Sermons and Studies by Richard Derocher
- A Call to Awake
- A Harvest of Souls
- A Work of God
- A Work of God
- A Work of God - Sunday School
- A WORK OF GOD handout
- Annointing
- Attend to the Altar
- Beware of False Doctrine
- Bread in the Wilderness
- Bread in the Wilderness
- CRUMBLING FOUNDATIONS
- Crumbling Foundations
- Death of the Old Man
- Death of the Old Man
- Do Not Touch My Idol
- Don't Touch My Idol
- First Partaker of the Fruit
- Following God's Will
- Following God's Will Sunday School
- Following Jesus
- For We Wrestle
- For We Wrestle Sunday School
- Give Me This Water
- Giving, Regardless of Recognition
- God Will Keep His Promise Concerning the Last Days
- Heavenly Faith is Received in Heavenly Places
- His Watchmen are Blind
- Hope for the Hopeless - Bartimaeus
- It's Not Over Until It's Over
- Jesus is the Source of Life
- Jesus is the Source of Life Sunday School
- Jesus the Messiah
- Knowledge of the Time
- Life Changing Power of the Word of God
- Look to the King SOS 3:11
- Miscellaneous Notes
- One More Night with the Frogs
- One More Night with the Frogs
- Receiving Our Inheritance
- Stand On Your Problems
- Staying on Top When You Hit Bottom
- The Almost Christian
- The Appointed Vision
- THE CROWN OF ESPOUSAL
- The Crown of Espousal
- The Dangers of the Oneness Movement
- The Devil Wants to Destroy You
- The Handwriting is On the Wall
- The Importance of Bible Doctrine
- The Inheritance for the Those Who are Kept by the Power of God
- The King's Highway
- The King's Highway Sunday School
- The Need for True Revival
- The Need for Truth
- The Need of the Holy Spirit
- The Pattern of the Rain
- The Pattern of the Rain
- The Pattern of the Rain Sunday School
- The Power of the Blood of Jesus
- The Power of Words
- The Promise of the Divine Nature
- The Reserved Inheritance
- The Reserved Inheritance
- The Reserved Inheritance
- The Spirit: the Antidote to the Flesh
- The Thief Cometh
- The Trinity in Creation
- The True Source of Speech
- There will be a Harvest of Souls in these Last Days
- There will be a Harvest of Souls in these Last Days Sunday School
- Trinity in Creation
- We Need a Revelation of Jesus Christ
- Trinity in Creation
A Call to Awake
A CALL TO AWAKE
“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” (Eph 5:14)
This Epistle is directed to the Church. The Christian is called upon to awake out of sleep.
I. TIME IS RUNNING OUT
A. We are in the last days
1. Prophetic End-Time signs are now current events
(Matthew 24 and Luke 21)
a. False prophets
b. Wars and rumors of wars
c. Iniquity shall abound
d. The love of many shall wax cold
e. The Gospel shall be preached to all the world
2. Bible Prophecy is being fulfilled
a. Knowledge shall be increased – Dan. 12:4
b. There has been a great falling away from truth –
II Thes. 2:3,
c. Seducing spirits are deceiving good people –
I Tim. 4:1
3. These are perilous times – II Tim. 3:1-5
4. It is as Noah’s day – Mt. 24:37-39, Luke 17:26, 27
5. The world is like Sodom – Luke 17:28, 29
B. Judgment is at hand
1. Like sin will bring like judgment
a. The flood was a result of man’s wickedness
b. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of
sin – Ezk. 16: 49
c. Sin and idolatry brought God’s judgment upon Israel
2. Must begin in the House of God – I Peter 4:17
3. America will be judged
a. The eagle’s wings will be plucked – Dan. 7:4
b. Russia will attack the U.S.A. – Ezk. 38: 10-13
C. The Church will be persecuted
1. Has already endured tremendous attacks
a. Persecuted period of Church history
(Corresponds to the Smyrna Church in Rev. 2)
1) Smyrna comes from “myrrh” which means
to crush
2) Crushed under the iron heel of pagan Rome
b. The Catholic Inquisition was responsible for many
thousands of Christian deaths
c. The Catholic counter-reformation was an attack
against the Christian protestants again killing
thousands of Christians
1) Over 200,000 Protestants killed in France alone
2) Christians were killed throughout Europe
2. The Church will go into the tribulation
a. Tribulation is coming soon
b. The devil will persecute The Church – Rev. 12:13
II. IT IS TIME TO WAKE-UP
“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” (Rom 13:11)
A. The Church is asleep
1. We are in the Laodicean period of The Church –
Rev. 3:14-21
a. Compromise began in the 1950’s
b. Ruled by the people
2. Unresponsive to The Word
3. Prosperity is the message of today
a. Jabez cult
1) Promises untold wealth and success
2) Promoted as the prayer that God must
answer
b. Merchandizing The Gospel – II Peter 2:1-3
4. Holiness is no longer the standard
5. Modern Bible versions have distorted the truth
B. Don’t be caught slumbering
1. Watch and pray – Luke 21: 36
a. A continued vigilance
b. Necessary to escape the tribulation
2. Cast off the works of darkness – Rom. 13:12
a. Darkness encourages sleep
b. Darkness is the opposite of light
1) Light is truth – John 8:32
2) Light will wake you up
3) Put on the armour of light
3. Rise up in these last days
a. Lay hold on eternal life
b. Appropriate the promises of God – II Peter 1:4
4. No time for procrastination
A Harvest of Souls
THERE IS A HARVEST OF SOULS
I. JESUS IS THE LORD OF THE HARVEST
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. – Mt. 7: 38-39
(Also Luke 10:2)
A. The harvest is plenteous.
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. – Jn. 4:35
1. Look on the fields.
2. The fields are ready to harvest.
3. There are many lost souls that need the Gospel.
B. The laborers are few.
1. There is a work to be done.
2. There is a place for you to work in the field.
3. Everyone can pray.
C. Pray to the Lord of the harvest.
1. The harvest belongs to the Lord.
a. This is a work of God.
b. Man alone can not produce a harvest.
2. That He will send forth laborers.
a. He does the sending,
b. Pray to be a laborer in the field.
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. – Isaiah 6:8
3. We need the power of the Holy Ghost to reach the lost.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. – Acts 1:8
a. They could start to witness right were they were in Jerusalem.
b. God will empower you to witness.
II. THE GOSPEL SHALL GO TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
– Romans 10:18
A. Fulfilling the Great Commission.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
– Matthew 28:19-20.
1. Every Christian should be a soul winner.
2. We are commissioned to Go with the Gospel.
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. – Romans 1:16
B. Fulfilling Bible prophecy – Mt. 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. – Matthew 24:14
1. This prophecy is being fulfilled.
2. The Gospel shall be preached in all the world.
C. Missionary work is the will of God.
1. God’s Word is going forth to a lost world.
2. I have set before thee an open door. – Rev. 3:8
a. The Philadelphia Church was one of missionary outreach.
b. God is still opening doors for the Gospel to go forth.
3. Do all you can to support the work of God.
a. Everyone can pray and pray and pray.
b. Give to the Work of God.
III. GOD WILL SEND RAIN FOR THE HARVEST
A. There is a Biblical pattern for the rain.
That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
-Deuteronomy 11:14
Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.
-Leviticus 26:4
1. The rain is a symbol of the Holy Ghost.
2. God sent the rain at appointed times.
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
– Jeremiah 5:24
B. We need the Holy Ghost rain for the harvest.
1. The rain was for the harvest.
2. Only the Holy Ghost can convict men of their sin.
C. There must be a demonstration of God’s power.
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: - I Corinthians 2:4
1. To reach the lost.
2. The world needs to see a manifestation of God’s power.
A Work of God
A WORK OF GOD
Hab. 1:5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you. (Hab 1:5)
This was to be a work of judgment upon Israel. God will judge America.
I. NOT A WORK OF MAN
A. Man can not work as God works.
B. God’s ways are far above the ways of man.
C. We need a Divine intervention.
II. GOD’S WORK IS MIGHTY
Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: (Jer 32:19)
O Lord, how great are thy works – Ps. 92:5
The works of the LORD are great – Ps. 111:2
A. Nothing is impossible with God.
B. A mighty outpouring in these last days.
C. God wants to work for us.
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. (1Sa 14:6)
III. WE MUST DO THE WORK OF GOD
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. (Joh 9:4)
A. Work the works of Him.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? (Joh 6:28)
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (Joh 6:29)
B. God must do a work in you.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Phi 2:13)
C. Move with God.
A Work of God
A WORK OF GOD
Hab. 1:5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you. (Hab 1:5)
This was to be a work of judgment upon Israel. God will judge America.
I. NOT A WORK OF MAN
A. Man can not work as God works.
B. God’s ways are far above the ways of man.
C. We need a Divine intervention.
II. GOD’S WORK IS MIGHTY
Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: (Jer 32:19)
O Lord, how great are thy works – Ps. 92:5
The works of the LORD are great – Ps. 111:2
A. Nothing is impossible with God.
B. A mighty outpouring in these last days.
C. God wants to work for us.
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few. (1Sa 14:6)
III. WE MUST DO THE WORK OF GOD
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. (Joh 9:4)
A. Work the works of Him.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? (Joh 6:28)
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (Joh 6:29)
B. God must do a work in you.
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Phi 2:13)
C. Move with God.
A Work of God - Sunday School
Adult Sunday School
May 24, 2009
A WORK OF GOD
“Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder
marvelously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.”
– Habakkuk 1:5
This was to be a work of judgment upon Israel.
God promised to work a work in that day. God has promised to work a work in our day.
I. NOT A WORK OF MAN
“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” – Zech. 4:6
A. Man can not work as God works.
1. Man can not produce what God alone
can do.
2. Talents of man can not change lives.
3. Flesh can not produce revival.
B. God’s ways are far above the ways of man.
1. He is high and lifted up. – Is. 6:1
2. Nothing is impossible with God.
3. God does not need the help of man.
C. Man must work with God.
1. Move when God moves. – Ex. 13:21
2. Led by the Holy Spirit. – Rom. 8:14
3. Do the work of God.
“ I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”
– John 9:4.
II. GOD’S WORK IS MIGHTY
“Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:” – Jer. 32:19
A. Mighty in power.
1. The worlds framed by The Word of
God. – Heb. 11:3
2. To draw the souls of men. – Acts 2:41
(3000 souls saved at one time)
3. Over all the works of hell. –
Eph. 1: 21-22, Phil 2:10
B. The works of the LORD great. – Ps. 92:5,
Ps. 111:2
1. The Great God Jehovah. (LORD)
2. Jehovah – from the verb to be, the covenant keeping name of God.
3. HE IS THE GREAT I AM.
C. Mighty in the lives of men.
1. Salvation is a work of God. – Eph.2:8,
Rom. 1:16
2. He is the potter. – Rom. Rom. 9:21
3. We must allow God to work in our
lives.
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” – Phil. 2:13
III. GOD WILL WORK IN THESE LAST DAYS
A. God works at specific times.
1. Deliverance of Israel from bondage. –
Gen. 15:13
2. Return from Babylonian captivity. –
Daniel 9:2, Jeremiah 25:11-12
3. The birth of Christ. – Gal. 4:4
4. The day of Pentecost. – Acts 2:1
B. A last day inheritance.
“To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” – I Peter 1: 4-5
1. Reserved – held in store.
2. Ready to be revealed in the last time.
3. For those who are kept by God’s power.
We need the keeping power of God in this world of sin. When the saints enter through Heaven’s gates they will no longer need the keeping power of God.
This inheritance has been reserved for an appointed time.
God will manifest His power in these last days.
C. The greatest rain is yet to come.
1. The rain is a symbol of the outpouring
of the Holy Ghost.
2. God sent the rain at the right time.
3. The greatest rain came right before
the final harvest.
A WORK OF GOD handout
Adult Sunday School
May 24, 2009
A WORK OF GOD
“Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder
marvelously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.”
– Habakkuk 1:5
This was to be a work of judgment upon Israel.
God promised to work a work in that day. God has promised to work a work in our day.
I. NOT A WORK OF MAN
“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” – Zech. 4:6
A. Man can not work as God works.
1. Man can not produce what God alone
can do.
2. Talents of man can not change lives.
3. Flesh can not produce revival.
B. God’s ways are far above the ways of man.
1. He is high and lifted up. – Is. 6:1
2. Nothing is impossible with God.
3. God does not need the help of man.
C. Man must work with God.
1. Move when God moves. – Ex. 13:21
2. Led by the Holy Spirit. – Rom. 8:14
3. Do the work of God.
“ I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”
– John 9:4.
II. GOD’S WORK IS MIGHTY
“Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:” – Jer. 32:19
A. Mighty in power.
1. The worlds framed by The Word of
God. – Heb. 11:3
2. To draw the souls of men. – Acts 2:41
(3000 souls saved at one time)
3. Over all the works of hell. –
Eph. 1: 21-22, Phil 2:10
B. The works of the LORD great. – Ps. 92:5,
Ps. 111:2
1. The Great God Jehovah. (LORD)
2. Jehovah – from the verb to be, the covenant keeping name of God.
3. HE IS THE GREAT I AM.
C. Mighty in the lives of men.
1. Salvation is a work of God. – Eph.2:8,
Rom. 1:16
2. He is the potter. – Rom. Rom. 9:21
3. We must allow God to work in our
lives.
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” – Phil. 2:13
III. GOD WILL WORK IN THESE LAST DAYS
A. God works at specific times.
1. Deliverance of Israel from bondage. –
Gen. 15:13
2. Return from Babylonian captivity. –
Daniel 9:2, Jeremiah 25:11-12
3. The birth of Christ. – Gal. 4:4
4. The day of Pentecost. – Acts 2:1
B. A last day inheritance.
“To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” – I Peter 1: 4-5
1. Reserved – held in store.
2. Ready to be revealed in the last time.
3. For those who are kept by God’s power.
We need the keeping power of God in this world of sin. When the saints enter through Heaven’s gates they will no longer need the keeping power of God.
This inheritance has been reserved for an appointed time.
God will manifest His power in these last days.
C. The greatest rain is yet to come.
1. The rain is a symbol of the outpouring
of the Holy Ghost.
2. God sent the rain at the right time.
3. The greatest rain came right before
the final harvest.
Annointing
I. OIL IS A SYMBOL OF THE HOLY GHOST
Throughout the Word of God oil is a symbol of the Holy Ghost. The anointing oil poured upon a man was a sign of the Holy Spirit being poured upon a person’s life.
A. The Old Testament kings were anointed with oil.
I Kings 19:16—And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
-
The kings were anointed with oil by the prophets of God.
-
This was a sign that they were authorized by God and set apart for His service.
B. The Old Testament prophets were anointed with oil.
-
This was a symbol of the Holy Ghost being poured out upon their lives.
-
The prophets spoke as the very mouthpiece of God.
C. The Old Testament priests were anointed with oil.
Numbers 3:3—These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office.
-
The priests were to be Holy unto the Lord.
-
This shows to us that those who do the work of the Lord must be anointed by the Holy Spirit.
II. THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST **COMING **
UPON AND FLOWING THROUGH A MAN
A. Jesus was anointed by God to preach the Gospel.
Luke 4:18,19—The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Hebrews 1:9—Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
- He loved righteousness and hated sin.
Matthew 7:29—For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
- Jesus spoke with authority. God gives authority to the preacher by the power of the Holy Ghost.
B. The Holy Ghost will flow from within like rivers of living water.
John 7: 38-39 - _He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. _
_(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) _
1. In the New Testament the anointing is used in relation to the preaching of the Gospel.
2. The anointing is the power of God to enable a man to preach with power and authority.
C. The saturating presence of God.
I John 2:20 - But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
1. The word unction literally means to smear in the original Greek language.
2. It refers to the saturating presence of God that enables a man to minister with power and authority.
III. THE ANNOINTING BREAKS THE BONDAGES OF SIN
Isaiah 10:27—And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
Isaiah 61:1—_The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; _
A. The anointing destroys the yoke of bondage.
1. The anointing will bring deliverance to the captives.
2. The anointing of the Holy Ghost will set the sinners free from satan’s power.
B. The Holy Ghost brings conviction of sin.
John 16:8—And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
-
The Holy Ghost will convince men of their sin and draw them to the cross.
-
Anointed preaching will produce conviction of sin.
-
Only the Holy Ghost can cause men to be aware of their sin and bring them to God.
C. The Holy Ghost can break the power of sin while the preacher is preaching.
1. Preaching alone can not break the power of sin.
2. The Holy Ghost anointing will break the power of sin in the lives of the people.
3. The anointing is more than the power of God to help the preacher it is the power of God to help the congregation.
Attend to the Altar
And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. (Gen 8:20)
Gen 12:7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
Gen 12:8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
Gen 12:10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
Gen 13:1 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
Gen 13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
Gen 13:3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
Gen 13:4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
Gen 33:20 And he erected there an altar, and called it Elelohe-Israel. (God, the God of Israel; that is, he called the altar the altar of God)
Gen 35:1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.
