s mercy
Song # 644

Church Growth - 7/12/09am

Individual Growth
Before we focus on the growth of the church as a collective, let us spend time considering the growth that each Christian must have.
II Peter 3:17-18 -Grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord
II Peter 1:5-11 -Add to your faith...
Luke 17:5-10 -Increase our faith
Luke 2:51-52 -Christ grew

Luke 22:31-34 -Strengthen the brethren
Hebrews 10:24-25 -Do not forsake assembling yourselves together
I Corinthians 14:20-25 -If someone comes into the assembly

Numerical Growth
It is important for the church to grow in number. Not so that we can have more impressive numbers or more money, but rather so that as many can be saved as possible.
Acts 2:46-47 -The church grows
Acts 4:1-4 -The church grows
Acts 11:22-24 -The church is strengthened and grows
Acts 12:24 -The word of God grows
Acts 19:20 -The word of the Lord grows
I Timothy 2:1-7 -The Lord desires all men to be saved

I Corinthians 9:19-23 -Become all things to all men to save some
I Corinthians 3:1-9 -Men teach, God gives the increase

Spiritual Growth
It is vitally important that everyone grows spiritually. As we grow as individuals, we can strengthen others. And as we all grow together, and as we grow in number, the church will grow spiritually as a collective.
Ephesians 4:11-16 -Different roles for the edification of the body
Acts 14:21-26 -The souls of the church are strengthened
Colossians 2:16-19 -The church grows with the increase from God

Revelation 3:1-6 -Sardis, the dead church

Christ in the Psalms - 7/5/09pm

The Lord said to my Lord
Psalm 110:1-4 -The Lord said to my Lord
Matthew 22:41-45 -Christ questions those around Him
Acts 2:29-36 -Peter gives the meaning of the passage
Hebrews 5:5-11 -A priest according to the order of Melchizadek

Prophecy of the crucifixion
Psalm 22:1-31 -Mocked,
-Pierced hands/feet
-People wagging their heads and staring
-Clothing divided and gambled for
-Thirst
-Forsaken cry
Psalm 34:20 -Bones not broken
Psalm 69:21 -Gall and vinegar offered to Him
Matthew 27:15-50 -The crucifixion

Zeal for Your house
Psalm 69:9 -Zeal for Your house
John 2:13-17 -Jesus clearing the temple

Sacrifice and offering is not desired
Psalm 40:6-8 -The Lord does not desire sacrifice and offering
Hebrews 10:1-10 -Application to Christ and the new covenant

The Rejected Stone
Psalm 118:22-24 -The stone that is rejected
I Peter 2:1-10 -Live a life based on that stone

The Importance of Knowledge - 7/5/09am

II Peter 3:17-18 -Grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord
Ephesians 2:8-10 -Grace is essential for salvation
Acts 17:10-12 -The noble Bereans, searching the scriptures

The Importance of Having Knowledge
II Peter 1:2-4 -All things that pertain to life and godliness
Acts 17:30-31 -God no longer winks at ignorance

Hosea 4:6 -My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -Fear God and keep His commandments
Hebrews 11:6 -Rewards those who diligently seek Him
II Thessalonians 1:3-10 -Destruction for those who do not know Him

John 20:30-31 -Belief through the written word
John 14:15-24 -Love and obey Christ

The Importance of Right Knowledge
John 8:31-36 -The truth will set you free

Galatians 1:6-12 -Turning away to another gospel
II Peter 2:1-3 -False teaching
II Thessalonians 2:11-12 -Believing a lie
Ephesians 4:11-16 -Come to knowledge, so not tossed about

Romans 1:16 -The power of God unto salvation
II Timothy 3:16-17 -All scripture

The Importance of Applying Knowledge
Matthew 7:24-27 -Wise and foolish builders
James 1:23-27 -Be not only a hearer, but a doer as well

After God's Own Heart - 6/28/09pm

I Samuel 13:13-14 -God has sought a man after His own heart
Acts 13:22 -David, a man after God’s own heart
David was a man after God’s own heart. But what does this mean, exactly? We know it doesn’t mean David was perfect, but rather, we can see that it was because David continually sought the Lord.

