Sodom’s Example
Genesis 19:1-26 -The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
Jude 5-15 -These are an example, the Lord comes to execute judgment
Fear the Lord
Proverbs 1:7 -Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
Proverbs 9:10 -Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
Proverbs 15:33 -Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom
Psalm 36:1-12 -The sins of those who do not fear God, God’s loving kindness for those who know Him
Fear and Obedience
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 -Fear God and keep His commandments
II Chronicles 19:4-7 -Fear the Lord, be careful of what you do
Philippians 2:12-13 -Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling
Judgment
Matthew 25:31-46 -Judgment
Hebrews 10:23-31 -Vengeance is mine, it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God
II Corinthians 5:10-11 -We will all be judged, therefore knowing the fear of the Lord we persuade men
Matthew 10:28 -Fear the one who can destroy body and soul
II Thessalonians 1:5-10 -Those who do not know God or obey will be punished
Revelation 21:8 -The second death
Galatians 5:19-21 -Works of the flesh
Mark 9:42-48 -Where the worm and fire do not die
Showing posts with label Obedience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obedience. Show all posts
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Victory and Defeat, Jericho and Ai - 1/24/10am
The Victory at Jericho
God gives Jericho to the Israelites, who do exactly as they are told. In the obedience, victory is given to them.
Joshua 6:1-5 -God gives instructions to Joshua
Joshua 6:6-11 -Joshua gives the instructions to the Israelites
Joshua 6:12-21 -The people obey, Jericho falls
Joshua 6:22-25 -Rahab and her family is spared
Joshua 6:26-27 -The curse on rebuilding Jericho
The Defeat at Ai
One person had sinned in looting Jericho. Because of his sin, victory was lost and severe consequences took place, both for Achan and for others.
Joshua 7:1 -Achan’s sin
Joshua 7:2-5 -Israel is defeated and flees at Ai
Joshua 7:6-9 -Joshua laments and cries out to God
Joshua 7:10-15 -God tells Joshua that Israel has sinned
Joshua 7:16-19 -Achan is found out
Joshua 7:20-21 -Achan confesses his sin
Joshua 7:22-26 -Achan is stoned and burned
The Victory at Ai
When Israel had chosen to once more fully obey the Lord, He again grants them victory.
Joshua 8:1-2 -The Lord tells Joshua to go and attack Ai
Joshua 8:3-8 -Joshua divides his force and prepares an ambush
Joshua 8:9-13 -Joshua marches the rest of his army towards Ai
Joshua 8:14-20 -The soldiers of Ai leave the city, which is sacked
Joshua 8:21-23 -The army of Ai is defeated
Joshua 8:24-29 -The city is destroyed, the people killed, and spoil is taken
Though Achan’s sin seemed such a small things, it cost Israel the victory, and brought about the end of his own life. If we choose to sin and not obey the Lord, even in something that seems small, we can influence others in such a way as to lose their souls, and we will ultimately have to pay the price of the second death. If, however, we do as the Lord says, we will have our victory.
Hebrews 5:5-11 -Christ, the author of eternal salvation to those who obey Him
God gives Jericho to the Israelites, who do exactly as they are told. In the obedience, victory is given to them.
Joshua 6:1-5 -God gives instructions to Joshua
Joshua 6:6-11 -Joshua gives the instructions to the Israelites
Joshua 6:12-21 -The people obey, Jericho falls
Joshua 6:22-25 -Rahab and her family is spared
Joshua 6:26-27 -The curse on rebuilding Jericho
The Defeat at Ai
One person had sinned in looting Jericho. Because of his sin, victory was lost and severe consequences took place, both for Achan and for others.
Joshua 7:1 -Achan’s sin
Joshua 7:2-5 -Israel is defeated and flees at Ai
Joshua 7:6-9 -Joshua laments and cries out to God
Joshua 7:10-15 -God tells Joshua that Israel has sinned
Joshua 7:16-19 -Achan is found out
Joshua 7:20-21 -Achan confesses his sin
Joshua 7:22-26 -Achan is stoned and burned
The Victory at Ai
When Israel had chosen to once more fully obey the Lord, He again grants them victory.