Gen 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
Gen 35:3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: (Exo 17:15)
And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy. (Exo 40:10)
Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom (the Lord is peace): unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. (Jdg 6:24)
Heb 7:13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Heb 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. (Ezr 3:2)
Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. (Psa 43:4)
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Beware of False Doctrine
BEWARE OF FALSE DOCTRINE
Matthew 16: 6-12
Leaven – What we refer to as yeast today. Causes bread to rise. Leaven represents influence. Jesus said in Mt. 13:33 The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto leaven. In that passage it is a good influence.
Christians need to beware of the subtle and destructive influence of false doctrine.
I. RELIGIOUS LEADERS SPREAD THE LEAVEN
(Scribes and Pharisees)
A. Respected leaders of the day
B.
Bread in the Wilderness
BREAD IN THE WILDERNESS
Mark 8:1-9 “From whence can a man satisfy these men with BREAD
here IN THE WILDERNESS?
God can meet your need in the wilderness experience. There is hope in a seemingly hopeless situation. Man’s problems are God’s opportunity.
I. THE WILDERNESS APPEARS EMPTY
** **Ex. 16:1-15
A. A desolate place
1. A Lonely place
2. Barren and dry
B. No visible source of food
1. The disciples saw no way to feed the multitude
2. The Israelites saw no food in the wilderness
3. No food in the widow’s house
C. No natural means of survival
1. Israel against the Red Sea
2. The battles of Israel
3. The three Hebrew children
4. Daniel in the lions den
D. God’s opportunity to come on the seen
1. When men run out of options
2. Men on their back will look up
II. THE WILDERNESS IS A PLACE OF TESTING
A. God allows us to go through the wilderness
1. To strengthen us
2. To prepare us for the work ahead
a. Moses on the backside of the desert
b. David tending sheep
c. John the Baptist was in the wilderness
3. The trying of our faith worketh patience James 1:2-4
B. God will test His servants
1. Abraham was put to the ultimate test
2. Daniel was tested with the King’s meat
3. Peter was tested by the maid
C. More precious than gold
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1Pe 1:7)
D. Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted – Mt.4:1
1. Tempted in all points without sin
2. The Holy Spirit will lead you to the place
of testing
III. THE WILDERNESS IS A PLACE OF DIVINE INTERVENTION
** **A. Jesus multiplied the loaves of bread
1. There is bread in the wilderness
2. Little becomes much in The Master’s hands
B. Manna supplied in the wilderness
1. Hidden manna to the overcomer
2. Fell upon the Dew
3. Gather enough for the whole day
C. God will meet you in the wilderness
“And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.” (Exo 16:10)
D. Jesus is the Bread of Life – Jn. 8:58
1. In Him is Life
2. He came to give Life – Jn. 10:10
3. The Law of The Spirit is Life – Rom. 8:2
E. God will not leave you in the wilderness
1. He will never leave us
2. He will lead us through
Bread in the Wilderness
BREAD IN THE WILDERNESS
Mark 8:1-9 “From whence can a man satisfy these men with BREAD
here IN THE WILDERNESS?
God can meet your need in the wilderness experience. There is hope in a seemingly hopeless situation. Man’s problems are God’s opportunity.
I. THE WILDERNESS APPEARS EMPTY
Ex. 16:1-15
A. A desolate place
1. A Lonely place
2. Barren and dry
B. No visible source of food
1. The disciples saw no way to feed the multitude
2. The Israelites saw no food in the wilderness
3. No food in the widow’s house
C. No natural means of survival
1. Israel against the Red Sea
2. The battles of Israel
3. The three Hebrew children
4. Daniel in the lions den
D. God’s opportunity to come on the seen
1. When men run out of options
2. Men on their back will look up
II. THE WILDERNESS IS A PLACE OF TESTING
A. God allows us to go through the wilderness
1. To strengthen us
2. To prepare us for the work ahead
a. Moses on the backside of the desert
b. David tending sheep
c. John the Baptist was in the wilderness
3. The trying of our faith worketh patience James 1:2-4
B. God will test His servants
1. Abraham was put to the ultimate test
2. Daniel was tested with the King’s meat
3. Peter was tested by the maid
C. More precious than gold
“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1Pe 1:7)
D. Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted – Mt.4:1
1. Tempted in all points without sin
2. The Holy Spirit will lead you to the place
of testing
III. THE WILDERNESS IS A PLACE OF DIVINE INTERVENTION
A. Jesus multiplied the loaves of bread
1. There is bread in the wilderness
2. Little becomes much in The Master’s hands
B. Manna supplied in the wilderness
2. Fell upon the Dew
3. Gather enough for the whole day
C. God will meet you in the wilderness
“And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.” (Exo 16:10)
D. Jesus is the Bread of Life – Jn. 8:58
1. In Him is Life
2. He came to give Life – Jn. 10:10
3. The Law of The Spirit is Life – Rom. 8:2
E. God will not leave you in the wilderness
1. He will never leave us
2. He will lead us through
CRUMBLING FOUNDATIONS
CRUMBLING FOUNDATIONS
“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psa 11:3)
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2Ti 2:19)
The devil is attacking the foundations of THE CHURCH. Jesus is the CORNERSTONE of HIS CHURCH. HE will never be destroyed.
The sleeping church has allowed the devil to rob the very foundations of
the faith.
I. THE ATTACK OF HELL UPON THE FOUNDATIONS
** **A. Modern perversions of THE WORD
1. Power loss
2. No conviction
3. No foundation for faith – Rom. 10:17
B. The Trinity
1. Oneness is false doctrine
2. Many are being deceived
C. Creation
1. Under attack in government schools
2. A basic foundation of faith
3. Evolution is being promoted
D. Holiness
1. Worldliness has crept in
2. Separation no longer the standard
II. THE SLEEPING CHURCH IS SINKING
** **A. Loss of Power and Anointing
B. Form and ritual
1. Entertainment and fun
2. Excitement and emotion
C. A rise of false doctrine
1. Prosperity gospel
2. Eternal security
3. Acceptance of Catholics
D. False prophets
III. RESTORATION IS NEEDED
A. Return to the Old Paths
B. Doers of the WORD
1. Sand will sink
2. Compromise will bring defeat
C. A Sure Word of Prophecy
1. KJV
2. The Spirit will agree with THE WORD
D. Stand against the false
E. Creation is a necessary foundation
1. God spoke the universe into existence
2. Paul preached the Creator God – Acts 17:22-24
Crumbling Foundations
CRUMBLING FOUNDATIONS
“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psa 11:3)
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2Ti 2:19)
The devil is attacking the foundations of THE CHURCH. Jesus is the CORNERSTONE of HIS CHURCH. HE will never be destroyed.
The sleeping church has allowed the devil to rob the very foundations of
the faith.
I. THE ATTACK OF HELL UPON THE FOUNDATIONS
A. Modern perversions of THE WORD
1. Power loss
2. No conviction
3. No foundation for faith – Rom. 10:17
B. The Trinity
1. Oneness is false doctrine
2. Many are being deceived
C. Creation
1. Under attack in government schools
2. A basic foundation of faith
3. Evolution is being promoted
D. Holiness
1. Worldliness has crept in
2. Separation no longer the standard
II. THE SLEEPING CHURCH IS SINKING
A. Loss of Power and Anointing
B. Form and ritual
1. Entertainment and fun
2. Excitement and emotion
C. A rise of false doctrine
1. Prosperity gospel
2. Eternal security
3. Acceptance of Catholics
D. False prophets
III. RESTORATION IS NEEDED
A. Return to the Old Paths
B. Doers of the WORD
1. Sand will sink
2. Compromise will bring defeat
C. A Sure Word of Prophecy
1. KJV
2. The Spirit will agree with THE WORD
D. Stand against the false
E. Creation is a necessary foundation
1. God spoke the universe into existence
2. Paul preached the Creator God – Acts 17:22-24
Death of the Old Man
A CALL TO VICTORY Rom. 12:1-2
-
DEATH OF THE OLD MAN
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice”- Altar
- Instrument of death
- Present ourselves
- An act of the will
- Not forced by God
- Not bound with cords
- Crucified with Christ – Rom. 6:6 3. Body of sin destroyed. 4. Not servants of sin. 4. Don’t allow sin to reign – Rom. 6:12 5. Make not provision for the flesh – Rom. 13:14
- Freed from sin – Rom. 6:7 5. From the law of sin – Rom. 8:1-4 6. Destruction 7. Pulls away from God 8. A weight – Heb. 12:1 6. By the law of the Spirit 9. Life 10. Draws towards God 11. Unburdened 12. A greater law
- Altar
Death of the Old Man
A CALL TO VICTORY
Rom. 12:1-2
- DEATH OF THE OLD MAN
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice”
- Altar
- Instrument of death
- Present ourselves
- An act of the will
- Not forced by God
- Not bound with cords
- Crucified with Christ – Rom. 6:6
- Body of sin destroyed.
- Not servants of sin.
- Don’t allow sin to reign – Rom. 6:12
- Make not provision for the flesh – Rom. 13:14
- Freed from sin – Rom. 6:7
- From the law of sin – Rom. 8:1-4
- Destruction
- Pulls away from God
- A weight – Heb. 12:1
- By the law of the Spirit
- Life
- Draws towards God
- Unburdened
- A greater law
Do Not Touch My Idol
DON’T TOUCH MY IDOL
Gen. 31:26-34
Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: (Gen 35:2)
And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. (Gen 35:3)
And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. (Gen 35:4)
An idol is anything that comes between you and God. It doesn’t have to be a golden calf set up in the backyard. God is not pleased with the secret idol’s of the heart.
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. (Jos 7:1)
And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: (Jos 7:20)
When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. (Jos 7:21)
I. MODERN DAY IDOLATRY
A. Anything that hinders your worship of God.
1. Keep people from church
2. Comes before prayer
3. Hinders Bible reading
B. That which robs precious time
1. TV is a major time waster
2. Internet can be a time waster
C. Weights we don’t want to let go of
1. That have been with you a long time
2. Comfort to the flesh
D. The subtleness of the devil
1. Attacking the children
a. Toys
b. Games
c. Music
2. Music
a. Christian music
b. Excites the passions of the flesh
II. THE APPEAL TO THE CARNAL MIND
A. Against God
1. The enemy of God
2. Can not receive from God
B. Excuses of the mind
1. Not convicted
2. There is nothing wrong with it
3. Everyone else does it
4. We go to witness
C. The flesh is against God
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Gal 5:17)
III. GOD NEVER HONOURS IDOLATRY
A. There is a warning
1. God raised up the prophets
2. Cry aloud spare not
B. Idolatry is sin
1. People keep pet sins
2. Secret sins
C. Robs of the blessing of God
1. God can’t bless idolatry
2. Sin always separates from God
Don't Touch My Idol
DON’T TOUCH MY IDOL
Gen. 31:26-34
Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: (Gen 35:2)
And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. (Gen 35:3)
And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. (Gen 35:4)
An idol is anything that comes between you and God. It doesn’t have to be a golden calf set up in the backyard. God is not pleased with the secret idol’s of the heart.
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. (Jos 7:1)
And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: (Jos 7:20)
When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. (Jos 7:21)
I. MODERN DAY IDOLATRY
A. Anything that hinders your worship of God.
1. Keep people from church
2. Comes before prayer
3. Hinders Bible reading
B. That which robs precious time
1. TV is a major time waster
2. Internet can be a time waster
C. Weights we don’t want to let go of
1. That have been with you a long time
2. Comfort to the flesh
D. The subtleness of the devil
1. Attacking the children
a. Toys
b. Games
c. Music
2. Music
a. Christian music
b. Excites the passions of the flesh
II. THE APPEAL TO THE CARNAL MIND
A. Against God
1. The enemy of God
2. Can not receive from God
B. Excuses of the mind
1. Not convicted
2. There is nothing wrong with it
3. Everyone else does it
4. We go to witness
C. The flesh is against God
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Gal 5:17)
III. GOD NEVER HONOURS IDOLATRY
** **A. There is a warning
1. God raised up the prophets
2. Cry aloud spare not
B. Idolatry is sin
1. People keep pet sins
2. Secret sins
C. Robs of the blessing of God
1. God can’t bless idolatry
2. Sin always separates from God
First Partaker of the Fruit
2 Timothy 2:6—The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
- Ingestion of the Delicious Word of Truth
Haste when eating gives a sense of dissatisfaction or dislike for what is offered. It says, “Let’s just get this over with so we can get to the good stuff.”
As we invite other to taste and see of God’s good Word, we must partake ourselves so that its delicious and palatable taste is evident by our own demeanor. As we share, we partake. Our sincere ingestion of delectable truth will excite us and attract others to partake. When you sit and eat a delicious homemade apple pie, you freely give your complements to the baker, smile with delight and heartily anticipate each bite. This unforced and natural behavior causes a reaction in others hesitant to eat, “I want some of he is having!”
The hearer needs to be convinced of the sincerity of the speaker’s announcement of the scrumptious meal offered. Because of the sweetness and richness of truth, the speaker needs only to heartily enjoy each bite as the Lord gives it to him and he offers more of the same to the hearers.
- Digestion of the Wholesome Word of Truth
Haste when eating causes muscle cramps and limits proper digestion.
The hearer needs adequate time to digest the rich and wholesome truth of God’s Word. Careful uses of pause and slowing down the speaker’s pace, when done right, is like spoon feeding a baby. This gives the hearer time to digest and reflect upon what is said. If done right, the hearer will taste the scrumptious truth, begin to feel its effect and influence working inside, and hungrily anticipate more. The meat of God’s word is a hearty meal and cannot be swallowed in a gulp, but each bite should be given time to settle and before another is forced upon the hearer’s lips.
Following God's Will
FOLLOWING GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE
“THE ABSOLUTE NECESSITY OF FOLLOWING THE WILL OF GOD FOR YOUR LIFE”
“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mat 4:19)
I. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE
A. A plan for the disciples
B. Each has a particular calling
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” (2Pe 1:10)
C. You are important to God
1. Let no man despise thy youth
2. God uses ordinary people
II. IT IS ESSNTIAL TO KNOW GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE
A. The disciples were taught by Jesus
1. Sat under His ministry
2. Watched the example of Christ
B. Training is a good place to start
1. All can benefit from a Christian education
2. All can benefit from Bible School training
3. The disciples had to go through a training period
C. God will unfold His plan to you
1. The disciples did not fully receive God’s plan all at once
2. One step at a time
3. The need to hear God’s voice
III. FOLLOW GOD’S PLAN
A. The disciples eventually followed God’s plan
1. Tarried until endued with power
2. Became fishers of men
B. Not your will
C. There is peace in the center of God’s will
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Col 3:15)
D. It is dangerous to get out of God’s will
1. Pilgrim’s Progress
a. Vanity fair
b. Doubting castle
c. The lions are chained
2. Will bring you to destruction
a. You will suffer outside of God’s will
b. Hell is an eternal reality
Following God's Will Sunday School
FOLLOWING GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE
“THE ABSOLUTE NECESSITY OF FOLLOWING THE WILL OF GOD FOR YOUR LIFE”
I. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE
A. God had a plan for the disciples.
“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Mt. 4:19
1. They had to follow Jesus.
2. Jesus made them what they were not.
B. Each one has a particular calling.
“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” – II Pet. 1:10
1. Don’t lay aside the call of God.
2. Be sure of what God has called you to do.
C. You are important to God.
1. Let no man despise thy youth.
2. God uses ordinary people.
II. IT IS ESSNTIAL TO KNOW GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE
A. The disciples were taught by Jesus.
1. They sat under His ministry for 3 ½ years.
2. They watched the example of Christ.
B. Training is a good place to start
1. All can benefit from a Christian education.
2. All can benefit from Bible School training.
3. All can benefit from a good Sunday School program.
4. The disciples had to go through a training period.
5. Elijah went through a training period.
C. God will unfold His plan to you.
1. The disciples did not fully receive God’s plan all at once.
2. God will lead you one step at a time.
3. You need to be able to hear God’s voice.
III. FOLLOW GOD’S PLAN
A. The disciples eventually followed God’s plan.
1. They tarried until they were endued with Holy Ghost power.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
-Acts 1:8
2. They became fishers of men.
B. You can not follow your will.
1. The will of God can be difficult.
“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” -Luke 22:42
2. The will of man does not produce results.
“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”-John 5:30
C. There is peace in the center of God’s will.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” – Col. 3:15
D. It is dangerous to get out of God’s will
1. Getting out of God’s will bring you to destruction.
2. You will suffer outside of God’s will.
John Bunyan illustrated the importance of staying in God’s will in Pilgrim’s Progress.
Christian left the straight path for an easier way. He ended up a prisoner in Doubting Castle. Christian found that the lions could do him no harm on the Kings way, for they were chained.