I Samuel 19:1-18 -Saul sends men to kill David, who escapes
David, as he so often was, found himself hounded by other men. Saul, the king over Israel, has been trying to send men to kill David, who is forced to flee. There are a number of things that men would commonly do in this circumstance. What does David do? He turns to God.
Psalm 59 -David’s psalm for the occasion

I Samuel 22 -David and his followers harried by Saul
Again, we see David harried and his followers slain. We see people turning on David to win favor with the king. And yet, once again, what does David choose to do? Go to the Lord.
Psalm 63 -David’s psalm for the occasion

We must be like David. In all things, we must turn to God. Not as a last resort, but as our first action. No matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, we must turn to God.
James 5:13-18 -Prayer and psalms in all circumstances

In so doing, and in continuing to follow the Lord and set our hearts on Him, we do as David did. We are men and women after God’s own heart.
Luke 12:22-34 -Put your heart in the right place

What is your heart set after? Is it after God’s own heart? Is it set on following Him? Or is your heart set in other things?

Good Works - 6/28/09am

Ephesians 2:8-10 -Walking in good works
James 2:14-17 -Faith without works is dead

What is a good work?
The works must be good, that is, of God
Luke 18:19 -Only One is good
III John 11 -Good doers are of God
It must accomplish God’s will, using His methods and ways
Matthew 7:21-23 -Lord, Lord, did we not…?
Romans 3:8-9 -“Let us do evil that good may result”
It must be done with the right motives
Matthew 5:8 -Blessed are the pure in heart
Psalm 7:9-17 -The Lord judges hearts

Christ did good works
John 10:25-32 -Many good works He did
I Peter 2:21-22 -Follow Christ’s example
I John 2:5-6 -Walk as He walked

Good works glorify God
Matthew 5:16 -That you glorify God
I Peter 2:11-12 -That others see them and glorify God

Everyone can do good works
Colossians 1:9-1 -Congregations
I Timothy 6:7-19 -The wealthy
Titus 2:1-3 -The elderly
Titus 2:4-8 -The young
I Peter 3:1-9 -Wives, husbands, and all others

Examples of good works
Exodus 17:8-16 -Hur, and the small thing he did
Ruth 2:11-12 -Ruth, a poor widow noticed for her good works
II Kings 18:1-6 -King Hezekiah, who followed the Lord
II Kings 20:2-3 -Hezekiah, who walked faithfully
Acts 9:36-41 -Dorcas, known for generosity and good works
Philemon 4-7 -Philemon, of great faith and love for the brethren
I Thessalonians 1:1-5 -The church in Thessalonica’s work of Faith, labor of love
II Thessalonians 1:3-4 -Thessalonica’s abounding love for one another

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -God will judge all works

"There is no God" - 6/21/09pm

Psalm 53: 1 -The fool says in his heart, there is no God, and so sin
Psalm 14:1 -The fool says in his heart, there is no God, and so sin
The psalmist begins both of these psalms by detailing a group of people: those who say that there is no God. And in this foolishness, disregarding the Lord, they choose to sin.
Psalm 19:1-3 -Creation tells of the glory of God
Romans 1:18-23 -Creation teaches of the divine nature
I Corinthians 1:17-25 -The wisdom of the gospel


Psalm 53:2-3 -The Lord looks for someone seeking Him, and finds none
Psalm 14:2-3 -The Lord looks for someone seeking Him, and finds none
These verses consider that the Lord is unable to find people seeking Him. This is not to say that no one was serving the Lord, but only that it was a small minority.
Genesis 18:16-33 -The Lord cannot find 10 faithful men in Sodom
Hebrews 11:6 -The Lord rewards those who seek Him


Psalm 53:4 -Don’t evil doers see God’s judgments?
Psalm 14:4 -Don’t evil doers see God’s judgments?
Those who have turned from God, even to the point of denying Him, do not see His judgments and works. Much like the Israelites in the time of Moses, they choose to ignore the great things that God has done, and the warnings that god has given.
Numbers 14:1-9 -The Israelites, ignoring God’s actions, rebel against Him


Psalm 53:5 -An unnecessary fear
Psalm 14:5 -And unnecessary fear
The unrighteous often have a fear of things in their life. Going beyond concern and crossing into fear, there is great worry about the things in this life. There is also often a fear of death. Someone following the Lord does not have these fears, trusting in the Lord.
I John 4:7-5:2 -Perfect love casts out fear

Psalm 14:6 -Evildoers compared with those who find refuge in God
In this verse, those who do not follow the Lord are compared with those who do. The unbeliever does not listen to the believer, scorning the word of God. The believer, in turn, finds refuge in the Lord.
Acts 7:51-60 -Steven is not heeded, finds refuge in the Lord