Joshua 8:1-2 -The Lord tells Joshua to go and attack Ai
Joshua 8:3-8 -Joshua divides his force and prepares an ambush
Joshua 8:9-13 -Joshua marches the rest of his army towards Ai
Joshua 8:14-20 -The soldiers of Ai leave the city, which is sacked
Joshua 8:21-23 -The army of Ai is defeated
Joshua 8:24-29 -The city is destroyed, the people killed, and spoil is taken
Though Achan’s sin seemed such a small things, it cost Israel the victory, and brought about the end of his own life. If we choose to sin and not obey the Lord, even in something that seems small, we can influence others in such a way as to lose their souls, and we will ultimately have to pay the price of the second death. If, however, we do as the Lord says, we will have our victory.
Hebrews 5:5-11 -Christ, the author of eternal salvation to those who obey Him
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Casting Lots - 1/17/10pm
Proverbs 16:33 -Casting lots, the decision is God’s
In the Old Testament
It seems that exactly what form casting lots took in the Old Testament is unclear. Evidently, some small objects, such as pebbles, were marked in some way and then thrown in some way as to differentiate the two. The idea was to remove the human element and choices and depend solely on the Lord.
Leviticus 16:7-10 -The sin offering and the scapegoat
Joshua 18:3-10 -The dividing of the promised land by lot
Jonah 1:1-16 -Jonah is chosen by lot as the cause of the storm
Psalm 22:14-18 -They cast lots for my clothing
In the New Testament
In the New Testament we are shown that not only those who followed the Lord cast lots in order to turn the decision over to the Lord, but it was also used by pagans to determine according to “fate,” “luck,” or the perceived will of other “gods.” It seems to have taken the form of small pieces of wood or stone that were marked, placed in a bag, and the thrown out. The first one out of the bag was what was chosen.
John 19:23-25 -Soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothing
Acts 1:15-26 -Lots are cast, Matthias is chosen to replace Judas
Submission to God
The casting of lots was done in submission to God. Whatever the Lord decided, the one casting lots had determined to do, no matter the outcome. We should have this same humility and attitude of obedience to the Lord in every aspect of our lives.
James 4:1-17 -Submit yourselves to the Lord
Hebrews 12:7-11 -Submit to the Father
Isaiah 53:1-12 -The submission and humility of the Christ
Philippians 2:5-8 -Be like Christ in humble submission to the Father
In the Old Testament
It seems that exactly what form casting lots took in the Old Testament is unclear. Evidently, some small objects, such as pebbles, were marked in some way and then thrown in some way as to differentiate the two. The idea was to remove the human element and choices and depend solely on the Lord.
Leviticus 16:7-10 -The sin offering and the scapegoat
Joshua 18:3-10 -The dividing of the promised land by lot
Jonah 1:1-16 -Jonah is chosen by lot as the cause of the storm
Psalm 22:14-18 -They cast lots for my clothing
In the New Testament
In the New Testament we are shown that not only those who followed the Lord cast lots in order to turn the decision over to the Lord, but it was also used by pagans to determine according to “fate,” “luck,” or the perceived will of other “gods.” It seems to have taken the form of small pieces of wood or stone that were marked, placed in a bag, and the thrown out. The first one out of the bag was what was chosen.
John 19:23-25 -Soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothing
Acts 1:15-26 -Lots are cast, Matthias is chosen to replace Judas
Submission to God
The casting of lots was done in submission to God. Whatever the Lord decided, the one casting lots had determined to do, no matter the outcome. We should have this same humility and attitude of obedience to the Lord in every aspect of our lives.
James 4:1-17 -Submit yourselves to the Lord
Hebrews 12:7-11 -Submit to the Father
Isaiah 53:1-12 -The submission and humility of the Christ
Philippians 2:5-8 -Be like Christ in humble submission to the Father
Monday, December 28, 2009
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
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
Friday, December 4, 2009
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
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
Saturday, October 24, 2009
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
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
Saturday, October 10, 2009
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.