Following Jesus
“Following Jesus”
Text: Matthew 4:19; John 21:18,19
Matthew 4:19—And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
John 21:18,19–Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
THOUGHT: Christ has made us a promise, “I will make you fishers of men” and that promise was given with a condition, “If we follow.”
INTRODUCTION
There are no quick fixes in the work of God, but long term processes instead. People can get emotionally stirred and even get caught up in the ‘spirit of the moment’, but successful soul winning requires a season of sowing, followed by the labor of reaping.
We can enter into His promise of successful soul winning only as we follow Christ thereby 1)Knowing His Word, 2)Receiving his power, and 3)maintaining our faith and confidence steadfastly in Him. This is true because following Jesus results in becoming like Jesus.
- PROMISE: Made a Successful Soul Winner.
- CONDITION: Follow Me.
- Know His Word
- Receive His Power
- Trust His Word
- He Reveals his Promise through His Word
Christ travelled throughout Galilee (Matt. 4:23) and Palestine not only healing, but preaching and teaching. Christ’s disciples, in following their master, were enlightened to the truths of the kingdom of Heaven and God’s will. They were given:
- A Will to Submit To – CHRIST’S WILL
- A Law to Obey – CHRIST’S LAW
- A Promise to Have Faith For – CHRIST’S PROMISE
- He Relays his Promise with Power
Mt 4:23 ¶ And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Lu 9:1 ¶ Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
Lu 10:1 ¶ After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
- All the tools a ‘fisher of men’ will need to be successful are obtained from Christ. He not only gives us his will, but he give us His power!
- This power was demonstrated by Christ in his healing all manner of sickeness and diseases.
- This power was delivered to the disciples in Christ’s sending them forth. His commission to them was with both authority and power.
- He Relates his Promise with Faith.
In our text, John 21:18,19, Christ gives a startling prophecy to Peter: When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
- Deny Reliance on Self
- The moral of this prophecy is that Peter was not to rely on his own strength, but was to rely on Christ.
We could loosely restate Christ’s message to Peter as follows, “Peter, You are young and strong now, but later it is not going to be so. You cannot place your confidence in your own strength because, as a matter of fact, it is going to fail you. Follow me, Peter, and I will make you and teach you to be strong when you are weak.”
- Look forward and to the end results of reliance on self: It is fool hearty!
…when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
- Place Hope in Christ
- We place our hope in a strength that will NEVER lessen when our hope is in Christ and our confidence is in His Word.
- Maintain Confidence in God’s Word.
- Faith in God’s Word is absolutely necessary and the key to successful soul winning.
- It is not enough just to know His Word, but we must trust in His Word.
- Keep an eye on His Word. It may seem delayed, but God is working.
- Remain steadfast in the assurance that His word will not return void.
Isaiah 55:11—So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
- We need to have a strong desire to fulfill His Word. God’s will must become our passion and singular goal.
CONCLUSION
He has promised to make those that follow Him effective witnesses. That is, witnesses with a real experience. This experience you will never forget and will win others.
- Gold, Linen, Fine Flour, beautiful, attractive.
For We Wrestle
FOR WE WRESTLE
Eph. 6:11-13
EVERY SAINT OF GOD IS IN A BATTLE. You stepped on the battlefield, when you knelt at Calvary.
I. RECOGNIZE THE SOURCE OF THE CONFLICT
A. We wrestle not against flesh and blood
1. Demons can be stirred up in people.
2. People’s actions can be influenced by spiritual bondage.
a. Personality traits
b. Strong temptations or desires
c. Demons can set people against men of God
3. Paul fought the messenger of satan
B. Many carry bondages of their youth
1. Sin in the home
a. Learned from parents
b. Doors opened very young
2. Abuse can cause:
a. Roots of bitterness
b. Hurts and scars
3. Some are not receiving full deliverance
a. A hindrance to full victory
b. Sin must be dealt with
c. Some unknowingly are giving place to bondages
C. Sickness can be a spiritual attack
1. Jesus spoke to the spirits
a. Deaf and dumb spirit – Mark 9:25
b. The fever of Peter’s mother – Luke 4:38-39
2. God may allow you to be tested
a. To work something out of us
b. Get our attention
3. Caused by an open door
a. Bitterness
b. Unforgiveness
II. REALIZE THE SOURCE OF OUR VICTORY
A. Jesus is the victor
1. Every knee shall bow – Phil. 2: 10-11
2. Power in the Blood
3. Satan has been defeated
B. We have been given weapons to fight
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (2Co 10:3)
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds ;) (2Co 10:4)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2Co 10:5)
1. Take the whole armor of God
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Eph 6:11)
2. Prayer is a weapon
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Eph 6:18)
C. The power of the Word
1. Speak the Word in faith
2. The Word is a Sword
D. The Necessity of being Holy Spirit filled
1. Power to live right
2. Recognize the source of conflict
III. UNDERSTAND THE REMEDY
A. Sin must be dealt with
1. Repentance is required
2. Cleansed by the blood
B. A Scriptural cure
1. Confession is part of God’s plan – James 5:14-16
2. Obedience to the Word
C. Close every door
1. Clean house
2. Yield to conviction
D. Strengthen the inner man
1. Lay aside the world
2. Prayer and the Word
3. Attend Church
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (2Ti 4:7)
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH
LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE – I Tim. 6:12
For We Wrestle Sunday School
September 27, 2009
FOR WE WRESTLE
Eph. 6:11-13
EVERY SAINT OF GOD IS IN A BATTLE. You stepped on the battlefield, when you knelt at Calvary.
I. RECOGNIZE THE SOURCE OF THE CONFLICT
A. We wrestle not against flesh and blood
1. Demons can be stirred up in people.
2. People’s actions can be influenced by spiritual bondage.
a. Personality traits
b. Strong temptations or desires
c. Demons can set people against men of God
3. Paul fought the messenger of satan
B. Many carry bondages of their youth
1. Sin in the home
a. Learned from parents
b. Doors opened very young
2. Abuse can cause:
a. Roots of bitterness
b. Hurts and scars
3. Some are not receiving full deliverance
C. Sickness can be a spiritual attack
1. Jesus spoke to the spirits
a. Deaf and dumb spirit –
Mark 9:25
b. The fever of Peter’s mother – Luke 4:38-39
2. God may allow you to be tested
a. To work something out of us
b. Get our attention
3. Caused by an open door
a. Bitterness
b. Unforgiveness
II. REALIZE THE SOURCE OF OUR VICTORY
A. Jesus is the victor
1. Every knee shall bow – Phil. 2: 10-11
2. Power in the Blood
3. Satan has been defeated
B. We have been given weapons to fight
- II Cor. 10:3-5
1. Take the whole armor of God –
Eph. 6:1
2. Prayer is a weapon – Eph. 6:18
C. The power of the Word
1. Speak the Word in faith
2. The Word is a Sword
D. The Necessity of being Holy Spirit filled
1. Power to live right
2. Recognize the source of conflict
III. UNDERSTAND THE REMEDY
A. Sin must be dealt with
1. Repentance is required
2. Cleansed by the blood
B. A Scriptural cure
1. Confession is part of God’s plan – James 5:14-16
2. Obedience to the Word
C. Close every door
1. Clean house
2. Yield to conviction
D. Strengthen the inner man
1. Lay aside the world
2. Prayer and the Word
3. Attend Church
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (2Ti 4:7)
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH
LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE – I Tim. 6:12
Give Me This Water
GIVE ME THIS WATER
John 4:7-30, 39-42
The Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans. This was a providential meeting. Jesus reached out to this lowly woman
The water of this life does not satisfy, only living water will quench the spiritual need and empower the saints of God.
I. NATURAL WATER CAN NOT QUENCH SPIRITUAL THIRST
A. Natural water is only temporary
1. “This” water is not natural
2. The woman wanted lasting physical water
B. Religion will not satisfy
1. The Samaritans were religious
2. A form of Godliness
C. Man must see his need
1. All have sinned - Rom. 3:23
2. See beyond the physical realm
II. WE NEED LIVING WATER
A. Go to the source
1. Ask of Me
“If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink”
2. The Holy Spirit - HOLY
3. Recognize who Jesus is
a. Sir, you have nothing to draw with
b. Thou art a prophet
B. Shall flow rivers of living water – John 7: 37-39
1. He that believeth on Me
2. As the Scripture hath said
C. Without mixture
1. Poison will produce death
2. There is a counterfeit
D. We need a revival
III. THIS WATER PRODUCES LIFE
A. Power to witness – Acts 1:8
B. The salvation of souls
“Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” (Isa 12:3)
1. Drawn by the power of God
2. Born of The Spirit
C. Be filled with the Spirit – Eph. 5:18
1. A river of life flowing from within
2. A manifestation of God’s power
D. In Him is life – John 1:4
1. The Life of Jesus
2. His life will produce life in us
3. Life from death
E. To overcome sin
Giving, Regardless of Recognition
Giving, Regardless of Recognition
Mt 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
I. Do not give to be seen
A. Do not give for men to see
B. Do not give for your own gratitude
C. Do not give so God can see
Matthew 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?
Simply give, and God will see
II. Give from your heart
Giving should be such a part of our nature that we do it without thinking about it
A. Give for the need
1. People have physical needs
2. People have spiritual needs
Through helping their spiritual needs, they will see the life of Christ in us
B. Give out of love
1. For man
2. For God
Do not count over what has been given, rather go on to give more. —Spurgeon
God Will Keep His Promise Concerning the Last Days
GOD WILL KEEP HIS PROMISE CONCERNING THE LAST DAYS
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
-Habakkuk 2:2-3
I GOD HAS AN APPOINTED TIME
A. The vision is yet for an appointed time.
B. At the end it shall speak
C. Daniel’s vision sealed until the time of the end
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
-Daniel 12:4
And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
-Daniel 12:9
D. In the evening time
1. It shall be made light.
But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.
-Zechariah 14:7
2. Elijah prayed down the fire at the time of the evening sacrifice.
And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. – I Kings 18:36
E. To reveal the full inheritance. – I Peter 1: 3-5
F. An outpouring of the Holy Spirit. – Acts 2
II. THOUGH IT TARRY
Tarry - To stay in expectation; to wait.
A. God knows the condition of the church.
1. Lukewarm and dead.
2. Filled with the world.
B. There have been waves of glory.
C. There is a dry season before the final rain of the harvest.
1. The rain came in due season.
2. The fruit needs the rain to ripen.
3. There will be a harvest of souls.
III. WAIT FOR IT
A. Wait for the promise of revival.
1. Tarry in prayer.
2. Anticipate a move of God.
B. Pray specifically for a move of God.
1. According to the Word.
2. Azusa came through specific prayer.
3. O Lord Revive thy work – Hab. 3:2
C. God’s Word will come to pass.
1. Receive by faith.
2. It will surely come.
Heavenly Faith is Received in Heavenly Places
HEAVENLY FAITH IS RECEIVED IN HEAVENLY PLACES
Eph. 2:1-7
The natural mind does not receive from God. An earthly plane can not produce Heavenly faith. Flesh promotes flesh. Carnal thinking will result in doubt and unbelief.
I. MAN CAN NOT RECEIVE FROM GOD IN AN EARTHLY
PLANE
A. Sin separates from God
1. God does not bless sin
2. Sin brings death
B. Fear is the opposite of faith
1. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin – Rom. 14:23
2. Fear does not reach out in faith
3. The carnal mind produces fear
a. Vain imaginations
b. Fear produces unbelief
4. Fear is not of God
C. Unbelief can not receive from God
1. God has bound Himself to His Word
2. God requires faith – Heb. 11: 6
D. Man must reach into Heaven to receive from God
II. THE SAINT IS CALLED TO HEAVENLY PLACES
A. Above the beggarly elements of the world
1. Cast aside the beggars coat
2. Free from the law of sin
B. Above the kingdom of darkness – Eph. 1: 20-23
1. Far above ALL PRINCIPALITY
2. Every knee shall bow to the authority of Jesus
3. The devil has been defeated
C. Set our affection on things above
1. This world is temporary
2. Lay up treasure in heaven
D. In Christ Jesus
1. Fellowship with Jesus
2. Receiving the nature of Christ – II Peter 1:4
E. Jesus is the Author of our Faith – Heb. 11:2
1. Let this mind be in you – Phil. 2:5
2. The living Word produces a living faith
F. Pray through to the Heavenly realm
1. Sin must be dealt with
2. Receive God’s faith
III. THE RESULTS OF HEAVENLY FAITH
A. Receive from God
1. The blessing of God
2. Touch God for others
B. A Heavenly vision
1. See as God sees
2. Looks beyond current circumstances
C. Placed into the Full Inheritance
1. Reserved for the end-time – I Peter 1:4
a. In the ages to come – Eph. 2:7
b. Time is running out
2. Only SONS will be placed
D. Walk with God – Heb. 11:5
1. A need to understand God’s plan
2. Translation will require heavenly faith
E. Manifest the Life of Jesus
1. Walk in the Power of Jesus
2. Produces Heavenly results
His Watchmen are Blind
His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. (Isa 56:10)
Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. (Isa 56:11)
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. (Jer 6:16)
Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. (Jer 6:17)
Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. (Jer 6:18)
Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it. (Jer 6:19)
Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. (Isa 58:1)
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2Ti 4:1)
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2Ti 4:2)
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; (2Ti 4:3)
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2Ti 4:4)
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2Ti 4:5)
Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. (Eze 16:49)
And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; (2Pe 2:6)
A MODERN DAY SODOM AND GOMORRAH
And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. (Luk 17:26)
They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. (Luk 17:27)
Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; (Luk 17:28)
But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. (Luk 17:29)
Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (Luk 17:30)
PRIDE - UNTOUCHABLE
FULNESS OF BREAD – WEALTH PROSPERITY
ABUNDANCE OF IDLENESS – LOVERS OF PLEASURES
GREEDY, SELFISH, NOT CARING FOR OTHERS
Like sin will bring like judgement
America will be judged!
Hope for the Hopeless - Bartimaeus
HOPE FOR THE HOPELESS
Mark 10:46-52
I. A HOPELESS CONDITION
A. Bartimaeus could not help himself.
1. He had no means of support.
2. He had no future.
blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
3. He was a helpless beggar.
B. Sin will blind you and leave you hopeless.
1. Timaeus means unclean. Son of the unclean.
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. II Corinthians 4:4
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?
Galatians 4:9
C. The church is blind to its current condition.
1. Many are blinded by false doctrine.
2. Totally unaware of their blindness.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Revelation 3:17
II. THERE IS HOPE IN JESUS
And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. Mark 10:47
A. Bartimaeus had heard about Jesus.
1. He recognized that Jesus was the Messiah.
2. He cried out to Jesus.
B. The master called for Him.
1. The Lord heard his cry.
2. The master is calling for you.
C. Faith in action
1. He cast aside his beggar’s coat. - He would need to beg no more.
2. He arose – He responded to the call.
3. What is your beggar’s coat?
And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. - Mark 10:50
III. THE HOPELESS WAS HELPED
And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. - Mark 10:52
A. Jesus spoke the Word.
1. There is power in the Word. – Rom. 1:16
2. There is life in the Word.
3. There is healing in the Word.
B. Thy faith hath made thee whole.
C. He received his sight.
And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
MARK 10:46-52
And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.
And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.
And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.
It's Not Over Until It's Over
It’s Not Over Until It’s Over
Or the Prevailing Church
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18
- Times May Look Dark But He Is Still In Control
- Now is the time to trust God
- Now is the time to pray like never before
“…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” – Daniel 11:32
- Now is Not the Time to Give Up or Give In
“…Occupy till I come.” - Luke 19:13
- God still has a plan
- God still has a work for his people to do
- God is still working today
- God’s promises are still the same
- Prayer can still change things
- Holiness is still right!
- He Has Promised That The Gates of Hell Will Not Prevail Against the True Church
- The Gates of Hell shall not prevail against the True Church
Throughout history there has always been a faithful remnant of the Church.
- Not all Christians are part of the True Church
The book of Revelation gives two stark contrasts – the Philadelphia Church and the Laodicean Church
The Laodicean Church – the backslidden worldly church
The Philadelphia Church – the remnant church that has and will keep the word of His patience
- The Gates of Hell has already prevailed against the The Laodicean Church
The Lukewarm Church (The Laodicean Church) will go into the Tribulation. Many Christians are going the way of Laodicean lukewarmness and compromise and thus will be left here during the Tribulation.
“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” – Revelation 3:16
Spewed out into the Tribulation hour
- The Gates of Hell will not prevail against the Remnant Church (The Philadelphia Church)
The Remnant Church (The Philadelphia Church) will escape the Tribulation.
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” – Revelation 3:10
The hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world – the Tribulation
–– It’s Time to Press In ––
Only One Life So Soon Will Pass and Only What’s Done for Christ Will Last!
Jesus is the Source of Life
JESUS IS THE SOURCE OF LIFE
John 1:4
Christians are sustained by the life of Christ. The fullness of what God has for His people comes from experiencing the fullness of the Life of Christ.
