Pastor Josh's Ramblings

BEHOLD YOUR KING

2010-06-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

BEHOLD YOUR KING

John 19:1-22

Our text this morning picks up where we left off last week, in the Judgment hall of Pilate’s court.

You will remember that it is Passover day and the Jewish temple priests and the Pharisees are waiting outside the court.

They are trying to avoid any unwilling contact with an unclean Gentile that would disqualify them from observing the Passover meal later that evening.

You will also remember that last week we studied the exchange that took place between Jesus and Pilate, in which Jesus witnesses to Pilate of His identity and purpose.

You will recall that Pilate was particularly concerned with the accusation that Jesus claimed to be a king.

Jesus had arrested Pilate’s attention and made the conversation personal before answering Pilate’s question, “To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world.”

Jesus had then challenged Pilate to accept the truth of His identity, to which challenge Pilate scoffed and stormed from the room lest Jesus see the conviction in his eyes.

The crowd outside was still intent on crucifying Jesus, so Pilate tried one more tactic, which is where we pick up in Chapter 19 today.

READ TEXT

PRAY

There is a singular theme throughout this account, the idea and the claim that Jesus is a king.

In the previous chapter we found that Jesus had substantiated that claim, but had explained it, in a way, to Pilate that had satisfied the Roman judge that Jesus’ claim was not an illegal claim, nor a threat to the Roman Empire.

It was, however, Pilate’s tool to turn the event around and mock the Jews that had brought Jesus to him.

Pilate also clearly had it in mind that he might satisfy the Jews with something short of crucifixion.

This eventually led to more suffering than either option would normally entail.

We saw in verse 1 that, even though under conviction, Pilate had hardened his heart against the truth of Christ’s identity and showed little concern for human dignity and life as he sentenced Jesus to be scourged.

The scourging to which Jesus is sentenced here is particularly brutal, and the Roman soldiers to which Pilate commend Jesus are cruel and hard.

They took special pleasure in beating this Jewish “king” and made the most of their opportunity to hurt him.

In verse 2 we saw those same soldiers making a crown, laced from the thorns of an unfriendly vine.

They crown him unceremoniously with this homemade wreath and then wrap him in an old soldier’s cape of Roman army issue.

Then, with this rough maroon robe hanging from his torn and mangle back and a wreath of thorns pressed down over his forehead, the soldier mocked him.

In verse 3 we se that they beat and tortured Jesus while mocking his kingship.

This went on until Pilate interrupted their sadistic fun.

It is in verse 4 that we see Pilate present his option to crucifixion:

He calls for the soldiers to bring him their beaten prisoner if he can still walk.

He reminds the Jewish crowd that in this man he has found no fault at all.

In verse 5 Jesus is pushed forward into view of the crowd.

They can see that he has been tortured, beaten and mocked.

He is still wearing the old soldier’s coat and the thorns have been imbedded into his brow.

Pilate encourages the crowd to look closely at the pathetic sight in front of them.

“Behold the Man!”

Having orchestrated this whole presentation, Pilate is now hoping that the crowd will recoil in horror at the suffering that is embodied in Jesus, and lose their thirst for more blood.

He has underestimated the forces that flow through the crowd that day.

Verse 6 rings with the sound of the temple authorities screaming as if possessed, “Crucify him, crucify him.”

Even hardened Pilate is sickened by their brutality and turns away with resignation.

Wanting no part in the crucifixion of Jesus, he tells the crowd to do it themselves, knowing that the Roman law forbade it.

Still the crowd is not satisfied.

They too know of the Roman prohibition and they have temple business to attend to.

The lambs were already lining up at the temple for them to slay this afternoon in preparation for the Passover feast.

In desperation the Chief Priests explain that Jesus must die by their law.

They reveal what it is that has riled them up so violently: Jesus had claimed to be the Son of God.

This last shout from the Chief Priest catches Pilate as he is walking away.

He stops in his tracks.

Verse 8 reveals that this statement put more fear than ever into Pilate’s heart.

It is most likely that Pilate was a loose adherent to Roman polytheism.

He believed in the pagan notion that there were many gods, some of whom procreated regularly and whose progeny would often visit the earth.

He knew the stories of misery that were supposedly because someone had angered the gods.

If this man was a son of one of the gods, he could be getting himself into real trouble.

Pilate rushes into the judgment hall and confronts Jesus again.

In Verse 9, Pilate is asking Jesus where he is from.

Jesus stands silence, perhaps focusing on breathing after such a beating he has undergone.

He knows that Pilate is on the wrong track, and his question is not worthy of an answer.

Verse 10 shows that even when he is scared, Pilate is not used to being ignored.

His anger creeps into his voice as he demands a response from Jesus.

He reminds Jesus that he has the authority to crucify or release Him.

To this Jesus reacts.

Verse 11 is Jesus’ answer to Pilate, a reminder in itself of the authority that He has over Pilate.

Not for an instant will Jesus relinquish His claim to Kingship.

It is His.

It is Who He is.

He may surrender to great suffering and humiliation for love of His subjects, but he will never surrender His Kingship.

Jesus gives Pilate some small consolation, in that, the greater sin is by the mob that has forced Pilate’s hand in this matter.

In Verse 12, Pilate appears before the crowd again seeking to release Jesus from custody and be done with this injustice.

The crowd threatens Pilate to gain their end.

They make it very clear that they will report to Caesar of Pilate’s disloyalty.

This does finally force Pilate’s hand, and he calls for Jesus to be brought out yet again.

Verse 13 opens up on the final scene of the trial, as Pilate steps into the judgment seat and has his prisoner dragged forward for sentencing.

Verse 14 reminds us of the coming events of Passover and the shortness of time to the slaying of the sacrificial lambs at the temple.

It also contains Pilate’s mocking cry, “Behold your King!”

It is this cry to which I would direct your attention this morning.

Pilate was convinced of Jesus innocence, but buckled under the pressure of insurrection to crucify Him.

Throughout the whole trial, Jesus had never given up His claim to be King, and Pilate gives Him that claim in his death.

He presents Him as King at sentencing.

In Verse 15 Pilate refers to Jesus as King again, mocking those Jews who had brought Him.

In Verse 16 the sentencing is over and the prisoner is being drug away to be crucified.

Verse 17 summarizes the scene of Jesus dragging his own cross toward Golgotha.

Verse 18 reminds us of the scene of the three crosses that stood on that hillside, with Jesus in the middle.

Finally, we see Pilate’s parting shot to the Jewish elite:

Verse 19, 20 reveals the claim that was written in three languages for all to see: JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS

Verse 21: The Chief Priests were not happy with this and tried to get Pilate to change the wording.

Verse 22: Our text concludes with Pilate’s statement, “What I have written I have written.”

This morning my challenge to you is to accept the Kingship of Jesus.

We can all picture Jesus suffering on the cross, and we are affected by the great love that motivated Him to suffer and die.

We can all see the silent prisoner in the face of accusations, because it was our sins that were laid on Him, and He was taking our guilt.

We all accept the suffering person of Jesus, but have you ever noticed that Jesus never relinquished His claim to Kingship?

While He has offered Himself as your only Saviour, He will never be satisfied as less than your King.

It is so easy for us to rule our own lives, and to make our own decisions, with the hope pf someday living forever with Him in Heaven.

But have you ever thought that you will be living with the One Whose Kingship you have rejected by not submitting to His rule?

It is time now to submit to His Kingship.

You and I have had enough time on the throne of our lives.

Let Him take His rightful place.

What is it that He is asking of you?

Is it a sin that you have held onto even though you are His subject?

Is it an attitude of rebellion to the authorities that He has placed in your life?

Is it a failure to be faithful to His word or His church?

Perhaps you have never accepted Him as Saviour.

If this is the case, you can submit to His kingship today, and be assured of your place with Him in eternity.

What Is Truth?

2010-06-13T21:28:00.002-07:00

What Is Truth?

John 18:28-40

Our text picks up after the arrest of Jesus in the Garden and after Jesus was tried by the Sanhedrin.

In order to understand the setting you must remember that Jesus was not observing the Feast of Passover when He instituted the Lord's Supper.

Rather, Jesus was arrested in the middle of the night before Passover Day which fell on Wednesday of that year.

After His arrest He was tried and harrassed under the darkness of night by the Sanhedrin and the High priests.

As soon as the sun broke on Passover Day, the priests and the Pharisees drug Jesus to the hall of Judgement to be tried by the Roman authorities.

The reason for this was they were intent on Jesus being crucified and shamed as only Rome was allowed to do.

Their limited authority would not allow them to crucify a criminal, so they brought Jesus to Pilate.

READ TEXT

PRAY

The Priests' and Pharisees' aversion to enter the Gentile court sets the stage for this personal dialogue between Jesus and Pilate.

Normally the accusers would stand in the same hall and hurl their accusations.

The formalities of the normal proceedings would have certainly squelched any desire that Pilate may have had to know more about the accused.

However, with the events of Passover looming, the accusers insisted on staying out of the gentile court lest they be defiled and not be able to observe the Passover meal that night.

So Pilate is alone with the prisoner and takes the opportunity to question him more fully.

During this questioning we see Pilate trying to maintain an emotional distance from Jesus.

He has some pride and, as a Roman authority figure, doesn't want to appear too interested in this Jew.

On the other hand we see Jesus drawing him into the conversation, controlling the flow of the dialogue.

It struck me for the first time, having read the events of this chapter many hundreds of times, that Jesus is reaching out to Pilate!

He is seeking to reveal Himself to the one who, He knew, would condemn Him to death.

The most striking part of the conversation is when Jesus makes the claim about His relationship to the truth, and Pilate jerks his head up.

He's never felt this before, a burning feeling of conviction in his own heart!

He thought he was just enjoying another of many philosophical conversations about religious beliefs, when suddenly Jesus brought him to the point of deciding whether he would embrace truth if it stood before him.

The feeling was uncomfortable and Pilate reacted the way many do when faced with such a choice... He ran.

He closed the conversation with the first smart-alec comment that came to his mind and exited the judgment hall.

I wonder if, over the next couple of days Pilate concerned himself with how that conversation ended.

He most likely went over it repeatedly, like you and I do when we are involved in a debate or argument.

Should he have waited for an answer to his question?

Did he want an answer?

Was he more comfortable seeking for truth as an elusive and unattainable goal, or was he really seeking for truth?

Jesus brought Pilate to a decisive moment and, in that moment, Pilate failed.

Through the preserved pages of Scripture, Jesus is bringing you and me to the same decisive moment.

Every Person Must Embrace The Truth

1. Because some mean to distract you from the truth. (V33 the question was not Pilate's question)

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Today the doctrine of tolerance pervades our society as the highest attainable goal in philosophical pursuit.

It is a red herring.

Truth is attainable.

Settle for nothing less.

Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

2.) Because there is a penalty for failing to embrace the truth.

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 ¶ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

(Illustration: Noyo Bridge)

3.) Because Truth Exists.

Relativism is self-contradictory, for if all beliefs have merit, and I believe relativism to be utterly false, then either my belief has merit, and relativism is false, or my belief has no merit and relativism is false.

“The Truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.”

(Illustration: The earth rotates on its axis as it revolves around the sun.)

HOW THEN CAN WE EMBRACE THE TRUTH?

1.) By Hearing Jesus Christ's Testimony: V33-35

Pilate changed his question to the one he would have asked if he had not been under the influence of the mob outside: "what hast thou done?"

We must be willing to listen to the testimony of Christ if we are to make a decision about truth.

Jesus was always pointing out the unwillingness of people to hear him:

John 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

He takes a singularly intolerant position here, but truth does not change for sake of comfort - it is truth, and must be heard.

The testimony of Christ is simple:

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

This brings us to our second practical step towards embracing the truth:

2.) By Believing Jesus Christ's Identity: V36-37

Jesus claimed here to be a King, but not just any king.

He claimed to be a King of a spiritual kingdom.

It was his purpose to set up a spiritual kingdom in the hearts of men.

This is a kingdom that is above all other kingdoms.

As a King in the heart of a man - He has the first say.

He is a King of Kings.

I Timothy 6:13 ¶ I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Believing Jesus Christ's Identity means to be wholly submitted to His Kingship above all other influences or authorities.

Lastly, we come to the unanswered question of Pilate, the key phrase in this dialogue:

Pilate asked the question that came to his mind, because he had been bested in the dialogue with the Son of God.

It was a question that, even as it reach his mouth, scared him to speak it, so he laced it with sarcasm and then left lest Jesus answer it.

What is truth?

I want to challenge you to ask the same question, but do not leave the room before you get an answer.

3.) By Surrendering to Jesus Christ's Answer: V38

The truth is simple in that it is limited to that which Christ affirms, and yet it is complex as it applies to every facet of our lives.

So often we enter the presence of God with a quest for guidance, then, as we suspect what that guidance may be, we hurry away.

In doing so we are no better than Pontius Pilate, who would not surrender to the answer of Christ.

I challenge you to set aside your preconceived ideas and open the Word of God with a surrendered heart.

I am not asking you simply to believe me, but to believe God.

If you have come here today, with a question in your heart about how you might have a relationship with God, let me challenge you to stay around for the answer.

God has said, "there is none righteous, no not one."

God has said, "the wages of sin is death."

We need salvation!

God has said, Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Won't you embrace the truth this morning?

Child of God, I know how difficult it is to surrender to the answer of Christ, but there is great comfort in knowing that you have embraced the truth.
m� N s a @ � P� font-size:14.0pt'>Then we all saw the same great Saviour whose gift of eternal life we have accepted.

When we were without strength Christ died for the ungodly.

Now we are family.

We meet together, pray together, weep together, rejoice together and we stand beside each other in the spiritual warfare of this life.

We would be pleased of you would join us.

The Cause For Which We Fight

2010-06-13T21:28:00.001-07:00

Nehemiah 4

Tomorrow is Memorial Day, a day that has been set aside to honor those who have died in the service of the American military.

Any time we focus on the brave and heroic actions of our soldiers, we are stricken by the generosity of a man laying down his life for a cause greater than himself.

Many have asked the question, "What would motivate a man to fight and die in battle?"

It may seem that soldiers have given their lives for the idea of American principles.

It may seem that they believe so firmly in the American ideal that they are fighting bravely to defend it.

While this may have had some bearing on their enlistment, it is not why they fight so fiercely on the battlefield, nor why they sacrifice their lives.

Others have posited that soldiers fight so that they might receive a paycheck and are thereby out for their own profit.

Certainly, if this were the case, they would flee at the first sign of danger, but they don't.

They advance, and they work, and they fight, and they sacrifice regardless of the fact that their paycheck is minimal at best.

What is it that keeps them fighting in the midst of the battle?

Numerous studies have been done.

Many books have been written.

Hundreds of interviews have been taken, all with the same answer:

The soldier in the field fights for his fellow soldiers in the field.

They may have entered the forces with motivations of patriotism.

They may have entered the military with the idea that they would get ahead financially, but when the bullets are flying and the bombs are exploding there is only one thing that keeps them from turning around and running.

It is the preservation of the buddies beside them.

This morning I want to challenge you to change the way you think about church.

I want to challenge the way you think about Christianity.

The Word of God frames the definition of the church as a military unit in a spiritual warfare.

We must grow out of the idea that we are going to church to listen to a man preach.

If that is the case, and your sole motivation, you will not think twice about catching the sermon on the internet or staying home and watching some TV preacher instead.

We must remember that our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are there, and they need us beside them.

The battle is raging and I cannot leave my comrades alone.

I will sacrifice my own personal feelings to stand beside my fellow soldiers and encourage them and strengthen them, and together we will march home in victory.

Our text this morning comes from a story in the Old Testament of God's people building the walls of Jerusalem.

It is similar in principle to the task that we have as Christians to win the lost and build the church.

I would direct your special attention to the motive that is given to the people who are building the walls in the face of attack.

READ TEXT

Nehemiah 4:1 ¶ But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.

2 And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?

3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.

4 Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:

5 And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.

6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.

7 ¶ But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,

8 And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.

9 Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

10 And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.

11 And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.

12 And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.

13 Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.

14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

15 And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.

16 ¶ And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.

17 They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.

18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.

19 And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.

20 In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.

21 So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.

22 Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day.

23 So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.

PRAY

Every Christian Must Fight for Their Brothers and Sisters in Christ. V14

Because of those who mock what Christians do. V 1-3

By Praying for Deliverance. V 4-5

II Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

Because of the concentrated efforts to undermine Christian work. V 7,8

By Watching out for each other constantly. V 9

I Peter 5:8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Because of the danger of fear and despair. V 10-12

By Joining each other in the work. V 13-15

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

If you are here today and you do not know what it is like to be a part of a church, let me let you in on a little secret.

We are just like you.

We have the same trials, the same burdens, the same struggles as you.

But we have each other.

It is not that we have found our salvation in each other, but rather that we have found our salvation in the same Saviour.

This is what unites us.

We have all reached a point in our lives where we recognized the Bible to be true when it said:

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

We looked with despair upon the penalty of sin:

"The wages of sin is death."

"Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire."

Then we all saw the same great Saviour whose gift of eternal life we have accepted.

When we were without strength Christ died for the ungodly.

Now we are family.

We meet together, pray together, weep together, rejoice together and we stand beside each other in the spiritual warfare of this life.

We would be pleased of you would join us.

The Wise Woman

2010-06-13T21:25:00.000-07:00

We live in a day in which women have been stripped of the power that was rightfully theirs.

Ironically, it has been in the name of empowerment that this has taken place.

Women that once held absolute sway over the next generation now come home to children that are determined to rule their own lives.

Women that once held the respect of every man by virtue of their gender now are relegated to a status of “equality.”

Women who were once powerful to impact the course of the world have relinquished there place of power to join the workforce.

Children like Abraham Lincoln who were once carefully and lovingly taught Biblical principles by their mothers have been under the tutelage of others who are diametrically opposed to Christian philosophy.

Men who used to survive their mundane 9-5 workday by looking forward to the well-ordered and loving home, to which they would return at night, now worry that they are losing touch with their families.

Women have come a long way, but it has been at the expense of their own empowerment and value.

God has a better plan for women today.

He wrote it all down and preserved it so that we might never lose sight of the ideal woman.

It is His desire that the woman that He designed take her rightful place in the world.

That is a special place of honor and power that no man can fill.

It is a place that is characterized by beauty and wisdom.

Today I would like to focus specifically on the latter, as I am ill-equipped to help you with the former.

The Word of God draws a distinctive correlation between the concept of wisdom and the woman.

In the book of Proverbs, in which you will find the foolish woman and the wise woman in great contrast, Wisdom is personified as a woman.

As a woman, I believe you are endowed with a special capacity for wisdom and also with the unique opportunity to impact the world with wisdom.

As a woman, you should pray for God to give you wisdom.

You must seek after it, hold on to it, and carefully use it to impact your world.

Our text this morning is primarily motivation for you to seek after wisdom.

You desperately need it, because the world desperately needs you.

One of the passages in Proverbs speaks of the characteristics of the wise woman.

Specifically, we see her activities in the home.

READ TEXT

Proverbs 14:1

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

PRAY

Our text reveals the two basic contrasting activities of two types of women.

The first woman is the woman that is characterized by wisdom.

She sees the world from God’s point of view.

She has asked for and has been granted a special insight into the consequences of her actions, and she has determined to act wisely.

She holds the knowledge and thereby the power to impact her world and her home for the better.

What an amazing and succinct observation about the activities of a wise woman!

She is occupied with the building of her household.

Her constructive activity is the standard to which women in our world should aspire.

Our society rose to its peak on the institution of the family.

It is built on the basic foundation of the nuclear household.

The wise woman in our text occupies herself with constructing and strengthening the foundation of her society.

What an important and meaningful existence!

Ladies, you must seek for wisdom so that you might build your household.

In the same text we see a negative contrast.

We see the foolish woman that is using her power and position to tear down instead of build.

The power of a woman’s tongue is seen here in its most negative light as it is wielded by a foolish woman.

Consequently, she plucks down the very structure that would have given her the most power and influence available to her.

That structure that would give her a worldwide impact is none other than her own home.

Ladies you have the power to make a difference in this world by building your home.

How can this be done?

How can you stabilize your household?

Proverbs 24:3 gives us the answer:

Proverbs 24:3

Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

How can a woman infuse value and true wealth into her home?

I am not speaking of financial wealth because that is fleeting and deceptive.

The next verse answers this question:

Proverbs 24:4

And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

It all comes back to a desperate need for wisdom.

It all comes back to a wise woman.

It may seem that I am preaching directly to the women this morning, but men your understanding of the value of a woman is essential.

Her wisdom is what you need to be whole.

Her understanding is the secret to a healthy home.

You need her to have this wisdom.

You need her to wield this power.

You should not be threatened by her power to impact the home – you should long for it.

You should relish being a part of her exaltation to this position.

You can help her get there by praying for her, encouraging her and fulfilling your place of leadership so that she can answer her calling to wisdom.

Ladies, Let me petition you this morning to seek God’s wisdom.

James gives us some clear and practical advice to follow when we need wisdom.

James 1:5

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Ask God

This means you realize that you don’t have what you need in and of yourself.

This means you recognize God to be the source of what you need.

Believe in God

This means you know Him to be a loving and generous God.

This means you know Him to be an able and powerful God.

Commit to God

This means you have determined that His way is best.

This means that you have surrendered all selfish or worldly desires.

While this is a formula for getting the wisdom that you need, it is similar to the way we approach God for salvation.

We must believe in Him for salvation

It is with a heart of asking that we approach him for salvation

The repentance that takes place in our hearts indicates an intention to leave our sins behind and turn to him as Saviour.

In a sense, this is a commitment that we make to Him.

The beauty of it is that it is His commitment to us that saves us.

Will you accept Him as your Saviour today?

Sons or Slaves

2008-09-14T22:12:00.000-07:00

Sons Or Slaves
Galatians 4

As the Apostle Paul penned the fourth chapter of his letter to the church in Galatia, he addresses further some of the issues of which we have spoken already in our study of this book.
Remember that the Galatians had grown in their faith since Paul had started their church some 3 or 4 years previous, but there had crept into their midst some who had been in this church scene much longer than they had.
These false teachers had come from Jerusalem and had convinced the people in the relatively new church of Galatia that they needed to be converted not only to Christ but to Judaism as well.
They would have to begin to observe all of the Jewish rituals and Sabbaths if they were to be real Christians.
It was not enough to go to church, read the Bible and listen to the Holy Spirit in a personal relationship with God.
They had to conform to the pattern of Old Testament law to be acceptable before God.

They were suddenly tripped up in their Christian growth.
Paul writes here to put down the false airs that had risen in their midst.
It seems the first thing that Paul does is show them that their advance into legalism is a step backward in their growth and a step down in their position before God.

READ TEXT
Galatians 4:1 ¶ Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
PRAY

Verses 1-7 show a contrast in Positions before God.
Paul begins by tracing their rise to the position of heir.
--They had before (in OT times) been "children of God," but had not yet received the promise and were therefore no better than slaves.
--Now they were redeemed and adopted children of God and enabled to act like sons of God.
They were no longer bound to the system of the Law as they were.
They were sons of God.
So we, when we accept the price that has been paid for our redemption, become the children of God and heirs of the promise of Heaven.

Galatians 4:8 ¶ Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
12 ¶ Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.
13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

Verses 8-16 show a contrast in Practice of Religion.
Here Paul reminds them of how they used to practice their faith and contrasts it with their current system of religion.
--Their current religious activity appeared more like when they were idol worshippers.
--They became obsessed with following all the Sabbaths again.
--They used to accept Paul and his infirmities with open arm and with love.
--They used to be compassionate and giving.

Galatians 4:17 ¶ They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.
18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
19 ¶ My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
21 ¶ Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
Verses 17-21 show a contrast in Methods of Ministry.
Here Paul points out the different way in which these false teachers had gone about ministering to them.
They had made great changes among them, but only motivated by a desire to look good themselves.
--The false teachers had threatened to exclude them from fellowship if they would not conform to their system of religion.
--The false teachers were concerned with how their ministry made them look.
--The false teachers produced fake results, as their converts only conformed to their teachings when they were being watched.
IN CONTRAST:
--Paul dealt with them as his own children.
--He was willing to work hard for their benefit.
--He was only concerned that they become like Christ.
--He desired to work with them and help them to grow personally.

Galatians 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Verses 22-31 show a contrast in Symbolic Perspectives.
Here Paul uses an allegory to illustrate the two perspectives that existed within the Galatian church.
To understand the Allegory, we must quickly refresh our memory regarding the Old Testament story of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar.
---Abraham was married to Sarah and was promised by God that she would bear a son who would be the child of promise, the one through whom God would bless the world.
Abraham and Sarah doubted God's promise and tried to manufacture their own plan.
Sarah gave her handmaiden, Hagar to Abraham to be a second wife, and Hagar bear a son who was named Ishmael.
Meanwhile God fulfilled His promise and gave Sarah a child who was named Isaac.
Once Isaac was born Sarah and Abraham threw out Hagar and Ishmael to avoid any conflict with the inheritance.