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
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
Friday, October 2, 2009
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
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
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
Saturday, September 19, 2009
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
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
Friday, August 7, 2009
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
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
Saturday, August 1, 2009
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
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
Friday, July 10, 2009
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
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
Saturday, June 27, 2009
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
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
Saturday, May 9, 2009
How Much? - 5/10/09am
Mark 12:28-34 -The greatest commandment
We are commanded to the love the Lord not just a little, but with the totality of our being.
I Corinthians 16:22 -If someone does not love the Lord...
John 14:15 -If you love Christ, obey
I John 5:1-13 -Love for God is faithful obedience, and it is not grievous, because of the promise of eternal life
II John 6 -Love is walking in His commandments
Philippians 2:5-8 -Be like Christ, who was obedient unto death
Luke 22:39-42 -Not my will, but God’s
So how much do we truly love the Lord? It’s easy enough to say that we love Him a great deal, but is that reflected in our lives? Do we truly love Him fervently and zealously? Or are we looking for the bare minimum we think we can do and still manage to squeeze into heaven?
Matthew 6:31-34 -Seek first the kingdom of God
John 2:13-17 -Jesus was consumed with zeal
Also consider the reasons why we should give so much to the Lord. It’s not because He’s greedy, it’s because He is duly owed everything that we are.
Genesis 1:26-31 -God creates man
John 3:1-21 -God’s love in providing salvation to man
Consider some of these examples. Do we have the love for God to follow in them?
Acts 2:46-47 -Daily gathering together
Nehemiah 8:1-12 -The people stand to hear the word, weep, send food
II Chronicles 12:13-14 -Rehoboam did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord
We are commanded to the love the Lord not just a little, but with the totality of our being.
I Corinthians 16:22 -If someone does not love the Lord...
John 14:15 -If you love Christ, obey
I John 5:1-13 -Love for God is faithful obedience, and it is not grievous, because of the promise of eternal life
II John 6 -Love is walking in His commandments
Philippians 2:5-8 -Be like Christ, who was obedient unto death
Luke 22:39-42 -Not my will, but God’s
So how much do we truly love the Lord? It’s easy enough to say that we love Him a great deal, but is that reflected in our lives? Do we truly love Him fervently and zealously? Or are we looking for the bare minimum we think we can do and still manage to squeeze into heaven?
Matthew 6:31-34 -Seek first the kingdom of God
John 2:13-17 -Jesus was consumed with zeal
Also consider the reasons why we should give so much to the Lord. It’s not because He’s greedy, it’s because He is duly owed everything that we are.
Genesis 1:26-31 -God creates man
John 3:1-21 -God’s love in providing salvation to man
Consider some of these examples. Do we have the love for God to follow in them?
Acts 2:46-47 -Daily gathering together
Nehemiah 8:1-12 -The people stand to hear the word, weep, send food
II Chronicles 12:13-14 -Rehoboam did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord
Our Speech - 5/10/09pm
II Chronicles 18:12-16 -Micaiah speaks what the Lord says
James 3:3-12 -The tongue, used for both good and evil
Bad Speech
Gossip/Slander
II Corinthians 12:20-21 -Gossip is listed among other sins
I Peter 2:1 -Rid yourself of slander
I John 1:9-10 -Diotrophes, who is gossiping about apostles
Crude jokes
Ephesians 5:3-7 -Shouldn’t be coarse jesting
Foul language
Ephesians 5:4 -No obscenity, foolish talk
Ephesians 4:29 -No corrupt talk
Lying
Ephesians 2:25 -Put away lying
I Timothy 4:1-5 -Those who depart from the faith, lying hypocritically
Good Speech
Seasoned with Salt
Colossians 4:5-6 -Walk wisely, with speech seasoned with salt