I. SINNERS DO NOT KNOW LIFE
A. Dead in their sins
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Eph 2:1)
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Eph 2:5)
B. Death is a separation
1. Sinners are separated from God
2. Adam expelled because of sin
C. Sinners can not experience true life
1. They are only existing
2. No peace for the wicked
3. No joy
II. THE CHRISTIAN IS SUSTAINED BY THE LIFE OF CHRIST
A. Dead to sin
1. No longer dead in sin
2. Alive unto God
“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 6:11)
“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.” (1Pe 2:24)
B. Christ liveth in me
“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.” (Gal 2:20)
2. This life is in His Son – I John 5:11
C. Jesus is the source of all we need
1. Natural needs
2. Strength in the storm
3. The abundant life – John 10:10
III. WE NEED TO EXPERIENCE MORE OF THE LIFE OF CHRIST.
A. The Life of Jesus Made manifest
“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (2Co 4:10)
For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” (2Co 4:11)
1. The victorious life
2. Life of power
a. Healing
b. Deliverance
B. Partakers of The Divine Nature
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (2Pe 1:3)
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2Pe 1:4)
1. The life of Christ in us
2. The fullness of Christ
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Eph 4:11)
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Eph 4:12)
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Eph 4:13)
C. A victorious life
1. Through Jesus
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Rom 8:37)
2. Victory is a gift
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - I Corinthians 15:57
Jesus is the Source of Life Sunday School
JESUS IS THE SOURCE OF LIFE
John 1:4
Christians are sustained by the life of Christ. The fullness of what God has for His people comes from experiencing the fullness of the Life of Christ.
I. SINNERS DO NOT KNOW LIFE
A. Dead in their sins
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Eph 2:1)
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (Eph 2:5)
B. Death is a separation
1. Sinners are separated from God
2. Adam expelled because of sin
C. Sinners can not experience true life
1. They are only existing
2. No peace for the wicked
3. No joy
II. THE CHRISTIAN IS SUSTAINED BY THE LIFE OF CHRIST
A. Dead to sin
1. No longer dead in sin
2. Alive unto God
“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 6:11)
“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.” (1Pe 2:24)
B. Christ liveth in me
“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.” (Gal 2:20)
2. This life is in His Son – I John 5:11
C. Jesus is the source of all we need
1. Natural needs
2. Strength in the storm
3. The abundant life – John 10:10
III. WE NEED TO EXPERIENCE MORE OF THE LIFE OF CHRIST.
A. The Life of Jesus Made manifest
“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (2Co 4:10)
For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” (2Co 4:11)
1. The victorious life
2. Life of power
a. Healing
b. Deliverance
B. Partakers of The Divine Nature
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (2Pe 1:3)
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2Pe 1:4)
1. The life of Christ in us
2. The fullness of Christ
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Eph 4:11)
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Eph 4:12)
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Eph 4:13)
C. A victorious life
1. Through Jesus
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Rom 8:37)
2. Victory is a gift
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - I Corinthians 15:57
Jesus the Messiah
JESUS THE MESSIAH
What is meant by the term: incarnation?
The term refers to Christ becoming flesh.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
-John 1:14
Compare with John 1:1
I. THE MESSIAH WOULD COME ACCORDING TO PROPHESY.
A. The Old Testament is filled with prophesies telling of the coming of the Messiah.
In the very beginning God promised the seed of the woman would bruise the serpents head. – Gen.3:15
1. It was always the plan of God for Christ to come to ransom fallen man. – Rev. 13:8
2. The Old Testament points to Christ.
Christ is portrayed in type throughout the OT. Christ is seen in the Tabernacle and in the sacrifices.
B. Jesus fulfilled all of the Messianic prophecies.
JESUS IS THE ONLY ONE IN ALL OF HISTORY WHO HAS FULFILLED ALL OF THE MESSIANIC PROPHECIES!
1. The prophecies are precise.
The prophecies are so exact the odds of one man fulfilling all of them are astronomical. He would have to come from the tribe of Judah, be a descendant of David, and be born in Bethlehem. Just these three prophecies alone narrow the fulfillment of who the Messiah would be.
2. Jesus is the only one who could be the Messiah.
Daniel 7:25,26 The calculation of these dates pinpoint the birth of Jesus. The date of the book of Daniel can be historically documented. The prophecies all point to Jesus.
3. Most of the Jews did not accept the Messiah.
John 1:12
II. THE MESSIAH WOULD COME AS A MAN.
Why did Christ leave heaven to become a man?
A. All men are born in sin since Adam sinned in the Garden.
Rom. 5:12-19
1. The penalty of sin is death. – Romans 6:23
2. Man was in need of a remedy.
B. Man was in need of REDEMPTION.
1. Redemption means to buy back.
2. Man could not redeem himself.
C. The law required a redeemer to be a kinsman.
1. This refers to the closest male relative.
We use the term: next of kin.
2. Boaz who was a type of Christ portrays the role of the kinsman redeemer.
3. God does not go against His law.
4. The Redeemer had to be a relative of man.
According to the law only a man could pay the price of redemption for the sins of humanity. Only a pure sinless man would be an acceptable sacrifice for sin. An angel could not have paid the price for our salvation. Christ had to come as a man to pay the price of Redemption.
III. THE MESSIAH HAS PAID THE PRICE OF REDEMPTION IN FULL.
A. We have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus.
1. The price has been paid at the Cross.
2. It is finished.
B. Man can be reconciled to God through Jesus.
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. - Romans 5:10
1. Sin separated man from God.
Sin broke the fellowship that man had with God. Adam was expelled from the Garden because of sin.
2. Jesus restored man’s fellowship with God.
Men must receive the gift of eternal life through Jesus the Messiah.
Romans 3:23
C. Jesus satisfied the law though His death on the cross.
1. He is our sacrificial substitute for our sin.
Romans 3:25.
2. Atonement is the satisfying of the law.
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
-Romans 5:11
3. Jesus the Messiah is the only way of Salvation.
John 14:6
Knowledge of the Time
KNOWLEDGE OF THE TIME
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. –II Tim. 3:1
I. WE SAY THAT WE KNOW THIS IS THE END – TIME.
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
-Romans 13:11-14.
A. The signs are plain.
1. There is a great falling away. – II Thes. 2:3
2. There is a departing from the faith. – I Tim. 4:1.
3. The formation of a world government.
4. As it was in Sodom.
B. End – time Scripture is being fulfilled.
1. Matthew 24 describes the signs of the end. – v. 3
> A rise of false prophets – v. 5,ll
> Wars and rumors of wars – v. 6
> Famines and pestilences – v. 7.
> Earthquakes – v. 7.
> Iniquity shall abound – v. 12.
> Love of many wax cold – v. 12.
> Gospel preached in all the world – v. 14.
2. Daniel describes the last days.
> The existing world powers. – Chapter 7.
> The wicked shall do wickedly – 12:10.
> The tribulation period. – Chapter 9.
3. The book of Revelation is being fulfilled.
C. Judgment will come to America.
1. It has already begun.
2. Like sin brings like judgment.
3. This judgment is prophetic.
II. THE SCRIPTURAL RESPONSE TO THIS KNOWLEDGE.
A. Awake out of sleep.
1. The church as a whole is asleep.
2. This is a deliberate action.
B. Cast off the works of darkness.
1. To cast off is a deliberate action of throwing off with energy.
2. Make not provision for the flesh.
3. Separate from the world. – Rom. 12:2.
C. Put on the armor of light.
1. Light represents truth. – John 8:32.
2. There is a battle to be fought. - Eph. 6:14.
D. Walk honestly in the light.
1. Not in rioting and drunkenness.
2. Not in chambering and wantonness.
(refer to filthy living)
3. Not in strife and envying.
E. Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.
III. MANY ARE NOT RESPONDING TO THE TIME.
A. The saint must live with eternity in view.
1. This worlds goods will mean nothing in eternity.
2. Plan your life around heaven.
B. Knowledge of the time without action will cause you to miss out with God.
1. Establish a fervent prayer life.
2. Study The Word to understand God’s plan.
3. Lay hold of God’s provision.
C. There will be a harvest of souls.
1. Do you have a burden for souls?
2. The fields are white to harvest. – John 4:35.
3. Pray for the Lord to use you.
HERE AM I SEND ME!
IF YOU HAD KNOWLEDGE OF THE END OF TIME:
WOULD YOU PRAY MORE OFTEN?
WOULD YOU FAST MORE OFTEN?
WOULD YOU READ THE BIBLE MORE OFTEN?
WE DO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE END TIME.
Life Changing Power of the Word of God
THE LIFE CHANGING POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD
Christians need to realize the importance of consuming The Word, obeying
The Word, and applying The Word of God to their lives.
I. THROUGH CONSUMING THE WORD OF GOD
A. Power of God unto Salvation – Rom. 1:16
1. Received by faith in The Word – II Tim. 3:15
2. Transforming lives
3. Born of The Word – John 3:5, I Peter 1:23
B. Power to overcome sin – Ps. 119:11
1. To live right
2. There is strength in The Word
C. Power to cleanse a life – Eph. 5:26
1. A continued work of Sanctification
a. Separated from the world
b. Set apart for God’s service
2. Truth will break the bondages of hell – John 8:32
D. Establish a daily routine of Bible Reading
II. THROUGH OBEYING THE WORD OF GOD
A. An absolute faith in the infallible Word of God
1. It is inspired – GOD BREATHED – II Tim. 3:16
II Peter 1: 19-21
2. God’s Word is powerful – Heb. 4:12
B. God’s Word must be the final authority in our lives
1. Not led by feelings and emotions
a. The devil uses senses to control a life
b. Many are being deceived by their feelings
2. Not given to carnal reasoning – Rom. 8:6-7
a. The carnal mind can not receive from God
I Cor. 2:13-14
b. Man can not figure out God
3. A total surrender to The Word of God
C. God honors obedience to His Word
1. Answered prayer – John 15:7
2. Will yield the Blessing of God – Pr. 10:22
III. THROUGH APPLYING THE WORD OF GOD
A. Doers of The Word – James 1:22
1. Daily practicing God’s Word in our lives
2. Many are deceiving themselves
B. Speak The Word of God in Faith
1. Don’t dwell on the problem – II Cor. 4:18, 5:7
2. Hold to the promise of God – II Cor. 1:20
C. Speak as God Speaks
1. Worlds framed by The Word of God – Heb. 11:3
2. To overcome the devil – Rev. 12:11
a. Their testimony
b. They spoke The Word
D. Partakers of The Divine Nature – II Peter 1:4
1. This is the Word of God
2. Through the Promises of God
a. Understanding the promises
b. Practicing the Promises
c. Receiving the Promises
3. To take hold of the Divine Nature
a. Through faith in The Word
b. Spend time with Jesus – Rev. 3:20
c. The life of Christ in us – II Cor. 4:10
Look to the King SOS 3:11
LOOK TO THE KING SONG OF SOLOMON 3:11
The Book of Solomon reveals the relationship between Jesus and His Bride. King Solomon is a type of Christ. A type is a symbol or shadow of something else, it represents someone or something.
It is a Spiritual book that will only be understood by the revelation of the Holy Spirit. – I Cor. 2:14
The natural mind will not receive the things of the Spirit of God.
Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold King Solomon. I. BEHOLD THE KING A. King Solomon represents Jesus the KING OF KINGS.
- Solomon in all his glory is merely an earthly symbol of Jesus.
a. The great king. b. The great wisdom. c. The great wealth. d. The great splendor. The Queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s greatness, and responded the half has not been told.
- The bridegroom is a king. a. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. b. His bride will reverence His royalty. c. His bride will enjoy the privileges of royalty.
B. Behold – To fix the eyes upon; to see with attention; to observe with care.
-
Keep your eyes fixed upon Jesus. a. Look to Jesus for every answer to every problem.
Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; - Hebrews 12:2
- Don’t focus on man. 2)Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. – Rev. 1:8
- Jesus is the answer.
b. Peter sank when he took his eyes off Jesus. – Mt.14:30 He saw the wind boisterous. c.Don’t fix your eyes on the problem.
Look with understanding.
Understand who Jesus is. Understand the power of the king. Understand the provision that has been made by Jesus.
- The price has been paid in full.
- The provision to be a partaker of His Nature. – II Peter 1:4.
- We must appropriate the provision that has been made. – I Timothy 6:12.
- Behold His Glory. II Cor. 3:18 a. Changed into the same image. – Rom. 8:29 b. It is a process. - From glory to glory. c. Changed by the Spirit of the Lord.
C. Realize His Royalty.
-
We need a revelation of who He is. a. Revealed by the Holy Spirit. Matt. 16:16-17. b. Jesus is the King of Kings. c. He must be your Lord.
-
We should be an ambassador of the King. a. Let all of our actions represent the king. b. Walk in the authority of the King. c. The Host of Heaven is fighting on our behalf.
-
Every knee shall bow to the King. - Phil. 2:10-11 a. Every sickness must bow. b. Every demon must bow. c. The bride will bow of her own free will.
II. THE BLIND CAN NOT BEHOLD THE BRIDEGROOM. A. The Spiritually blind can not see who Jesus is.
-
Blind in sin. a. Dead in sin. – Eph. 2:1. b. Sin will distort your ability to see clearly.
-
The god of this world has caused blindness. II Cor. 4:4. a. People are blinded to truth by demon power. b. False doctrine spirits have people bound and blind.
-
The focus of the sinner is self. a. Selfishness is sin. b. The sinner can not see beyond himself.
B. The Laodicean Church is blind.
-
Jesus described this Church period as blind. – Rev. 3:14-17. a. Their focus is on wealth. b. They are unaware of their condition of blindness.
-
The church today is lukewarm. a. They can not feel their need. b. They are satisfied in a backslidden condition. c. They have lost the power of God.
-
The Church as a whole is asleep. a A sleeping person can not see. b. A sleeping person does not want the light of truth. c. A sleeping person does not want to be woken up.
III. THERE IS A REMEDY FOR SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS A. Anoint thine eyes with eyesalve. –Rev. 3:18.
- The Holy Ghost will remove the scales of blindness.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. -John 16:13
a. The Holy Ghost will lead you into all truth. b. The Holy Ghost will show you things to come. c. The Holy Ghost will help you to understand truth. d. This is a work of God.
-
There is an effort on the part of man. a. You must apply the eyesalve. b. You must apply the Word to your life. c. You must take hold of the promises of God.
-
That you may see. a. That you might behold the bridegroom. b. That you can see God’s plan for this end-time hour. c. You can not posses what you do not see.
B. Add to your faith. – II Peter 1:5-9.
- These are a guard against Blindness. a. Virtue - moral excellence. b. Knowledge – An understanding of truth. c. Temperance – Self control.
d. Patience – To wait with gladness. e. Godliness – To be Holy as He is Holy. To be like God. f. Brotherly Kindness – To be kind to your brothers. g. Charity – The true Love of God. – Rom. 5:5.
2. That you may see far off.
a. Look ahead through the eye of faith.
b. Look with eternity in view.
II Cor. 4:18. c. Look beyond your current circumstances.
3. If you add these qualities to your faith you will guard against blindness.
a. We must make the effort to put these into practice.
b. God can help you to live right.
c. The saint needs the Baptisim of the Holy Ghost.
C.
Miscellaneous Notes
An illustration I've got about a new car with a voice warning system. At first he was fascinated and used to hear the voice remind him the door is ajar your seat does not fastened. He soon learned that at one time of his gasoline. Quotation mark your fuel level is low and quotation he figured he had enough gas to go another 50 miles, so he kept driving. A few minutes later, the voice gave the same morning. And so a win over and over. Finally, he stopped the car and crawled under the dashboard. After a quick search found the wires and gave them a Yank. He was still smiling to himself a few miles later when his car spotted and stopped. He was sure he could hear the voice laughing.
Deuteronomy 23 quotation mark he had compassed this mountain long enough: turn your northward. None of us can advance an array set before us while shackled by guilt of the past. Forget the past and pour your energies into the fruitfulness of a new life in Christ. A faltering past -- he can have a new beginning. Our God leads forward to the future. Keep in step. Given When It Counts many years agowhen I worked as a volunteer at a hospitala gotten a little girl named Liz.She was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery would be a blood transfusion from her five-year-old brother. He had miraculously survived the same disease had developed antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to little brother and asked if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. Some hesitate for a moment. Taking a deep breath and he said yes I will do it will save her life! As a transfusion progressed he lay in the bed next to his sister. And smiled, as we all did. Seeing the color returned her cheeks. His face and grew pale. And the smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked for trembling voice. Will I start to die right away? Being young the little boy had misunderstood the doctor. He thought he was going to have to give all his blood to his sister in order to save her life. You see after all understanding and attitudes are everything. Unknown song title I've reached the land of corn and wine, and knowledge riches freely mind; here shine Sunday and one blissful day, for all my my night has passed away. Course Mobile a land, sweet Beulah land, as on the highest amount I stand. I look away across the sea, where mansions are prepared for me, and do the shining glory sure, my have in my home forever more! My Savior comes in walks with me, press enter and sweet communion here have we; press Center he gently leads me... By the hand, press enter for this heavens borderland. Chorus old Beulah land, sweet Beulah land. Our center as on the highest mountain I stand. I sent her a look away across the sea, press enter where mansions are prepared for me, press enter and view the shining glory sure, my Heaven my home forever more!