Isaac then was the son of promise and became the symbol of a God's plan working its power within us.
Ishmael then was the rejected son of the bondwoman and became a symbol of man's plan working its chaos and confusion within us.

Some insisted on sticking to their idea of religion and forced an entire system of regulations upon the church - in doing so they showed a lack of faith in God doing what he promises to do, that is make us all perfect in the end.

The right perspective is that of the children of promise.
We cannot manufacture our own set of regulations that will please God.
We must simply obey His explicit instructions and allow Him to do His marvelous work in us.

So it is when we come to Christ for salvation:
We do not come up with our own way of salvation.
We accept His provided way of salvation.

If you are here today and you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your only Saviour, let me encourage you to make that decision today.
Become a child of promise.

Christian Brother, Sister, stop trying to fit a mold that has been created by men and gauging your spirituality by that standard.
It will only rob you of your joy, and you will fall short of God's standard.
Surrender to His working in your life, He has promised to change you, and He will do so.

The Schoolmaster Says...

2008-09-11T21:51:00.000-07:00

THE SCHOOLMASTER SAYS...
Galatians 3:15-29

It is early September, when kids are now back in school, and many are already looking forward to Summer.
Although I was mostly home-schooled as a child, I did attend various Christian schools throughout the years, and I recall the mixed feelings that I have had for different classroom teachers that I have had.
I was in love with my second grade teacher because she was pretty.
I was not so in love with the principal because I was always in his office getting a paddling.
I never put the facts together, which were, she was the one who regularly sent me to the principal's office.
It wasn't as if he had sent for me on his own.
I recall another schoolmaster I had, in ninth grade I went to a Christian school for the better portion of a year.
We had a Bible class teacher who was actually one of my favorite teachers.
We would often spend the entire class arguing about one thing or another.
The students would sometimes offer to pay me to get into an argument on quiz days in hopes that the teacher would forget to give the quiz.

Today I would like to introduce you to a schoolmaster that has been around since 1491 BC.
This schoolmaster was born 430 years after God promised Abraham that He would bless the entire world through the Jewish race.
This schoolmaster had a specific job and students that studied under him for nearly 1500 years.
Then there were certain developments that allowed every person to know from within all that the schoolmaster taught and much, much more.
This did not make the schoolmaster irrelevant.
Indeed, every person is born under the authority of this schoolmaster.
Let us read our text and learn what this schoolmaster has to say:

READ TEXT
Galatians 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
19 ¶ Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
PRAY

Once again we are stricken by the Apostle Paul's high intellectual tone.
He has poured so many truths into these few verses that it is easy to get bogged down in the depth of information that is in our text.
Let us look at these verses in short sections and get a grasp on the greater lesson of the passage.

Verse 15-16
Paul introduces the subject by referencing the Abrahamic Covenant.
This was a promise that God made to Abraham.
The promise was that He would bless the whole world through Abraham's descendants.
Paul's argument is that Christ was the fulfillment of this promise.

Now some of the people in the Galatian church saw that this promise was made to the benefit of the whole world, and they saw it as an affront to their Jewish elitism.
They argued that the law had been given to the Jewish people, and since it was, the promise was also only for the Jewish people.
In the next verse Paul argues that the law could not have disannulled the promise because it was 430 years later, not an addendum to the promise.

Verse 17, 18
Here Paul is saying that the promise has been in effect and is not altered by the law.

Verse 19, 20
Here is the question of Purpose in regards to the law.
Why was the Law given?
What purpose does it serve?
The law was given to indicate sin, to show the shortcomings of man.
The promise had given hope of blessing.
The law showed that the blessing was undeserved.
Moses had been a temporary mediator in the delivering of the law.
In this he was the "go-between" for the transaction between God and man.
He delivered God's law to man in this fashion.

Verse 21
This second Question asks if the law which was essentially a list of rules to live by replaced the promise of a Saviour.
The answer is definitely not!
No person could ever obey all of the rules and is then always in need of a Saviour.

Verse 22
The Scripture draws this conclusion:
We are all sinners and must by faith put on the righteousness of Jesus.

Verse 23
Before fulfillment of the promise in Jesus Christ, all people had, was the law.
The only way they could hope to live a life that pleased their coming Saviour was to follow the list of rules.
How have you done on that?
Do you follow the Big Ten?
Let's go through them:
1. Thou shall not worship any other gods

2. Thou shall not make a graven image.

3. Thou shall not take the name of the Lord in vain.

4. Remember the Sabbath.

5. Honour thy father and thy mother.

6. Thou shall not kill.

7. Thou shall not commit adultery

8. Thou shall not steal.

9. You shall not bear false witness.

10. You shall not covet.

So, how did you do?
Remember less than 100% is a failing grade.

This brings us to Verse 24
This verse tells us that the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.
This Schoolmaster has brought us to the realization that we are all sinners, condemned to die.
Jesus came as a Saviour, to all who believe in Him.
The Schoolmaster says you are lost, Jesus says, "I am the way."
The Schoolmaster says you are in darkness, Jesus says, "I am the Light of the World."
The Schoolmaster says, The wages of sin is death, Jesus says, the gift of God is eternal life.

It appears the Schoolmaster has done his job well.
We are all brought to this same point of desperate need.
How then can we escape the Schoolmaster's penalty?
It is only by trusting in Jesus Christ, who paid the price for your sin, that we can get out from under the Schoolmaster.
Verse 25
Then we are born into the family of God.
Verse 26
As part of His family we are given special privileges.
Verse 27
The Bible tells us that we are then baptized into Christ - the Holy Spirit of God come and dwells inside of us, to do for us what the law could never do perfectly, guide us into a Christ-like life.
This is the secret to living a victorious Christian life - we no longer have only a written set of rules - we have an indwelling Holy Spirit that constantly reminds and empowers us to live righteously.

This special privilege and this new life is offered to people of all races and both genders.
Verse 28

If you are here today and you have never reached the place in your life where you realized you were a sinner in need of a Saviour, won't you believe in Jesus today?
The Schoolmaster has been very clear over the many years - you need Christ.

If you have already trusted in Christ as your Saviour, look at your life.
Does it reflect a personal relationship with Jesus?
Remember, it is that relationship that is the key to victory.
You are no longer under the Schoolmaster - but we are motivated by love to do more than the law ever required of us.

The Work Is His

2008-09-01T21:02:00.000-07:00

The Work is His
Galatians 3:1-14

Tomorrow is Labor Day, a day set aside to celebrate the rewards of hard work.
Labor is a gift given to man by God, although we seldom think of it in this way.
God gave Adam the gift of labor when he put him in charge of the Garden of Eden.
Of course things changed somewhat when Adam and Eve both sinned.
Their work was suddenly less rewarding.
Sin has a way of stealing the joy from what God intended as a blessing.
Even in our country, the concept of labor has changed somewhat.
America has been the hardest working country in the world for many years, putting more hours into the average workday than any other country.
However, America has fallen in the standings according to recent studies.
Americans are no longer the hardest working or the longest working of all the nations.

I have studied this to some extent and have come to a few conclusions:
1) Certainly the political viewpoint has changed, and this has affected the work ethic of our people.
2) Also, the societal mindset has changed to more of an entitlement society in which more and more of the blessing of this life are granted by the state as rights instead of earned by hard work.
The only result of this can be an overall slow-down in production and less work.

I have brought up these issues, not because of their political ramifications but because these truths about our society have impacted many hearts and minds regarding religion, and particularly, the salvation of our souls.
Today many people believe that salvation, the redeemed state of the soul, is a right for all people.
It seems more and more have begun to think that they are worthy of eternal life, and they deserve the mansion that Jesus is even now building in the New Jerusalem, which we call Heaven.
This is contrary to all that the Bible teaches.
The Bible clearly states many times that we are all sinners.
Last week on Sunday Night we learned that even the sin of lying earns for us the lake of fire that was prepared for the Devil and his angels.

However, just as in America, there are a few holdouts that know that all good things are earned by hard work.
Unfortunately, this too can lead to false beliefs about salvation and redemption.
Many believe that if they work hard to be good, God will bless them with eternal life.
Many believe that Christ's sacrifice on the Cross was a down payment on the mortgage of their soul, and they have yet to earn the rest of their soul's security by working hard for the rest of their life.
Such was the case with a little group of churches in the New Testament in the Roman province of Galatia.
They were hard workers, and for that they should be commended.
However, they were convinced that the work of Salvation was and uncompleted task.
They were of the opinion that the work of the ministry was their work, and they became possessive of it and proud of it.
They seemed to be doing all the right things, but suddenly the work was not so rewarding.
Paul, the Apostle addresses this problem with some powerful and logical arguments in Chapter 3.
Let us read our text and follow his line of thinking:

READ TEXT
PRAY

The first thing we might notice from our text is that Paul was an intellectual.
His arguments are powerful but a little complicated.
Let us try to break it down verse by verse, with the help of the Holy Spirit and see the major points that Paul is making.
Keep in mind the problems that Paul is addressing regarding a works-based salvation.
Remember that the Old Testament ritual law still looms large over Christianity and many have yet to understand the part that it has played in God's great plan for saving His people.

The first point that Paul makes is in verse 2
He did the work of sending the Holy Spirit. (Verse 2)
Remember, the Holy Spirit is always referred to as a person in the Bible, never a force.
The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus to indwell every believer.
Jesus promised this:
John 15:26 ¶ But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
Jesus also said that He must ascend into Heaven for this to take place.
It was a work that only God could do.
This was not earned by the hard-working, it was given to those who believed.

Paul asks the question, how did you receive the Holy Spirit?
Did you earn His indwelling, or did you simply believe?
Some would say that even faith comes by working at it, and Paul debunks that idea by referring to the process by which faith comes.
Paul made the same argument in greater detail in Romans:
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Faith is a result of Hearing the Word.
The Holy Spirit is sent to those who have believed:
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

The importance of the Holy Spirit is the sealing that He does.
He is not flighty like man.
He comes and seals the believer - securing his soul for eternity.
This work is His, it is not ours.
We do not deserve it, nor can we earn it.
It is his work
He did the work of sending the Holy Spirit. (Verse 2)

Now we move to the next verse and find the logical progression of Paul's argument:
He is doing the work of Perfection. (Verse 3)
Paul points out here that since we were unable to do anything to get the Holy Spirit, we can certainly not do the work of perfecting ourselves without Him.
It was a simple surrender of the heart that invited the Holy Spirit in.
It is a simple surrender of our lives that gives the Holy Spirit the leeway to make us perfect.

Many believe that once He has sealed us we must work hard to prepare ourselves for Heaven.
We must perfect ourselves.
This is what leads to burned-out Christians and forsaken ministries.
The work of perfection is not ours, it is His.
If you think that you are tasked with the awesome responsibility of perfecting yourself, you will follow this well worn pattern:
1) You will work hard and grow fast for a short period of time for all to see.
2) You will then get proud of the results and critical of everyone else.
3) Next you will be discouraged in the work you are doing.
4) Finally you will give up because your efforts are futile.

Unfortunately this is the pattern of many in the Christian life.
Paul wrote to all of his beloved churches with the same overall message in this regard:
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
The work of perfecting is HIS work, and I have but to surrender to Him and let Him do His job of perfecting me.
Verse 4 reminds the reader of all the suffering through which we all go in the process of perfection.
Let it not be in vain.
He is doing the work of Perfection. (Verse 3)

The third point that Paul makes is in verse 5.
He is doing the work of the miracles among us. (Verse 5)
This one is closely related to the first and follows the second in logical progression.
The work of miracles in this context is clearly the saving of other's souls.
Look closely.
The same words are used as in verse 2 reminding us that no one is saved by the works of the law.
Rather, they simply believe after hearing the Word of God.
God is the One giving the Spirit to people and miraculously saving their souls.
It is not our cleverness or our hard work that produces children of God.
It is His work.
When we are able to lead someone to Christ, it means we were able to get out of the way enough to let HIM work.
It is a sign of maturity and spiritual depth in our lives when we are used in this fashion.

The Galatians knew of the importance of people being miraculously saved.
They knew they should be involved in soul-winning and ministry, but they were cutting out the most powerful aspect of ministry.
They were leaving out the One Who does the work!

Let us not lead ourselves into discouragement in the ministry by thinking it can only be done by us.
In reality, in can only be done by HIM!
He is doing the work of the miracles among us. (Verse 5)

Paul slips into a history lesson beginning in verse 6 to bring us back to the place when God chose for Himself a people out of the nations of this world.
Then in verse 8 and 9 we see Paul's fourth point:
He planned this work from the beginning. (Verse 8,9)
I am a schemer.
That is my confession to you.
I think long and hard about every aspect of the ministry that we do here.
It would surprise you how much thought goes into everything we do here, from the order of service to what may look like instant decisions and accidental happenstances.
These things are often thought-out talked-out well-planned actions.
The problem with all this is that we have a tendency to think that if we don't plan every aspect of the work it won't get done.
The truth is, God has planned the work from the very beginning of time.
He has always known who will accept His offer of salvation to all men.
He has always known how things should go within His ministry.
My responsibility is not to come up with the plan.
It is to discover the plan.
This means I have to take my ambitions off of the table and let Him lead.
I cannot look to implement all my concerns.
He has already thought of everything.
He planned the ministry to the Gentiles even when He was giving Abraham the promises of blessing.
He planned this work from the beginning. (Verse 8,9)
And it is a perfect plan that has all things considered.

The next few verses lead into Paul's last point in our text.
Paul is here pointing out the great success of the Law of the Old Testament:
The Law proved the inability of man to meet God's standard.
It proved that we are all cursed by our own inability to meet God's standard of Holiness.
As verse 11 reminds us, NO MAN is justified in the eyes of God by his works.
It is only by believing in something much greater and more perfect than our works that we can claim eternal life.
Thus, the statement "The just shall live by faith."
Finally, in Verse 13 we see the great truth:
He did the work of Redemption. (Verse 13)
We were in debt because of our sin.
We had accrued so much debt to our account that we could never pay it off.
The word "redemption" is a financial word.
It implies a financial transaction.
Jesus laid down His own life on the cross and redeemed us.
We have but to accept that payment as the full payment for our sins.

Beloved, Let me encourage you this morning, the work is not yours.
It is His.
You can not do it on your own.
Only He can do it through you.
If you are here today without full assurance of you salvation, know this, He has done the work of redeeming your soul.
Won't you accept the payment He has made?
You have heard the Word.
Now believe.

The Great Equalizer

2008-08-24T22:18:00.000-07:00

The Great Equalizer
Galatians 2

Last week we looked at Galatians 1, wherein the major theme was the Gospel of Christ.
The nature of the gospel was clearly set forth:
ITS MINISTERS ARE CALLED BY GOD ALONE.
ITS PRICE HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL
ITS POWER TO SAVE IS EXCLUSIVE
ITS MESSAGE WAS NOT INFLUENCED BY MAN
ITS CONVERTS ARE CHANGED BY IT
While this major theme continues throughout the letter to the Galatians, Paul also addresses some problematic issues that had risen within the church.
One of those issues was what the Bible calls "respect of persons."

This is the sin of preferring certain types of people above others and even pridefully acknowledging oneself to be better than other people for one reason or another.
This sin of respect of persons was a cancer within the church.
It was brought in by the Devil whose sole desire was to see the church corrupted.

It is out particular privilege and advantage to read the Apostle's letter to the Galatian church and avoid the same powerful temptation to sin in this way.

Let us read the text and see how Paul addresses certain false ideas that lead to respect of persons and lays out powerful truths that, if accepted, will keep a church from falling into this trap.

READ TEXT
PRAY

In Verse 2 we see something extremely important that is often lost in the study of this subject.
Paul showed respect for authority and wisdom in dealing with the elders - that is the spiritual leaders in the church.
One mistake that is often made is the assumption that, since the leadership of the church is no better than I am, I can disrespect them as much as anyone.
The whole point of the lesson here is that we are to defer rather than differ when at all possible, putting self aside and especially respect the authority that God has placed over us.
Paul was an Apostle called of God and charged by God with the preaching of the Gospel, but He did not seek out a public confrontation with the church leadership.
Paul wisely met with the leadership of the church to tell them what God had delivered to him and to let them know how he was going to preach this gospel to the church in Jerusalem.
God blessed that wisdom and discernment in Paul's ministry.

Verse 3,4
In the next few verses we see the first of several truths that Paul points out.
This first one debunks a commonly held belief in Christians throughout church history.
TRADITIONAL RITUAL DOES NOT MAKE ME BETTER THAN SOMEONE ELSE
Titus had not observed a common traditional ritual for the Jewish people and was being blasted by the elite group of traditionalists for being less spiritual because of it.
Paul points out the areas of our life which are within the bounds of liberty and are voluntary standards.

Verse 5,6
The second Truth that Paul lays out attacks the cult of personality.
Some people are more socially apt than others.
It is common among immature Christians to perceive social ability as spiritual prowess.
POPULARITY AND ESTEEM OF MAN DOES NOT MAKE ME BETTER THAN SOMEONE ELSE.
Paul points out that popularity is empty and counted as nothing to God.
While certainly, as Paul himself said, we are to live our lives without offense as much as possible, we need not find our value in the love of others because fame and recognition are fleeting.
The major point Paul is trying to make is for those who were distracted by the cult of popularity.
They were looking at the outside while God was interested on the inside.

Verse 7-9
The third major truth that I see is one that addresses an attitude that rears its ugly head in our fundamentalist movement even today.
NO FIELD TO WHICH I AM CALLED MAKES ME BETTER THAN SOMEONE ELSE.
It was generally accepted that since the Gospel came first to the Jews, the ministry to the Jews was of greater value and importance.
Paul is pointing out that the greatest position you could ever hold on this earth is the position to which God has called you.
We must realize that the field to which God has called us does not make us better than someone else.
Whether you are a missionary, a pastor, a Sunday school teacher or a toilet scrubber - when you are following God's will for your life you are in the highest possible position.

Verse 10
While the previous point allows for targeted ministry, Verse 10 makes a clear exception to the rule.
This truth is almost parenthetical in its layout with the others but important nevertheless.
NOONE IS EXEMPT FROM REACHING OUT TO THE NEEDY.
As I was raised in the ministry, I came to understand that weekly and sometimes daily calls for help from the needy were not to go ignored.
From the first day of ministry in Fort Bragg, Gospel Light Baptist Church has had a purposeful outreach to people in need.
As our resources have increased that ministry has become formalized and even named, but the driving force has always been to show God's love to people so that we might be able to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a fashion consistent with its nature.
Never forget it, when you help the least of these you do it for God.

Now we get into a portion of the chapter that specifically addresses the problem of respect of persons.
Remember that this speaks of esteeming certain people above others.

Verse 11,12
Here we see one Apostle needing to correct another.
Paul is on equal footing with Peter and points out publicly a sin which was committed publicly.
Such is the responsibility of a leader, if a sin of this nature is committed publicly, in that same forum, before any time passes, the spiritual leadership within the group is required to point out the error.
(It is important that we do not see this as permission to publicly rebuke those whom God has placed over us - 1Ti 5:1 ¶ Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; - There is a better way to do that)
In this instance, we see that certain things become clear:
RESPECT OF PERSONS STEMS FROM A FEAR OF MAN AND A LACK OF FEAR OF GOD.
Peter was afraid of what the Jews would think so he changed his behavior.
Had he only feared God, he would have stood firm in his fellowship with the Gentile brothers and sisters.

Verse 13
Verse 13 shows us that when we show respect of persons we lead others astray.
RESPECT OF PERSON IS A CONTAGIOUS DISEASE.
Peter led others to join his "click" of elite Christians, not fellowshipping with the lower class Gentiles.

Verse 14
Here we see one more aspect of this sin:
RESPECT OF PERSONS BREEDS HYPOCRISY IN THE RESPECTOR OF PERSONS
Peter was requiring of the Gentiles something he did not require even of himself.
Such is the nature of this sin.
It makes hypocrites of the best of us.

Verse 15,16
One more truth is revealed before getting to the actual solution to the problem.
MY WORKS DO NOT MAKE ME BETTER THAN SOMEONE ELSE.
Paul points out that if we meet a list of standards or rules for the sake of conforming to said list, it is of no value to us in the way of Justification.
It is our faith that justifies us, not our works, and I can take no personal credit for faith - it is by nature a work of God.
Certainly we should understand that works necessarily follow our faith, but this is a result of the faith by which I am justified.
I may look like, dress like, smell like, and act like a perfect little Christian (and well I should) but that is not what makes me holy before God.
It is the righteousness of His Son that I wear.

Verse 17,18
These two verses are the most complex in the chapter.
Quite simply though, it means that Christ presides over our lives now as the Prime Mover and is the source of all my actions.
I no longer act simply to conform to a list of rules.
I act in response to His moving in me.
The obvious question arises then.
What if I sin?
Paul answers this, It is not that this is Christ sinning in me.
That would be unthinkable.
It is that I have pulled out that old man, the one who only knew the weak letter of the law, and I have placed that dead rotting carcass on the throne of my heart, displacing Jesus for the moment.
In doing this I am a transgressor - I am not supposed to do this.

Verse 19
here we begin to see the solution - I do not live by the rules, I live by the Spirit Who wrote them.
How can I be sure to never be a respecter of persons?
By getting out of the way and letting Him live through me.

Verse 20
Here we see the doctrine of self-death.
We must reckon ourselves as dead, crucified with Christ.
It is not that I no longer live - I live a new man, no, actually, it is Christ Who lives in me.
I then live each moment by faith in Him, whose blood was shed for me in love for me.

The conclusion is in verse 21 - where we are encouraged to not frustrate the good work that God wants to do in our lives by letting self get in the way.
This is why Christ died, so that we might live for Him.

The Gospel Of Christ

2008-08-17T22:02:00.000-07:00

THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
Galatians 1

Today we will be looking into the first chapter of a letter that the Apostle Paul addressed to the churches which were scattered throughout the province of Galatia.
The churches of Galatia were products of the ministry of Paul.
He had been powerfully instrumental in their founding and especially in their encouragement to continue and stay in the Christian faith.
The nature and motivation of this letter is soon revealed, as we will see in our text, and is this:
There had crept into the congregations some false teachers who were adding to the requirements of the Gospel.
These teachers were claiming that certain works were required for salvation.
They were not just encouraging people to change their appearances and their ways as a result of their salvation, but as part of it.
In doing so they were perverting the Gospel of Christ.
This first chapter sets a major theme for the entire letter as Paul reminds them of the nature of the Gospel of Christ and encourages them to reject any additions to it.

READ TEXT
Galatians 1:1 ¶ Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
6 ¶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
10 ¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
24 And they glorified God in me.
PRAY

Whether you are newly a child of God or have been in His family for some length of time, the teaching on the nature of the Gospel of Christ is always an essential element in our spiritual growth.
We can never get too much of it.
We must constantly immerse ourselves in it.
It is the truth that set us free from the penalty of sin.
It is the truth that does now set us free from the power of sin.
It is this same truth that will someday deliver us from the presence of sin.
If you are here today and you are uncertain about your eternal future or your relationship with God, it is the nature of the Gospel that you must hear above all other truths, for it is what you need to be saved.

Let us dive right into the text and see the nature of the Gospel as Paul so concisely lays it out before us.
The first thing we see about the nature of the Gospel of Christ is regarding Paul's own call to preach it.
It was important to Paul that the people of the churches of Galatia understand that the democratic nature of church government does not translate into a power of the people over the nature of the Gospel.
So, the first element that Paul brings in at the very introduction of the letter is this, regarding the nature of the Gospel:
ITS MINISTERS ARE CALLED BY GOD ALONE.
This was important because many believed that the most popular ministers had the most authority.
Paul's argument is clear: I was appointed to this position by God Himself, and I cannot but deliver the message He has given.
It matters not what the most popular message is or what the people want to hear, because they did not call me to the ministry.
Certainly, as we see the democratic process by which major decisions are made within the church body, it is easy to see how people thought they could influence the message that was preached, but the ministers of the Gospel are called by God alone.

The next aspect of the Gospel of Christ that we see is in verse 4:
ITS PRICE HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL
This was the major problem within the churches of Galatia, and therefore the primary point that Paul brings to bear.
Even today Christians fall into the trap of thinking that their works are helping them gain a place in heaven.
Beloved, every work that is motivated by this thought is a work unrewarded, because it disrespects the price that was paid for our sins and for the deliverance of our souls.
We come to God with nothing to offer and we accept by faith the payment that Jesus made at the great expense of His holy blood.
We must believe that price has been paid in full or we are, in part relying on something else to save us.
That amounts to a perversion of the Gospel and dilutes it to the point of making it powerless to save.
Its price has been paid in full.