Praising God
Acts 2:46-47 -The early church praised God regularly
Hebrews 13:12-16 -Continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God
Acts 16:22-26 -Paul and Silas pray and sing praises to God in prison
Giving Thanks
Philippians 4:6 -Pray with thanksgiving
Philemon 4 -Paul thanks God for Philemon
John 11:41-44 -Jesus thanks the Father for hearing Him
Prayer
I Thessalonians 5:17 -Pray without ceasing
James 5:13-18 -Circumstances in which to pray
Teaching
Matthew 28:18-20 -God unto all the world, teaching and baptizing
I Peter 3:15 -Always be ready to give an answer with meekness and fear
II Timothy 2:23-26 -Meekly instruct those that oppose, avoiding foolish discussion
James 3:3-12 -The tongue, used for both good and evil
Bad Speech
Gossip/Slander
II Corinthians 12:20-21 -Gossip is listed among other sins
I Peter 2:1 -Rid yourself of slander
I John 1:9-10 -Diotrophes, who is gossiping about apostles
Crude jokes
Ephesians 5:3-7 -Shouldn’t be coarse jesting
Foul language
Ephesians 5:4 -No obscenity, foolish talk
Ephesians 4:29 -No corrupt talk
Lying
Ephesians 2:25 -Put away lying
I Timothy 4:1-5 -Those who depart from the faith, lying hypocritically
Good Speech
Seasoned with Salt
Colossians 4:5-6 -Walk wisely, with speech seasoned with salt
Praising God
Acts 2:46-47 -The early church praised God regularly
Hebrews 13:12-16 -Continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God
Acts 16:22-26 -Paul and Silas pray and sing praises to God in prison
Giving Thanks
Philippians 4:6 -Pray with thanksgiving
Philemon 4 -Paul thanks God for Philemon
John 11:41-44 -Jesus thanks the Father for hearing Him
Prayer
I Thessalonians 5:17 -Pray without ceasing
James 5:13-18 -Circumstances in which to pray
Teaching
Matthew 28:18-20 -God unto all the world, teaching and baptizing
I Peter 3:15 -Always be ready to give an answer with meekness and fear
II Timothy 2:23-26 -Meekly instruct those that oppose, avoiding foolish discussion
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Go - 4/19/09am
Genesis 12:1-9 -Abraham told to go to a strange land, and he goes
Genesis 19:12-31 -Lot told to go out of Sodom and to the mountains, wants a compromise
Exodus 3:1-14 -Moses told to go to Egypt, makes excuses
Jonah 1:1-16 -Jonah told to go to Nineveh, tries to flee
Acts 9:1-19 -Saul/Paul told to go to Damascus, Ananias told to go to Saul, both do as instructed
Matthew 28:18-20 -Apostles are told to go do all the world, teaching and baptizing
John 14:1-6 -Christ goes to the Father, preparing a place for the faithful
- Abraham had the faith to do as God commanded, even without full details or understanding.
- Abraham’s faithful obedience was immediate, not “after a while.”
- Abraham’s faithful obedience had effects that lasted for thousands of years.
Genesis 19:12-31 -Lot told to go out of Sodom and to the mountains, wants a compromise
- Lot wanted to compromise with God, to go to Zoar instead of the mountains.
- He is permitted to do as he wills.
- In the end, he does as he was told to: he goes to the mountains. However, he is in worse shape than he would have been if he obeyed when the Lord commanded.
Exodus 3:1-14 -Moses told to go to Egypt, makes excuses
- Moses was given a difficult instruction.
- Moses offered excuses to try to avoid doing what was difficult.
- In the end, Moses obeyed, and consider the consequences.
Jonah 1:1-16 -Jonah told to go to Nineveh, tries to flee
- Jonah is given a task which seems onerous to him.
- Instead of offering obedience or attempts at compromise or excuse, he directly disobeys.
- He is punished for his disobedience, yet is given a chance to repent. Doing so, much good is accomplished by following the Lord’s command.
Acts 9:1-19 -Saul/Paul told to go to Damascus, Ananias told to go to Saul, both do as instructed
- Saul is given instructions to go to Damascus, which he obeys.
- Ananias is told to go to the street named Straight, and find Saul.
- Because of their obedience, a soul is saved. And that leads to many more saved souls in the future.
Matthew 28:18-20 -Apostles are told to go do all the world, teaching and baptizing
- Just as these others were told to go, so are we commanded.
- We must not offer excuses, attempt compromises, or disobey. Rather, we must obey in faith, that souls might saved.