One More Night with the Frogs
ONE MORE NIGHT WITH THE FROGS
Ex. 8:1-10
Moses asked Pharaoh, when do you want the frogs to go? Pharaoh answered, tomorrow. Why did he want to spend one more night with the frogs? Many people tarry and wait in the plague of sin instead of receiving
immediate deliverance.
I. THE EXTENT OF THE PLAGUE
** **And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs: (Exo 8:3)
And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants. (Exo 8:4)
** **A. Sin affects every area of a life
B. Unbelief is sin
C. Sin ends in death
II. THE DELAY OF THE PLAGUE
A. One more night
B. The danger of delay Heb. 3: 1-3
C. Why do people wait with the frogs?
III. THE EXIT OF THE PLAGUE
** **A. Pharaoh had to ask
B. Prayer of the man of God
And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh. (Exo 8:12)
And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields. (Exo 8:13)
C. There is deliverance from the plague
D. Don’t tarry with the frogs
One More Night with the Frogs
ONE MORE NIGHT WITH THE FROGS
Ex. 8:1-10
Moses asked Pharaoh, when do you want the frogs to go? Pharaoh answered, tomorrow. Why did he want to spend one more night with the frogs? Many people tarry and wait in the plague of sin instead of receiving
immediate deliverance.
I. THE EXTENT OF THE PLAGUE
And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs: (Exo 8:3)
And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants. (Exo 8:4)
A. Sin affects every area of a life
B. Unbelief is sin
C. Sin ends in death
II. THE DELAY OF THE PLAGUE
A. One more night
B. The danger of delay Heb. 3: 1-3
C. Why do people wait with the frogs?
III. THE EXIT OF THE PLAGUE
A. Pharaoh had to ask
B. Prayer of the man of God
And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh. (Exo 8:12)
And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields. (Exo 8:13)
C. There is deliverance from the plague
D. Don’t tarry with the frogs
Receiving Our Inheritance
RECEIVING OUR INHERITANCE
Joshua 1:1-13
I Peter 1:3-5
The Christian must understand that God has a plan to reveal the fullness of our inheritance in these last days.
I. THE PROMISE OF OUR INHERITANCE
A. The conditions of the promise.
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. - II Peter 1:4
1. God requires obedience to His Word.
2. God will work in His time.
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. - II Corinthians 1:20
B. Understanding the promise.
1. You will not believe for what you do not understand.
2. Revealed by the Holy Spirit. – I Cor. 2:14
C. Believing for the fulfillment of the promise.
1. Faith looks for what is not seen.
2. Wait for the answer.
II. THE PROVISION OF OUR INHERITANCE
A. The price has already been paid.
1. Paid in full by the blood of the Lamb.
2. The reservation has been made.
B. The time has been set by God.
1. There will be an end time manifestation of God’s power.
2. We are in the last days.
C. A Supernatural work of God.
1. God will do what we can not do.
2. God will drive out the enemy before us.
III. THE POSSESION OF OUR INHERITANCE
A. Through an action of faith
1. Israel had to posses the land.
2. Press in to take hold of what belongs to us. – Mt. 11: 12
B. There will be battles to fight.
1. Drive off the enemy
2. The flesh is the enemy of God.
C. In these last days God will manifest his power.
1. God promised to pour out His Spirit in the last days.
2. The inheritance will be revealed in the last days.
Stand On Your Problems
Stand on your problems
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 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. “
Ephesians 6:12-13
Our life is a warfare, for we struggle with the common calamities of human life. We face oppression, failure, and difficult circumstances. We must learn to allow God to help us stand through the trials of life.
- Oppression
Joseph was oppressed by his brothers and while in Egypt. He put his faith in God and stood on it. He was rewarded and given a position of authority.
- Failure
Abraham Lincoln became one of the greatest presidents of the united states. Before he reached that position he went through many failures. He failed as a business man, he failed as a farmer he failed his first attempt at office, his childhood sweetheart died and he suffered a nervous breakdown from it, in the legislature he failed to achieve the office of speaker, he failed his first attempt at running for congress, he failed when appointed to the U.S. land office, he failed when he ran for senate, and he failed when he ran for vice-presidency. Even though he may have failed in many ways he stood on his failures and God used him in a time when our country needed a strong leader.
- Difficult situations
“And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;
And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.
So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.
Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.
And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those that were left behind stayed.
But David pursued, he and four hundred men: for two hundred abode behind, which were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor. “
I Samuel 30:1-10
David faced difficult circumstances. Their city was destroyed, their wives and sons were carried away, and the people wanted to stone David.
“And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.
And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.
And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.
And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David's spoil. “
I Samuel 30:12-20
David recovered all. He encouraged himself in the lord and stood on the difficult circumstances that he faced.
Having done all stand. We must let God help us stand on oppression, our failures, and difficult circumstances.
Staying on Top When You Hit Bottom
STAYING ON TOP WHEN YOU HIT BOTTOM
INTRO:
“By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped leaning upon the top of his staff.”- Heb. 11:21.
There will be trials. God can give us victory in the trial.
Even when things look hopeless, remember God has a plan.
Deu 28:13 “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:”
I. SPEAK OF THE BLESSING OF GOD.
A. Blessed the sons of Joseph.
Gen 48:13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel's right hand, and brought them near unto him.
Gen 48:14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
Gen 48:15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,
Gen 48:16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.
Gen 48:17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father's hand, to remove it from Ephraim's head unto Manasseh's head.
Gen 48:18 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head.
Gen 48:19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
Gen 48:20 And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.
- A prophetic utterance.
2. Believed in the fulfillment. – (That God would finish the
work even after his death.)
B. A positive confession.
Heb. 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
1. Based upon the Word. – Rom. 10:17.
2. Speak life – not death. – Pr. 18:21.
- With thankfulness.
1. For continual provisions.
“…which fed me all my life long unto this day.” – v. 15.
2. For redemption.
“The angel which redeemed me from all evil…” – v. 16.
II. WORSHIP GOD IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
- Jacob worshipped even at his death.
- In Spirit and in truth. – John 4: 23-24.
1. Proper worship requires truth.
2. Not this charismatic mess.
- God is in control.
- Still on the throne.
- Yield to His will.
- God inhabits praise.
- There is power in praise.
- Jehosophat.
- Paul and Silas.
F. Thank God for the victory.
(1Co 15:57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
III. LEAN ON THE WORD.
“… leaning upon the top of his staff.”
- The Bible is our rod, rule, standard of faith. – cannon.
- God’s Word can not fail.
- The song will not keep you in the hard place.
- Every promise in the Book is mine.
- Our strength will fail us.
- The flesh is weak.
- The carnal mind is prone to fail.
- Our faith must be based upon the Word.
1. Not man’s opinions.
2. Not false doctrine.
The Almost Christian
THE ALMOST CHRISTIAN
“Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” (Act 26:28)
I. RELIGIOUS PERSON
A. Aggrippa was a Jew
1. Paul said he knew the prophets
2. Familiar with the customs of the Jews
3. Knew about Christ (death and resurrection)
B. A form of Godliness
1. Goes to Church (Doesn’t make a Christian)
2. Emotional ritual
C. A head knowledge
1. Knows about God
2. Knows the Bible
D. Religion will send you to Hell
II. EXCUSES OF THE ALMOST CHRISTIAN
A. Someday I’ll serve God
1. I’m not ready
2. I’m having too much fun
B. I’m as good as everybody else
C. I don’t have time for Church
1. I watch Church on TV
2. I need to sleep on Sundays
D. God won’t send me to hell
E. God sees my heart
F. I’ve got too much to lose
1. Aggrippa didn’t want to lose what he had
2. I don’t want to give it up
III. THE LIFE OF THE ALMOST CHRISTIAN
A. Almost gets up to pray
B. Almost reads the Bible
C. Almost goes to Church
D. Almost comes out of the world
IV. RESULTS OF THE ALMOST CHRISTIAN
A. Almost has victory
B. Almost delivered
1. Struggle to live right
2. Not experiencing total liberty
C. Almost has peace
D. Almost has joy
E. ALMOST GO TO HEAVEN
1. Sin – miss the mark
2. Aggrippa is still in Hell
The Appointed Vision
THE APPOINTED VISION
GOD WILL KEEP HIS PROMISE CONCERNING THE LAST DAYS
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
-Habakkuk 2:2-3
God desires His people to understand His plan for the end-times and to act upon truth.
I. UNDERSTANDING THE VISION
“Make it plain”
God desires for you to understand His plan.
A. Revealed through the Word.
1. We have a sure Word of prophecy – II Peter 1:19
a. Daniel understood God’s plan through the Word.
– Dan. 9:2
b. We can understand God’s plan through the Word.
2. You must study the Word. – II Tim. 2:15
B. The Holy Ghost will teach you.
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” - John 14:26
C. Men of God will help you to understand the Word.
“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” - Nehemiah 8:8
D. The angel was sent to Daniel to give him understanding.
Dan. 9:21-22, Dan. 10:12-14
1. In response to prayer Dan. 10:2,12
2. There was spiritual opposition – v.13
II. GOD HAS AN APPOINTED TIME
“Yet for an appointed time”
A. God moves in His time.
1. The Son came at an appointed time. (According to prophecy)
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,” - Galatians 4:4
2. The Church was birthed on the Day of Pentecost. – Acts 2:1-2
3. Throughout the Bible God works in His time.
a. The birth of Isaac
b. Moses and the Exodus
c. The return from exile
B. At the end it shall speak
1. Daniel’s vision was for the time of the end. – Dan. 8:16-17.
2. Daniel’s vision sealed until the time of the end
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. - Daniel 12:4
And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. - Daniel 12:9
Daniel did not receive the understanding of what was not for his time.
3. In the evening time
a. It shall be light. – Zechariah 14:7
b. Elijah prayed down the fire at the time of the evening sacrifice.
And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. – I Kings 18:36
c. The angel touched Daniel at the time of the evening oblation. – Dan. 9:21
C. To reveal the full inheritance. – I Peter 1: 3-5
D. To pour out the Holy Spirit. – Acts 2:17
1. The rain came in due season.
2. The fruit needs the rain to ripen.
III. WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF GOD
“Though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come”
A. Tarry in prayer
1. Tarry - To stay in expectation; to wait.
2. Pray specifically with anticipation.
a. According to the Promise.
b. Azusa came through specific prayer.
3. O Lord Revive thy work – Hab. 3:2
B. There is a dry season before the final rain of the harvest.
1. We are anticipating the rain.
2. There will be a harvest of souls.
C. God’s Word will come to pass.
1. Receive by faith.
2. It will surely come.
3. In God’s timing.
D. Act upon the truth.
1. Anticipate the promise
2. Line up with the Word
3. Look for great things in God.
THE CROWN OF ESPOUSAL
Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart. -Song of Solomon 3:11
King Solomon in this Scripture is a type of Christ. A type is a shadow of something to come. The Song of Solomon illustrates the relationship of Christ the Bridegroom with His bride.
I. THE CROWN SIGNIFIES THAT THERE HAS BEEN A CONTRACT OF ENGAGEMENT.
A. This crown of espousal was a nuptial crown that represented a marriage agreement had taken place.
1. The King was revealing his intent of marriage to his chosen bride.
2. The crown was like a laurel which contained green leaves.
3 The leaves represent a promise of life. – Jn. 1:4.
B. Jesus bore a crown of thorns upon the cross.
1. The whole world crowned Him.
Rom. 3:23, I Jn. 2:2.
2. The thorns represent the suffering caused by the curse of sin. – Genesis 3:17-19.
a. Thorns are a part of the curse of sin.
b. Jesus came to break the curse of sin.
_Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: - _Galatians 3:13
C. This espousal is a binding contract.
1. It could only be broken by the bridegroom due to unfaithfulness of his espoused bride.
2. Jesus is the mediator of a New Covenant.
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
-Hebrews 12:24
a. A Covenant is a contract or agreement.
b. The Word of God is a written agreement.
c. Jesus will keep His part of the contract.
3. The espoused bride must keep the contract.
a. Only those who are faithful to the written agreement of God’s Word can stay espoused to Jesus the Bridegroom.
b. Disobedience to the Word will void the espousal agreement.
II. THE BETROTHAL OF THE BRIDE AND THE BRIDEGROOM.
A. The betrothal was a formal agreement between the couple intending to be married.
1. A mutual agreement to be married at an appointed time.
a. This was a serious commitment that required total separation from all others.
b. A betrothal was undertaken by a friend or agent representing the bridegroom and by the parents of the bride.
This concept is portrayed in the following Scriptures:
He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. - John 3:29
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.- Matthew 1:18
2. Both were required to maintain total purity during this time of engagement.
a. Jesus is Holy.
b. **The bride must be wholly like Him. - HOLY!**
3. The invitation has been given to be espoused to The Bridegroom.
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. - II Corinthians 11:2
a. The Laodicean Church will not respond to the invitation. – Rev. 3: 14-21.
b. There are conditions to be met in order to be accepted by the Bridegroom.
B. The Bridegrooms role in the betrothal.
1. The Bridegroom chooses his bride.
a. He will only choose a bride that he approves of.
b. He is looking for moral purity.
2. The Bridegroom must pay the price of the dowry for the Bride.
a. Jesus paid the price for our salvation.
_For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. _– I Corinthians 6:20
We have been redeemed with the blood of Jesus. - I Peter 1:18 –19
b. The price has been paid in full.
3. The Bridegroom brought a wineskin with him filled with wine.
C. The Brides role in the betrothal.
1. The bride would drink the wine as a sign of acceptance of the proposal.
a. The wine is a symbol of the Holy Ghost.
b. The prospective bride will need the infilling of the Holy Ghost in order to meet the requirements of acceptance.
2. The bride would commit herself to her future husband.
3. The bride would make necessary preparations for the wedding. – Rev. 19:7.
The Crown of Espousal
THE CROWN OF ESPOUSAL
Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.
-Song of Solomon 3:11
King Solomon in this Scripture is a type of Christ. A type is a shadow of something to come. The Song of Solomon illustrates the relationship of Christ the Bridegroom with His bride.
I. THE CROWN SIGNIFIES THAT THERE HAS BEEN A CONTRACT OF ENGAGEMENT.
A. This crown of espousal was a nuptial crown that represented a marriage agreement had taken place.
1. The King was revealing his intent of marriage to his chosen bride.
2. The crown was like a laurel which contained green leaves.
3 The leaves represent a promise of life. – Jn. 1:4.
B. Jesus bore a crown of thorns upon the cross.
1. The whole world crowned Him.
Rom. 3:23, I Jn. 2:2.
2. The thorns represent the suffering caused by the curse of sin. – Genesis 3:17-19.
a. Thorns are a part of the curse of sin.
b. Jesus came to break the curse of sin.
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: - Galatians 3:13
C. This espousal is a binding contract.
1. It could only be broken by the bridegroom due to unfaithfulness of his espoused bride.
2. Jesus is the mediator of a New Covenant.
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
-Hebrews 12:24
a. A Covenant is a contract or agreement.
b. The Word of God is a written agreement.
c. Jesus will keep His part of the contract.
3. The espoused bride must keep the contract.
a. Only those who are faithful to the written agreement of God’s Word can stay espoused to Jesus the Bridegroom.
b. Disobedience to the Word will void the espousal agreement.
II. THE BETROTHAL OF THE BRIDE AND THE BRIDEGROOM.
A. The betrothal was a formal agreement between the couple intending to be married.
1. A mutual agreement to be married at an appointed time.
a. This was a serious commitment that required total separation from all others.
b. A betrothal was undertaken by a friend or agent representing the bridegroom and by the parents of the bride.
This concept is portrayed in the following Scriptures:
He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. - John 3:29
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.- Matthew 1:18
2. Both were required to maintain total purity during this time of engagement.
a. Jesus is Holy.
b. The bride must be wholly like Him. - HOLY!
3. The invitation has been given to be espoused to The Bridegroom.
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. - II Corinthians 11:2
a. The Laodicean Church will not respond to the invitation. – Rev. 3: 14-21.
b. There are conditions to be met in order to be accepted by the Bridegroom.
B. The Bridegrooms role in the betrothal.
1. The Bridegroom chooses his bride.
a. He will only choose a bride that he approves of.
b. He is looking for moral purity.
2. The Bridegroom must pay the price of the dowry for the Bride.
a. Jesus paid the price for our salvation.
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. – I Corinthians 6:20
We have been redeemed with the blood of Jesus. - I Peter 1:18 –19
b. The price has been paid in full.