Verses 6-9 bring us the next aspect of the Gospel of Christ:
ITS POWER TO SAVE IS EXCLUSIVE
Paul's scolding here reminds us of the fleshly tendencies within us to drift away from fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
It was the Holy Spirit that called us to the gospel, and when we change the nature and the ingredients of the Gospel of Christ we move away from the Holy Spirit.
Paul marvels at how quickly some of the Galatians had done this.
Even in the church today, the trend is similar, to exchange the personal guidance of a personal Holy Spirit for a list of rules separate from God's written word.
Such a substitute often results in a perversion of the Gospel itself, claiming that only those who follow the published list are saved, when in reality it is the publisher of the list that has removed from the Holy Spirit.
Verse 7 discredits all other "gospels" as being powerless to save.
The Gospel is the good news of Christ, and there is no good news in the requirement of my works for salvation.
Paul even warns that reputable people or figures might come preaching a works based gospel - these figures were to be accursed because their gospel is powerless to save.
The Gospel of Christ is exclusive in its power to save.

Verses 10-12 reveals one more point about the Gospel of Christ:
ITS MESSAGE WAS NOT INFLUENCED BY MAN
This reminds us of the salutation in which Paul laid the foundation for his authority to preach the gospel.
Now he is debunking an age old myth, that the gospel came by the creation of man.
The gospel came straight from Heaven with no human influence.
It came with the stamp of God's certification on it and that stamp was inked with the blood of Christ.
Paul is hereby arguing that if the Gospel came from men, he would seeking to please those men from whom it came, but it did not.
It came by personal revelation from Jesus Christ.
The particular problem that Paul is addressing is that the false teachers that had been adding works to the message of the Gospel were claiming that their doctrine had come straight from "headquarters."
They were lying about the approval of the Jerusalem church on the doctrine they were disseminating.
Paul is effectively saying, even if the Jerusalem church were to authorize such heresy, it would not change the Gospel because the Gospel came from God and was not influenced by men.
Paul continues this argument in verses 17-20 and declares that he was able, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to understand the Gospel message.
He did not get the message from church headquarters, but from God Himself.
We must be certain that our relationship with God is with Him not just with a denomination or a church.

The last aspect of the Gospel of Christ that I see Paul emphasizing is in verses 13-24.
ITS CONVERTS ARE CHANGED BY IT
Paul lays out as proof of the power of the Gospel his own changed life.
When in the past he was a persecutor of the church, he was now member of it.
When in the past he was zealously against the faith, he now held it as his only hope for salvation.
This is where works come into the equation.
They are not a means of salvation.
They are a result of it.
Paul's entire demeanor changed because of the power of the Gospel to change a man.
This is a challenge to you and to me.
Have you allowed the Gospel to change you?
Do you talk different, walk different, live different?
Remember, your life and even your person is supposed to be a reflection of the purity and holiness of the Gospel.
This should affect your mannerisms, your appearance, your habits, your goals and your relationships.
I cannot judge whether God has reached down into your heart and changed it, but I should be able to see the difference in your life and your person.
Let us examine our lives to see if there has been a change.

If you are here today with no assurance of your relationship with Christ, let me show you how you can never be uncertain again.
Let me show you the message of the Gospel straight from the pages of Scripture.

For My Name's Sake

2008-08-07T23:09:00.000-07:00

FOR MY NAME'S SAKE
Ezekiel 20:1-44

We are continuing today in our series through Ezekiel.
As I have studied chapter 20 for the past several weeks in preparation for this sermon, I have come under the overall impression of great mercy.
I have read many commentators' and preachers' writings on this chapter, and the general consensus is similar but with different emphasis.
One pastor, whose sermons I read regularly, preached from this chapter a sermon entitled "The Road of Rebellion."
I don't disagree with his understanding of the chapter, but I might phrase it a bit differently.
Ezekiel chapter 20 clearly maps out Israel's path from Egypt to Babylon.
It is a road that God's people traveled over a time period of about 900 years, one rebellious step after another, but while Israel's footsteps were characterized by rebellion, the road that they traveled was paved in mercy.

Let us read the first nine verses of the chapter to see the inquiry that spurred the prophecy and then the first of three legs of Israel's rebellious journey down God's road of mercy.

READ VERSE 1-9
Ezekiel 20:1 ¶ And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.
2 Then came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,
3 Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.
4 Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers:
5 ¶ And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God;
6 In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:
7 Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
8 But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
9 But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.

PRAY

The first portion of our text to which I want to draw your attention is verses 1-4.
In verse 1-4 and interesting thing happened: The elders, the leadership of Israel, for such is the generic term throughout Scripture for leaders, had come to the prophet Ezekiel to get instruction from the Lord.
This seems like a commendable thing at first, but then we see that God refuses to answer them and even insists He will not listen to their request for guidance.
We can assume a couple of things:
1.) Israel is not asking sincerely for guidance or God would give it. (James said, "If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him.")
2.) Israel is not approaching God with Humility or God would not resist them. (God resisteth the proud but giveth grace to the humble)

So we deduce that Israel has come before God's prophet for advice with a predisposition to do what they want instead of what God tells them.
Often this is how people attend church, although I pray not our own.
They have decided what kind of music they like and they have no intention of giving it up, regardless of what the Bible says.
They have their political positions and they have taken them off the table lest God require a change in this area of their lives.
They have their attitude and they approach the sanctuary with a firm grasp on their pride lest God should try to wrench it from their hands.
They make a show of attending church but they do not plan to change when God so instructs them.

This is how Israel's leadership approached Ezekiel and God saw right through their little facade.
God said, "I will not be inquired of by you," then He instructs Ezekiel to give them a history lesson.
God tells Ezekiel in Verse 4 to tell them about their fathers.

This is where we begin to map out Israel's footsteps of rebellion on a road paved with mercy.

The first leg of the journey begins with a Promise from God.
{God Says, "I promised them the Land of Canaan."} Verses 5,6
Along with that promise came a command.
{"I commanded them to forsake Idols."} Verse 7
Then we see Israel's response to the gracious promise and command of God.
[They Rebelled] Verse 8a
They clearly deserved God's unrelenting fury, but...
[They Received Mercy] Verse 9
God's reasoning in granting mercy is given in verse 9 as well, it is that same motivation that has consumed Him since before time began, that He might be glorified.
It is for His Name's Sake that He withheld severest judgment on Israel.

The second leg of the journey begins with Deliverance from Egypt.
{God Says, "I brought them out of Egypt."} Verse 10
Along with that deliverance came some requirements.
{"I gave them a system of laws and worship."} Verses 11,12
Then we see Israel's response to the gracious deliverance and requirements of God.
[They Rebelled] Verse 13a
They clearly deserved God's unrelenting fury, but...
[They Received Mercy] Verse 14
God's reasoning in granting mercy is given in verse 14 as well, it is that same motivation that has consumed Him since before time began, that He might be glorified.
It is for His Name's Sake that He withheld severest judgment on Israel.

The third leg of the journey begins with a Lenient punishment.
{God Says, "I gave them a limited punishment."} Verses 15,16
Along with that limited punishment came a chance for blessing.
{"I gave their children a chance for blessing."} Verse 17-20
Then we see Israel's response to the gracious correction and chance for blessing.
[They Rebelled] Verse 21a
They clearly deserved God's unrelenting fury, but...
[They Received Mercy] Verse 22
God's reasoning in granting mercy is given in verse 22 as well, it is that same motivation that has consumed Him since before time began, that He might be glorified.
It is for His Name's Sake that He withheld severest judgment on Israel.

Ezekiel's history lesson continues with more testimony of Israel depravity and rebellion in the face of God's consistently offered mercy.
God begins His conclusion and an application to the people of Israel in verse 33.
Ezekiel 20:33 ¶ As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you:

God is determined to rule over His people.
If you find yourself rebelling against God's gracious requirements in your life, know this: He is determined to be glorified as King and worshipped as God in your life.

Verses 34-37 show that God means business.
Israel has not voluntarily submitted as a nation to Him, so He has decided to gather them together to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Verse 38 shows that God will finally judge the rebels severely, and there will be found no place for them.
The indication is that God will bring them out from the bondage of their situation and give them the opportunity to submit, and if they won't, they will not enjoy the blessings of the promised land.
Beloved, God has released you from the bonds of your sin.
He has freed you from your slavery to substances and ungodly relationships.
Now He is giving you the opportunity to live a victorious Christian life, for such is the symbolism of the land of Canaan for us.
How will you respond?
Will you submit to His every rule, or will you rebel?
The victorious Christian life is not for the rebellious but for the submitted.

Verse 39 amounts to an ultimatum to Israel, and it can easily be applied to our lives as well.
If you will cling to your idols, your idols are all you will have.

I trust your answer to God's ultimatum is, "I will submit."

There can be no other proper answer.
No halfway commitments to God will secure the blessings of a fully surrendered life.

This decision to submit will secure for you an acceptance of your worship - Verse 40

This decision to submit will result in an acceptance of your life and a testimony to the lost - Verse 41

This decision to submit will result in a fulfillment of God's promises of blessing in your life - 42

This decision to submit will result in a deeper distaste for your sin and a greater appreciation of God's mercy - 43,44.

Ezekiel 20:44 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

He has not dealt with us according to our sin.
He has paved our path with mercy.
Let us walk this road of mercy with steps of submission so that His greater purpose might be realized, for He has granted this mercy to us FOR HIS NAME"S SAKE.

Wait On The Lord

2008-07-28T20:34:00.000-07:00

Wait On The Lord
Isaiah 40:28-31

This morning I want to bring you a message out of one of the most encouraging passages in Scripture.
You will recognize this passage because it has been used in greeting cards, inspirational posters, encouraging and comforting notes from friends and may even have been a source of strength for you in the midst of a trial in your life.
The passage is nestled in one of the brightest and richest books in the Bible, the record of the prophecies of Isaiah.
Isaiah had the distinct privilege of presiding over the reign of four kings and was instrumental in bringing his country back to the Lord.
The greatest distinction of Isaiah's prophecies is his clear and powerful predictions of a suffering Messiah.
It was the book of Isaiah that the Holy Spirit used to bring the Ethiopian Eunuch to Christ as Luke records in the Book of Acts.
I have followed Philip's example and have turned to this book to prove to many an adherent of Judaism that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
Today I want to focus your attention on just the last few verses of Isaiah 40 and notice how powerfully relevant the Scripture is.
When I read this book that was penned over 2,700 years ago, I am struck by the fact that it fits my needs today as if Isaiah has been watching a reality show of my life and was guided by the Holy Spirit to write these words for me.
Let us read our text this morning:

READ
Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
PRAY

The first thing you may notice about the passage we have just read is that it appears to be answering a question of the heart.
It is phrased so that it addresses an attitude of despair that has crept into your life.
If you read the previous verse you will see that attitude that was prevalent in Israel.
Isaiah 40:27 ¶ Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?

They had been so immersed in the trials of the day and so overwhelmed by the difficulties of life that they had begun to allow doubt to creep into their conversations and more importantly, into their hearts.
The despairing attitude that God addresses has perhaps influenced you in your life as well.
My trouble is my own and God is either unaware or unconcerned.

Verses 28 and 29 are meant to dispel that attitude of helplessness immediately with a reminder of the character of God.
> We are not dealing here with a god who was fashioned by the potter's hands or the carpenter’s chisel.
This is the Everlasting Creator of the Universe.
> He is not a man that runs out of energy or interest.
He finds great pleasure in reaching out to the faint and making them powerful.
He reaches out to those who have no might at all and infuses into them the strength they need for the day.

Then we get to verse 30 where God addresses yet another wrong attitude.
The first one was an attitude of DESPAIR, and the second an attitude of PRIDE.
It may seem they are polar opposites, but in reality they are not far separated.
As a matter of fact they are inseparable.
One produces the other and they alternate in a spiraling display of self sufficiency.

Think about it:
Despair comes from the idea that we face our trials alone.
Pride is the audacity of thinking that we can or must face our trials alone.

Just as Verses 28 and 29 dispel the attitude of despair, verse 30 dispels the attitude of self sufficient pride.
Isaiah 40:30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
It is not because you are passed your prime that you cannot handle the pressures of the day; it is because you are human.
The human body was not built to handle the pressures and trials of this life alone.
What made you think you could?
What made you think you had to face your trials alone?
Pride has way of bringing us to our knees, doesn't it?

Now we get to the promise that makes sense of everything - "the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

God promises to renew the strength of the faint.
God promises to give us wings as eagles to soar over these problems with the serenity of a bird.
God promises to give us the endurance to run this race day after day and year after year with our eyes on the prize and with a spring in our step.
God promises to give us the power to walk on through the trials and tribulations of this life without a sign of fainting.

But wait!
Did I leave something out?

These promises are not for every helpless man or woman.
These promises are not for every faint and weary person.
These promises are not for every lady or man who reaches the end of their rope.
These promises are not for everyone who despairs, nor for everyone that finds their pride a shallow well of strength.

These promises of renewed strength, serenity, endurance and power are for those who wait on the LORD.

The promises in this passage are conditional.
We must wait on the LORD.
This is our mandate.
This is the imperative of the text.
We must wait on the LORD.

We have already seen the motivation for obeying this clear command of Scripture.
1. We must wait on the LORD because despair is a sin.
2. We must wait on the LORD because pride is a sin.
3. We must wait on the LORD because He can and will help us.

Now let us see how we can wait on the LORD:

The Scripture is replete with this idea of waiting on the LORD.
In our study through the Psalms on Thursday night we have seen it again and again.
Eighteen times the Psalmist asks God "how long?"
Twenty-eight times He says, "wait."

To give you an idea of this theme, I recall to your memory the life of Christ, so powerfully forecasted by the prophet Isaiah:

When the disciples were caught in the storm on Galilee, Jesus tarried until the "fourth watch," sometime between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. He could easily have rescued them at 9 p.m., and all could have enjoyed a good night's sleep; yet He waited.

Remember the time Jairus begged Jesus to come and heal his daughter who was at the point of death. Jesus started in that direction but paused to deal with the woman who touched the hem of His garment. He arrived at Jairus' house after the child had passed away.

Similarly, when our Lord heard that His friend Lazarus was sick, He tarried two more days in the place where He was, and Lazarus died.

Those involved in the trials could not see why Jesus did not move on their schedule.
It seems Jesus was on a different schedule than everyone else.
From the few New Testament stories I have just mentioned, we derive some of our greatest encouragement.
Each time Jesus was teaching those involved to Place themselves in His care and Pace themselves by His timetable.

What we are talking about this morning is surrender in no uncertain terms.
You must trust Him completely and obey Him while you wait.

God has carefully thought out what the very best overall timing is in your life, and His desire is to receive the greatest glory from your life, but it has to be by His schedule.

I want to encourage you this morning to place yourselves in His hands.
I want to encourage you to pace yourselves according to his timetable.
Surrender to it.

Remember, "The delays of God are not meant to discourage our faith, but to develop it,"

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Even in coming to Christ for salvation of our soul, we must place ourselves in His care with no strings attached.
Many have come to Him and have offered to go into a relationship as partners.
God doesn't work that way.
He cannot partner up with sinfulness.
He demands complete surrender:
A Recognition of sinfulness,
A Repentence of heart and
A Reliance on Him alone for salvation.

Will you Wait On The LORD?

Little In Thine Own Sight

2008-07-20T21:11:00.000-07:00

Little In Thine Own Sight
I Samuel 15:10-17

Our text this morning is from the words of Samuel the Prophet to King Saul.
Saul is one of those characters in the Scriptures, whose primary benefit to us now is a series of bad examples.
One of those lessons is on the subject of humility.
The Bible is very clear concerning God's thoughts about humility and pride.

James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Obviously, God has a distinct aversion to pride and self sufficiency, while He is inexplicably drawn by His Holy nature to lift up the humble and the lowly.
It seems that in God's system of leadership, the greatest leader is one who serves and remains entirely dependant on God for promotion.
Saul had, in his life a history of prideful actions that were motivated by his desire to be seen as "kingly" rather than as God's servant.
In our text we will pick up shortly after Saul has disobeyed God's explicit command to utterly destroy the Amalekites.
God had been completely clear concerning this command, and Samuel had delivered it personally to King Saul.
Then Saul had saved the king of the Amalekites and the choicest of the livestock and the spoils.

Let us read now beginning with Verse 10:
READ

PRAY

This morning, I want to draw your attention to the last verse of our text and bring you a challenge from the words of Samuel to Saul:

1Samuel 15:17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?

A great change had taken place in the heart of Saul.
There was a time when Saul was so honored that God would use him in the capacity of king that he couldn't believe Samuel's announcement to that end.

1Samuel 9:21 And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

Now we find Saul so self confident, so headstrong that he feels he can go against God's very orders and make his own judgment call in the field because, after all, he is king!

Samuel's rebuke caught my eye as I was studying for our teaching portion of the service and God moved me to bring this challenge to you this morning:

EVERY PERSON MUST BECOME LITTLE IN HIS OWN SIGHT.

It seems the world system is geared to defeat this principle.
For some reason, the most popular principle in educating children is to boost their confidence!
If we aren't careful we will raise a generation of confident idiots.

Proverbs 30:13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

Our children don't need to be set up on an unrealistic pedestal.
They need to learn to be humble so that God can set them up.
Our kids don't need to learn to love themselves, they need to learn that the only thing lovely about themselves is that God made them and that God finds value in them.
This is realistic.
This is foundational to a successful life as an adult.

We must become little in our own sight if we are ever to be used by God to do something great for Him.

Let us look to our text for some powerful motivation to become little in our own sight.

1.) Because Humility is the way to promotion in God's service. (V.17)
1Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

2.) Because Pride leads to disobedience and rebellion. (V.8,9)
Psalm 119:21 ¶ Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
Proverbs 16:18 ¶ Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

3.) Because Pride leads to justification of sin. (V.13-15)
Verse 13 - Redefining God's command
Verse 15 - Blaming others for personal failures

The motivations to become little in our own sight are clear from Saul's own testimony as recorded in our text.

Now let us look for some practical instruction.
How can we become little in our own sight?

1.) By submitting to ALL of God's commands. (V.22,23)

2.) By admitting full personal responsibility for our sins. [(unlike Saul)V.24-26]

3.) By allowing others to see your contrition. [(unlike Saul)V.27-30]

Do you have a problem with pride?
If so, it is time to lower your opinion of yourself.
It is time to become little in your own sight, so that God may become greater.
John the Baptist was such a great example when he said,

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

This is what needs to happen in our lives.
It is only when we decrease that Jesus can increase.
One of the greatest limiters to ministry is pride.
It is only when I recognize that God doesn't need me, but that I need Him, that He will use me to do great things for Him.

Even when we come to Him for salvation, we come with a small opinion of ourselves.
We recognize that we are powerless to save ourselves, we can't even help.
We can only accept His free gift of salvation and submit to His provision of a Saviour in Jesus Christ.
Have you submitted to Jesus?
Won't you kneel before Him today?

Two Metaphors

2008-07-14T21:48:00.000-07:00

Two Metaphors, One Lesson
Ezekiel 19:1-14

We left chapter 18 with the clear and powerful truth that each of us is responsible for our own actions.
We are not tied inexplicably to the sins of our father or mother.
We have a just and holy God, Whose desire was expressed most significantly in the last verse:
Ezekiel 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
God wants us to live under the blessings of righteousness rather than the penalties of sin.
Our prophet Ezekiel is God's man sent to Judah and Israel with what has been at times a severe message of judgment.
However, we have seen at the edge of each dark cloud of judgment a silver lining of hope and bright rays of mercy and love from Heaven.

This morning we will be reading chapter 19, in which there are two intriguing metaphors to communicate God's predictions concerning the nation of Judah.

READ TEXT

Ezekiel 19:1 ¶ Moreover take thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel,
2 And say, What is thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions.
3 And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men.
4 The nations also heard of him; he was taken in their pit, and they brought him with chains unto the land of Egypt.
5 Now when she saw that she had waited, and her hope was lost, then she took another of her whelps, and made him a young lion.
6 And he went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey, and devoured men.
7 And he knew their desolate palaces, and he laid waste their cities; and the land was desolate, and the fulness thereof, by the noise of his roaring.
8 Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit.
9 And they put him in ward in chains, and brought him to the king of Babylon: they brought him into holds, that his voice should no more be heard upon the mountains of Israel.
10 ¶ Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.
11 And she had strong rods for the sceptres of them that bare rule, and her stature was exalted among the thick branches, and she appeared in her height with the multitude of her branches.
12 But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up her fruit: her strong rods were broken and withered; the fire consumed them.
13 And now she is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground.
14 And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured her fruit, so that she hath no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule. This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.

PRAY

On the face of it, the passage we have just read may seem a little dark.
However, upon closer examination and deeper study, we learn how relevant and powerful God's word for His people really was.
Remember that the prophecy we have just read was given to the people before any of it took place.
It was a prediction and a warning of coming events.

Let's take a look:

Right away, we are given notice that the theme of the passage is a lamentation - that is a sad statement, a mournful cry if you will.
Particularly, the sadness is regarding the leadership, the princes, of the nation.

Then, the first metaphor is laid out for us:
The nation of Judah and the city of Jerusalem in particular is the lioness in Verse 2.
Notice what is said of her in that verse.
The first thing is that she is laying down among the lions.
What does this mean?
Judah had become comfortable among the worldly nations and was learning the ways of the world and even raising the next generation according to the standards and customs of the world.
We get the idea that the hope of the nation, its youth and upcoming leadership, has been squandered on the ways of the world.
What kind of men will come from this sort of compromise?
Can we allow our children to sit in the seat of the scornful, watch their parents strive to be like the world and be nourished by the entertainment venues of a worldly system and expect them to not be affected by this?

Verse 3 shows us what kind of leader this compromise produced.
The lioness's whelp grew into a violent young man who had a penchant for hurting people.

Verse 4 reveals that the prince of Judah, Jehoahaz, had gained a reputation in his short reign for being violent and threatening.
The King of Egypt, Pharaoh Nechoh, sent his armies in to capture Jehoahaz and take him to Egypt.
2Kings 23:33 And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.
King Jehoahaz died in chains in a foreign land because he wouldn't be the kind of leader that God wanted him to be.

As we see in the next verse of our text, Judah produced another ruler.

Unfortunately, as Verse 6 shows, Jehoiachim's first order of business was to look at the leadership of the nations around him and learn from their wicked ways.
He also became a menace and grew only in his ability to oppress his own people.

Verse 7 reveals a leader who was bent on destruction and produced nothing but desolation during his oppressive regime.
All the land was filled with his roaring.
He ruled for 11 years before the world could stand him no longer.

We see in Verse 8 that all the nations came together to take Jehoiachim in a trap.

In Verse 9 they put this troublesome king in chains and threw him into a dungeon in Babylon, never to bother his own country again.

From this first metaphor we learn an important lesson:
Compromise in child rearing produces leadership failures.

Now we get into the second metaphor in our text.
The nation is now likened to a vine.
Remember that the picture of Israel as a vine always emphasizes the personal relationship that God has with his people.

In Verse 10 we see the great advantage that God had given His nation.
She was planted by the waters, most likely this is in reference to the well watered lands of Canaan.

She did grow strong at first, and as shown in Verse 11, she produced the means by which a king could rule her faithfully.
Such is the blessing of God upon a nation that He loves and upon a people that He loves.
God puts us in an advantaged position today:
> with the water of the word in such close proximity and within our grasp,
> with the person of the Holy Spirit as our advisor, teacher, comforter, leader and guide,
> and with all the blessings of this church age in which we live.
We can grow into a people that produces powerful leaders that will point many to God.
The nation of God's choosing in the Old Testament, however, did not maintain that close relationship with God that was necessary to flourish as a vine.

God was not pleased with His people and Verse 12 shows that in His fury God Himself plucked her out of the ground and cast her down.
This was the final prediction that Babylon would come and ravage the kingdom of Israel.
Suddenly, what was full of potential was fruitless and dry.
Suddenly, what used to have such a plethora of leadership capability was devoid of any leadership at all.

Verse 13 predicts the carrying away of the Jewish nation into Babylon, which did take place in 586 BC.
To a nation that had once enjoyed the blessings of a close relationship with God, Babylon was indeed a dry and thirsty ground.
When we turn away from our abiding relationship with Him, we turn from the refreshing nourishment of the True Vine to a wilderness that is dry and barren.

Verse 14 wraps up the prophecy with a specific prediction that one of the rulers from Jerusalem, this is Zedekiah, would be the instrument of disaster that God would use to drag a nation into captivity.
While this passage may seem sad, and a lamentation it is, it is clear that we can take from it a positive lesson:

Compromise in our personal relationship with God produces enslavement, barrenness and destruction.

The two metaphors of this chapter remind us of the price of compromise in our family and in our personal walk with God.
Let us determine that we will not compromise.
> We will not raise our children in the ways and customs of this world.
> We will not be dragged away from an abiding relationship with God.