- This command is no less imperative than that given to Abraham, Lot, Moses, Jonah, Saul, or Ananias.
John 14:1-6 -Christ goes to the Father, preparing a place for the faithful
- Christ has gone to prepare a place for those who faithfully obey.
- If we truly follow Him, we too will go and join Him for eternity.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Tradition - 3/8/09am
The Good - Created by God, made binding by God
These are the traditions as passed on by the Lord through the apostles and the scriptures.
II Thessalonians 2:13-15 -The gospel, taught by epistle and word
II Corinthians 10:7-11 -Such as Paul was in letters, he was in person
II Thessalonians 3:6-12 -Manner of living taught by Christ and apostles
I Thessalonians 4:1-8 -Apostles taught the Lord’s commands, to be followed
I Corinthians 11:23 -Paul received instruction from the Lord
Matthew 28:18-20 -Apostles to teach what Christ had taught them
The Indifferent - Created by man, not made binding
These are things that we do out of tradition, simply because it makes things easier to do it the same way each time. They are things that are within what we are to do, that help us carry out the Lord’s traditions, yet we do not force other people, or expect congregations, to do things exactly the same way.
Order of Services
(How many songs, prayers, etc. In what order they’re done)
Meeting Times
(When? How many times on Sunday? Midweek studies?)
Seating
(Where we each tend to sit, pews, facing forward, sitting at the very front)
Peripherals
(song books vs. overhead vs. call and repeat, etc.)
I Corinthians 14:40 -Decently and in order
Romans 14:1-13 -Disputable things: matters of judgment
I Peter 2:13-17 -Do not misuse liberty
The Bad - Created by man, made binding by man
Man has created numerous traditions. And while that is not necessarily wrong, what is wrong is when we make these traditions binding on others and expect others to keep them. When man’s traditions are made equal to, or greater than, God’s tradition, we have sinned greatly.
Matthew 15:1-13 -Jews replaced God’s commandments with man’s
Galatians 1:13-17 -Jewish traditions, in which Paul persecuted church
Colossians 2:8-10 -Cheated by men according to man’s traditions
Titus 1:10-16 -Don’t heed fables and commandments of men
I Peter 1:13-21 -Aimless conduct received by tradition
The Bad - Created by God, made binding by God, done by rote
God has given us things to do. And perhaps we follow them. But if we do it only by habit and rote, we are holding to a sinful tradition. Following the Lord must be more than empty repetition and habit.
Isaiah 29:13-14 -Reverence for God is tradition learned by rote
Isaiah 1:11-20 -Israel’s obedience is just habit, and without meaning
These are the traditions as passed on by the Lord through the apostles and the scriptures.
II Thessalonians 2:13-15 -The gospel, taught by epistle and word
II Corinthians 10:7-11 -Such as Paul was in letters, he was in person
II Thessalonians 3:6-12 -Manner of living taught by Christ and apostles
I Thessalonians 4:1-8 -Apostles taught the Lord’s commands, to be followed
I Corinthians 11:23 -Paul received instruction from the Lord
Matthew 28:18-20 -Apostles to teach what Christ had taught them
The Indifferent - Created by man, not made binding
These are things that we do out of tradition, simply because it makes things easier to do it the same way each time. They are things that are within what we are to do, that help us carry out the Lord’s traditions, yet we do not force other people, or expect congregations, to do things exactly the same way.
Order of Services
(How many songs, prayers, etc. In what order they’re done)
Meeting Times
(When? How many times on Sunday? Midweek studies?)
Seating
(Where we each tend to sit, pews, facing forward, sitting at the very front)
Peripherals
(song books vs. overhead vs. call and repeat, etc.)
I Corinthians 14:40 -Decently and in order
Romans 14:1-13 -Disputable things: matters of judgment
I Peter 2:13-17 -Do not misuse liberty
The Bad - Created by man, made binding by man
Man has created numerous traditions. And while that is not necessarily wrong, what is wrong is when we make these traditions binding on others and expect others to keep them. When man’s traditions are made equal to, or greater than, God’s tradition, we have sinned greatly.