Psalm 53:6 -Prayer that the Lord will save His people
Psalm 14:7 -Prayer that the Lord will save His people
David calls to the Lord to save His people at the end of this psalm. We too should have such a focus: of seeking the Lord’s approval and of trusting in the Lord’s salvation. That is, of finding refuge in the Lord.
Matthew 1:18-23 -Jesus, who will save the people from their sins
I Peter 1:3-9 -The salvation of your souls

Romans 14: Matters of Liberty and Indifference - 6/21/09am

I Peter 2:15-16 -Not using liberty as a cloak for maliciousness
Galatians 5:13-14 -Do not use liberty as an occasion to the flesh

I Corinthians 8 -Eating meat sacrificed to idols
I Corinthians 10:23-24 -Not all things that are lawful are edifying, seeking the good of others first
I Corinthians 10:25-30 -Eating of meat sacrificed to idols
I Corinthians 10:31-33 -Be able to give glory to God in all things that you do

Part I
Romans 14:1 -Doubtful/disputable matters
Romans 14:2 -Matter at hand is eating of meat
We are not looking at matters about which the Lord has spoken (ie. Fornication is wrong, end of story). They are things that are left to the individual conscience.

Fellowship: sharing in common, contributing to an outcome. Partners. Partakers in something. It is the state of commonality.

Romans 14:3-4 -Judging another’s servant
The idea of judging another’s servant (in this case a servant of Christ’s) is not to say we cannot give warning or help, but rather that we cannot give instruction.

Romans 14:5-6 -Further disputable things, done unto the Lord
Things must be done unto the Lord. If something cannot give glory to God, it’s just plain wrong. If we can give glory to God either way, that it is permissible.

Romans 14:7-9 -Dead to self, live for Christ our Lord
Romans 14:10-12 -All face judgment: we’re all in it together
We need to maintain the proper attitude: we’re here to look out for each other and we need to be working together. If we’re trying to show our own superiority and bring others to our side on unimportant matters, we’re not truly working together.

Romans 14:13 -Therefore, don’t judge unrighteously, don’t be a stumbling block


Part II
Romans 14:14-15 -Self sacrifice: putting others and the cause of Christ first

Romans 14:16-18 -Serving and giving glory to God in all things

Romans 14:19-21 -Pursue peace and edification, not destroying God’s work
Offend: to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall.
-To entice to sin
-A spiritual hindrance

Romans 14:22-23 -Not acting against faith

Psalm 19: Cause and Effect - 3/14/09pm

Psalm 19:1-6 -Glory of the Creator

Psalm 19:7a -Law, converting
Romans 12:2 -Be transformed

Psalm 19:7b -Testimony, wisdom
Matthew 7:24-29 -The wise and foolish builders

Psalm 19:8a -Statues, rejoicing
I Peter 1:3-12 -Rejoicing in salvation
Acts 8:29-39 -The Ethiopian Eunuch rejoices

Psalm 19:8b -Commandments, enlightening
I Corinthians 1:18-31 -The “foolish wisdom” of the cross

Psalm 19:9a -Fear, endurance
II Corinthians 5:9-11 -Knowing the terror of the Lord
Matthew 10:22 -Enduring to the end
Matthew 10:28-31 -Fear God

Psalm 19:9b -Judgments, righteous
Revelation 20:11-15 -Judgment based on what we have done

Psalm 19:10a -Desire for God’s judgments
Revelation 22:20 -Come, Lord Jesus

Psalm 19:10b -Judgments are sweet
Exodus 3:4-8 -A land of milk and honey
Numbers 13:21-29 -A land of milk and honey

Psalm 19:11a -Judgments warn His servants
Colossians 1:28-29 -Warning all men in preaching

Psalm 19:11b -In keeping the word, there is a reward
Philippians 3:12-19 -The prize/reward of the call
Hebrews 11:6, 24-26 -The Lord rewards His followers

Psalm 19:12-14 -Strength and approval from God

Complacency - 6/14/09am

The Problem
Proverbs 1:32-33 -The complacency of fools
Luke 12:13-21 -The rich man and barns
Revelation 3:1-6 -Reputation for being alive, but are dead
Revelation 3:14-22 -Lukewarm Laodicea
Haggai 1:1-5 -Israel hadn’t been building the temple
Zephaniah 1:12-13 -Punishment for complacency