If you are here today and you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, let me challenge you to enter into a relationship that has all the potential of this life and eternity.
Then you can enjoy the blessings of a life without compromise.

The Star Spangled Banner

2008-07-06T18:13:00.000-07:00

It was late August of the year 1814, and our young and fragile collection of states was once again in a vicious conflict with the overwhelming military powers of Great Britain. The war of 1812 was coming to a sad end. Although America had been set on a firm foundation by the leadership of George Washington some 30 years previous, she was fragile and inexperienced. This became evident in an horrific fashion as Great Britain overran Washington and burned down the Capitol and the Whitehouse in which then President Madison had been living. With Washington in flames, President Madison in hiding and the American troops on the run, the moral of our young country was seemingly shattered.

Great Britain then amassed its intimidating Naval fleet for one last crushing blow against the colonists with the intention of closing the deal and gaining back control of their colonies. The target was the town of Baltimore in early September. With the smoke of Washington on the horizon, Baltimore felt the menacing gaze of the British war machine. The town of Baltimore was guarded in part by Fort McHenry under the command of Lieutenant Colonel George Armistead. Armistead and the nearly 1,000 men under his command watched the growing strength of the British Army and Navy in the early weeks of September.

In the preliminary ground assaults on the city, an especially loved town physician, named Dr. William Beanes, was captured by the British forces and taken out to a prison ship. The broken hearted townspeople hurriedly put together an envoy to go out and procure the release of this non-combatant. Two men comprised this envoy, Colonel John Skinner and Attorney Francis Scott Key. They took with them testimonials of actual British soldiers who had received exemplary care at the hands of Dr. Beanes. On September 7th this small envoy sailed out to the British fleet under a flag of truce. The British commanders agreed to release the good doctor, but not until after the quickly approaching battle. The three Americans had seen too much to allow them to return to the town.

Within the fort, the attitude was grim and steadfast. They held little hope of victory, but, to a man, they were resolutely against surrender. Not completely without honor, the British admiral offered a simple sign by which the tattered American regulars might show their submission. They had but to remove the offensive stars and stripes from their prominent location flying high over the fort.
Upon receipt of this generous offer, Colonel Armistead commissioned a secret task. A woman by the name of Mary Pickersgill was paid the healthy sum of $405.90 to sew a gigantic flag that measured 30 feet in width and 42 feet in length. In the Colonel’s own words, it was of a size that “the British would have no trouble seeing it from a distance.”

Late on September 12th the British fleet opened fire on the fort to gain range parameters and set the ships in position. From the deck of the British frigate “Surprise” the three captive Americans watched through looking glasses in anguish and humiliation as the Stars and Stripes were lowered. But then, just as they were about to lower their looking glasses there arose a flag so great they could see it with the naked eye. The Americans had given their answer to the British fleet.

Before dawn on the 13th the guns of 16 British warships began a barrage that lasted for 25 hours. The noise was a deafening roar as, without a single moment of reprieve, the explosions rained down on the fort throughout the day. From their position beyond the range of fire, the three Americans watched with great emotion as their loved ones received the unbearable punishment of the bombings. They could not see how the men were faring or how much damage was being inflicted against their city, but they could, by the light of the sun, see that the flag was still standing. The merciless bombings continued throughout they day and into the night.

Now it was too dark to see the flag. Only when a bomb prematurely exploded in mid air close to the great flag could they see by the momentary red glare that it still stood. All night the canons roared as the British focused their attention upon the flag itself. “If they will not lower their flag we will lower it for them.” Suddenly, in the dark of the morning, the canons fell silent. The three Americans could not see through the darkness and tell if the fort had finally submitted to the foreign power on her shores. Francis Scott Key stood at the rail of the ship and strained to see as the sun began to give the morning fog a light glow. Then as the mists shifted and the ramparts of the fort became visible the sun lighted upon the shredded remains of the stars and the stripes. The wind revived the old flag and it unfurled in defiance of those who would have it torn down.

On that British ship, Francis Scott Key pulled a letter from his coat pocket and began to scribble the words with which we have all become familiar:

Today there is a battle set in array that far surpasses any during the war of 1812.
The battle I speak of is that one in defense of your testimony.
Like the brave soldiers at Fort McHenry you have a testimony of your convictions and beliefs and loyalties.
You have been granted the privilege and the responsibility to keep the standard of your captain flying high in the face of the barrage of this world.
All too often Christians lower their colors to avoid offence and too often submit to the forces of peer pressure and societal norms.
This afternoon I want to challenge you to take a stand.

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Nearly 200 years ago, brave men of Fort McHenry agreed together that regardless of the consequences, they would stand together in defense of liberty and by no means would they allow the colors to be taken down.
Let us now determine that come what may, we will not allow His standard to fall.
We will stand together and fly the colors of our Christian testimony high and consistent for all to see, for certainly there are those who are watching.
They are looking for someone with a cause that is worth living for.
Won’t you decide with me today that you will stand for God and raise your testimony for all to see?

Above All Nations

2008-07-06T17:37:00.000-07:00

Above All Nations
Deuteronomy 28:1-14

The Constitution of the United States was ratified by the states in June 1788. In February of the following year the new nation's Electoral College selected George Washington to be its first President. On April 16, 1789 Washington began the journey from his home at Mount Vernon to New York City, then the nation's capital, where he would be inaugurated. Washington was reluctant to leave the serenity of his home and uncertain about his new position. His journal entry for that day noted:

"About 10 o'clock I bade adieu to Mount Vernon, to private life, and to domestic felicity, and with a mind oppressed with more anxious and painful sensations than I have words to express, set out for New York in company with Mr. Thompson, and Colonel Humphries, with the best dispositions to render service to my country in obedience to its call, but with less hope of answering its expectations."

George Washington's humble uncertainties about his abilities to govern were accentuated by his nervous behavior during his inaugural address.
His hands were shaking as he held a paper copy of his speech with one hand and then the other in an attempt to hide his nervousness.
He completed the address with one hand in his pocket to disguise his discomfort and made one awkward attempt at gesturing which was such a dismal failure that he went back to speaking with his hand in his pocket.

History fills out the story to his great credit but the greatest legacy that George Washington left was his firm belief that God was the Prime Mover in governing the affairs of men and that ultimately, every government must answer to Him alone.
On the day of his inauguration it is said that George Washington made a specific request regarding the bible upon which he would lay his hand and take the presidential oath.
With a clear understanding of the import of his request, the first president of these United States asked that the old bible be opened to the book of Deuteronomy. Is was his desire to lay his hand on chapter 28 while uttering the oath of office.

It is to this passage we turn this morning with the specific goal of finding God's will for our country and our own lives.

READ TEXT
Deuteronomy 28:1 ¶ And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.
6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
7 The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
9 The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.
10 And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11 And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
PRAY

Our text comes from the powerful book of Deuteronomy.
The word Deuteronomy means literally "second law" because it was the second time the law was delivered to God's people in a systematic fashion.
The first time was to a recently delivered nation of Israel at mount Sinai.
As you remember, Israel then wandered around in the wilderness for 40 years while all the adults passed away one by one.
Now the nation of Israel has come back to the border of Canaan and is gathered on the plains of Moab preparing to enter the land.
Moses is nearing his own death and God has told him that he would not enter the promised land himself.
Moses gathers himself together for one last address to the young nation of Israel and redelivers the law in summary to the people.
As he nears then end of his farewell sermons he gets to the material we have read this morning in chapter 28.
He is solidifying the relationship that God wants to have with His nation of Israel.
This is where we can make a valid application to any nation as the principles herein are transferable in their basic truths.

This chapter is easily divided into two parts, the first of which we have just read.

The portion of Chapter 28 that we have read is 14 verses of positive affirmation for a nation that is willing to obey His commands.
Let us quickly review these promises of national blessings.
The primary nature of these promises is that they are conditional.
The first condition of a nation receiving all of the wonderful blessings of verses 1-14 is that that nation listen diligently to the voice of the Lord.
The second condition also reiterated in verse 1 is that a nation do all his commandments.
Verse 9 adds to these conditions walking in His ways.
Verse 14 finalizes the list of conditions with the requirement that the nation of God's affection never serve other gods.

I would like to submit this list of conditions for what it is, a formula for gaining God's blessings upon a nation.
If you want God's blessings on your life you have to:
1.) Listen to the voice of God.
Listening to the voice of God includes reading His word and purposefully positioning yourself under the preaching of the word on a regular basis.
2.) Do His commandments.
This is the one step mentioned the most often in the passage and fulfills the first step.
It matters not how well you listen if you have already made up your mind that you are not going to obey.
3.) Walk in His ways.
God's people do more than just mindlessly and robotically obey His wrote commands.
They have His word written on the hearts and it changes the way they walk.
How does your life reflect God's ways?
4.) Do not go after other gods.
Like the commitment I made to my wife when we married, that I would never go after another woman, so my commitment to my God is exclusive.
Nothing can consume me like my passion for Him.
Nothing can influence me like my desire to please Him.
He is my all, and He is enough.

Now we get to the portion of the chapter that takes up all of 50 verses outweighing the 14 verses of positive affirmation.
While the first 14 verses are about blessings, the last 50 are about cursing.
You may say, " well that is kind of lopsided, I would rather you emphasize the positive and leave the negative alone."
In defense against that thought I have only this, "I didn't write it."

For every one positive verse about blessing in this chapter, there are 3 1/2 negative verses about cursing upon those who do not follow the formula outlined in verses 1-14.

In addition to all of the promised blessings in reverse, there is added many severe and horrific curses to come upon the nation that slips away from Him.
We must understand, God owes us nothing.
When we obey His commands as we ought, we do not deserve the blessing of God, they are not our right. God gives us blessings out of grace.
When we do our duty, He blesses us because He loves us.
When we earn His punishment we do just that, we earn it.

Deuteronomy paints the clearest picture of God, a God Who is Holy and gracious, but first Holy.
It accomplishes what the Law was set out to accomplish, the revealing of our shortcomings.
We fall short of His demands and must have a Divine bridge to enter into a relationship with Him.
God has provided that bridge in the righteousness of His own Son.
Have you accepted Jesus as your Saviour?

The Proverb of the Sour Grapes

2008-06-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

The Proverb of the Sour Grapes
Ezekiel 18:1-4

Out text begins with an eye-catching proverb that had become popular in Israel and represented popular opinion.
Even today some people hold to the false belief that this proverb represents, but God has seen fit to occupy an entire chapter refuting this false doctrine.
The end result of the chapter is that we find ourselves wholly responsible for our own sins before God and not for the sins of someone else.

Let us begin by reading just the first four verses of our text:

READ TEXT
Ezekiel 18:1 ¶ The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?
3 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.
4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
PRAY

The first element of our text that strikes our eye is the proverb about the sour grapes.
Have you ever eaten sour grapes?
Have you noticed the aftertaste?
This is what is referenced in the proverb, that after effect of the sourness.
The people were saying that a man might commit a certain sin, symbolized in the proverb by the sour grape, and his children would be predetermined to suffer under the guilt of that sin and even carry God's judgment for their father's sin.

It is a common belief among people even today and is called by different names - Generational Sin among those superstitious Christians who have adopted this doctrine, Generational Curse among the occultist religions from whence this doctrine came.
The result of this false teaching is manifold:
1. It produces a sense of hopelessness in the follower of God regarding real spiritual freedom.
2. It produces a sense of unfairness regarding the nature of God.
3. It produces a lack of self-responsibility among those who hold this teaching.

God debunks Israel's false doctrine in one powerful sentence:
"The soul that sinneth, it shall die."

Every man must give an account of himself before God.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Every man suffers under the guilt of his own sins alone:
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Every man is determined by his own actions to suffer the eternal penalty for his sins.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death;

The first and foremost truth of this chapter is that every man must answer to God for his own sins.

This is not to say that our sins do not have an impact on those around us, including our children:
Let us take a moment to discuss this.
So often we see a man who is abusive and disrespectful to his wife in the home:
When he has a son, often that son grows into a man that treats his own wife in the same shameful manner.
When he has a daughter, she grows up to marry a man that treats her as her father treated her mother.
Why is this?
Surely we can see that this is learned behavior.
The son takes the role model of his father and follows the pattern that was set for him.
The daughter accepts in her heart that such is the role of a woman and marries an abusive man.

It is the same with other sins that seem to continue from one generation to another.
A son sees the wandering eye of his father and justifies his own lustful heart to act in the same manner.
A girl sees the idolatrous ways of her mother and learns to depend upon idols as well.

Truly our sin does impact the next generation by way of example.

Our kids are watching and learning about how the family is supposed to operate, and they will often carry the same weaknesses and strengths into their own family.

HOWEVER, we must draw a definitive line here:
The son is not guilty of his father's sins until he commits the same sin himself.
Never in the Bible are we encouraged to confess the sins of our fathers, such an injustice would cast doubt on the fairness of God.

Certainly I have inherited a sinful nature as every man has since Adam, but there is no sin that my father committed that has a generational hold on my life.
I make the decisions and the choices to sin or do right in my life and I bear full responsibility for my decisions.

There is a positive side to this doctrine as well:
The next verses in chapter 18 outline the life of a man that is just and follows the law, living by what is right in God's eyes.
He does not worship idols or commit adultery.
He is not unclean or oppressive to any.
He pays his debts and lives peaceably.
He gives to the hungry and comforts the needy.
He defrauds no one and is just in his business dealings.
Verse 9
Continues:
Ezekiel 18:9 Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.

It is clear that just as God judges the individual sinner for his individual actions, so He blesses the individual who lives uprightly before Him.

Now here is a question:
Does that man's righteousness cover the sins of his children?
Read on:
Ezekiel 18:10 ¶ If he beget a son that is a robber, a shedder of blood, and that doeth the like to any one of these things,
11 And that doeth not any of those duties, but even hath eaten upon the mountains, and defiled his neighbour's wife,
12 Hath oppressed the poor and needy, hath spoiled by violence, hath not restored the pledge, and hath lifted up his eyes to the idols, hath committed abomination,
13 Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall surely die; his blood shall be upon him.

Clearly the answer is that the son is responsible for his own actions.
The son exercises individual soul liberty and decides to sin - "The soul that sinneth it shall die"

Now, what about that man's son?
Will he bear the sins of his father?
Read on:
Ezekiel 18:14 Now, lo, if he beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like,
15 That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbour's wife,
16 Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,
17 That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.

Such is the just and fair judgment of God.
The next verse tells us that the father alone will bear the penalty of his actions.

There is much hope here in these verses that I want to point out to you this morning:
Have you had a father whose sinfulness has cast a pall and a shadow across your childhood?
You are not destined to follow in his steps and you are not guilty of his sins.
Have you had a mother whose sinfulness has caused nothing but pain in your life?
You are not guilty of her sins.

This was a shock to the people of Israel who had so bought into the traditional false doctrine of generational sin and generational guilt that they had stepped away from the one-on-one personal responsibility that keeps a man or a woman righteous before their God.
Ezekiel 18:19 Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live.
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

Now we get to an even more bright and hopeful passage.

What if I have found myself following the pattern of sinfulness set by my father?
What if I have modeled the same weaknesses and poor judgment that my mother laid out before me?
What then?
Am I now destined to follow these proclivities?

Look to the following verses for hope:
Ezekiel 18:21 ¶ But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.

Praise the Lord!
Did you hear that?
If I confess my sin now, repent of my ways and follow the Lord, my iniquities will be remembered no more.
He will never even mention them to me!

This wonderful doctrine is consistent throughout Scripture.
It is not just an Old Testament promise to a limited group.
Hebrews 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Hebrews 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

How could God be so merciful?
Ezekiel 18:23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

God is much more desirous that you repent than that you suffer the penalty of your sins.
2Peter 3:9 ¶ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
1Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Know this, that your past righteousness will not keep you from judgment any more than your past sin will keep you from grace.
Ezekiel 18:24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?
26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

This warning does not indicate that a saved person can lose their salvation, but that we are all under God's government and will answer for our actions.
Do not think, as some have stated, that your righteous living builds up credits against which you can draw in times of sinfulness.
Righteous living is a requirement not a freewill deposit we make in the bank of Heaven.
The only righteousness that has built up any real value in the bank of heaven is that of Jesus Christ.
He made a deposit there that covers the sins of the whole world for those who will accept it as payment for their sin.

That said, we must understand that He still rules from His throne and chastises the errant and rewards the obedient.

One more time now let us drive this truth home again:
Ezekiel 18:27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
29 Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal?

Our God is ready now to accept your repentance.
You need never repent for your father's sins - that Freudian philosophy is not from the pages of scripture nor anywhere affirmed by this book.
You are encouraged to take responsibility for your own actions and revel in the freedom to make the right choices now, for you do have that freedom.

God will judge us for our own actions in this world and reward us for our own actions in the next.
Ezekiel 18:30 ¶ Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

There is one more aspect at which we have only hinted in this sermon:
Your own righteousness could never cover your previously committed sin, and you could never be absolutely perfect from this point on.
You will falter and fall.
There must be a more perfect righteousness that gains us a position in heaven.
This is where Jesus comes in.
When your righteousness was not good enough, He offered his own for you to wear.
Will you accept it today as your only way to have a relationship with God?

Then and only then will you be freed to live a live of purity and holiness before Him.

A Riddle and a Parable

2008-06-22T22:48:00.000-07:00

A Riddle and a Parable
Ezekiel 17

Our text is an intriguing passage of Scripture that is full of symbols with a powerful lesson and a ray of hope at the end.
God uses a unique combination of riddles and parable to convey His plan of redemption to His people.
Early in the passage we see God giving Ezekiel the mandate to put forth a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel.

I particularly like riddles and fancy myself good at unraveling them usually.
The whole Idea of a riddle is to obscure the truth.
The end result is we study to find the truth until we see it in a unique light.

One example is the following riddle:
What is so delicate that when you say its name it is broken?
The answer of course is "silence."
Notice how the obscuring of the point puts the answer in a whole new light.

A Parable is different from a riddle, in that, instead of obscuring the truth to make a point, a parable uses a commonly known fact to illustrate a truth.
A parable actually sheds light on the truth with the same end result as the riddle, it puts it in a whole new light.

Our text this morning utilizes both tools to make some important points.

Let us read verses 1-10 to get started.
Ezekiel 17:1 ¶ And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;
3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:
4 He cropped off the top of his young twigs, and carried it into a land of traffick; he set it in a city of merchants.
5 He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow tree.
6 And it grew, and became a spreading vine of low stature, whose branches turned toward him, and the roots thereof were under him: so it became a vine, and brought forth branches, and shot forth sprigs.
7 There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.
8 It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.
9 Say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Shall it prosper? shall he not pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither? it shall wither in all the leaves of her spring, even without great power or many people to pluck it up by the roots thereof.
10 Yea, behold, being planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows where it grew.

PRAY

So, there was a great cedar tree that reached into the sky.
It stood tall and proud until a great eagle came on the scene.
The long winged eagle tore off the very crown of the cedar tree and carried it into a foreign land.
Then that same long winged eagle planted a seed from the land in a fertile place with some water.
The seed grew and spread low along the ground as a vine is wont to do.
The vine turned its branches up toward the eagle in tribute and even bent its roots dependently toward the eagle.
Then another eagle shows up on the scene in verse 7.
This second eagle is great but with no indication of the first eagle's length of wing.
The low vine then bent it branches and roots toward the second eagle.
This second eagle planted the same vine again and set it in a place that it might grow and prosper.
God, however, is not pleased.
He insists in the last two verse of our text that the vine would not prosper, but would wither away and be plucked up by the roots.

If you puzzle on these words for a while you will most likely recognize the Cedar is representative of Israel and the eagles represent certain foreign nations that play major parts in the story of Israel's history.
The obvious ends about there, and the rest takes some study to figure out.
However, like most riddles, this one has the answers just a little further down the page.

READ 11-21

Ezekiel 17:11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
12 Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon;
13 And hath taken of the king's seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath of him: he hath also taken the mighty of the land:
14 That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.
15 But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?
16 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.
17 Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company make for him in the war, by casting up mounts, and building forts, to cut off many persons:
18 Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape.
19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head.
20 And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me.
21 And all his fugitives with all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be scattered toward all winds: and ye shall know that I the LORD have spoken it.

The interpretation and meaning of the riddle is as follows:
The cedar of Lebanon is indeed representative of Jerusalem of Israel with King Jehoiakim at its very top.
The first eagle with the widespread wings is none other than Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who came and took King Jehoiakim from his perch at the top of Israel's ruling city.
He took King Jehoiakim back to Babylon and held him there.
This same Nebuchadnezzar then set up Jehoiakim's brother, Zedekiah, in his place, truly of the seed of Israel, and planted him in Judah to rule in his brother's stead.
The agreement was that Israel would grow and prosper for the benefit of Babylon.
It would never grow tall as before but would remain a low and spreading but fruitful vine to serve the whim and fancy of a foreign king.
Zedekiah knew this was not how Israel should be run and certainly not all that Israel could be.
However, he did not lead Israel in a joint prayer of repentance to God.
Instead, he sought out a neighboring heathen nation to deliver him from the oppression of Babylon.
The second eagle with less reach but much power is Egypt.
Zedekiah sent ambassadors to Egypt to seek deliverance from Babylon.
The end result was that Israel ended up the same low-growing vine that simply traded oppressors.
Instead of Babylon, Israel was serving Egypt.

Here is where we can begin to make a powerful application to our lives.

At times, we, like Israel, allow ourselves to come into bondage of one kind or another.
It may be a substance.
It may be a thought pattern.
It may be bitterness or some negative attitude.
Whatever it is, we are serving it instead of God.
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Like Israel, we should call upon God for deliverance and repent of our sins that got us into the mess in the first place.
Instead, we often trade one sin for another:
We seek for deliverance in all the wrong places,
> depending on some worldly view of substance abuse - perhaps that it is an illness instead of an enslaving sin,

> seeking to justify instead of discipline our thought patterns,
> refusing to forgive because your flesh tells you are justified in your bitterness or bad attitude.
> perhaps even just seeking worldly counsel when what you need is godly counsel that will really cure and heal the pain and hurt inside.

Just as Israel sought deliverance from Egypt when he should have repented and sought deliverance from God, we often find ourselves seeking for deliverance in all the wrong places and end up trading one sin for another.

The end result is that we end up uprooted and unstable, with no real connections within the church and no real stability or healing in out lives.

God's solution to Israel's problem is found in the last three verses of the chapter.

Eze 17:22 ¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent:
23 In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.
24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.

The last three verses are clearly Messianic.
God is saying that He would take from the highest bloodline - that of David, a branch that would be planted prominently.
The result of this tall tree that would be planted is that every nation will find solace there.

Jesus was indeed cut from the line of David and planted our great deliverer.

Have you been wandering from one false deliverer to another?
Why don't you come to the one Saviour of Mankind under Whose branches you will finally find rest and comfort.

Like a Father

2008-06-15T16:53:00.000-07:00

Like A Father

Psalm 103:6-18

Today is Father's Day.
Someone said a father is a man who has pictures in his wallet where his money used to be.

On this Father's Day we are reminded of the great privilege it is to be a father and the great responsibilities that are incumbent upon those of us who have children.
I usually take the opportunity on Father's Day to challenge fathers to be better in that position.

The world has so polluted the concept of the family and specifically the role of a father, that many men are confused about how to be a proper father.
Some today have even succumbed to the intimidation of the world system and have pulled out of the lives of their children.
Some today have allowed the frustration of their own insecurities to push them into an abusive role in their children's lives.

Because of these tendencies within families and particularly in modern fathers, children are growing up without the proper idea of authority, and more importantly, without the proper understanding of God.
You see, a child's view of God is almost always influenced by the father figure in their lives.
> If a child grows up with a father who never punished them when they were wrong and just tried to be a "buddy," they get the idea that God doesn't so much mind impurity in their lives and is willing to put up with their sin.
> If a child grows up without a father in his or her life, they generally have a view of God that is that of a disinterested God with more important things to do than care for them.
> If a child grows up with a father that breaks his promises to them or to mom, they tend to have trouble trusting God.
> If a child grows up with an abusive father, they usually assume that God hates them and is out to get them.

Of course, none of these views of God is correct, for God is the perfect father and does not have the weaknesses and failings of an earthly father.
Our text gives us a unique and powerful glimpse of that perfect father and teaches us how we can be better fathers by following His example.
More importantly, our text gives us a correct view of God, our Heavenly Father.

Let us open our Bible and learn of Him this morning:

READ TEXT

Psalm 103:6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

PRAY

The verse that caught my attention this week is Verse 13
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

We have, over the past few months read and studied from the book of Ezekiel.
There we have seen an aspect of God's character that is true and powerful.
We have seen that the God of the Bible is a Holy and a Righteous God, Whose judgments against sinfulness are severe.
This is, however, not the whole picture of God as painted across the pages of Scripture.