Matthew 15:1-13 -Jews replaced God’s commandments with man’s
Galatians 1:13-17 -Jewish traditions, in which Paul persecuted church
Colossians 2:8-10 -Cheated by men according to man’s traditions
Titus 1:10-16 -Don’t heed fables and commandments of men
I Peter 1:13-21 -Aimless conduct received by tradition
The Bad - Created by God, made binding by God, done by rote
God has given us things to do. And perhaps we follow them. But if we do it only by habit and rote, we are holding to a sinful tradition. Following the Lord must be more than empty repetition and habit.
Isaiah 29:13-14 -Reverence for God is tradition learned by rote
Isaiah 1:11-20 -Israel’s obedience is just habit, and without meaning
Friday, February 27, 2009
Samaritans - Bonus Sermon!
-Here's another one I neglected to post in May, 2008.-
John 4:1-42 - Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well
In the Old Testament:
II Kings 17:22-33 - Resettling of Samaria, the necessity of right worship
II Chronicles 30:1-12 - Hezekiah calls for the passover, the Samaritans scorn the invitation
II Chronicles 34:1-7 - Josiah destroys Samaritan idols
Nehemiah 4:1-9 - "Army of Samaria" opposes the rebuilding of Jerusalem, in opposition to God's people
Micah 1:3-7 - Samaria is held to be as evil as sinful Jerusalem, putting the whole of Samaria as equal to the sins of god's people
In the New Testament:
In the New Testament, Samaritans are sometimes shown in a positive light, and sometimes in a negative light. We will look at the negative first.
Negative:
Matthew 10:5-6 - Samaritans are grouped with gentiles by Christ, denoting that they are not God's people
Luke 9:51-56 - Jesus is rejected in a Samaritan town, shows that unlike those in John 4, not all accepted Christ (much as many Jews did not)
John 8:48 - In the Jewish mind, being a Samaritan and demon possessed were both insults and bad things
Positive:
Luke 10:25-37 - The Good Samaritan, showing (among other things) that everyone can do what is right in the sight of God
Luke 17:11-19 - Samaritan healed of leprosy. The Samaritans were not inherently evil, just wrong. But they could repent and follow Christ.
Acts 1:6-8 - Apostles will go to Samaria
Acts 8:25 - Apostles go to Samaria, where they teach Christ
Have you chosen to follow Christ? Or are you separated as the Samaritans were in their sin and vain worship?
John 4:1-42 - Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well
- Jesus speaks with a Samaritan woman, which was regarded as unusual
- The question of worship (a major difference between Jew and Samaritan) was discussed
- We see the development and growth of faith
In the Old Testament:
II Kings 17:22-33 - Resettling of Samaria, the necessity of right worship
II Chronicles 30:1-12 - Hezekiah calls for the passover, the Samaritans scorn the invitation
II Chronicles 34:1-7 - Josiah destroys Samaritan idols
Nehemiah 4:1-9 - "Army of Samaria" opposes the rebuilding of Jerusalem, in opposition to God's people
Micah 1:3-7 - Samaria is held to be as evil as sinful Jerusalem, putting the whole of Samaria as equal to the sins of god's people
In the New Testament:
In the New Testament, Samaritans are sometimes shown in a positive light, and sometimes in a negative light. We will look at the negative first.
Negative:
Matthew 10:5-6 - Samaritans are grouped with gentiles by Christ, denoting that they are not God's people
Luke 9:51-56 - Jesus is rejected in a Samaritan town, shows that unlike those in John 4, not all accepted Christ (much as many Jews did not)
John 8:48 - In the Jewish mind, being a Samaritan and demon possessed were both insults and bad things
Positive:
Luke 10:25-37 - The Good Samaritan, showing (among other things) that everyone can do what is right in the sight of God
Luke 17:11-19 - Samaritan healed of leprosy. The Samaritans were not inherently evil, just wrong. But they could repent and follow Christ.
Acts 1:6-8 - Apostles will go to Samaria
Acts 8:25 - Apostles go to Samaria, where they teach Christ
Have you chosen to follow Christ? Or are you separated as the Samaritans were in their sin and vain worship?
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