3. The Bridegroom brought a wineskin with him filled with wine.
C. The Brides role in the betrothal.
1. The bride would drink the wine as a sign of acceptance of the proposal.
a. The wine is a symbol of the Holy Ghost.
b. The prospective bride will need the infilling of the Holy Ghost in order to meet the requirements of acceptance.
2. The bride would commit herself to her future husband.
3. The bride would make necessary preparations for the wedding. – Rev. 19:7.
The Dangers of the Oneness Movement
THE DANGERS OF THE ONENESS MOVEMENT
Jesus said: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
–Jn. 8:32
There are several major areas of concern with the oneness movement. This study is not an attack on people. There are many good people involved in what is termed ONENESS PENTECOSTAL. This is a proclamation of the truth of God’s Word which has the power to set lives free.
I. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DENY THE FATHER AND THE SON.
Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. -1 John 2:22
A. The Scripture says this is antichrist.
1. An antichrist spirit which is a false spirit.
2.
B. The Scripture refers to Father and Son
The Devil Wants to Destroy You
THE DEVIL WANTS TO DESTROY YOU
I Peter 5:8 , Jn. 10:10
I. THE DEVIL IS A LIAR
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (Joh 8:44)
A. The devil uses lies to deceive God’s people
B. Sows seeds of doubt
1. Hath God said
2. To doubt The Word of God
C. Distorts truth
1. Mixture and compromise
2. False prophets
3. The devil hates truth
D. Many are being deceived in these last days
1. The very elect – Mt. 24:24
2. A Great falling away – II Thes. 2:3
II. SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR
A. As a roaring lion
1. Preys upon the weak
2.
B. He is a thief
1. Lock the doors
2. Be on guard
C. Subtle devices
III. THE DEVIL WANTS YOU
A. Attacks men of God
1. The accuser of the brethren
2. Continued attacks
B. Be sober
1. Aware
2. Not given to his devices
C. Be vigilant
1. Keep the doors locked
2. Cautious
3. Ready to fight the enemy
The Handwriting is On the Wall
TITLE: The Handwriting is on the Wall
TEXT: Daniel 5:26-31
Da 5:26-31—This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. 29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 30 ¶ In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. 31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
INTRODUCTION
Am 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
I.MENE, MENE
- Meaning: to number
- “God hath numbered thy kingdom and finished it”
II. TEKEL
- Meaning: to weigh; or, be weighed
- “Thou are weighed in the balances and art found wanting”
- Jehovah’s estimate of the worthlessness of Nebuchanezzar’s character.
- This warning makes a connection between his sins and his punishment. (v.23)
3. It was a warning in which no hope or mercy was given.
4. v.18-22 “Though thou knewest all this”
III. PERES
CONCLUSION: In that Night was Belshazzar the king…Slain
The Importance of Bible Doctrine
THE IMPORTANCE OF BIBLE DOCTRINE
What is Doctrine?
Doctrine is Truth! God’s Word is Truth!
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (Joh 17:17)
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1Ti 4:16)
I. FALSE DOCTRINE IS DESTRUCTIVE
A. False doctrine is that which is contrary to the Truth of The
Word of God
B. Doctrines of men
“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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2Ti 4:3-4)
1. Causes men to perish – Col. 2:20-22
2. Jesus warned against the doctrine of the Scribes and Pharisees – Mt. 16:12
3. The natural man receiveth not the things of God –
I Cor. 2:12-14
4. The carnal mind is the enemy of God – Rom. 8:7
C. Doctrines of devils
1. A sign of the last days – I Tim. 4:1-3
a. Many shall come in the name of Christ
“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” (Mat 24:5)
1) Christ means anointed
2) There is a false anointing
3) Many will be deceived
(Mt. 24 is an end- time text, the disciples ask Jesus in v. 3
“What shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of
the world?”)
TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU!
b. Many false prophets shall rise
“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” (Mat 24:11)
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Mat 24:24)
1) Signs and wonders are not always of God
2) The devil has a counterfeit
c. A great falling away
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” (2Th 2:3)
2. Leading men to destruction
a. Damnable heresies – II Pet. 2:1-3
b. Deceived people will go to hell – Mt. 7:21-23
II. BIBLICAL DOCTRINE LEADS UNTO LIFE
A. Necessary for Salvation
1. Faith comes by The Word of God – Rom. 10:17
a. By grace are ye saved through faith – Eph. 2:8
b. The power of God unto Salvation – Rom. 1:16
2. A Saving knowledge of Jesus Christ
3. Truth will make you free – Jn. 8:32
B. The foundation of what we believe
1. God’s Word is The Final Authority – II Tim. 3:16-17
2. We need to study God’s Word – II Tim. 2:15
C. Truth revealed by The Holy Spirit – Jn. 14:26
1. The Holy Spirit and The word will always agree
2. Scripture will always be in harmony with Itself
a. From Genesis to Revelation
b. Fitting together like puzzle pieces
III. WE MUST REMAIN TEACHABLE
A. Pliable in the Potter’s hands
1. Yield to God’s Word
2. Dangerous to reject God’s Word – I Sam. 15:23
a. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft
b. Stubbornness is idolatry
B. Rightly understanding The Word of Truth
1. Not given to private interpretation
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2Pe 1:20)
2. Interpretation should be drawn naturally from the text
a. Context is key to correct interpretation
b. Many try to fit their ideas into the Bible
3. Truth produces life
C. Don’t reject what you don’t understand
1. Some Truth may seem foreign to you
2. Some Truth may be different than how you have been
taught
3. The natural mind can not receive the things of God
The Inheritance for the Those Who are Kept by the Power of God
THE INHERITANCE FOR THOSE WHO ARE KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD
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,
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. – I Peter 1:3-5
I. YOU CAN BE KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD
A. This promised inheritance is not for when you die.
1. There will be no need in heaven to be kept by God’s power.
2. There is a need in this world of sin to be kept by God’s power.
3. The Scripture states the inheritance will be revealed in the last time.
B. God is able to keep you from falling.
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
- Jude 1:24
1. You must desire to be kept by God’s power.
2. This is a work of God.
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:
- Philippians 1:6
3. Your strength alone will fail you.
C. This is not a guarantee of eternal security.
1. God has given man a free will.
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. – John 10:28 -29
2. God will not keep you against your will.
a. Eternal life has been given.
b. You can not be plucked out of God’s
keeping power.
c. You can choose not to be kept by God.
3. You must continue to desire to be kept.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
- Matthew 24:13
II. YOU MUST BE KEPT THROUGH FAITH
A. You need to believe that you can be kept.
1. You must look beyond your own strength.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
– Hebrews 12:2
2. You must learn to lean on the everlasting arms.
3. You must understand the power of sin has been broken.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. – Romans 8:2
B. Faith requires obedience to the Word.
1. You will not be kept if you do not pray.
2. You will not be kept if you do not hide God’s Word in your heart.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. – Psalm 119:11
3. You will not be kept if you do not choose to separate from the world.
C. Faith rises above our failures and mistakes.
1. Don’t give up if you make a mistake.
2. Go back to the altar and continue on.
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: - I John 2:1
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – I John 1:9
3. Don’t dwell on past failures.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:13 -14
The King's Highway
THE KING’S HIGHWAY
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. (Isa 35:8)
No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: (Isa 35:9)
Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. (Pro 22:28)
God has provided the HIGHWAY for man. Man must stay on the highway to reach heaven. Jesus is the only way.
I. A HOLY WAY
A. The unclean SHALL NOT pass over it
1. This is God’s Word
2. Not for the unsaved
B. A separated way
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: (Heb 12:14)
1. God is Holy
2. Separate from the world
C. A straight way
D. Jesus makes us Holy
1. Washed in the blood of the lamb
2. Justified by faith
3. Jesus is the way
II. A PROTECTED WAY
A. No lions on the way
B. No ravenous beast
1. Satan is the devourer
2. Scavengers eat the dead and wounded
a. A way of life
b. The life of Jesus
C. Under the Blood of Jesus
III. A VICTORIOUS WAY
A. God’s way brings victory
B. Leads unto life
C. More than conquerors
D. A powerful way
The King's Highway Sunday School
THE KING’S HIGHWAY
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. (Isa 35:8)
No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: (Isa 35:9)
Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. (Pro 22:28)
God has provided the HIGHWAY for man. Man must stay on the highway to reach heaven. Jesus is the only way to heaven.
I. A HOLY WAY
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: - Heb. 12:14
A. The unclean SHALL NOT pass over this way.
1. This way is only for the born again.
2. Washed in the blood of the Lamb.
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
- Revelation 1:5
B. It is a separated way.
1. You must be set apart for God’s service.
2. You must separate from the world.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
- II Corinthians 6:17
C. It is a straight way.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. - Matthew 7:13-14
1. The broad way leads to destruction.
2. It is not the popular way.
II. A PROTECTED WAY
A. There is protection on the King’s highway.
1. The angels of God are sent to help us in time of danger.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. - Psalms 34:7
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? - Hebrews 1:14
2. There is protection in the Blood of Jesus.
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
- Revelation 12:11
B. No ravenous beast shall go up thereon.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
- I Peter 5:8
1. The lion shall not be there.
2. God will protect you from the forces of darkness.
C. There is only protection if you stay on the highway.
1. You must remain in the ark of safety.
2. Detours will end in destruction.
III. A VICTORIOUS WAY
A. God’s way brings victory.
1. There is victory in the will of God.
2. The only true victory is in Jesus.
B. God’s way ends in perfection.
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. - Proverbs 4:18
1. Light represents truth.
2. You must walk in the light that you have.
3. God’s plan for you is that you be like Him.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: - Ephesians 4:11-13
C. God’s way leads to heaven.
1. There is only one way to heaven.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. - John 14:6
2. There are no shortcuts to God.
3. Every other way leads to hell.
The Need for True Revival
THE NEED FOR TRUE REVIVAL
I. TRUE REVIVAL DEFINED
A. False conceptions of true revival.
1. Emotional response to fast peppy music is a revival.
2. Shouting will bring revival.
3. Crowds are a part of revival.
B. True revival involves a Spiritual awakening.
1. It is an awakening from Spiritual slumber.
“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” - Ephesians 5:14
2. The church needs to be awakened.
3. The spiritually dead need to be revived.
“Return, recall or recovery to life from death or apparent death; as the revival of a drowned person.” – Webster.
C. True revival is produced by the Holy Spirit.
1. There will be Holy Ghost conviction of sin.
2. There will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
3. There will be the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.
II. TRUE REVIVAL DETERMINED
A. God has appointed times of revival.
1. God determines what will be done in His timing. – Acts 17:26-27
2. The day of Pentecost was on God’s time table. –
Acts 2: 1-4.
3. There have been waves of Holy Ghost outpouring.
a. The first Great Awakening.
b. The second Great Awakening.
c. The turn of the century revival.
d. The outpouring in the 1950’s
B. True Revival will only come by prayer.
1. To wait on God for an outpouring.
“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” - Luke 24:49
2. There is a need for Holy Ghost intercession
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
-Romans 8:26
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,” - Jude 1:20
THERE IS NO INCENSE WITHOUT FIRE!
THERE IS NO PRAYER WITHOUT FLAME!
3. We need to pray expecting to receive the promise of God.
C. Requirements of True Revival.
1. God requires unity among His people.
a. They were in one accord on the day of Pentecost.
b. There has always been unity among the saints in a true revival.
c. There is power in unity.
2. God requires total separation from the world.
a. Holiness has always been the standard of True Revival.
b. Sin will hinder True Revival.
A sinning man will stop praying and a praying man will stop sinning.
3. God requires an understanding of truth. – Jn. 8:32
III. TRUE REVIVAL DEMONSTRATED
A. The early church was a demonstration of True Revival.
1. This is God’s plan for the church.
2. Souls brought to God by the power of God. –
Acts 2:47
3. There was a mighty manifestation of healing power.
B. There is a mighty manifestation of God’s true power.
1. God will not tolerate strange fire.
2. There is a desire to tarry in the presence of God.
3. There is deliverance in True Revivals of God.
C. There will be one more demonstration of True Revival.
1. An outpouring of the Holy Ghost rain.
2. To prepare the fruit for harvest.
3. There is a need to understand God’s plan for the last days.
The Need for Truth
THE IMPORTANCE OF BIBLE DOCTRINE
What is Doctrine?
Doctrine is Truth! God’s Word is Truth!
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. – John 17:17
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. – I Tim. 4:16
I. FALSE DOCTRINE IS DESTRUCTIVE
A. False doctrine is that which is contrary to the Truth of The
Word of God.
B. Doctrines of men are false.
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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. – II Tim. 4:3-4
1. Man’s doctrine causes men to perish. – Col. 2:20-22
2. Jesus warned against the doctrine of the Scribes and Pharisees. – Mt. 16:12
C. Doctrines of devils are destroying lives.
1. A sign of the last days – I Tim. 4:1-3
a. Many shall come in the name of Christ
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. – Mat. 24:5
1) Christ means anointed
2) There is a false anointing
3) Many will be deceived
TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU!
b. Many false prophets shall rise
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
– Mt. 24:11
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. – Mt. 24:24
1) Signs and wonders are not always of God
2) The devil has a counterfeit
c. A great falling away
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” (2Th 2:3)
2. Leading men to destruction
a. Damnable heresies – II Pet. 2:1-3
b. Deceived people will go to hell –
Mt. 7:21-23
II. BIBLICAL DOCTRINE LEADS UNTO LIFE
A. Right doctrine is necessary for salvation.
1. Truth will make you free. –John 8:32
2.
B. The Bible must be the
1. God’s Word is The Final Authority – II Tim. 3:16-17
2. We need to study God’s Word – II Tim. 2:15
C. Truth revealed by The Holy Spirit – Jn. 14:26
1. The Holy Spirit and The word will always agree
2. Scripture will always be in harmony with Itself
a. From Genesis to Revelation
b. Fitting together like puzzle pieces
III. WE MUST REMAIN TEACHABLE
A. Pliable in the Potter’s hands
1. Yield to God’s Word
2. Dangerous to reject God’s Word – I Sam. 15:23
a. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft
b. Stubbornness is idolatry
B. Rightly understanding The Word of Truth
1. Not given to private interpretation
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2Pe 1:20)
2. Interpretation should be drawn naturally from the text
a. Context is key to correct interpretation
b. Many try to fit their ideas into the Bible
3. Truth produces life
C. Don’t reject what you don’t understand
1. Some Truth may seem foreign to you
2. Some Truth may be different than how you have been
taught
3. The natural mind can not receive the things of God
The Need of the Holy Spirit
THE NEED OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
I. THE YEARNING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
II. THE BURNING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
III. THE TURNING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Pattern of the Rain
THE PATTERN OF THE RAIN
**I. GOD SENT THE RAIN AT APPOINTED TIMES **
A. There is a Biblical pattern for the rain.
That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. - Deuteronomy 11:14
1. There are definite times or seasons of rain in Israel.
2. The rain is a symbol of Holy Ghost outpouring.
3. God has appointed times of Holy Ghost outpouring.
B. God appointed the times of the harvest.
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
– Jeremiah 5:24
1. The rain was sent in relation to the growing of the harvest.
2. God knows what amounts of rain are needed to produce the harvest.
3. God has appointed times of the harvest of the souls of men.
C. There are three Hebrew words used to refer to the rains of different seasons.
II. THE FORMER RAIN
A. _Yoreh – _Used in reference to the early or former rain.
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. - Hosea 6:3.
1. The early or former rains begin in autumn in the latter part of October or beginning of November.
2. The rains lasted for a definite period of time.
3. The first outpouring was for a predetermined time.
B. Prepared the soil for the seed.
Psalms 65:9-10 – Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.
1. The soil is hard after a dry season.
2. The land is softened by the rain to prepare the earth for plowing and sowing seed.
3. The soil was saturated for germinating the seed. – _the springing _of the corn.
C. Pentecost was the first outpouring of the Rain.
1. The former rain was given moderately.
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. – Joel 2:23.
2. The Holy Ghost rain was sent to prepare the world for the seed of the Gospel.
3. The feast of Pentecost was the celebration of the firstfruits.
III. THE WINTER RAIN
A. _Geshem – _Used in reference to the winter rain also referred to as the rains.
Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain. – Ezra 10:9.
For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
-
Song of Sol. 2:11 (The Bridegroom called at the season of the spring ‘early’ rains after the winter rain.)
-
The heavy winter rains fall from the middle of
December thru January.
-
These were showers mingled with dry times.
-
B. There have been many outpourings of the Holy Ghost.
1. The first Great Awakening.
2. The second Great Awakening.
3. The Azusa Street Revival.
4. The Welsh Revival.
C. A dry season followed the winter rains.
1. The dryness strengthens the stalk.
Corn in the Bible does not refer to maize or Indian corn. Corn in the Bible refers to wheat. The wheat stalk has knots all up the stem. They are God’s wonderful provision to keep the stalk erect. If a wheat stalk hasn’t got those knots, it would bend over in the wind and the grain would be lost.