It is not contradictory of God's character to see other facets of His personality, it is complimentary and tells us all that God wants us to know about Him.

I would like to point out from verse 13 that our God is the perfect father.
I want to drive that point home firmly this morning by walking with you through this passage and nailing down each unique characteristic of God presented here.

Let us begin in Verse 6

1.) God our Father is concerned with righteousness and justice. (V6)

2.) God our Father has revealed His rules to man. (V7)

3.) God our Father is full of mercy and grace. (V8)

4.) God our Father is not always angry. (V9)

5.) God our Father has withheld deserved judgment from us. (V10)

6.) God our Father shows mercy to those that fear him. (V11)

7.) God our Father has offered to separate our sins from us. (V12)

8.) God our Father is full of compassion toward those who fear Him. (V13)

9.) God our Father knows our frailty. (V14-16)

10.) God our Father blesses those who obey His commandments. (V17,18)

These attributes of God our Father remind us how we can be better fathers to our children.

They also remind us that we have, in Him, the greatest Father of all.
He is not like any human father.
He is perfect.

This passage is also a reminder of how a person can have such a wonderful Father.
Like any father-child relationship, we must be born into His family.

Have you been born into the family of God?
Is He your perfect Father?

His Faithful Bride

2008-06-08T22:06:00.000-07:00

His Faithful Bride
Ezekiel 16

Last week we were in Ezekiel 15, where God likened Israel to a Vine to show the kind of relationship that He wants to have with His people.
We saw the cross reference in John 15 that presented in a bit more positive light, the same truths and some practical instruction for having a fruitful relationship with God.

Today we are in the longest chapter of Ezekiel's prophecy and one that causes the reader to cringe again and again while reading through it.

The 16th chapter of Ezekiel is one a few chapters in scripture that I could not read in its entirety in mixed company.
Its truths are powerful and poignant for every Christian, but its pithiness is clearly not designed for public reading.
We can and should, however, summarize the main lessons of this, the longest chapter of Ezekiel and take God's challenge to heart.
The shocking presentation of the truths in Chapter 16 is meant to cause the reader to grimace in disgust at the sinfulness of Israel in Ezekiel's time.
It is also important that we apply these truths to our own lives and grimace in disgust at our own sinfulness and allow Him to bring us back to Him again.

Let us read the first few verses by way of introduction to the passage and then we will read a few verses throughout the chapter to grasp the gist of God's complaint against Israel and against us when we are unfaithful to Him.

READ TEXT
Eze 16:1 ¶ Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,
3 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto Jerusalem; Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan; thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother an Hittite.
4 And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all.
5 None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born.
6 ¶ And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.

PRAY

The passage we have read tells us about the beginning of Israel's relationship with God.
It is an unusual love story that mirrors that of God's relationship with us.
Israel is shown here as unlovely from the beginning.
> Born of questionable lineage
> Unclean and rejected
> Destined for death
> BUT GOD saw her and had mercy and gave her life.

The Bible says, that we too are sinful from our birth.
Ps 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Ro 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Ro 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

So the parallel is clear, like Israel, we were unlovely and rejected, destined for death and destruction, lying in our own filthiness BUT GOD saw us and had mercy on us.

In verse 8 a culturally significant turn of phrase is used.
Eze 16:8 Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine

When a man was to marry a woman he would offer his hand to her in marriage by taking his outer robe and covering her with it.
This is the spreading of his skirt over her.
It implied that She was to be cared for as if she was a part of his own body and flesh - indeed such is the responsibility of a husband for his wife.

The spreading of His skirt over Israel is a beautiful picture of how God promised, covenanted, to care for Israel as a bride.
She was unclean and lowly but God would wash her and anointed her with privilege.
Eze 16:9 Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.

She was poor and unclothed, BUT GOD covered her with the finest apparel.
Eze 16:10 I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.

She was destitute and starving, BUT GOD lavished her with the finest jewelry and fed her with the finest foods and she did prosper into a wonderful kingdom.
Eze 16:11 I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck.
12 And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.
13 Thus wast thou decked with gold and silver; and thy raiment was of fine linen, and silk, and broidered work; thou didst eat fine flour, and honey, and oil: and thou wast exceeding beautiful, and thou didst prosper into a kingdom.

She became known as beautiful among the heathen and gained a reputation for loveliness.
Eze 16:14 And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD.

So the parallel with our relationship with God continues.
We were as unlovely a bride as Israel here, and God saw us and loved us, choosing us to be his bride.
He adorned us with garments of his own righteousness and lavished jewelry of blessings upon us.
He washed us from our sins and made us worthy of Him.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

It was not by our own loveliness that we became His bride, He had mercy upon us.
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

We too will be crowned by our husband:
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

We have seen how all of Israel's loveliness as a bride of God was due to His love for her.
So our own loveliness is due to Christ's love for us.
He has made us into what we are, and all we have we owe to Him.
He is our faithful husband and we, His faithful bride to be.

Here is where the chapter takes a turn for the worse, for Israel did not stay pure and holy as the bride of God.
Once again, Israel's mistakes and abominations only mirror our own as we too have been unfaithful to our faithful husband, Jesus Christ.
Eze 16:15 ¶ But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.

The list of God's complaints against His bride takes up the major portion of the chapter.
It is as crude and distasteful as Israel's sin's against her faithful and perfect husband.
Let us highlight just a few and notice that, once again, Israel was no more unfaithful than we have been to Jesus since He saved us and clothed us in his robes of righteousness.
Verse 15 shows that pride was the beginning of Israel's fall and is often the beginning of our own decline away from God.
Pr 16:18 ¶ Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Verses 16 through 30 reveal a nation enamored with the trapping of this world.
She wants to have everything that everyone else has and forgets the value of what God has given her.
She squanders her beauty and her blessings for cheap thrills and her purity for the pleasures of sin.
She becomes trapped in a snare of sin that is self perpetuating.
In Verse 31, we find she is not profiting from her wickedness, she is paying for it and paying a high price.
Eze 16:31 In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire;
32 But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband!

So we, when we leave our true love for God and dabble in the sins of the flesh and in the attractions of the world, we end up paying to be defiled.
It was never our intention to be this way.
We thought we could profit from the deal with sin but we always end up paying so much more and getting nothing but filthiness in return.

There is a sad entry in verse 36 that shows when we sin it is not at our own expense alone - our children pay the price as well.
Eze 16:36 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;

The language is crude by so is our sin when we leave the side of our Faithful Husband, Jesus, and dabble in the things of this world.

Verses 37-40 show that even the world becomes disgusted with God's bride when she is so full of uncleanness.
So you will find that the world will use you up and cast you aside.
Verse 41 finds Israel at the rock bottom.
Used up and filthy, cast aside and hated by the world with which she flirted.

Have you ever wondered how God feels toward us when we drift away from Him and play the harlot with the world?
When we have squandered all that made us lovely and when the world has thrown us aside, used and rejected?

This is where the defiled person is usually convinced that God is more angry than ever, but verse 42 shows us different.
Eze 16:42 So will I make my fury toward thee to rest, and my jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.

The next several verse show that Israel was to pay a high price indeed for her sin, but it is the consequences of her sin that God allows to come upon her, it is not a rain of judgment from Him.

So we must realize that when we find ourselves at the bottom of that pit which we have ourselves digged, we have many a price to pay, but God is ready to have us back.

Some of those consequences are listed in the next verses:
Eze 16:51 Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done.
Our testimony is gone, sinners use us to excuse their own sin.

These verses remind us of how far we have gone and how it has impacted the world around us.

The darkness of Israel's downward spiral into unfaithfulness and sin is broken by God's mercy in Verse 60
If we had an honest show of hands this morning to see who has been unfaithful to God since being chosen to be His bride, every hand would go up.
Do you realize that not once has He been unfaithful to us?
Eze 16:60 ¶ Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant.
61 Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant.
62 And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD:
63 That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.

Through it all, God has remained faithful.
We have a powerful promise in the book of I John.
1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

He is faithful!

How faithful have you been as his bride?
Let us determine now that we will be a faithful bride.
We will not give ourselves to every passer by for we belong to Jesus.

If you find yourself this morning cast aside by the world, know this, if you have never been born into His family, He is ready to take you in and clothe you and cleanse you today.

If you have just drifted away from His side and you have defiled your life with the sin of the flesh and the world, know this, you are no more unlovely than the day He saved you, and He made a promise on that day to be faithful.
Won't you just come back to Him?

The Vine At Its Best

2008-06-02T22:59:00.000-07:00

The Vine at its Best
Ezekiel 15:1-8

Our text is another vision from the prophet Ezekiel.
God has used some vivid imagry to illustrate the truths and the lessons that He had for the people of Israel.
Today we will look at a short chapter in Ezekiel that gives us yet another picture to illustrate the consequences of having an unfruitful relationship with God.
The picture that we are given here is that of a vine that has ceased to bear fruit.
Since the chapter is a short one I want to take the opportunity this morning to contrast the vine at its worst with a New Testament passage that shows the vine at its best.
Let us read our text:
Ezekiel 15:1 ¶ And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, What is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest?
3 Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon?
4 Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel; the fire devoureth both the ends of it, and the midst of it is burned. Is it meet for any work?
5 Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work: how much less shall it be meet yet for any work, when the fire hath devoured it, and it is burned?
6 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
7 And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I set my face against them.
8 And I will make the land desolate, because they have committed a trespass, saith the Lord GOD.

PRAY

Our text, like many before it from Ezekiel is a negative one.
However, it need not have a negative impact on us this morning.
ILL - cliff sign with person falling is a negative warning with a positive impact as it keeps people away from the edge and enjoying their life.

So this negative warning to Israel, a warning of judgement to the unfruitful vine should serve as a warning to us and keep us from becoming unfruitful and spiritually useless.

The Lord historically used four different botanical illustrations to picture the Nation of Israel.
1.) The Olive Tree - picturing the covenant relationship that God had with Israel
2.) The Fig Tree - picturing the nation of Israel as a people in the world, the Jews
3.) The Bramble Bush - picturing the cuttoff nation that has rejected its God and is of no service to the world around it.
4.) The Vine - picturing the spiritual relationship that God has with his people and the results of that fruitful relationship.

In our text this morning, it is the Vine, the symbol of God's spiritually relationship with His people that we see used and this helps us to interpret the deeper meaning of the passage.

The clear imperative to the nation of Israel and to us this morning is this:
Every person must bear fruit.
Let us look to our text for some clear motivation to obey this command and then we will look at a parallell passage in the New Testament that tells us how we can bear fruit.

Every person must bear fruit because:
1.) We were created for this purpose alone. v2-5
2.) We will bring judgment into our lives if we do not bear fruit. v6-8
3.) We will have fullness of Joy if we are bearing fruit for Him. John 15:11

Now we will transistion to John chapter 15 and see the great parallell passage and one in a more positive light.
Joh 15:1 ¶ I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9 ¶ As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

So we have been given ample motivation to bear fruit we only need to know how.
Every person must bear fruit by:

Abiding in the vine.
This is the overall instruction and has its own several steps toward completion.
1.) By being grafted into the vine. Verse 1
No one is born naturally into the vine, we must be grafted in by trusting in Jesus Christ as our Saviour.
2.) By abiding in His Word. Verse 7
This is where our nourishment comes.
1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
If you are not in the Word daily you are shriveling up for lack of nourishment.
3.) By obeying His commandments Verse 10-12
The one commandment that He reminds us of that is especially important for fruit bearing is the commandment to love each other.
Nothing will rob you of your fruit faster than a lack of love for your fellow brother and sister in Christ.

What kind of vine will you be?
Will you be the vine at its worst portrayed in Ezekiel 15 or the Vine at its best portrayed in John 15?

Remember the Gospel

2008-05-26T12:17:00.000-07:00

Remember the Gospel
I Corinthians 15:1-2

On this Memorial Day we are put in remembrance of those brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in the line of military duty.
It is important that we recognize that patriotism and respect for the sacrifices of military service are virtues that are consistent with our Christian faith.
Remember that those who have died in war were there because they believed something was more important than their own lives.
They cared enough for the preservation of the freedom of others to put their own lives on the line for that cause.
The price of our freedom will always be measured in the lives of brave men and women whose selflessness led to their own death.
Their accomplishments are undeniable in the records of history and even today thousands of lives are changed and people freed because of the sacrifices that some have made.
As we look toward the future of this world, we can be sure of one thing, that as long as Jesus Christ delays His return, freedom will be won by those willing to pay the price and lost by those unwilling to pay the price.
Let us be sure this weekend to thank someone whose service risked their own life and remember those whose sacrifice paid for the freedom we enjoy today.
When we remember those who have fallen in war we give credit to those whose actions remind us One Who gave His own life for our freedom, our freedom from sin and its eternal penalty.
Jesus' great work of redemption outshines any military victory and is more important to remember than anything else.

In our text we are reminded to keep something in memory.
Let us read our text and see this great command this morning.

READ TEXT
PRAY (I Corinthians 15:1-2)

We see that herein the Apostle Paul has written here a declaration of the Gospel.
The nature of the Gospel is outlined here, not for the first time for the Church at Corinth, but repeated because Paul was concerned that they remember the Gospel without alteration or additions.

Before we get into the imperative and its subsequent motivations and instructions, let us first get a handle on the nature of the Gospel itself.

The word "Gospel" is a bit of a contraction of the original old english word "Godspel" meaning, good news.
Today it is the ultimate good news concerning our way to have eternal life and a relationship with God.
The word is translated perfectly from the Greek word Euangelion, which means, glad message.

Truly, the word, "Gospel" is descriptive of the good news that Paul outlines here.
Let us see what the good news is that Paul is so adamant that we remember:

1.) Jesus Christ died for our sins. (Verse 3)
Here is where we see the implication of a dire condition and a desperate need:
It will serve us well to remember that no news is good if it glazes over the truth.
The stark reality and the truth that serves as the background against which the Gospel shines in relief is that we are sinners.
Ps 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

While this may not be the most enjoyable part of the Gospel, it is indispensable.
We must recognize that we are sinners and that sin is punishable by death and separation from God.
Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin is death...
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Re 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

This is the bad news that puts us in a position to receive the Gospel and appreciate its true power.
Ro 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
1Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

So then Christ has borne the penalty for our sins.
He did not swoon on the Cross.
That would not cover the sin debt.
He did truly die.

The second part of the Gospel reinforces the first:
2.) Jesus Christ was buried.
His burial was more than just a formality.
It proved beyond any doubt the ultimate sacrifice was paid.
His flesh was dead and clod in the tomb that Pilate sealed and the Jewish rulers made as sure as they could.
As we have described on Easter Sunday, Jesus stayed in that tomb for three long days and three long nights according to the prophecy.
Mt 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

This time of burial represents the complete eradication of our sin from the presence of God in Heaven.
He took that sin on himself on the cross and was buried with it.
However, if the Gospel ended with this second element, we would have no assurance of the efficacy of Christ's payment.
If Jesus had died and stayed in that tomb, there would be no indication or proof that we could ever hope for more than an oblivious eternity.
1Co 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

It is this third element of the Gospel that gives us that Hope.
3.) Jesus Christ rose again!
This is why we can have hope of eternal life.
Jesus was preaching this even before His own death:
Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

As Adam sinned and passed on an inheritance of death for all men, So the Son of Man arose and passed on a legacy of life for all who believe.
1Co 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

Now we have hope that is not draped in death, it is a living, a lively, and active hope of someday going to live with Him in heaven.
1Pe 1:3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Now we have seen the nature and definition of the Gospel.
Let us see that this imperative is none other than to remember the Gospel.
We can find motivation to this end within out text:

Every person must remember the Gospel

1. Because of what the Gospel cost.
We must get the story right because of the great price which Jesus paid.
It cost the blood of God's own Son.
It cost the life of Jesus on the Cross.
A price so high gives motivation to remember the Gospel.

2. Because of what the Gospel accomplished.
The Gospel accomplished the eradication of our sins.
It accomplished not just partial payment but full payment.

3. Because of what the Gospel can do.
The Gospel is not finished with what it can do.
It pays in full the debt of any sinner who places his faith in the person of the Gospel.
It accomplishes the justification of every sinner by faith.

The text also tells us how we can remember the Gospel.

1. By receiving the Gospel by faith.
Ro 1:16 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Verse 3 tells us that Paul received the Gospel.
Verse 1 tells us that the Corinthians had received the Gospel.
The Gospel is of no benefit to those who reject it.
The great news of Jesus payment for our sin must be received by faith.

2. By standing in the Gospel of Grace.
Ro 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Once we have received the Gospel by faith, it is essential that we stand in the Gospel.
We must never forget, it was not our righteousness that saved us, it is not our righteousness that will keep us saved.
It was the goodness of God that brought us salvation, it will be His goodness that draws us closer to Him throughout our lives.
His goodness must flow through us like we are His channels to the world.

3. By delivering the Gospel to others.
Paul is declaring the Gospel to the saved in Corinth as He had delivered it to them when they were lost.
The Church in Corinth had Paul to thank for delivering to them the Good news of Jesus Christ.
The preservation of the Gospel Message will be through the telling of it.
Let us share the message of the Gospel as if it is the best news ever to be told to mankind, for indeed it is.

God's Purposes in Judgment

2008-05-23T20:14:00.000-07:00

God’s Purposes in Judgment

The Condition of Sinful Man

They may be religious in their actions. Vs1
This does not impress God.
He sees past their religious facade into their very hearts and will answer them accordingly and on an individual basis.

They have set up idols in their hearts. Vs3a
These are those objects or ideas of which the person is proud that stands between them and God.
An idol, in the traditional sense, is an image that is adored and to which is attributed special value and/or power (instead of the One True God).
So is anything that we adore too much to place it on the altar. If you are unwilling to sacrifice it to God you have placed it between you and God.

They have put stumbling blocks of iniquity before their faces. Vs3b
These are besetting sins that are too precious to relinquish.
The prophet Ezekiel is inspired by God to remind us that in our journey toward a closer relationship with God and on the path we are all trying to take to glorifying God with our lives, these sins are obstacles and trip hazards that will keep us from our goal.
Let us determine that we will remove any obstacle release any idol and worship with integrity so that we do not fit the model of the sinful men portrayed in this chapter.

The Character of Godly Men

They were all faithful in the face of societal pressure.
Noah stood alone as a righteous man in a world gone evil. Genesis 6:5,8,9
5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Daniel led his friends to stand firm when surrounded by others who had decided to compromise.
Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Daniel stood firm when praying became illegal.
Daniel 6:13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
Job was a man of integrity and a leader in the early world.
Job 27:5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.

They were all faithful in the face of personal trials.
Noah lost all the stability of a home in an established economic system.
Ge 7:7 And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.
Daniel stayed true even when thrown into the den of lions in his old age.
Da 6:22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
Job never once sinned against God although everything was taken from him.
Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

They were all renown for personal holiness.

The Comfort that God Offers

God always has a Reason
Verse 23 - God is determined to judge the sinner but not without cause.
His reason is His own glory Verse 8b
His reason is to purify for himself a people Verse 11

God provides for a Remnant Verse 22
As in almost every situation of judgment in the Bible, God has here provided for some who will be a witness of God's mercy and whose lives will serve as an example of God's grace.
In this sense, we are all trophies of God's grace - won't you allow God to work in your life and become a trophy of His grace?

God allows for Repentance
Verse 6 - God encourages the wicked to repent and turn.
It is only in repentance you and I will find freedom from our sin.
It is only in repentance we will find fullness of life.
It is only in repentance we can come to Him for salvation.
This opportunity to repent is a great comfort, do not despise it, it is a measure of God's goodness.
Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
It is this repentance that Jesus came preaching to the world.
Do you think perhaps your sin has reached a level that cannot be overcome by God's goodness:
Lu 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
You are just the remnant He is looking for.

Judges Review

2008-05-23T19:54:00.000-07:00

The Judges of Israel
1. Othniel (Judah) Son of Kenaz the younger brother of Caleb
Judges1:11-15; 3:1-11; Joshua 15:16-19; 1Chron. 4:13
Othniel was the nephew of Caleb (Judges 3:11) and became his son-in-law after the capture of Kirjath Sepher (Judges 1:12-13)
40 years (Judges 3:11)

2. Ehud (Benjamin) Son of Gera
Judges3:12-30
Ehud was a left-handed Benjamite who personally killed Eglon the fat king of Moab (Judges 3:21-22) He led in the slaying of 10,000 Moabites (3:29).
80 years (Judges 3:30)

3. Shamgar (?) His name is not Hebrew. Son of Anath
Judges3:31-5:6
He killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad (Judges 3:31).
Not given

4. Deborah /Barak (Ephraim and Naphtali)
Judges 4:1-5:31; 1 Samuel 12:11; Hebrews 11:32
Deborah was a prophetess and a judge. She was the wife of Lapidoth (Judges 4:4; 5:7). Deborah and her general, Barak, defeated Sisera, the general of the Army of Canaanite King Jabin of Hazor at the Battle of Kishon on Mt Tabor (4:13-16).
40 years

5. Gideon (Manasseh) Son of Joash the Abiezrite.
Judges6:1-8:32 Hebrews 11:32
The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon at Ophrah (Judges 6:11-18). Gideon destroyed the altar of Baal (Judges 6:25-27). Seeking God's will Gideon put out a fleece twice for a sign (6:36-40) On God's command he reduced the size of his army from 32,000 to 10,000 to 300 (7:2-8), and successfully routed the Midianite army (17:16-22).
40 years (Judges 8:28)

*Abimelech (Manasseh). Son of Gideon by a concubine (*He usurped power and should not be counted as a judge)
Judges 8:33-9:57 2Samuel 11:21
Abimeleck killed all his half brothers with the exception of Jotham, the youngest (Judges 9:5). He defeated Gaal (Judges 9:26-41), captured and then razed the city of Shechem (Judges 9:42-49). He was severely injured when a Thebezen woman threw down a millstone from the besieged city wall, which struck him on the head. He then had his armorbearer kill him with a sword (Judges 9:50-54).
ruled 3 years (Judges 9:22)

6. Tola (means worm)
Son of Puah (means blast)
Grandson of Dodo (means loving)
Judges10:1,2
Tola was in stark contrast to the former ruler of Israel – Abimelech, whose rule was not according to God’s pattern of setting up Judges.
Tola must have ruled effectively and with little incident as little is said of him.
He judged Israel 23 years (Judges 10:2)

7. Jair (Gilead-Manasseh)
Judges 10:3-5
Jair distinguished himself by delegating his authority effectively. He had 30 sons who were itinerant judges (10:4). They evidently carried out his ruling from 30 different villages without incident.
Perhaps he capitalized on the effectiveness of Tola’s rule and improved it by delegating.
He judged Israel 22 years (Judges 10:3)

8. Jephthah (Gilead-Manesseh) Son of Gilead by a harlot (Judges 11:1)
Judges 10:6-12:7; Hebrews 11:32
Jephthah was the son of Gilead by a harlot (Judges 11:1); he was driven away by his half brothers (Judges11:2, 3). The Elders of Gilead brought him back and made him their chief at Mizpah (Judges 11:4-11).

A Mother's Faith

2008-05-11T23:01:00.000-07:00

A Mother's Faith
Matthew 15:21-28

On this Mother's Day we turn to a passage renown for its example of faith and prevailing prayer.
It is, however, rarely seen as a passage on motherhood.
Let us read our text with special consideration to this loving mother's approach to Christ, the great indignity she was willing to suffer, the great faith she exhibited and the great reward she received.

READ TEXT

Matthew 15:21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

PRAY

The first thing we notice in the passage we have just read is this mother's approach to Jesus.

As we examine her approach it is her race that is first apparent.
It is important to note that this was no Jewish lady approaching the renown rabbi Jesus, but a Gentile woman.
By virtue of her race, she could expect rejection by the normally bigoted Jewish majority.
Similar to the woman at the well, whose surprise that Jesus would even speak to her, she could expect Jesus to send her away.
Jesus' own disciples showed this prevailing attitude as they thought Jesus should indeed send this woman away. (Verse 23)

The next thing we see about this mother's approach to Jesus is that she came asking for mercy.
It was not that this mother thought Jesus owed her this favor.
She must have recognized that the miracle she requested was one she did not deserve.
So any approach to Christ must be with the recognition that we deserve judgment for our sin and need mercy.
By definition, mercy is underserved.
The Bible teaches is that we deserve death for the sin we have committed.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We must come to Him with a cry for mercy.

The third thing we see from this mother's approach to Jesus is her recognition of Christ's identity.
She recognized Jesus as Lord and Messiah.
She, like we, must come to Jesus on our knees recognizing He is not just another spiritual light, He is The Light of the World.
He is not just another messenger from God, He is God Incarnate.
He is not just another leader He is The Lord of Heaven and Earth.
By referencing Jesus as the Son of David, this precious Gentile mother was recognizing Jesus as the promised Messiah, He who would free the sin-bound.
So must we approach Jesus recognizing Him as Lord and Messiah.