Matthew 25:14-30 -Parable of the talents

The Solution
I Corinthians 15:33-34 -Awake to righteousness
Romans 13:9-14 -Awake out of sleep
Philippians 3:1-16 -Press on toward the goal
Hebrews 12:1-2 -Lay aside every weight, looking towards Jesus

II Peter 1:5-9 -Add these things
I Peter 3:17-18 -Grow

Hebrews 11:24-27 -Moses’ faith and noncomplacency

The Creator - 6/7/09pm

Psalm 8 -Praise God for what He has created
Consider all that the Lord has made. Consider how it was that He brought about all creation.
Genesis 1 -The six days of creation


Romans 1:18-32 -The attributes of God are seen in creation
Consider what we should learn from what the Lord has made. We should be able to look around and learn of God. We should understand some of His attributes. We should understand some of His glory.
Job 40:7-24 -Consider the greatness of God in His creations
Job 41:1-11 -Consider the greatness of God in His creations


Colossians 1:15-18 -All things created through Christ, who is over creation
Remember back when looking at the days of creation, in which man was made in God’s image. Consider then, what we should dedicate our lives to. Consider what we owe to the Lord.
Matthew 22:15-22 -Whose image? Then render unto.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 -Remember your creator in the days of your youth

A Life Following Christ - 6/7/09am

A Goal to Accomplish
Our text this morning is sometimes referred to as the “limited commission.” It was that the apostles were to teach Israel. The “great commission,” which was to be taught to all, is for us to fulfill as well. We must be about the Lord’s work of spreading the gospel, that souls may be saved.
Matthew 10:1-4 -The twelve apostles
Matthew 10:5-15 -The apostles are given a job to do
Matthew 28:18-20 -Go unto all the world, teaching and baptizing

A Promise of Persecution
Christ told the apostles that they would be persecuted and that they would face perils and trials. We too, as Christians will face persecutions. Perhaps not to the degree they did, but nonetheless, we face difficulties as we remain faithful.
Matthew 10:16-24 -The apostles will be persecuted
II Corinthians 4:7-14 -Though oppressed, we stand firm
II Timothy 3:10-17 -All who follow Christ will be persecuted

A Caring Master
The apostles were reminded that they have a caring Lord. As they were sent into the world, it must have been a great comfort. It should be for us as well.
Matthew 10:25-33 -The Lord will care for those who fear Him
I Peter 5:6-11 -Be humble and obedient, for He cares for you

A First Priority
We see that first and foremost, Christ should be first in our lives. Division will come between those who put the Lord first and those who do not. And it is not hard to see which are the ones who Christ approves.
Matthew 10:34-39 -They were to put Christ first in their lives
Matthew 6:33 -Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
Matthew 13:22 -The worldly cares that choke the word

A Reward
The apostles were told that there would be a reward for diligent service and obedience. So it is with us as well.
Matthew 10:40-42 -There is a reward for service
II Timothy 4:6-8 -A crown of righteousness
II Corinthians 5:1-10 -The promise of judgment, and a reward for those who please God

Righteous Before God - 5/31/09pm

Job 25:1-6 -How can a man be righteous before God?
In the book of Job, Bildad asks several rhetorical questions. Let us look at one of them: how can a man be righteous before God? Let us turn to the book of Romans, where we will look at some passages that teach us how we can, in fact, stand righteous before God.

All have sinned and made themselves unrighteous
Romans 3:1-8 -The unrighteousness of the Jews
Romans 3:9-20 -The unrighteousness also of the gentiles
Romans 3:21-31 -All are unrighteous, so Christ served as a propitiation through faith

The Lord has given us opportunity to become righteous
Romans 5:1-11 -By faith we have hope through Christ
Romans 5:12-21 -Through Christ, we can have life

So how do we become righteous?
Romans 6:1-14 -We must put sin to death in ourselves, putting on Christ
Romans 6:15-23 -Slaves to sin to slaves of God, and the consequences
Romans 12:1-2 -Present selves as a sacrifice to God
Romans 12:9-16 -Instructions for righteous living

Remember Romans 6:3-9, where we are told we must die to sin and put on Christ through baptism, and then, as we have seen, we must live a life dedicated not to sin, but to Christ. If we truly follow the Lord, we can stand righteous before Him in the last day.