2. The dry time is as needful as the rain.
3. There was heavy dew in the night even in the dry season.
IV. THE LATTER RAIN
A. _Melqosh – _Used in reference to the latter rain.
Hosea 6:3 – Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
1. The latter or spring rains fall in March or April.
2. The rain was for the harvest.
B. The latter rain matured the grain before the final harvest.
Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings. – Amos 7:1
1. The rain was necessary to bring the fruit to full maturity.
2. The last Holy Ghost outpouring will perfect the Bride of Christ.
3. The mature sons of God will be revealed in God’s timing.
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. – Romans 8:19, 8:23
Adoption is the placing of a mature son. The first fruits of Pentecost did not produce full maturity of the sons of God. Why would Paul be waiting for something he already had?
C. Pray for the rain
Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to everyone grass in the field. – Zechariah 10:1.
1. According to the Word of God.
2. It is the season of the latter rain.
3. The greatest rain is yet to come.
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. – James 5:7
The Pattern of the Rain
THE PATTERN OF THE RAIN
**I. GOD SENT THE RAIN AT APPOINTED TIMES **
A. There is a Biblical pattern for the rain.
That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. - Deuteronomy 11:14
1. There are definite times or seasons of rain in Israel.
2. The rain is a symbol of Holy Ghost outpouring.
3. God has appointed times of Holy Ghost outpouring.
B. God appointed the times of the harvest.
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
– Jeremiah 5:24
1. The rain was sent in relation to the growing of the harvest.
2. God knows what amounts of rain are needed to produce the harvest.
3. God has appointed times of the harvest of the souls of men.
C. There are three Hebrew words used to refer to the rains of different seasons.
II. THE FORMER RAIN
A. _Yoreh – _Used in reference to the early or former rain.
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. - Hosea 6:3.
1. The early or former rains begin in autumn in the latter part of October or beginning of November.
2. The rains lasted for a definite period of time.
3. The first outpouring was for a predetermined time.
B. Prepared the soil for the seed.
Psalms 65:9-10 – Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.
1. The soil is hard after a dry season.
2. The land is softened by the rain to prepare the earth for plowing and sowing seed.
3. The soil was saturated for germinating the seed. – _the springing _of the corn.
C. Pentecost was the first outpouring of the Rain.
1. The former rain was given moderately.
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. – Joel 2:23.
2. The Holy Ghost rain was sent to prepare the world for the seed of the Gospel.
3. The feast of Pentecost was the celebration of the firstfruits.
III. THE WINTER RAIN
A. _Geshem – _Used in reference to the winter rain also referred to as the rains.
Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain. – Ezra 10:9.
For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
-
Song of Sol. 2:11 (The Bridegroom called at the season of the spring ‘early’ rains after the winter rain.)
-
The heavy winter rains fall from the middle of
December thru January.
-
These were showers mingled with dry times.
-
B. There have been many outpourings of the Holy Ghost.
1. The first Great Awakening.
2. The second Great Awakening.
3. The Azusa Street Revival.
4. The Welsh Revival.
C. A dry season followed the winter rains.
1. The dryness strengthens the stalk.
Corn in the Bible does not refer to maize or Indian corn. Corn in the Bible refers to wheat. The wheat stalk has knots all up the stem. They are God’s wonderful provision to keep the stalk erect. If a wheat stalk hasn’t got those knots, it would bend over in the wind and the grain would be lost.
2. The dry time is as needful as the rain.
3. There was heavy dew in the night even in the dry season.
IV. THE LATTER RAIN
A. _Melqosh – _Used in reference to the latter rain.
Hosea 6:3 – Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
1. The latter or spring rains fall in March or April.
2. The rain was for the harvest.
B. The latter rain matured the grain before the final harvest.
Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings. – Amos 7:1
1. The rain was necessary to bring the fruit to full maturity.
2. The last Holy Ghost outpouring will perfect the Bride of Christ.
3. The mature sons of God will be revealed in God’s timing.
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. – Romans 8:19, 8:23
Adoption is the placing of a mature son. The first fruits of Pentecost did not produce full maturity of the sons of God. Why would Paul be waiting for something he already had?
C. Pray for the rain
Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to everyone grass in the field. – Zechariah 10:1.
1. According to the Word of God.
2. It is the season of the latter rain.
3. The greatest rain is yet to come.
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. – James 5:7
The Pattern of the Rain Sunday School
THE PATTERN OF THE RAIN
**I. GOD SENT THE RAIN AT APPOINTED TIMES **
A. There is a Biblical pattern for the rain.
That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. - Deuteronomy 11:14
1. There are definite times or seasons of rain in Israel.
2. The rain is a symbol of Holy Ghost outpouring.
3. God has appointed times of Holy Ghost outpouring.
B. God appointed the times of the harvest.
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
– Jeremiah 5:24
1. The rain was sent in relation to the growing of the harvest.
2. God knows what amounts of rain are needed to produce the harvest.
3. God has appointed times of the harvest of the souls of men.
C. There are three Hebrew words used to refer to the rains of different seasons.
II. THE FORMER RAIN
A. _Yoreh – _Used in reference to the early or former rain.
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. - Hosea 6:3.
1. The early or former rains begin in autumn in the latter part of October or beginning of November.
2. The rains lasted for a definite period of time.
3. The first outpouring was for a predetermined time.
B. Prepared the soil for the seed.
Psalms 65:9-10 – Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.
Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.
1. The soil is hard after a dry season.
2. The land is softened by the rain to prepare the earth for plowing and sowing seed.
3. The soil was saturated for germinating the seed. – _the springing _of the corn.
C. Pentecost was the first outpouring of the Rain.
1. The former rain was given moderately.
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. – Joel 2:23.
2. The Holy Ghost rain was sent to prepare the world for the seed of the Gospel.
3. The feast of Pentecost was the celebration of the firstfruits.
III. THE WINTER RAIN
A. _Geshem – _Used in reference to the winter rain also referred to as the rains.
Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain. – Ezra 10:9.
For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
-
Song of Sol. 2:11 (The Bridegroom called at the season of the spring ‘early’ rains after the winter rain.)
-
The heavy winter rains fall from the middle of
December thru January.
-
These were showers mingled with dry times.
-
B. There have been many outpourings of the Holy Ghost.
1. The first Great Awakening.
2. The second Great Awakening.
3. The Azusa Street Revival.
4. The Welsh Revival.
C. A dry season followed the winter rains.
1. The dryness strengthens the stalk.
Corn in the Bible does not refer to maize or Indian corn. Corn in the Bible refers to wheat. The wheat stalk has knots all up the stem. They are God’s wonderful provision to keep the stalk erect. If a wheat stalk hasn’t got those knots, it would bend over in the wind and the grain would be lost.
2. The dry time is as needful as the rain.
3. There was heavy dew in the night even in the dry season.
IV. THE LATTER RAIN
A. _Melqosh – _Used in reference to the latter rain.
Hosea 6:3 – Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
1. The latter or spring rains fall in March or April.
2. The rain was for the harvest.
B. The latter rain matured the grain before the final harvest.
Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings. – Amos 7:1
1. The rain was necessary to bring the fruit to full maturity.
2. The last Holy Ghost outpouring will perfect the Bride of Christ.
3. The mature sons of God will be revealed in God’s timing.
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. – Romans 8:19, 8:23
Adoption is the placing of a mature son. The first fruits of Pentecost did not produce full maturity of the sons of God. Why would Paul be waiting for something he already had?
C. Pray for the rain
Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to everyone grass in the field. – Zechariah 10:1.
1. According to the Word of God.
2. It is the season of the latter rain.
3. The greatest rain is yet to come.
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. – James 5:7
The Power of the Blood of Jesus
THE POWER OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS
Heb. 9: 11-28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
-Acts 20:28
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
-Ephesians 1:7
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
-Colossians 1:14
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
-Romans 3:24
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
-Romans 3:25
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
-Romans 5:9
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
-1 Peter 1:19
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
-1 John 1:7
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
-Revelation 1:5
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
-Revelation 5:9
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
-Revelation 12:11
The Power of Words
THE POWER OF WORDS
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! (Pro 15:23)
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. (Pro 15:26)
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (Pro 15:1)
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. (Pro 25:11)
I. TO ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER
A. Negative words do not uplift
1. Cause discouragement
2. Grievous words stir up anger
B. Positive words uplift
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (Eph 4:29
1. Lift up the downcast
2. Minister Grace
C. A word fitly spoken
1. Extreme value to the hearer
“like apples of gold”
2. Has lasting value
“pictures of silver”
(framed to last)
II. TO DIFUSE A DIFICULT SITUATION
A. A soft answer
1. Not loud and boisterous
2. Turns away wrath
B. Calmness will yield calmness
C.
III. TO OVERCOME THE ENEMY
A. The word of their testimony – Rev. 12:11
1. Speak the words of faith
2. Speak as God speaks
3. A personal word – “their testimony”
B. Do not speak words that give place to the devil
1. Negative confession
2. Do not talk defeat
C. Take authority over the enemy
1. Command the devils to leave
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (Mar 16:17)
2. Command sickness to leave
And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. (Luk 4:38)
And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. (Luk 4:39)
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. (Mar 9:25)
IV. TO MOVE MOUNTAINS
Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. (Mat 21:21)
A. Speak to the mountain
B. Speak words of Life
1. Death and life are in the power of the tongue – Pr. 18:21
2. Call things that are not as though they are –
The Promise of the Divine Nature
THE PROMISE OF THE DIVINE NATURE
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
– II Peter 1:4
I. THE POWER OF THE PROMISE
A. The promises of God are exceeding great.
1. They are of great value.
2. God has promised great things.
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith – Gal 3:14
And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
-1Jn 2:25
3. The promise to partake of the Divine Nature.
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: - Eph 4:13
B. The promises of God are precious.
1. Precious - Of great price; costly; as a precious stone. - Webster
2. Something that should be held on to.
C. The promises of God are sure.
1. God’s promises will not fail.
Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. – I Kings 8:56
For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, - Heb 6:13
2. God is always on time.
For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. – Rom 9:9
3. God will keep His word.
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.
– Gal 3:17
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. – II Co 1:20
II. THE PROVISION OF THE PROMISE
A. Through Jesus Christ.
1. Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; - Eph 1:7
2. The price has been paid in full.
B. Through the promises of God.
1. You must understand the promises.
How can you receive what you do not understand?
2. You must appropriate the promises.
3. You must hold on to the promises.
C. God has provided a way to receive His Nature.
III. THE POSSESSION OF THE PROMISE
A. The promise must be obtained through faith.
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
- Heb 6:15
1. A promise is of no value unless it is received.
2. Faith is required to posses the promise.
3. Faith requires obedience to the Word.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. - Heb 10:36
B. The fulfillment of the promise will be in the last days.
1. The fulfillment is reserved for the end – time.
2. God will not move before His time.
C. Partakers of the Divine Nature.
1. Partake - To take a part, portion or share in common with others. To have something of the property, nature, claim or right. – Webster
2. To receive the righteousness of Jesus.
3. Those who partake of His Divine Nature will do as He does.
The Reserved Inheritance
Introduction:
The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. – John 16:13
The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. – I Corinthians 2:13-14
Scripture is not subject to private interpretation. – II Peter 1:20
We need a revelation, a Divine illumination, of the wealth of our inheritance – Ephesians 1:18
Many past theologians have tried to interpret prophecy that God had not yet revealed to their age. Much of what is accepted today concerning End-Time prophecy is hundreds of years old, and does not totally agree with Scripture. True interpretation of prophecy must always be in total harmony with the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The pieces must perfectly fit together, like the pieces of a puzzle, either it fits or it doesn’t. And much of what is being taught today just does not fit in relation to the Word of God.
THE BIBLE MUST BE THE FINAL AUTHORITY!
There is a need to study the Word of God. – II Tim. 2:15
We will study **THE RESERVED INHERITANCE. We **will look at several New Testament words and their meanings to help us to understand a Biblical perspective on this subject.
The full inheritance – The son’s complete portion in God.
Sonship – A full mature placed son of God.
Adoption – The placing of a mature son.
Redemption – The process of producing sons, a complete state of release.
I Peter 1:3-5
1. INHERITANCE DEFINED
1. **_“Kleronomia”_** – (noun)
1. Property which passes from father to son upon the father’s death.
2. That which is received by a son when he becomes of age.
3. That which is received as a gift.
4. The heavenly reward of the saved. – Col. 3:24, Heb. 9:15
2. **_“Kleros” _**– (noun)
5. A lot (as in casting of lots)
1. What is obtained by lot.
2. An allotted portion.
6. A portion or share of something.
7. A piece or portion of land.
3. **_“Kleronomeo”_** – (verb)
8. From two words.
3. **_“kleros”_** – a lot.
4. **_“Nemonmai”_** – to posses.
9. To inherit – to obtain God’s promises and portion for the saints, to receive as ones own.
Heb. 1:4 – “ Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be <span style="text-decoration:underline;">heirs</span> of Salvation?”
Heb. 6:12 – “… who through faith and patience <span style="text-decoration:underline;">inherit</span> the promises.”
I Peter 3:19 – “… knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should <span style="text-decoration:underline;">inherit</span> a blessing”
Matthew 25:34 – “Then shall the king say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, <span style="text-decoration:underline;">inherit</span> the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
4. The promised landPromised Land is a type of the believer’s inheritance.
Acts 7:2-5, Heb.11:8.
10. Not a type of heaven.
5. No battles in heaven.
6. No caananites in heaven.
11. God told Joshua to posses the land. – Joshua 1:3.
7. We must fight to posses our inheritance.
8. We must drive off the adversary.
12. That which belongs to the saints by promise.
5. That which has been purchased by the blood of Jesus.
13. The overcomer’s position of power and authority. Eph. 1:19-23, 2:6-7.
14. The price has been paid in full.
2. RESERVED FOR AN APPOINTED TIME.
“To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” – I Peter 1:4-5.
6. Reserved – withheld, to hold in store. ( a hotel reservation)
15. Held back for the last days.
16. In heaven for those who are kept by God’s power.
9. To be experienced here on the earth.
When we get to heaven there will be no need to be kept.
10. Through faith.
1. Believing for the unseen.
2. Faith is for this life.
7. To be revealed in the last time.
17. End-time revelation of truth. Daniel 12:4, 8-9.
11. An uncovering of truth not revealed to previous generations.
12. The meaning of the prophecy was closed.
13. Sealed until the time of the end.
18. A showing forth of the fullness of the inheritance.
8. An end-time manifestation of God’s power.
(Elijah prayed down the fire at the time of the evening sacrifice.)
9. We now have only the earnest of our inheritance. – Eph. 1: 13-14.
19. Earnest – a down payment, the initial portion.
20. The fullness is yet to come.
21. Until the redemption.
14. Totally bought back.
15. Scripture places this complete redemption in the end-time. – Luke 21:28.
We have the first fruits.
That which we have already received.- Rom. 8:23.
The full harvest to come later.
Waiting for the adoption.
The redemption of our body.
RESERVED FOR THE MATURE SONS.
Not for the child. – Gal. 4:1.
Kept by the power of God.
Above sin. – I Jn. 2:1.
A Divine work. – Jn. 1:12.
Adoption – “Huiosthesia”.
“Huios” – full mature sons.
“Thesia” – To place.
Placed sons. – Placed by the Father into their inheritance.
Manifested sons. –Rom. 8:19.
Led by the Spirit – Rom. 8:14.
Led into sonship.
Power to become a son. – John 1:12.
The Reserved Inheritance
Introduction:
The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. – John 16:13
The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. – I Corinthians 2:13-14
Scripture is not subject to private interpretation. – II Peter 1:20
We need a revelation, a Divine illumination, of the wealth of our inheritance – Ephesians 1:18
Many past theologians have tried to interpret prophecy that God had not yet revealed to their age. Much of what is accepted today concerning End-Time prophecy is hundreds of years old, and does not totally agree with Scripture. True interpretation of prophecy must always be in total harmony with the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The pieces must perfectly fit together, like the pieces of a puzzle, either it fits or it doesn’t. And much of what is being taught today just does not fit in relation to the Word of God.
THE BIBLE MUST BE THE FINAL AUTHORITY!
There is a need to study the Word of God. – II Tim. 2:15
We will study THE RESERVED INHERITANCE. We will look at several New Testament words and their meanings to help us to understand a Biblical perspective on this subject.
The full inheritance – The son’s complete portion in God.
Sonship – A full mature placed son of God.
Adoption – The placing of a mature son.
Redemption – The process of producing sons, a complete state of release.
I Peter 1:3-5
- INHERITANCE DEFINED
- “Kleronomia” – (noun)
- Property which passes from father to son upon the father’s death.
- That which is received by a son when he becomes of age.
- That which is received as a gift.
- The heavenly reward of the saved. – Col. 3:24, Heb. 9:15
- “Kleros” – (noun)
- A lot (as in casting of lots)
- What is obtained by lot.
- An allotted portion.
- A portion or share of something.