Now we have seen this mother's approach to Christ, let us look at the obstacles she faced and the indignities she suffered in her coming to Jesus.
Upon first blush with no understanding of Jesus or the New Testament, it may seem that Jesus was mean to the Gentile Mother whose desire was to save her daughter.
However, nothing could be further from the truth.
When Jesus' disciples insisted on sending this woman away, Jesus struck a conversation with her.
(VERSE 24) In this conversation Jesus pointed out His priority to the Jewish people, an aspect of His ministry that was predicted by the prophets of the Old Testament.
(VERSE 25) The humble mother didn't argue with Jesus' way of doing things.
She didn't get offended that Jesus had first gone to the Jews before reaching out to the Gentiles.
She simply fell on her face and worshipped Him and begged for His help.

It takes some humiliation to recognize we are sinners in need of a Saviour, but this is how we come to Him, with no pretext, no pride, James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. We come to Him just as we are and recognize we need Him just as He is.

Jesus' next response to this mother's cry for help further highlights her faith, which we will see in a moment.
It was common for the Jewish elite to refer to themselves as the Children of God and those Gentiles as dogs.
Jesus uses this common language to make a powerful point to his watching disciples.
Knowing the humble answer of the Syrophenician mother before He even speaks Jesus intimates that it would be unfit for Him to take what could only belong to the children and give it to the dogs.
This was probably a sentiment with which His disciples agreed completely.
The woman's humble response must have cut them to the heart as she said she would be satisfied with the crumbs that fell from the table.

This leads right into the great faith that this mother exhibited.
She did not need Jesus to meet her on her terms.
She did not need to be the center of attention.
She only wanted Jesus to grant her just enough to heal her daughter.
From this we can see that this Gentile mother was a true child of God.
This was not by natural birth but by spiritual birth.
She had believed that Jesus was her Messiah and in Verse 27 accepts Him as her master.
Now she is determined to receive what Jesus has promised to all those who are born into His family, the loving care of a Heavenly Father.
Jesus recognizes the mother's great faith in Verse 28.

What a great example of faith is this!
She was a woman of no means whose great faith won her Daughter's freedom from Spiritual bondage.

How great is your faith mother?
Have you stopped praying for your daughter or your son because it is embarrassing?
Have you given up because your answer didn't come as soon as you had hoped?
I can assure you that Jesus loves your daughter more than you ever could and your son is more precious to Him than His own life.
Don't stop praying mother, don't get up from your knees before God.
He will answer your prayer.

Finally we see the great reward of faith.
Because this woman was so insistent in her request and because she exhibited so much faith Jesus healed Her daughter from the spiritual bondage she was in.

Her daughter finally had rest from that very moment.

Let me challenge you mother, if you have a child you love whose life is not in conformance with God's Word, don't stop praying for God to change that child.
If you are yourself no child of God, Know this, Jesus wants you as a part of His family.
He can make you a child of His, but you must come to Him in complete selfless humility, begging for the salvation that He wants to give you.

A Mother's Example

2008-05-11T22:51:00.000-07:00

A Mother’s Example
For Good or Evil

Rebekah

Genesis 27:6-45

• Rebekah lacked faith in God.
– She didn’t trust God’s promise.
– She didn’t trust God’s timing.
– She took matters into her own hands.
• Rebekah undermined authority.
– She went against the authority in her life.
– She led her son against the authority in his life.
• Rebekah practiced deception.
– She insisted deception was the proper course of action.
– She reinforced the tendencies toward deception in Jacob’s life.

Hannah

I Samuel 1:9-28

• Hannah prayed for a child.
– She promised to commit her child to God.
– She trusted God’s answer to her prayer.
– She was grateful to God for her child. (2:1-10)
• Hannah worshipped God faithfully.
– She had a deep personal relationship with God.
– She was accustomed to joining in public worship at the temple.
• Hannah gave her son to the Lord.
– She fulfilled her commitment to do so.
– She fulfilled her responsibility to support Samuel while he served the Lord. (2:19)

Decently and in Order 2

2008-05-05T20:36:00.000-07:00

The Practice of the Gifts

• Is Mandatory

– We must desire spiritual gifts. I Corinthians 14:1

– We must pray for spiritual gifts. I Cor. 14:13

– We must allow the exercising of the spiritual gifts. I Corinthians 14:39 (in keeping with Scripture)

• Is in Accordance With the Rules that Apply

– Some gifts were temporary in nature. 13:8-10

– Edification must be the goal. I Corinthians 14:12, 26; Ephesians 4:29

– Deference must be given. I Corinthians 14:27-31

– Self-control must be exercised. I Cor. 14:32, 33

– God’s ordained authority must be recognized. I Corinthians 14:34-39

– All things must be done decently and in order. Verse 40

Untempered Mortar

2008-05-05T20:28:00.000-07:00

Untempered Mortar
EZEKIEL 13:1-12

Our Journey through Ezekiel continues this morning as we pick up today in Chapter 13.
Last week we saw the prophet's warning that the days are at hand.
His clear imperative was that every person must obey the Lord's Voice.
1.) Because God has shown us the price of disobedience.
> Disobedience results in great loss.
> Disobedience tears down walls of protection and safety.
> Disobedience results in great shame. Verses 8-16
> Disobedience always costs more than you expected.
These warnings served as motivation to:
1.) Consider His command.
2.) Do it now.

The message was characteristically severe and difficult for Israel to hear.
Even today, people would usually rather hear something positive and uplifting than the truth of their own sin.

There is quite a market for such preaching in today's world.
Paul wasn't kidding when he said:
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; II Timothy 4:3

Now you are all here this morning and that means one of two things:
You either don't know what you've gotten yourself into or you are ready to hear the truth.
Most of you should know by now, I can't always preach just the positive passages while Scriptures like Ezekiel's prophecy go unheard.

Today's text fits our society with a relevance that is uncanny.
Let us begin with verses 1-12

READ TEXT
Eze 13:1 ¶ And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;
3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
4 O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.
6 They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.
7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?
8 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.
9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
10 ¶ Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:
11 Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.
12 Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?

PRAY

It seems clear to me that the major imperative in the text is that God's people hear the truth.

While false prophets are spewing out their false hopes and false ideas about God, somebody needs to be listening to the truth.
Remember, Satan as been active for thousands of years raising up his own prophets and leading people astray.
Today he is as active as ever, speaking louder than ever.
He is providing a false sense of security to millions of deluded souls, and they will spend an eternity condemned by God because they wouldn't hear the truth.

As the primary challenge of the text is to hear the truth, let us examine further the SINS OF THE PROPHETS.

1) Verse 2 - they listen to their hearts.
Man's sinful nature is a product of his own heart.
Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
2) Verse 3 - they follow their own spirit.
Spirit guides from other than God are plentiful in this world.
1John 4:1 ¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
3) Verse 4 - they seek their own interests.
So the sale of indulgences reflected a self interest that was not from God.
1Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
4.) Verse 5 - they care not for the defense of God's people.
There is a need for leadership to stand in the gaps of our society and fight against the purveyors of flasehood.
Eze 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
5) Verse 6a - they falsely represent God.
They come in the name of Christ.
They call themselves Christians.
Mark 13:6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
They may even refer to themselves as witnesses of Jehovah, but they are falsely representing themselves.
They do not serve the Jehovah of Old Testament, whom Jesus claimed to be.
6) Verse 6b - they give false hope to God's people.
Many are told they can procure favour with God by some ritual or some work or contribution to a church.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
7) Verse 7,8a - they speak emptiness and lies.
The product of a religion without the absolute truth of God is an emptiness that cannot be denied.
So the word of these false prophets satisfy the ears but not the soul.

ILLUSTRATION - Dirt pies in Haiti

We have seen the sins of the prophets, and perhaps you recognize their ilk in some of today's most popular spiritual leaders.

Now let us see the response of God.

1) Verse 8b - God is against them.

2) Verse 9a - God will judge them.

3) Verse 9b - God will exclude them.

- They will not be gathered with His people.
Mt 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
- They will not be written with His people.
Re 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
- They will not enter into the place of rest with His people.
Heb 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Now we can look a little more closely at the product of the false prophets.

Verse 10 speaks of a wall built by one prophet and daubed by another with untempered mortar.
This is not just one lie told to gain a short-term following.
This is a system of lies created to give people a false sense of security.
Much effort has gone into building this structure of lies.
It is a recognized system of religion, a popular and common belief system.
There are a few things we should notice about this wall:

1) Verse 10 - it is built with substandard building materials.
ILL - THE BIG DIG - started in 1991 costing tens of billions of dollars - an underground highway for miles beneath the city of Boston.
in July of 2006 Milena Del Valle was driving into the tunnel when a ceiling panel fell on her vehicle killing her.
Upon further investigation it was determined that thousands of tons of substandard concrete had been used in the building process.
So many have tried to build some wall of protection against the judgement of God.
1Co 3:11 ¶ For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
2) Verse 11 - it cannot stand against the storm that is coming.
1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
3) Verse 12 - those trusting in the wall will be incredulous when it falls.
Mt 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
4) Verse 13-16 - the wall and its builders will suffer the wrath of God.

Every person must HEAR THE TRUTH

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

The Days Are At Hand

2008-04-27T21:41:00.000-07:00

The Days Are At Hand
EZEKIEL 12

It has been several weeks since we opened the book of Ezekiel and continued our journey through this prophet's vision.
In our last study from Ezekiel we saw that Israel was warned that they were not safe as many of them had assumed.
God was coming with judgment.
This reoccurring theme of coming judgment is addressed in this chapter as well.
It seems God has promised judgment for a long time and in this chapter we find His patience is running thin.
Let us read the last verses of our text first and see the primary emphasis of God's message to His people.

READ TEXT Vs.21-28
PRAY

It is clear from this portion of our text that God's primary message for the chapter is, "The day are at hand."
There will be no more waiting.
This is the last chance to obey.

The tone reminds me of dealing with my own children whom I love dearly and hate to punish.
When they are consistently disobedient, and I have repeatedly warned them that they will be punished if they do not stop, there comes a time when I must hold to all my warnings, and punish them as I have said.
It is not because I do not love them that I finally pull out the "rod of correction" which may be my belt or a wooden spoon.
It is because I do love them.
The Bible is replete with encouragement to parents to follow through with corporal punishment if they love their children.
Here are just a few of the Scriptures on the subject:

Pr 13:24 ¶ He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Pr 19:18 ¶ Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
Pr 22:15 ¶ Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Pr 23:13 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
Pr 29:15 ¶ The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
Pr 29:17 ¶ Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

All of these verses show the great benefit to the child upon receiving proper punishment,
But we as parents hate to punish our children and put it off till that last because we care so much for them.
But it is that love for them that finally breaks down our patience and forces us to correct our children in a biblical way.

I point out this common Biblical truth, because God, the best Father a child could ever have, shows Himself as such in our text.
He has warned and He has pleaded.
He has threatened and he has waited.
Finally, God says, my waiting is over.
You are receiving the wrong message from my mercy and my longsuffering with you.

In verse 22 we saw that the Lord mentioned a proverb that was common among the people that showed their attitude about the judgment that God had been promising.
The people had begun to say that they had plenty of time to obey, and God's promises of judgment were empty.

This attitude could not be allowed by a loving Father.
God was forced to act out of love for His children and finally bring the judgment He had promised.

From this last portion of our text we can see the imperative of the entire chapter:

EVERY PERSON MUST OBEY THE LORD'S VOICE.

This command is clear and it is powerful.
No one is exempt from this mandate.
You are sitting here in church this morning, and God has been working in your heart to give up some sin or to forgive a person.
Maybe He has been speaking to your heart above accepting His Son as your personal Saviour.
You have heard His repeated warnings.
You have felt His constant prodding.
Let me warn you this morning, God will not always be in this mode of pleading and prodding.

In a former time before the worldwide flood, God told Noah:
Ge 6:3 ¶ And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Then God did finally bring the judgment He had promised.
When it started raining and the waters of the deep began to rise, surely people began to call upon the Lord, but it was too late.
Pr 1:28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

Please take this final warning from Ezekiel, The Days are at Hand.

We must Obey His voice today.

There is plenty of motivation in our text to respond to the voice of the Lord.
We can go back to the first verses in the chapter and see these.
The first motivation I can see is:

Every person must obey the Lord's voice:
1.) Because God has shown us the price of disobedience.

Let us read the beginning of our text and see the creative way in which God conveys His message of coming doom to His people.
READ VERSES 1-7

Eze 12:1 ¶ The word of the LORD also came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.
3 Therefore, thou son of man, prepare thee stuff for removing, and remove by day in their sight; and thou shalt remove from thy place to another place in their sight: it may be they will consider, though they be a rebellious house.
4 Then shalt thou bring forth thy stuff by day in their sight, as stuff for removing: and thou shalt go forth at even in their sight, as they that go forth into captivity.
5 Dig thou through the wall in their sight, and carry out thereby.
6 In their sight shalt thou bear it upon thy shoulders, and carry it forth in the twilight: thou shalt cover thy face, that thou see not the ground: for I have set thee for a sign unto the house of Israel.
7 And I did so as I was commanded: I brought forth my stuff by day, as stuff for captivity, and in the even I digged through the wall with mine hand; I brought it forth in the twilight, and I bare it upon my shoulder in their sight.

Ezekiel is given direction by God to carry out an elaborate charade before the people.
In this acting out of God's message, Ezekiel shows Israel the price of disobedience.
So often, when people fall into sin, whether it be the sin of bitterness or the sin of alcoholism, or even some sexual deviancy, they come to a place where God brings judgment and they seem shocked by the price of disobedience.
It is not for lack of warning but for lack of listening. (SEE VERSE 2)

God has shown us the price of disobedience.
Concerning the price of disobedience God reveals several things:
> Disobedience results in great loss.
Ezekiel was told to illustrate this great loss by packing up all his stuff and taking it away just as would happen when the Chaldeans would come and remove them from their land.
> Disobedience tears down walls of protection and safety.
Ezekiel was told to dig from the inside out to show how their disobedience had torn down the protection between them and the enemy.
> Disobedience results in great shame. Verses 8-16
Ezekiel was told to illustrate the shame of the prince being taken from the palace and shoved into a lineup of slaves.

Eze 12:8 And in the morning came the word of the LORD unto me, saying,
9 Son of man, hath not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said unto thee, What doest thou?
10 Say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; This burden concerneth the prince in Jerusalem, and all the house of Israel that are among them.
11 Say, I am your sign: like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them: they shall remove and go into captivity.
12 And the prince that is among them shall bear upon his shoulder in the twilight, and shall go forth: they shall dig through the wall to carry out thereby: he shall cover his face, that he see not the ground with his eyes.
13 My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.
14 And I will scatter toward every wind all that are about him to help him, and all his bands; and I will draw out the sword after them.
15 And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries.
16 But I will leave a few men of them from the sword, from the famine, and from the pestilence; that they may declare all their abominations among the heathen whither they come; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

In Verse 16 we see that part of the shame of disobedience is that they would serve as a lesson to the Heathen that God means what He says, for He is a God that keeps His word.

Lastly we see the final aspect of the price of disobedience.
> Disobedience always costs more than you expected.
Ezekiel is given one last act to show the shock and the astonishment of the disobedient after judgment begins.

Eze 12:17 ¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
18 Son of man, eat thy bread with quaking, and drink thy water with trembling and with carefulness;
19 And say unto the people of the land, Thus saith the Lord GOD of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and of the land of Israel; They shall eat their bread with carefulness, and drink their water with astonishment, that her land may be desolate from all that is therein, because of the violence of all them that dwell therein.
20 And the cities that are inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shall be desolate; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Sin will take you further than you want to go; cost you more than you want to pay; and keep you longer than you wanted to stay.

Although God has clearly shown the price of disobedience, if you do not turn now, when the time comes for payment, you will be shocked and astonished at the price-tag.

We have seen the primary motivation that God gives for obeying His voice.
It is the price of disobedience.
Disobedience results in great loss.
Disobedience tears down walls of protection and safety.
Disobedience results in great shame.
Disobedience always costs more than you expected.

Now it is time to deal with the practical steps toward obeying God's voice.

These steps are merely implied in our text, and they are simple.

1.) Consider His command. Verse 3b
Many will not consider what God has to say because they are already sure that they are right.
Do not be one of these.
Consider what God is telling you to do.
It is not much in comparison to the price of disobedience.

If you are lost, as we all are without Christ, He is simply asking you to repent of your sin and take Jesus as your Saviour.
If you are bitter, He is simply asking you let go of that burning cancer and embrace the love of Christ.
If you are addicted, He is simply asking you to avail yourself of the freedom and liberty that He offers.
If you are rebellious, He is simply asking you to surrender to God's ordained authority in your life.

Consider this, it is not that hard to obey.

The second practical step is clear:

2.) Do it now. Verse 28
Delayed obedience is disobedience.
God may not give you another chance.
He may not give you another moment.
The judgment He has promised is coming.

Heb 3:7 ¶ Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
Heb 3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Heb 4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

God is here, in this instant pleading one more time with you.

Will you obey?

DECENTLY AND IN ORDER

2008-04-27T21:26:00.000-07:00

DECENTLY AND IN ORDER

I CORINTHIANS 14

The Purpose of the Gifts

• The Purpose of The Sign Gifts
– To lend authority and proof to the institution of the Gospel and its primary proclaimer, the Local Church. (Acts, I Corinthians 13:10)
– To serve as a sign to the unbeliever of the veracity of the Gospel. I Corinthians 14:22

• The Purpose of The Ministry Gifts
– To be used in the ministry of the gospel and to the saints. I Corinthians 14:12

The Person of the Gifts

• The Holy Spirit of God
– Whose particular concern is the exaltation of Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 12:3
– Who works in many different ways but never works against Himself. I Corinthians 12:4-11
– Who works for the unity of the body of Christ. I Corinthians 12:12-27
– Whose authority is reflected in the ministers of the church as they hold to His Word. I Corinthians 12:28

Where is the Love? Part 4

2008-04-20T23:22:00.001-07:00

The Preeminence of Love

I Corinthians 13:8-13

Ø Love outlasts the sign gifts

Ø The Sign Gift of Prophecy

Ø The Sign Gift of Tongues

Ø The Sign Gift of Knowledge

Ø Love outperforms the sign gifts

Ø The sign gift of knowledge was incomplete.

Ø The sign gift of prophecy was incomplete.

Ø The Scripture made the sign gifts obsolete.

Ø Love outgrows an immature faith

Ø Immature Speech

Ø Immature Understanding

Ø Immature Thoughts

Ø Love out-sees the lack thereof

Ø We see God now only dimly.

Ø In Heaven we will see Him face to face.

Ø We know God now only partly.

Ø In Heaven we will know Him as He knows us.

Ø For now, we will see and know God best if we love one another. I John 4:7,8

Ø Love outshines other virtues.

Ø Faith is required to please God. Hebrews 11:6

Ø Hope is the virtue to which we are born again. I Peter 1:3

Ø Love is greater than either of these.

Gideon 3

2008-04-20T23:07:00.000-07:00

Gideon 3
Judges 7:24-8:23

Over the past two weeks we have seen the exciting story of Gideon from the book of Judges.
Two weeks ago we saw God pick his man.
Gideon was an unlikely choice, but God knew that Gideon would submit to His will and obey the most difficult of commands.

Our Hero in Hiding was soon a Commoner Commissioned. His Midnight Raid served as an example to us as we seek to be the kind of leader God wants us to be.

Last week we saw the most well-known part of the story, in which Gideon immediately followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and then sought to prove the Lord's specific directions.
Next, God weeded out the fearful and the careless, but then took special care to encourage His chosen leadership.
Gideon paid close attention to effective methods and God gave him a miraculous victory.

Today we will see a part of the story rarely noticed in the usual telling of Gideon's tale.

There are a couple of facts that hold true in all situations and certainly apply to Gideon's case:

1.) Any great victory is followed by many new responsibilities.
2.) Any great victory is followed by unreasonable complaints.
3.) Any great victory is followed by great opposition.

Our text is not an easy text.
As a matter of fact, there is some difficulty and harshness in the Scripture we will read this morning.
I would challenge you to open your heart and seek to find the message that God has for you this morning.

READ TEXT
PRAY

As you will recall, Gideon had gone against Midian with a scant 300 chosen men.
This was not a normal way to go to battle, but it was how God had led him.
Now, having defeated them by God's miraculous power, Gideon and his 300 had Midian on the run.
Now it was time to get others involved.
Gideon sent swift messengers to the great tribe of Ephraim.
Ephraim's response was as could be expected from a military tribe.
They rushed to aid in the fight and defeated the fleeing Midianite, even taking the two greatest leaders and slaying them.
It is their complaint after the battle that brings us to our first point this morning.

Ephraim was offended that Gideon had not involved them immediately.
Such is often the case when well-intended people gather to a work.
Ephraim felt that Gideon should have called them before going against the Midianites.
They did not understand God's specific leading in Gideon's life.
They could not have comprehended why God would want to start the battle with only 300.

Gideon could have said, "Hey, get over it!" "You probably would have been weeded out with the careless anyway!"
Gideon could have been angered at their offense and told them to grow up.

Instead, he provides and example for dealing with offenses that is consistent with Scriptural teaching on the subject.

> When faced with hurt feelings answer with grace. Vs.1-3
Pr 15:1 ¶ A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Gideon gave them the credit for the great work that they had done and trivialized his own accomplishments in order to appease them.
This shows humility and grace in leadership.

_____________________________
The next point is taken from the negative actions of some who were afraid to participate until victory was guaranteed.
This is so often the case in times that call for added participation.

It seems people are afraid to be a part of something that has less than a guarantee of success.
Faith is taken out of the picture and fear takes its place.
People say, "tell me when you have more people and we will come" or, "Tell me when you have a building of your own and then we will join."
What they don't seem to realize is that God could use them to do a great work right now and they could share in the great victories to come.

> When faced with opportunity to do good, never hesitate. Vs. 4-17
It is time we decided that we will step forward at every opportunity and answered God call to the work.

The people of Succoth and Penuel were afraid that if they jumped in to help that they would be forced to pay for it later.
They had determined they would live their lives guided by fear instead of faith.

What is it that holds you back from joining the battle and supporting God's leadership.
Are you afraid of what someone will say?
Are you afraid of what it will cost you?

Cast your fears aside and step forward in faith and join the fray.
God will bless you for it.
______________________________
The next and final point this morning is in verses 22 and 23.

Gideon was given the opportunity to take the glory for his great victories and even be promoted to supreme ruler.
His response teaches us that it is better to give credit to God than to seek for promotion of self.

> When faced with the temptation to steal the glory from God, decline. Vs. 22,23

Gideon was concerned with one thing, that God might rule and His will alone be done.
What people thought of him personally was of little concern in light of what they thought of God.

Certainly, as you research further, Gideon's leadership you will find he made some mistakes, but his concern for God's will made him a great leader.

The people had rest for 40 years while Gideon was judge of Israel.

Let us determine that we will never fall to the temptation to lift up ourselves when we could lift up God.

As He was the only One who could save us from our sins, He is the only One who can give us great victory in our lives.

Many will suffer the penalty of their sins because they have decided that they are self sufficient.
They believe that some good work of their own will grant them favor with God and earn them a place in heaven.
These people will die in their sin of they do not recognize that only the great work of Calvary can purchase a place in heaven.
If you would like to accept God's great gift of eternal life you can do that today while we sing the invitation hymn.

Perhaps you have been challenged by some other portion of the passage this morning and would like to reaffirm your commitment to the Lord.
That is why we give you this opportunity to make things right with God.
Won't you come?

Gideon 2

2008-04-14T20:17:00.000-07:00

Gideon 2
Judges 6:33-40

By way of review, last week we read from Chapter 6 of Gideon's calling and commission to the great work of delivering his people.
We noted that Gideon was an unlikely leader, but God had great plans for his life.

He was at first a Hero in Hiding.
Next we saw God call him to the work and he was a Commoner Commissioned.
Lastly, we saw God's plan involved some housecleaning and He challenged Gideon to do a Midnight Raid within his own household.

Now we are brought back to the task of delivering Israel as Gideon is seeking to obey God's calling on his life.
There are several points throughout the story that I want to highlight, the first being in the first three verses of the opening text.

READ TEXT Judges 6:33-40
PRAY

Gideon immediately followed the leading of the Holy Spirit. V33-35
Gideon was not waiting to obey God, He immediately began preparations as God had commanded.
If God has a great work for you and has laid it upon your heart, begin preparation now!
Upon taking this great step of faith and calling for men from four tribes, Gideon is concerned with clarifying his call.
I do not see this as a weakness in Gideon but an admirable strength.

Gideon sought to prove the Lord's specific directions.V36-40
When we are burdened to accomplish something for the cause of Christ, we should always seek to prove God's specific directions.
Notice this was not a long drawn-out process in which Gideon was looking for an excuse to quit.
Rather, this was a brief time of solidifying God's specific calling on Gideon's life.
God came through in a miraculous way for Gideon and showed him that He would be true to His word and deliver Israel from the hand of the Midianites and Amalekites.

God Weeded out the Fearful and the Careless. V1-8
These eight verses are some of the most intriguing in the whole story.
God had a very clear plan for Gideon's victory and Gideon was willing to follow it to the letter.
He first weeded out the fearful.
He then weeded out the reckless.
There remained only 300 courageous and careful men with whom God promised to win the victory.

When people leave the ranks for whatever reason, it can be discouraging.
There is a certain security in numbers.
God is aware of this and sought to encourage Gideon.
God Encouraged His chosen leadership. V9-15
It seems there were some bad dreams going through the minds of the Midianites.
God knew this would encourage Gideon.
When we are discouraged or in need of encouragement, look around, God will show you if you are still on the right path.

Gideon paid close attention to effective methods. V16-20
Now Gideon's methods of battle were a bit different than what was traditional.
He could have held with traditional methods and charged into the host with swords drawn.
However, he was willing to do something different to win the battle.
Sometimes God wants us to move out of our comfort zone, leaving traditional methods behind and do something that will bring Him the most glory.
Notice that later in the story, Gideon's methods change again.
He is not tied to a method just because it is successful once.
Later he picks up the traditional sword and goes to battle as was normal.

God wrought a miraculous victory. V21-23
We see here that God always intended on winning this great victory.
There is much more to this story, but let us examine ourselves:

When the Holy Spirit pricks your heart do you move immediately?
When You God to battle do you seek God's specific instructions?
God's plan for you may take a great step of faith.
Are you willing to take that step?

Where is the Love?

2008-04-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

Where is the Love?

I Corinthians 13

The Personality of Love
I Corinthians 13:4-7
Ø Love is longsuffering
- makrothumei implies a longevity of forbearing under duress without showing signs of irritation or dislike.
- It holds up under many and repeated offenses without becoming indignant or resentful.
- This love lasts through much hardship without ever failing
- 2Pe 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
- 2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Ø Love is kind
- creisteuoami means to show one’s self useful. It implies a benevolent spirit, a desire to help with whatever means are at your disposal.
- Lu 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Ø Love is not envious
- zeilo-o speaks of a warmth of feeling towards something, but not in a good way. It is a burning desire for something that is not yours or for a position in life that God has not granted.
- The worst kind of envy is envy of the world. We must take great care to love the world with a selfless love that sees preciousness in them and not be distracted by the sin in which they live.
- We must also be happy to see the success and well-being of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
- Envy will kill our relationships with each other and strain our relationship with God.
- Php 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Ø Love is not self-promoting
- perpereuetai this Greek word indicates a boastful attitude which spurs a person to constantly speak of themselves and their own spiritual prowess.
- This type of self promotion stems from an insecurity that a person has in themselves. A lack of love and concern for others will lead an insecure person to constantly speak of their own goodness and spirituality.
- Remember this was a specific problem that the people of the church at Corinth had. Many were promoting themselves instead of God with their gifts.
Ø Love is not proud
- ou fusioutai literally means to be full of one’s self and is rightly translated, “puffed up.” This is simply pride.
- Pride indicates a lack of understanding of our real inadequacy. We are not “all that,” and if we loved as we ought, we would realize that.
- Pride works against love because it puts self first instead of those around us.
- 1Co 8:1 ¶ Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Ø Love is not rude - verse 5
- ouk aschmonei is a Greek term that means to behave in a disgraceful or improper way.
- In short, love produces good manners.
- If we recognize the preciousness of the object of our love we will want to give the greatest deference to that person, not argue with them or offend them.
_____________________
Ø Love is not selfish
- ou zeitei ta eauteis The Greek phrase is translated exactly and needs no further explanation.
- Even Phileo love has a tendency to seek it own pleasure. Agape love is invested in others.
- Such was Christ’s love when He went to the cross – unselfish and generous, seeking the profit of others.
- It is this love that motivates us to tell others about Jesus.
- Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
- 1Co 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
Ø Love is not prone to anger
- ou paroxunetai means to not be easily stirred to wrath. It implies that while we are loving the way we should we cannot be angry at the object of our love.
- Since anger is a feeling of animosity, it cannot co-exist with Agape love. How can we hold bitter feelings toward something that is precious to us?
- The solution to a quick temper is to recognize the preciousness of those for whom we are feeling anger.
- Beginning with what we know to be true about God’s investment in us, we should be able to logically transfer that same value to others, for truly, Christ died for all.
Ø Love does not assume evil intent
- oulogizetai to kakon the first word means to impute. The implication is clear: when we love as we should we assume the best of people.
- This is not a blind ignorance of sin nature, we know that man is not essentially good, but we need not assume that everyone is out to get us.
- Assuming evil intention puts the focus back on ourselves – this is not love.
- The happiest, relationship-rich people are those who assume good intent before evil intent. These people are loving.
Ø Love does not find joy in sin Verse 6
- ou cairei epi tei adikia the Greek phrase means to find no pleasure in falsehood. Love does not necessitate an acceptance of sin.
- We must constantly hate the sin while loving the sinner. It is a danger of being in the world and loving as we should to become tolerant of sin – this must never happen.
- If all we have is Phileo love we will end up enjoying the sin as much as the sinner.
- Ro 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
- Here we see the balance of love maintained where so often it is lost.
Ø Love rejoices in the truth
- sugchairo aleitheia this is in contrast to the former phrase and means to rejoice in the truth.
- Agape love never compromises – it is greater than Satan’s counterfeit love so often called tolerance. It see the value of a person and recognizes the horridness of their sin.
- So we are commanded by scripture to judge sin and not people. God judges people.
- Love is not blind and accepting of all ways of life. It is much greater than that. The truth must never be compromised by our brand of love.
- Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
_____________________
Ø Love carries on without offense
- panta stegei the picture that is painted for us here is of a burro that just keep on going regardless of how much is laid on its back.
- So we as Christians should be so motivated by love that regardless of the offenses laid on us, we never turn back, We never quit, we never take offense.
- When we are living in the power of love there is no proverbial “last straw.” We bear all things.
- Isa 53:4 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
- 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Ø Love trusts without undue suspicion
- panta pisteuei with similar construction to the first phrase, this one is in regards to trust.
- It hearkens back to “love does not assume evil intent” as it simply means that Love is not full of suspicion about everyone’s motives.
- If we would take the focus off ourselves for a moment, we might stop worrying about what everyone is “really” thinking.
- Love is too busy trying to see the value in a person to suspect every move they make and every word they say as having an evil motive.
- It may be true that love opens us up to hurt by those whom we love, so Christ did for us without a second thought.
Ø Love looks forward without fear
- panta elpizei “always hoping” He who lives in love live in hope.
- This is actually a product of love. Our outlook on life becomes brighter, and we begin to see the world the way God sees it, with innumerable opportunities to glorify Him.
- When we love without undue suspicion we remove a dark pall from the day and let the sun shine in and give us hope.
- Love looks forward to tomorrow with no fear of what it might bring forth.
Ø Love endures without complaint
- panta upomenei this is similar to the first in this verse and means to endure all things.
- We can and must endure because Jesus endured.
- We cannot break now because there is too much hope in today and tomorrow.
- Fanny Crosby exemplified this kind of love at the age of 8:
Oh, what a happy soul I am,Although I cannot see!I am resolved that in this worldContented I will be.
How many blessings I enjoyThat other people don't,To weep and sigh because I'm blindI cannot, and I won't!
So we must endure without complaint, because we are living in love.

Gideon Part 1

2008-04-06T16:35:00.000-07:00

Gideon Part 1

Our text begins with the familiar phrase, "and the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD."
We have seen the pattern, which all to often reflects the pattern of spiritual instability in our society, our churches and in many Christian's lives.
Last week we saw the great heroines of the time of the judges, Deborah and Jael.
They were used by God to deliver Israel from the Canaanite enemies, and Barak was inspired to lead Israel to victory in battle against Sisera's army.
Israel's stability lasted for forty years.
Then we see that Israel had drifted back into her old ways.
The false gods of the pagans around her were so much more attractive than a God they could not see.
They began to make the same compromises as before, bringing in idols to worship, perhaps first as good luck charms but soon as a very real and dangerous demonic presence in their society.
Once again we will see in our text God raises up a nearby nation to afflict Israel until His people come back to Him.

READ TEXT
Judges 6:1 ¶ And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.
3 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;
4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.
5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
6 And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.
7 ¶ And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites,
8 That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;
9 And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;
10 And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
11 ¶ And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

PRAY

To quickly recap our opening text, it is the Midianites that God brings in to judge Israel and to make His people want to come back to Him.
The Midianites were quite different than the Canaanites with whom Deborah and Barak had to deal.
The Midianites would wait until harvest time and come into the land with intimidating forces.
They would strike in raids throughout the land until they had loaded their camels with enough grain and produce to last them through the year, and then they would return home.
This left Israel in a defenseless and fragile position.
However, the turning point for Israel is in verse 6 when the people cried unto the LORD.

God responded by sending a prophet to remind them that He could deliver them yet again.

Now with the background set, the story begins in verse 11 with:

A HERO IN HIDING
Gideon was living in "survival mode" keeping out of the sunlight, hiding what he did to stay alive.
> Threshing ill.
It is with some implication of sarcasm that The angel of the Lord addresses Gideon in verse 12
Judges 6:12 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

Gideon was not only hiding but was disheartened and losing faith in God
Judges 6:13 And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

God had a greater plan for Gideon - one that involved heroism instead of hiding.
Judges 6:14 And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

Gideon had all kinds of excuses as to why he was no hero.
Judges 6:15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.

God made it very clear, it doesn't matter who you are or what natural advantages you might or might not have.
What matters is that I will be with you.
Judges 6:16 And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.
God's only solution to our inadequacy is, "I will be with thee."

Gideon then looks to prove God's calling and we see in the next few verses -

A COMMONER COMMISSIONED
When we are called of God to do something great for Him, there need be only one question in our mind:
Is it God?
Gideon asked this question in the only way he knew how, He asked for a sign.
Judges 6:17 And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.

He then asked the Lord to wait for him while he prepared a meal for this man whom he must have suspected of being God's prophet.
Judges 6:18 Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.

So Gideon went and prepared a meal, taking probably several hours to do so and then returned with the fruit of his labors to give what he had to God's messenger.
Judges 6:19 And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.

The Angel of God had a strange request for Gideon.
He told Gideon to place his well-prepared meal on a nearby rock and pour out the soup so diligently made.
Judges 6:20 And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.

It is here that the Angel of the Lord put forth his staff and touched the offering.
It was immediately consumed by fire.
Judges 6:21 Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.
So it is when we put what we have on the altar, God confirms our gift of service in a way that is meant to encourage us to take courage and move forward in His name.

There are several ways we can confirm God's calling in our life.
Gideon could not go to the pages of first and second Timothy to read of God's calling on a person.
There was no pastor or fellow believer with whom he could counsel to confirm his calling. He simply asked for a sign.
We need not asked for a similar burst of flame as we have great advantages that Gideon did not.
We can follow the following protocol:
1.) Confirm your calling with Scripture
2.) Confirm your calling with Christian advisors
3.) Confirm your calling with Service

Judges 6:22 And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.
23 And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.
24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

It wasn't long before this newly commissioned commoner received his first mission.

A MIDNIGHT RAID
It is not a direct assault on the Midianites that God requires of Gideon.
It never is.
God always is concerned with cleaning house before going to battle.
Judges 6:25 ¶ And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:
26 And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.

The mission was specific and pointed.
Get the idols out and rebuild the altar to God.

Gideon went to work that very night.
Judges 6:27 Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.
28 And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.

If you begin to clean up your home life, and rebuild the altar of worship to God so that He is the center of everything as He should be, you will face opposition and criticism.
Judges 6:29 And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.
30 Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.

Gideon's father was challenged by his son's actions and stood by him.
Judges 6:31 And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.
32 Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.

There is much left to this story of Gideon, but today we must examine ourselves.
Is God calling you out of hiding?
Is God commissioning you to do some great work for Him?
Is God challenging you to change your life overnight?

Take the challenge.
Confirm the calling, and do something great for God.

Excedrin Headache #1

2008-03-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

Excedrin Headache #1
Judges 4

We have, at the beginning of this year begun a journey through a study of the great judges of Israel.
While this is no week-to-week series, we will, by the end of the year, visit every judge and see what challenge we can glean from their lives.
Today we come to a unique entry in the list of Jewish deliverers.
It is the only woman in the list.
Our text begins with a quick review of the condition of the nation of Israel.
Israel is once again in a backslidden condition and under the judgment of an angry God.

READ TEXT Verses 1-5
Judges 4:1 And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.
2 And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
3 And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

PRAY

The scene is set for us with Israel under the control of a neighboring area within Cannaan.
King Jabin has reassembled a great army strengthened by nine hundred iron chariots.
Under the command of his general, Sisera, that army had put Israel to subjection.
It appears from the record here that Sisera has complete control of Israel and, for twenty years, has exacted heavy taxes of tribute.

Also, in our text, we were introduced to Deborah.
She was Israel's moral authority in a dark time.
She judged Israel from Mount Ephraim.
When people had civil issues among themselves, they brought those issues before her to decide.
As a prophetess, a woman whose special ministry was to declare God's words, she was eminently qualified to be a judge and a discerner among her people.

Some find it distasteful that a woman is here in a position of authority and great responsibility.
To them I say, "Your insecurities are showing."
God has often used a woman's wisdom to balance a world naturally ruled by men.
Note, it is not her womanhood that qualifies her for this task, but rather her relationship with God.
No woman or man whose actions betray their disrespect for God's word is fit to rule or judge.

From a practical perspective, it is possible that Sisera had allowed Deborah's rule when he would have been threatened, and rightly so, by a man in her position.
Certainly a man would more likely have the ambition to rebel against the enemy.
He sorely misgauged Deborah's courage, however.
Deborah had received a special revelation from God to call upon Barak and deliver a message to him.
____
Judges 4:6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.

The message from God was clear and demanded courage from Barak.
He was commanded to lead.
He was to go to mount Tabor with 10,000 men and fight with Sisera.
From the verses that follow, it seems Barak was not concerned with gathering the men.
He never questioned his ability to gather people around himself.
He questioned the aspect of leading them to battle.
Here was an appointed leader with a loyal follower-ship and not enough courage to take them where they needed to go.
____
Judges 4:8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

Now God has given Barak the opportunity to lead.
Another reason why we find Deborah in the position of leadership is no man was willing to stand up and be the leader God had asked them to be.
Men, don't complain that women are usurping authority if you are unwilling to be a leader.

Perhaps Barak was so insecure in his own relationship with God, that he felt God's blessing would only follow if Deborah was there.
Whatever, the reason, clearly Barak missed an important opportunity to lead.
So often, the stories of the Judges are stories of opportunity.
The situations of need presented opportunities for leadership and heroism.
Here we see, more than with any of the other judges, that God is an equal opportunity employer.
This does not mean that He insists upon women and men doing the same type of work or surrendering to the same callings.
God is smarter than that.
He has obviously given woman many powerful abilities that men do not have, and to men He has granted certain tendencies that make him more apt in certain areas of life.
This is the beauty of His great plan.
He has opportunities of equal importance for both men and women.
Let us not shirk those opportunities for whatever reason the flesh or the devil may bring up.

Barak, was told that, since he was unwilling to take the lead as God had asked, he would receive none of the glory for the victory.
That is the way it works.
If we insist on having things our way we will find that God puts the spotlight on someone else.

Now the next few verses give a little background concerning another aspect of our story.
There was a man of the Kenites whose loyalties were with Israel.
Since most of the Kenites were neutral in their loyalties, this is not something Sisera would suspect.
______
Judges 4:10 And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
11 Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.
12 And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.
13 And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.

The battle is described for us in the following verses.
It looks like Sisera's army is soundly beaten and Sisera himself runs away on foot to hide from the victorious Israelites.
_______
Judges 4:14 And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
15 And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.
16 But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.

Now we see the last chapter of our story as Sisera hails what he believes to be an ally in his flight from Israel.
And once again we see the opportunity for heroism.
_______
Jg 4:17 ¶ Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.
18 And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.
19 And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
20 Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No.

So Sisera has come into the house of Jael.
This cruel and powerful man is hoping to live to seek retribution on Israel.
He hopes to rest in safety at Jael's tent and then escape home to rally more troops against Israel.

Jael has now a distinctive opportunity to do something great for her country and for God.
She plays her part well and doesn't miss the opportunity that God places before her.
_______
Judges 4:21 Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.

Now we see that Sisera was completely shocked by Jael's actions.
You might say that nothing like that had ever entered his mind before.
In all seriousness, what Jael did was a gruesome task but one that may have saved Israel from twenty more years of servitude.
Her courage inspired Israel to throw off the yoke of the oppressor.
_______
Judges 4:23 So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.
24 And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.

I wonder how many people you might impact by deciding to accept the challenge that God has placed before you this morning.

God may be asking you to surrender the ministry.
Whether you are a man or a woman, you can be sure of this, that God has a great plan for your life.
He is intent on doing great things with you if you will accept His challenge.

Maybe you are here today and you do not know Him personally.
You are merely an onlooker, one interested in a relationship with God.
The greatest challenge of all is the surrender of the heart.
You must trust in Jesus Christ alone as your Saviour and begin a relationship with Him today.

Will you accept the challenge?
Will you take the opportunity?

Where is the Love? Part 1

2008-03-30T14:24:00.000-07:00

I Corinthians 13:1-3
Ø “agape” vs. “filew” Love
Ø “Phileo – [a love] that arises from a sense of pleasure found in the object loved”
Ø “Agape – [a love] that arises from a sense of the preciousness of the object loved”
Kenneth S. Wuest

I Corinthians 13:1-3

Ø Above speaking in tongues
A temporary gift that only a few had to show the authority of God upon the church and to evidence His work among the Gentiles.
It was especially a sign to the unbelieving Jew until the word of God was compiled as absolute proof of God’s authority and as evidence of His work among the Gentiles.
Ø Above the gift of prophecy
The temporary sign gift of Foretelling the future as evidence of God’s authority and to prepare God’s people for coming events when the Bible was not yet written to do so.
Ø Above understanding all mysteries
The Mystery of the Kingdom of God – Mark 4:11
The Mystery of the Gentile position in the Bride of Christ – Romans 11:25
The Mystery of God’s wisdom in man’s heart – I Corinthians 2:7
The Mystery of the Rapture of the saints – I Corinthians 15:51
The Mystery of the will of God – Ephesians 1:9
The Mystery of the Bride of Christ – Ephesians 5:32
Etc….
Ø Above having all knowledge
Although we must study – 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Ø Above mountain-moving faith
Without which one cannot please God.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Ø Above well-placed generosity
Your gifts mean nothing if you do not give out of love.
Your sacrificial generosity is to no avail if you do not love those to whom you give, recognizing their preciousness to God.
Ø Above a martyr’s courage
Surely something is to be said for the courage to go to the stake like Huss or Tyndale and not deny the faith.
Without Love? – Nothing

Seeing and Believing

2008-03-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

Seeing and Believing
John 20:1-10

Our text this morning is one that has been accurately attributed to John, who has referred to himself in a typically humble fashion throughout the book by the terms, "that other disciple" and "the disciple whom Jesus loved."
John understood that the most important of all realizations was that Jesus loved him.
It mattered not to him how he felt about himself or how any other human felt about him.
All that diatribe of secular humanism is subjective and apt to change.
What was important to John was that Jesus loved him because that will never change.
This was who he was, his identity was wrapped up entirely in who he was in Christ.

It is clear from a faithful study of the Gospel of John that he is the penman.
None other could fit the profile that the Scriptures provide.
One thing that is especially powerful in all of John's writings is his clear intent to instill faith in the reader.
All of John's writings have this constant theme, that the reader might believe as a result of having read John's testimony.
Part of John's method of instilling belief in the reader is to trace his own faltering steps into faith, and he does so to some extent in our text.

In order to prepare ourselves for the text this morning, let us recap the events of three days previous:
> In Chapter 13 John revealed himself as one of the disciples whom Jesus loved.
The setting was the day before Passover when Jesus sat to eat a special meal with His 12 disciples according to the Gospel record.
Jesus then said that one would betray him that night.
John, at the request of Peter had asked Jesus who this might be.
Jesus had responded by privately signaling to Judas that he knew it was him.
> Later that Tuesday evening Jesus walked in the garden and prayed while his disciples dozed.
Suddenly the band of men and officers from the temple, bearing torches and swords, rushed in and took Jesus into custody.
> As Wednesday drew on, Jesus was pulled from one hurried court trial to another.
From the high priests to Pilate, then drug before Herod and back before Pilate, Jesus was finally condemned to die on the cross.
> Jesus hung on that cross for six hours on Wednesday from 9AM to 3PM, until He finally gave up the Ghost.
His death was confirmed by a Roman soldier whose spear thrust into Jesus side resulted in the tell-tale flow of separated blood and water.
> Since Passover was quickly approaching, Jesus was hurriedly taken from the cross, wrapped in a linen cloth and put into a borrowed tomb.
The next day the tomb was sealed lest anyone might try to steal the body for the next three days.
> Imagine the disciples' consternation as they stayed in hiding for those three days and three nights that Jesus was in that grave.
They must have suffered tremendous sorrow and loss since their master was gone.
Wednesday Night and Thursday passed.
Thursday Night and Friday passed.
Friday Night and Saturday passed.
Finally, Sunday came, by Jewish reckoning this Sunday began at 6PM the previous evening.

As we read our text this morning, and John's account of the discovery of the empty tomb, pay special notice to John, "that other disciple" whose personal reactions are described in a powerful way.

READ TEXT
PRAY

John gives us some distinctive detail of the event that we can find in none of the other Gospels.
First we see Mary Magdalene arriving at the tomb early in the darkness of the night.
She must have first been taken aback by the absence of a Roman guard.
Then she notices the stone is rolled away from the door of the tomb.

She immediately runs back to Peter and John with the suspicion that someone had stolen Christ's body away.
Peter and John reacted as one would suppose, by running to the sepulchre themselves to verify the story of the woman.

John gives even greater detail as the great scene unfolds:
He outran Peter and arrived first at the tomb.
For some reason he did not step into the cramped tomb but he did see the linen clothes lying where Jesus' body would have been.
While he caught his breath and waited for Peter to catch up John must have thought about why the linen clothes were lying there.
- If someone were to steal a corpse, why would they undress it first? Why would they strip it from the linens and leave them there?
While John stooped and peered into the tomb, he probably contemplated these things briefly.

Peter came up next and blew passed John and entered the tomb.
He also saw the linen clothes and then another item, the napkin that covered the face of Jesus.
The napkin was not thrown aside in a hurry, but neatly folded and set apart from the grave clothes.

When John entered in, he must have seen the napkin arranged as it was and thought about the significance of it.
- There could be only one explanation for this, Jesus had risen from the dead, carefully folded up the napkin to prove He had left the tomb under His own power and in His own timing.
No grave robber would have stopped to fold the napkin.

The impact of this sight was so powerful in John's heart that when he saw it, he believed. Verse 8

John saw folded grave clothes and believed.
He believed that Jesus had risen from the dead.

I want to pose a question to you this morning.

What will it take to make you believe?

In our text we have seen perhaps the first recorded believer in the resurrection of the Lord.
In contrast, Peter saw the same thing and did not express faith in the resurrection.

It seems that different people reach faith on different timetables.
One other disciple, heard the testimony of the others, saw the empty tomb, noted the folded grave clothes and still insisted that he would not believe unless he put his fingers into the nail holes and touched the scar where the roman soldier had thrust the spear.
Verse 24, 25:
John 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

This same Thomas, confessed his belief in the deity of Christ just 3 verses later:
John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Finally Thomas believed!

What will it take to make you believe?

Are you waiting for something you can see?
Thomas’ early philosophy was as common then as it is now,
“I will believe it when I see it.”

Why is this such a popular view of religion?
Ø It doesn’t seem to apply to the world of science: The very smallest of the elements of matter are yet to be seen even with a microscope, and yet no scientist denies their existence. Some have even swallowed the hoax of evolution without seeing any real evidence of its processes.
Ø It doesn’t apply to relationships: My wife committed to a lifelong relationship with me without seeing a fraction of what she now knows of all my personality quirks.
Ø It doesn’t apply to the business world: Investors rarely see 100% solid proof of a sure return when they commit their investment dollars.
I submit to you that the Gospel is more sure than any investment.
A relationship with Jesus is more certain than any human commitment.
The veracity of John’s claims regarding the resurrection are more substantiated than any unproven scientific theory.

Jesus encourages us in His discourse with Thomas to place our faith in Him before we see.
John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Every person must believe in the resurrection of Jesus before seeing proof.

1.) Because Sight is Overrated.

2.) Because of the Testimony of John.

3.) Because of the Blessings of Faith.

John 20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

There is no greater thing than to believe.
It frees the soul from the bondage of sin.
It liberates the mind to accomplish what the faithless mind cannot.
It gives joy in the heart that comes from no other source.

Do you believe that Jesus died, was buried and rose again?
Would you like to hear more about why he died and what His resurrection means to you?
Come forward during this invitation hymn.

Newness of Life

2008-03-23T13:49:00.000-07:00

Newness of Life
Romans 6:1-14

Every Christian must walk in Newness of life.

Because of the Picture of Baptism. verse 3-4
Baptism shows the death of the old man.
Baptism shows burial/washing away of our sin.
Baptism shows a new man arising. verse 4-5
This new man is raised by and for the glory of the Father.
This new man has the responsibility of walking in newness.

Because of the Victory of the Resurrection. verse 6-7
The Resurrection claimed victory over sin.
The evidence is gone. verse 6
The chains are gone. verse 7
The Resurrection claimed victory over death. verse 9
His resurrection is proof of his ability to raise me from the dead.
2Co 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

Because of the Indwelling Spirit of Christ. verse 6 - Galatians 2:20
Christ lives in me.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Every Christian must walk in Newness of life.

By Reckoning yourself dead to sin and alive to Christ. verse 11

By Rejecting the old master of sin and surrendering to the new master, Christ. verse 12-14

By Redirecting the passions of your life from sinfulness to Christ-likeness. verse 19-22

The True Vine

2008-03-16T16:36:00.000-07:00

The True Vine
John 15:1-11

The discourse in our text this morning is recorded only by John and takes place directly after Judas leaves the room on that evening of Christ's betrayal.
It is part of a larger discourse of encouragement and instruction that Jesus leaves with His disciples before they join Him for prayer in the garden of Gethsemane.
As John, the "Beloved Disciple" is known to do, he record's one of Jesus' special "I AM" statements, in which Jesus identifies Himself in a metaphor that tells us something of His character and His qualities.
In this instance the Chapter begins with the "I AM" statement, and we will read this as we look at our text:

READ TEXT
PRAY

It is a beautiful picture that Christ has painted for us here in John 15.
We are given the distinct image of God the Father as a Husbandman.
Now a husbandman is one whose responsibility it is to care for and nurture the growth of the vine.
We see this great, infinite Husbandman, looking down over His vineyard with much concern for its well-being.
The whole picture then opens up to us as we see that the particular interest of the Husbandman is the continuation of the fruit-bearing that characterized His Son's ministry.
This brings us to the second person in the analogy - Jesus Himself.
The Husbandman is not interested in wild vines from different vineyards.
He has no responsibility to them.
He is concerned only with those branches who stem from the vine.
God's perspective then becomes very clear:
There are those who are in the vine and those who are not in the vine.
The only claim that we have to the care of the Husbandman is that we are a part of the vine.
This is not flattering to us but is glorifying to the One by Whose great virtue we find favor with the Husbandman.

However, this passage is not one primarily about Salvation - but is about the believer who must abide in the vine or become useless to its greater purpose.
The taking away of the fruitless vines is no indication that the believer can lose his salvation - this analogy is about growing and pleasing God not keeping or losing salvation.
The imperative of the passage is very clear:

EVERY BELIEVER MUST ABIDE IN THE VINE

1.) Because of the Possibilities of much fruit-bearing (Verse 5)

2.) Because of the Provision of answered prayers (Verse 7)

3.) Because of the Purpose of a fulfilled joy (Verse 11)

1.) By Abiding in His Work (Verse 2, 4, 5, 6)
The emphasis is on production.

2.) By Abiding in His Word (Verse 3, 7, 10)
The Word cleanses - Verse 3
The Word teaches - Verse 7
The Word instructs - Verse 10

3.) By Abiding in His Ways (Verse 8, 9, 10)
His Way is disciplined - Verse 8
His Way is loving - Verse 9
His Way is obedient - Verse 10

We cannot abide in the Vine until we have been grafted into Him.
This means you must surrender your old root system and take on His root system.
We must leave our old life and partake of the life He gives.
It is only by being grafted into the True vine we will ever please God.

An Act of Worship

2008-03-15T13:20:00.000-07:00

AN ACT OF WORSHIP
John 12:1-8

The events of our text take place just six short days before the very day that Jesus would die on the cross.
We see that timing specified in the first verse.
It was a Thursday afternoon in the small town of Bethany.
Bethany is now a suburb of Jerusalem.
In the days of Jesus it was a close outlying town from which one could see the Mount of Olives, and beyond that was the royal Jewish city of Jerusalem.
In this passage Jesus is at the home of a family wherein dwell Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary.
The events of our text come on the heels of one of the most thrilling miracles in all the Bible, and we will explain that as we cover the background of the text a little later on.
It is also mentioned in the very first verse.

Let us read our text:

READ TEXT
PRAY

The scene is set with a great celebration dinner laid out before Jesus and the disciples.
Newly resurrected Lazarus is sitting at the table with Jesus, while Martha is serving the food.

It is to Mary our attention is directed in the third verse.
She enters the room with seemingly little fanfare and great humility and breaks open a container of fragrant ointment.
Perhaps it is the odor of the spikenard that first catches everyone's attention.
Maybe it is the sound of her shuffling feet as she moves toward Jesus and falls to her knees where He is reclining at the table.
However it was, everyone in the room took notice of her public display of love and adoration for her Saviour.

I want to point out this one thing:
Mary committed a public act of worship.
Let us define worship for our use this morning:
Worship comes from the old Anglo-Saxon word "worthship" which indicates the worthiness of the recipient of worship.
Worship is an acknowledgement of God's attributes and His worthiness.
Our lives should be a constant reflection of this acknowledgement.
We must have the worthiness of God so deeply impressed upon our minds and our hearts that everything we do is for Him and honestly reflects our love and adoration.
However, Mary's actions are above and beyond the normal.
She certainly is living a life of faithfulness and holiness, even taking special care to sit at the feet of Jesus when the opportunity arises and learn more of Him quietly in the congregation as you all are this morning.
This is worship to be sure, but she was moved to break out of her daily routine of worship and do something extravagant!

For her, it was important that people knew how she felt towards Jesus.
It was not enough that she loved Him in her heart.
She was moved to break through her pride and the boundaries of her comfort zone and publicly display her adoration.
This was a public act of worship.
This morning I want to challenge you with Mary's example.

I could chose from several characters in the Bible who committed public acts of worship.
We could look to David, whose public acts of worship drew the attention of a disdainful wife. He had lowered his own dignity to show how much he was caught up in his love for his God.
We could look to Daniel, whose public acts of worship got him thrown into the den of lions. He had risked his life to publicly display his faithfulness to God.
We could point out the woman with the alabaster box in Galilee who drew the criticism of the Pharisees with her similar testimony of adoration for Jesus.
We could move closer to the home of Mary and Martha and Lazarus and show an unnamed woman whose similar testimony of the worthiness of Jesus drew the criticism of all the disciples.
I have pointed out these few of many examples in Scripture to show the importance of committing public acts of worship.

In each case there was a risk to the worshipper, a risk of drawing the criticism of the convicted.
I would also challenge you today to not be critical of those who are led to commit public acts of worship.
The crowd in the room, for the most part, took in the greater lesson of the act of worship.
They smelled the fragrance and saw the devotion of the woman.
They listened to Jesus interpret the act of worship to be a precursor to His own great sacrifice.
They must have been moved deeply by Mary's actions.

However, there was a critic in the room.
He had a dark heart and was clearly convicted by what he deemed a spectacle.
He points out from his unemotional pragmatic perspective that this could have been handled better.
Mary would have been better to quietly sell the spikenard and give the money to the poor. (Verse 4-6)

Judas had a point of course.
Mary could have kept her love for Christ more to herself and just handed over the money to Judas to distribute as he saw fit.
It would have been the more dignified approach and would have been much less risky.
It certainly would not have drawn any criticism.
But we would have been robbed of the beautiful lesson of her devotion to the person of Jesus.

The mandate of the text which I would like to point out this morning is:

Every Christian must commit public acts of worship.

As usual, there are clear motivations here in the Bible for obeying this principle.
These motivations are all about the worthiness of Jesus.
When you ask the question, "Why must I commit public acts of worship?"
The answer is always, "because He is worthy of them."
Our text shows a few of the ways in which Jesus warrants the worship of Mary and, of course, that of us as well.

Because Jesus gives life to the dead. Verse 1
Mary committed this public act of worship because Jesus raised her brother from the dead.
The whole story is in the previous chapter.
Chapter 11 Verse 43-44 give the actual resurrection event.
Jesus called forth dead Lazarus in much the same way He gives every man and woman the opportunity to come out of their own dead state to receive new life in Him.
When Lazarus came staggering out of the tomb, Jesus concerns himself with removing the trappings of death from Lazarus.
So it is when we respond to the life-giving call of Jesus, we are to rid ourselves of the trappings of the old life and put on a new man which is born in holiness.
We then have much for which to praise Him, for He has given life to the dead.
He is due our public acts of worship.
Has Jesus given you new life?
Has he warranted a public act of worship?

Because Jesus is faithful to His own. Chapter 11
The second motivation that we see from the text is Mary’s own journey towards recognizing the faithfulness of Jesus.
We know that she was always close to Jesus.
In the other gospels we see her sitting at the feet of Jesus learning from Him while Martha busies herself in the kitchen.
She was convinced then that it was important to attend the service that Jesus was giving.
Then Jesus was away and her brother got very sick.
She and Martha sent for Jesus to come and heal him.
Jesus had other priorities and Lazarus had died.
When finally Jesus did come, the word reached Mary and Martha's home, but only Martha ran to meet Him. (John 11:20-22)
Only Martha expressed faith that Jesus could make this tragedy into something beautiful.
Mary, it seems, was so broken by the disappointment that she stayed home.
Jesus had to send specifically for her (Chapter 11 Verse 28).

Have you ever lost faith and harbored bitterness toward God for some tragedy that was allowed to befall you?
Jesus is calling for you.
He want you to see what He has planned.
He can make something beautiful from your sadness.

Imagine the shame of having doubted Jesus and spurned His coming into town.
Mary had some powerful motivation to commit a public act of worship.
She had been through a great tragedy and great sorrow and found Jesus to be faithful.

Because Jesus gave his life for all. Verse 7,8,32,33
The third motivation that I see is the one that Jesus Himself points out.
The fact that Jesus was willing to lay down His own life was motivation enough to lay down her pride and her dignity and commit this public act of worship.
Jesus indicated that He would publicly display His love for the world.
He would be lifted up in shame on the cross and then would draw all men unto Himself.
When we look at the selfless character of Jesus and we see his public act of love for us, how can we respond in any other way than to commit public acts of worship of Him?

As with any command we can derive from the pages of Scripture, this one has some clear and powerful instructions by way of example that we can follow in our public acts of worship.

This is important because if you just decide that you are going to commit public acts of worship without following the example of Mary in our text, you may result in a flesh-led display that distracts from the object of your worship instead of a Spirit-led display that lifts up the Lord.

By giving God what is precious to you. Verse 3
Mary did not give something cheap.
She pulled out all the stops and gave something very costly.
I don't know what is most costly to you.
Maybe you have something precious that you know God could use for His glory.
You know He values thing a bit differently than we do.
It may be your pride that He wants.
It may be your dignity.
It may be your wallet.
It may be your car.
It may be your most precious relationship.
Whatever it is, be willing to part with it for His sake, and you will find that He makes something greater of it than you could have imagined.

By humbling yourself before God. Verse 3
Mary did not dance around and draw attention to herself in the small room.
She did not lift herself up in her act of worship.
This was about lifting up Jesus and humbling herself.
Try to imagine the humility that she must have felt to have doubted Jesus and even perhaps harboring bitterness towards him when her brother died.
She came to Jesus and fell to her knees.
She broke open the extravagant gift and then wiped His feet with her hair.
What a display of humility!
There was a time when it was common to come forward after a service and fall to the knees and quietly confess sin at the altar.
It wouldn't hurt to do that more often.
Have you doubted God?
Come confess that to Him at the altar.
Have you fallen short of His expectations for you?
Humble yourself before Him and beg His forgiveness.
He certainly has that in great supply.

By displaying your affection for God. Verse 3
The last practical step that I can see in Mary's example is her clear display of affection.
Let us not be ashamed to say how much we love Him!
Let us not be ashamed to witness of His great sacrifice.
When you are moved to commit an act of worship, stop and think of how you might show your love for Jesus.
Think about how you might lift Him up and humble yourself.

So often what passes for worship in some churches today is more of a spectacle of self than a display of affection for Jesus.

Let us not fall into that trap.

He has laid down his life so that you might live.
Won't you commit a public act of worship to Him?

Putting On The New Man

2008-03-02T22:06:00.000-08:00

Putting on the New Man
Ephesians 4:17-32

As you turn to the text this morning you may remember that the church at Ephesus, to whom Paul is writing, is mostly a Gentile church.
They were a rather large group of born-again Christians who had come from a background of idolatry and worldliness.
They had been introduced to Jesus and had believed on Him for their salvation.
Now they are members of the church at Ephesus and are growing in their relationship to the Lord.
It is to this end that the Apostle Paul writes to them.
He is encouraging them to do those things that are befitting a Christian.

READ TEXT
PRAY

In mapping out the text I see verses 17-19 as the warning signs at the beginning of the long perilous road.
These warning signs are meant to grab our attention and prepare us for the difficulties that lie ahead.

Our text begins with an encouragement in Verse 17 to be different.
God has called us to be different than the world.
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote a similar challenge to the Corinthian Christians:
2Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

We must not be like we used to be, guided by the vanity of our minds.
We have a higher calling, to be led by the Holy Spirit and subject to His rules.

Verse 18 continues with the particular characteristics of the world that we must avoid.
They have a darkened understanding -
They are alienated from the new life by their ignorance of God -
They have a certain blindness in their hearts, only seeing what they want to see -
Is it possible that a Christian could be like this?
The answer is YES!
We have the same fleshly tendencies inside of us and can surrender to them until they rule our lives.
We can drift away from the enlightenment of the Word and we can alienate ourselves from the fullness of life that we should have in Christ simply because we do not know enough about it.
We can also blind our own hearts to see only the application of the Word on others and not ourselves.
Then we are living like the world.

Verse 19 continues with the potential wickedness into which we can fall.
Some have so blinded themselves to the convicting Holy Spirit that the do not feel remorse for their sin any more, "past feeling."
At that point they have given themselves completely to a life od selfishness, sin and greed.

Now we get to verse 20 - we know all of this type of living is not what Christ has taught us.
Rather, as verse 21 says, we have heard how we are to live and have been given some specific instruction concerning a separated life:

Let us look at the primary command in the text, the imperative that is the main message of the text:

Every Christian must put on the New Man.

Now as we work our way through the text it will become more and more clear that this is indeed the primary mandate of the passage.

Let us look for the two items that we always find in Scripture with a command:
MOTIVATION
INSTRUCTIONS

First, Motivation, Why must every Christian put on the new man?

Because the Old Man is Corrupt V22b

Because the New Man is righteous and holy V24b

Because we are connected to each other as one body V25b

Because the New Man can minister to others in word and in deed V28,29

Because the New Man doesn't Grieve the Holy Spirit V30

These motivations are compelling and powerful.
We must put on the new man!
How then can we do this?
Let us look for the practical instructions that God has provided:

By First Putting off the Old Man V22a

By always speaking the truth V25a

By controlling your anger V26

By refusing the Devil a foothold in your life V27

By putting your energy into ministry V28

By speaking only to lift up and minister grace V29

By putting away the old ways with all malice V31

By forgiving others. V32

Some clothes are more difficult to don than others.
So it is in the Christian life.
Some of these items of the New Man are difficult - specifically those related to the tongue.
However, the encouragement of our text is not phrased as a suggestion.
It is a command.
Let us determine that we will submit ourselves to the Lord and put on the new man.

This new man, according to verse 23 and 24 is not a man we make up.
He is a man that God creates inside of us when we take Jesus as our Saviour.
2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
If you have never trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, I challenge you to do this today.
Remember, what I am without Christ is not enough to please God.
I must be made new.

Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fire

2008-02-24T22:41:00.001-08:00

Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fire
Ezekiel 11:1-5

Last week we picked up the ancient prophecy of Ezekiel again and continued reading one of the visions that he recorded under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit some 600 years before Christ.

In that vision we saw the presence of God move into Jerusalem to oversee His judgment on that city.
Last week we saw the Coals of Fire that represented His holiness and its effects on a city.
These Coals of Fire were scattered around the city to represent the purging work of God's Holiness and the judgment that the actions of the inhabitants had warranted.

Now we will finish the vision as Ezekiel has recorded it for us here in Chapter 11.

READ TEXT
PRAY

There are some peculiar turns of phrase in this chapter that catch our eyes.
One in particular that caught my attention is the clause, "this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh."
After some diligent study on this wording I chose the title for this morning's sermon, "Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fire."

The passage begins with a scene at the east gate of the temple that hearkens back to the earlier part of the vision from Ezekiel 8:16 wherein Ezekiel saw 25 men with their backs turned toward the temple.
They were worshipping the Sun.
This was evidence of their incremental compromises in worship that ends with some people practicing witchcraft instead of worshipping God alone.

Verse 1 of our text reveals that among these men were the leaders of society.
Princes of the people he calls them.
They had found the wisdom of the world to be more attractive and mysterious than the wisdom of God.
While they worshipped celestial bodies, and directed their lives and their counsel by the stars, the God that had given them their authority and positions of leadership looked on with displeasure.

Now this same God points out in Verse 2 to Ezekiel that these leaders are giving wicked counsel to the city.

Verse 3 reveal the particular counsel that these men were giving, and that wicked counsel has three parts:

1.) "It is not near;" They had heard the prophecies and warnings that God would destroy Jerusalem for its wickedness, but they would comfort the people with these false words.
The lie of the Devil has not changed much throughout time.
Satan has always tried to cast doubt on the full veracity of God's predictions.
"Ye shall not surely die," he told Eve.
Know this, that when God makes a prediction of coming judgment it is to be taken seriously and acted upon with expediency or you will suffer the consequences.
Even today there are naysayers about the great rapture of the saints, in which Jesus will return and catch up those who have trusted in Him as their Saviour.
The Apostle Peter predicted the same:
2Peter 3:3 ¶ Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
You may notice that Peter comments that the same attitude prevailed in Noah's time but judgment came and the procrastinators were caught unawares.
Now we have seen from Verse 3 the first item of wicked counsel.
Let us not listen to the lie that God will put up with our wickedness a moment longer.
We must realize that He is a Holy God and demands that we act upon His commands immediately.
Now we can se the next wicked advice that the leaders in Jerusalem were purveying.

2.) "Let us build houses:" Now, of course there is nothing inherently wrong with building houses or repairing them, but the timing of their diversion is the primary lesson here.
It was a time to repent.
It was a time to worship.
It was a time to build the walls of the city.
It was a time to pray.
It was not a time to be concentrating on self and personal belongings.
These men were distracting from God's call by encouraging people to think of themselves.
It is an old politician's trick to point out the importance of the individual with the ulterior motive of distracting from the real crisis.
The crisis in Jerusalem was not that the people didn't have houses.
As a matter of fact, with the many who had been taken from the city, there was most likely a housing glut, but the leaders still encouraged the people to focus on themselves and their own well being.
The crisis in Jerusalem went unheeded.
That crisis was a moral one.
While the politicians spewed off their normal promises of housing and encouraged the people to focus on their own wants and needs, people of Israel were dying in foreign lands because they had been ripped from their homes and hustled away to be slaves of the Babylonians.
So it is today that politicians are still trying to keep the focus on the personal welfare of the individual while innocent children are never given the chance to breath, and the real dangers of our society are ignored.
Like God's words against Jerusalem in verse 6, we have multiplied the slain in our streets while ignoring the real crises of our society.
The third bit of counsel that the politicians of Jerusalem are giving closes out verse 3.

3.) "this city is the caldron, and we be the flesh." It is and odd saying but not too difficult to understand.
Remember, from an historical perspective, Israel had been under siege by the enemy for some time.
The Chaldeans had been marauding through the countryside, kidnapping and looting.
Jerusalem had held out, however.
It was a well fortified city with its own source of water and could seemingly be defended forever, or so thought the people of the city.
But they couldn't see the forest for the trees.
They considered the victims of the Chaldeans to be those that God had judged, while they, they had Jerusalem.
They were safe because of their proximity to the temple.
They had their traditions, and those would protect them against the righteous anger of God.
The city of Jerusalem was to them like a great iron caldron, and they figured themselves to be the savory stew inside which God enjoyed so much He would never let them be exposed to the fires outside of the pot.
It is a strange thing to feel safe in a caldron.
It makes me think of a cartoon I read as a child in which an unsuspecting missionary is carried on the shoulders of a group of natives into their camp.
He feels quite honored by this and even more so when the set him into a great warm bath over a fire.
Of course, he has been kidnapped by cannibals, but ignorance is bliss.
The counsel that the Jerusalem politicians gave the people is that, "We are safe."
God would never let harm come to the great city of Jerusalem.
If you are stuck in the same false assurance this morning I beg you to repent.
Your proximity to the church and your presence among God's people is no safety.
When God is ready to judge us He will do so with no regard to our location.

In verse 4 Ezekiel is told to prophesy against the men in his vision, which, in his vision he does.

God's particular claim in verse 5 is frightening if you have sins of the mind.
God says, "for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them."

In Verse 6 God points out that they have ignored the real crisis while concentrating on themselves.
In my opinion, it is not actual bodies in the streets of Jerusalem that Ezekiel is here revealing in his vision so filled with symbolic pictures, but the hidden casualties, the many who had been taken away.
They were the great casualties, but in Verse 7 we see that they were the ones under God's protection.
They would be the ones protected under God's promises to Jerusalem.
Although they were scattered around the empire of Babylon, they were protected by God's promise to Israel.
They had repented and God would honor their repentance.

As for the people that were physically still in Jerusalem, they would suffer the sword as shown in verse 8-11 and they would be taken out of their comfortable place and God would execute His judgment on them as they fled the very borders of their country.

The great purpose of God's impending judgment is revealed in verse 12.
It is that God be revealed for Who He is.
The people of Jerusalem had been no better than the heathen they mocked.

In Verse 13 we see that as Ezekiel prophesies in his vision, in his vision Pelatiah, a leader among the people is stricken dead.
This shocks Ezekiel the prophet, who exclaims, "Ah Lord GOD! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel?"

Now we get to an encouraging part of the chapter:
God points out in verses 14, 15 that those who were mocked by the "holier-than-thou" Jerusalemites were the ones that would eventually inherit the land.
By their repentance they had procured the favour of God, and He was intent on blessing them.
They had been cast off from Jerusalem and Israel and were now in a foreign land enslaved by the Chaldeans, but hey were not out of God's care.

As Verse 16 implies, when we come to our senses in a place far from where we should be, God is ready to provide sanctuary where we are.
Of course much has been lost and the scars of our sin we will carry with us for some time, but God still loves us and looks to bless the repentant.

In Verse 17 Ezekiel is told to prophesy yet again, but this time to the people who have been cast off and repented.
God promises to gather them back and give them back their first estate.

The real intentions of the people are revealed in Verse 18 as Ezekiel predicts that they would come back with the clear purpose of ridding the city of Jerusalem of its idols and abominable things.

Then that great prophesy continues in verses 19-20 with a promise of a new heart, for it is not of our own volition that we worship Him in truth and holiness, but out of a heart that He has given us when we repent.
Then we are able to walk according to his rules and keep his laws.
Then we will be His people and He will be our God.
Verse 21 reminds us of those who did not respond to the pleading of God.
From a faithful study of Scripture we understand that this is not because God did not give them the same opportunities but because when God brought them to the same place of opportunity the rejected God's order.
They will suffer the consequences of their choices.

Finally the great vision comes to a close with one more scene.
Remember Ezekiel is one of the captives, and had been transported in the vision to see Jerusalem and its condition.
In Verses 22, 23 the great Chariot-Throne lifts off from the city gate and sets on the mountain of Olives, one more incremental step of departure from Jerusalem.

Then God takes Ezekiel the prophet back to Chaldea where Ezekiel brought the good news to them there.

I bring that same powerful message to you:
Have you been far from God?
Have you been judged for your sin?
Are you now feeling isolated from His protection?
Know this: God is ready to receive you back.
All He has ever wanted is repentance.

If you are here this morning and have never accepted Christ as your personal Saviour, let me be the one to tell you that God is ready to accept you today.
Won't you join us and repent of your sins and receive His salvation today?