- A piece or portion of land.
- A lot (as in casting of lots)
- “Kleronomeo” – (verb)
- From two words.
- “kleros” – a lot.
- “Nemonmai” – to posses.
- To inherit – to obtain God’s promises and portion for the saints, to receive as ones own.
- From two words.
- “Kleronomia” – (noun)
Heb. 1:4 – “ Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation?”
Heb. 6:12 – “… who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
I Peter 3:19 – “… knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing”
Matthew 25:34 – “Then shall the king say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
- The Promised Land is a type of the believer’s inheritance.
Acts 7:2-5, Heb.11:8.
- Not a type of heaven.
- No battles in heaven.
- No caananites in heaven.
- God told Joshua to posses the land. – Joshua 1:3.
- We must fight to posses our inheritance.
- We must drive off the adversary.
- That which belongs to the saints by promise.
- The overcomer’s position of power and authority. Eph. 1:19-23, 2:6-7.
- The price has been paid in full.
- RESERVED FOR AN APPOINTED TIME.
“To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” – I Peter 1:4-5.
- Reserved – withheld, to hold in store. ( a hotel reservation)
- Held back for the last days.
- In heaven for those who are kept by God’s power.
- To be experienced here on the earth.
When we get to heaven there will be no need to be kept.
- Through faith.
- Believing for the unseen.
- Faith is for this life.
- End-time revelation of truth. Daniel 12:4, 8-9.
- An uncovering of truth not revealed to previous generations.
- The meaning of the prophecy was closed.
- Sealed until the time of the end.
- A showing forth of the fullness of the inheritance.
(Elijah prayed down the fire at the time of the evening sacrifice.)
- We now have only the earnest of our inheritance. – Eph. 1: 13-14.
- Earnest – a down payment, the initial portion.
- The fullness is yet to come.
- Until the redemption.
- Totally bought back.
- Scripture places this complete redemption in the end-time. – Luke 21:28.
- We have the first fruits.
- That which we have already received.- Rom. 8:23.
- The full harvest to come later.
- Waiting for the adoption.
- The redemption of our body.
- Not for the child. – Gal. 4:1.
- Kept by the power of God.
- Above sin. – I Jn. 2:1.
- A Divine work. – Jn. 1:12.
- Adoption – “Huiosthesia”.
- “Huios” – full mature sons.
- “Thesia” – To place.
- Placed sons. – Placed by the Father into their inheritance.
- Manifested sons. –Rom. 8:19.
- Led by the Spirit – Rom. 8:14.
- Led into sonship.
- Power to become a son. – John 1:12.
The Reserved Inheritance
Introduction:
The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. – John 16:13
The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. – I Corinthians 2:13-14
Scripture is not subject to private interpretation. – I Peter 1:20
We need a revelation, a Divine illumination, of the wealth of our inheritance – Ephesians 1:18
Many past theologians have tried to interpret prophecy that God had not yet revealed to their age. Much of what is accepted today concerning End-Time prophecy is hundreds of years old, and does not totally agree with Scripture. True interpretation of prophecy must always be in total harmony with the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The pieces must perfectly fit together, like the pieces of a puzzle, either it fits or it doesn’t. And much of what is being taught today just does not fit in relation to the Word of God.
THE BIBLE MUST BE THE FINAL AUTHORITY!
There is a need to study the Word of God. – II Tim. 2:15
We will study THE RESERVED INHERITANCE. We will look at several New Testament words and their meanings to help us to understand a Biblical perspective on this subject.
The full inheritance – The son’s complete portion in God.
Sonship – A full mature placed son of God.
Adoption – The placing of a mature son.
Redemption – The process of producing sons, a complete state of release.
I Peter 1:3-5
- INHERITANCE DEFINED
- “Kleronomia” – (noun)
- Property which passes from father to son upon the father’s death.
- That which is received by a son when he becomes of age.
- That which is received as a gift.
- The heavenly reward of the saved. – Col. 3:24, Heb. 9:15
- “Kleros” – (noun)
- A lot (as in casting of lots)
- What is obtained by lot.
- An allotted portion.
- A portion or share of something.
- A piece or portion of land.
- A lot (as in casting of lots)
- “Kleronomeo” – (verb)
- From two words.
- “kleros” – a lot.
- “Nemonmai” – to posses.
- To inherit – to obtain God’s promises and portion for the saints, to receive as ones own.
- From two words.
- “Kleronomia” – (noun)
Heb. 1:4 – “ Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation?”
Heb. 6:12 – “… who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
I Peter 3:19 – “… knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing”
Matthew 25:34 – “Then shall the king say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
- The Promised Land is a type of the believer’s inheritance.
Acts 7:2-5, Heb.11:8.
- Not a type of heaven.
- No battles in heaven.
- No caananites in heaven.
- God told Joshua to posses the land. – Joshua 1:3.
- We must fight to posses our inheritance.
- We must drive off the adversary.
- That which belongs to the saints by promise.
- The overcomer’s position of power and authority. Eph. 1:19-23, 2:6-7.
- The price has been paid in full.
- RESERVED FOR AN APPOINTED TIME.
“To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” – I Peter 1:4-5.
- Reserved – withheld, to hold in store. ( a hotel reservation)
- Held back for the last days.
- In heaven for those who are kept by God’s power.
- To be experienced here on the earth.
When we get to heaven there will be no need to be kept.
- Through faith.
- Believing for the unseen.
- Faith is for this life.
- End-time revelation of truth. Daniel 12:4, 8-9.
- An uncovering of truth not revealed to previous generations.
- The meaning of the prophecy was closed.
- Sealed until the time of the end.
- A showing forth of the fullness of the inheritance.
- Earnest – a down payment, the initial portion.
- The fullness is yet to come.
- Until the redemption.
- Totally bought back.
- Scripture places this complete redemption in the end-time. – Luke 21:28.
The Spirit: the Antidote to the Flesh
**The Spirit - **
the Antidote to the Flesh
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. — Galatians 5:16
-
You must walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh
- The Christian Life is often related or represented as a walk or journey
- We will stumble and be destroyed if we walk in the flesh
- We must walk / live our lives in and by the Spirit
- All manner of our lives directed by the Spirit
- Led by the Spirit
- Worship by the Spirit
-
Flesh cannot be conquered by flesh 4. The problems of the flesh cannot be conquered by man’s programs, resolutions or by “turning over a new-leaf” 5. The means of flesh cannot break spiritual bondages – spiritual bondages can only be broken by the Spirit
-
Be under the Divine Influence of the Spirit
If we are lives are under the influence of the Spirit then the flesh will not have control of our lives.
The Thief Cometh
THE THIEF COMETH
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (Joh 10:10)
What do you do when the thief comes by your way?
I. THE INTENT OF THE THIEF
A. To Steal
1. Your joy
“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” (Joh 15:11)
2. Your peace
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (Joh 14:27)
3. Your faith
a. Sow seeds of doubt
“Hath God said…”
b. Cause you to dwell on the problem
4. Truth
a. Necessary for liberty
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (Joh 8:32)
b. Necessary to overcome
c. Holiness – Power
B. To Kill
1. The Spiritual man
2. Lifeless
C. To Destroy
1. Your health (Cripple and mame)
2. Your soul in hell
II. PROTECTION AGAINST THE THIEF
“But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.” (Mat 24:43)
A. Watch
1. Be on guard
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1Pe 5:8)
2. Don’t be taken by surprise
a. The devil will ambush you
b. Attack when you are not ready
B. Put on the whole armour of God
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Eph 6:11)
C. Shut every door
1. Lock the door
a. Put the past behind you
b. Separate from the world
2. Don’t answer the door
a. Don’t listen to the devil
b. Don’t give place to the devil
c. The devil is a liar
III. DRIVE THE THIEF AWAY
A. He is a trespasser
1. You belong to God
2. We have been bought with a price
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Eph 1:7)
B. You have authority in Jesus
1. He must bow to the name of Jesus
“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phi 2:11-12)
2. Use The Power of The Blood of Jesus
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Rev 12:11)
C. Satan has been defeated
1. At the cross
“…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that
He might destroy the works of the devil.” (I Joh 3:8)
2. Jesus arose the victor
a. Because He lives, We have life
b. The battle has been won
D. We our more than conquerors through Christ
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Rom 8:37)
E. Fight for what belongs to you
“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)” (2Co 10:4)
1. Use the Word of God
2. Persevere in prayer
The Trinity in Creation
THE TRINITY IN CREATION
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:
-Romans 1:20
This Scripture tells us God reveals Himself through His creation. The invisible things of God are seen in the creation of the world. The Scripture explains it is God’s eternal power that is shown forth in His creation, and that the Godhead is also revealed through His creation. The Godhead is the term used to refer to the three persons within the one God. The number three is prominent in all of nature. God is revealing to man the invisible things of Him: THAT HE IS A TRIUNE GOD.
We will look at some examples from creation that reveal the three in one.
- Light is divided into three parts.
The Bible tells us that God is light.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
-1 John 1:5
a. Ultraviolet light – That part of the light spectrum that is invisible to the eye.
Type of the Father who is the invisible God. – Jn 1:18.
b. Visible light – The part of the spectrum that is seen by the eye.
Type of the Son who is the light of the world. – Jn. 8:12.
c. Caloric light – The part of light that is not seen and is felt as heat.
Type of the Holy Spirit who is not seen, yet we feel his effects.
-
The blood is divided into three parts.
a. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body.
Type of the Father the giver of life.
b. White blood cells die to save the body.
Type of the Son who gave His life to save us.
c. Platelets coagulate the blood.
Type of the Holy Spirit who brings unity.
- Snowflakes consists of geometric patterns of threes.
The Hebrew word for snow is “sheleg” which has a numerical value of 333.
NO TWO SNOWFLAKES ARE THE SAME!
No two snowflakes have been found to be the same. Data has been compiled from every storm since the 1950’s.
- The number three in creation
These are three elements to one unit.
a. Time – Past, present, future
b. Three dimensional measurement – Height, depth, breadth
c. Atom – Protons, neutrons, electrons
d. Geometry – point, line, plane
e. The states of all matter – Solid. liquid, vapor
f. Music – three major chords in every key
g. Musical chords – Three notes in most major chords
h. Electricity – motion, light, heat
- The number three within the body of man.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
-Genesis 1:26
Notice the use of the plural pronouns us and our. Us and our refer to more than one person. These words were not used by accident. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God,” – II Tim. 3:16. These pronouns refer to the three persons within the one God. God created man in His own image. Man is composed of body, soul, and spirit: three in one. Man is made in the likeness of God. The human body is composed of groups of three. The creation reveals the Godhead.
a. Three joints in one finger and Three joints in one toe
b. Three bones in one arm and Three bones in one leg
c. Three parts to one brain
d. Three chambers to one heart
e. Three parts to one eye
f. Three parts to one ear
g. Three parts of the blood
h. Three parts to the hair
i. Thirty- three vertebrae – multiple of three
j. Twenty- seven ribs – multiple of three
The True Source of Speech
THE TRUE SOURCE OF SPEECH
So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, (Exo 15:22-25)
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (Mat 12:34)
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. (Mat 12:35)
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (Mat 12:36)
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (Mat 12:37)
(Henry) In these verses we have,
The heart is the fountain, the words are the streams (Mat_12:34); Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, as the streams are the overflowings of the spring. A wicked heart is said to send forth wickedness, as a fountain casts forth her waters, Jer_6:7. A troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring, must needs send forth muddy and unpleasant streams. Evil words are the natural, genuine product of an evil heart. Nothing but the salt of grace, cast into the spring, will heal the waters, season the speech, and purify the corrupt communications. This they wanted, they were evil; and how can ye, being evil, speak good things? They were a generation of vipers; John Baptist had called them so (Mat_3:7), and they were still the same; for can the Ethiopian change his skin? The people looked upon the Pharisees as a generation of saints, but Christ calls them a generation of vipers, the seed of the serpent, that had an enmity to Christ and his gospel. Now what could be expected from a generation of vipers, but that which is poisonous and malignant? Can the viper be otherwise than venomous? Note, Bad things may be expected from bad people, as said the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked, 1Sa_24:13. The vile person will speak villany, Isa_32:6.
< The heart is the treasury, the words are the things brought out of that treasury (Mat_12:35); and from hence men's characters may be drawn, and may be judged of.
[1.] It is the character of a good man, that he has a good treasure in his heart, and from thence brings forth good things, as there is occasion. Graces, comforts, experiences, good knowledge, good affections, good resolutions, these are a good treasure in the heart; the word of God hidden there, the law of God written there, divine truths dwelling and ruling thee, are a treasure there, valuable and suitable, kept safe and kept secret, as the stores of the good householder, but ready for use upon all occasions. A good man, thus furnished, will bring forth, as Joseph out of his stores; will be speaking and doing that which is good, for God's glory, and the edification of others. See Pro_10:11, Pro_10:13, Pro_10:14, Pro_10:20, Pro_10:21, Pro_10:31, Pro_10:32.
[2.] It is the character of an evil man, that he has an evil treasure in his heart, and out of it bringeth forth evil things. Lusts and corruptions dwelling and reigning in the heart are an evil treasure, out of which the sinner brings forth bad words and actions, to the dishonour of God, and the hurt of others. See Gen_6:5, Gen_6:12; Mat_15:18-20; Jam_1:15. But treasures of wickedness (Pro_10:2) will be treasures of wrath.
Those who seemed to be religious, but bridled not their tongue, will then be found to have put a cheat upon themselves with a vain religion, Jam_1:26.
(Pro_18:21) Death and life are in the power of the tongue.
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. (Pro 10:11)
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. (Pro 10:20)
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. (Jam 1:26)
James 3:1-17 THE TONGUE
I. AN IMPURE SOURCE
A. Bitterness will produce death
B. Can the viper be otherwise than venomous?
C. An a evil treasure
1. Dross will surface under the fire
2. A little leaven
II. THE REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM
A. The cross
God directed Moses to a tree which he cast into the waters, when, at once, they were made sweet. Some make this tree typical of the cross of Christ, which sweetens the bitter waters of affliction to all the faithful, and enables them to rejoice in tribulation.
1. Salvation is sweet
2. A Continued work
B. A clean heart
1. The Word
2. A work of God
C. Protect the storehouse
III. A PURIFIED SOURCE
A. A new heart
B. Speak words of life
C. Speak edifying words
There will be a Harvest of Souls in these Last Days
THERE WILL BE A HARVEST OF SOULS IN THESE LAST DAYS
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. - Matthew 24:14
I. JESUS IS THE LORD OF THE HARVEST
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. - Matthew 9:37-38 (Also Luke 10:2)
A. The harvest belongs to the Lord.
1. This is a work of God.
2. Man alone can not produce a harvest.
B. He does the sending.
1. Pray to the Lord of the harvest.
2. That He will send forth laborers.
C. The fields are ready to harvest.
1. The harvest is plenteous.
2. I have set before thee an open door. – Rev. 3:8
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. – Jn. 4:35
II. THE GOSPEL SHALL GO TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. - Romans 10:18
A. Fulfilling the Great Commission
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
-Matthew 28: 19-20.
B. Fulfilling Bible prophecy – Mt. 24:14
C. God’s Word is going forth to heathen lands.
III. GOD WILL SEND RAIN FOR THE HARVEST
A. There is a Biblical pattern for the rain.
That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
-Deuteronomy 11:14
Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.
-Leviticus 26:4
1. God sent the rain at appointed times.
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. - Jeremiah 5:24
2. The rain was for the harvest.
3. The greatest rain was right before the final harvest.
B. The rain is a symbol of the Holy Ghost.
C. We need the Holy Ghost rain for the harvest.
There will be a Harvest of Souls in these Last Days Sunday School
THERE IS A HARVEST OF SOULS
I. JESUS IS THE LORD OF THE HARVEST
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. – Mt. 7: 38-39
(Also Luke 10:2)
A. The harvest is plenteous.
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. – Jn. 4:35
1. Look on the fields.
2. The fields are ready to harvest.
3. There are many lost souls that need the Gospel.
B. The laborers are few.
1. There is a work to be done.
2. There is a place for you to work in the field.
3. Everyone can pray.
C. Pray to the Lord of the harvest.
1. The harvest belongs to the Lord.
a. This is a work of God.
b. Man alone can not produce a harvest.
2. That He will send forth laborers.
a. He does the sending,
b. Pray to be a laborer in the field.
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. – Isaiah 6:8
3. We need the power of the Holy Ghost to reach the lost.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. – Acts 1:8
a. They could start to witness right were they were in Jerusalem.
b. God will empower you to witness.
II. THE GOSPEL SHALL GO TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
– Romans 10:18
A. Fulfilling the Great Commission.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
– Matthew 28:19-20.
1. Every Christian should be a soul winner.
2. We are commissioned to Go with the Gospel.
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. – Romans 1:16
B. Fulfilling Bible prophecy – Mt. 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. – Matthew 24:14
1. This prophecy is being fulfilled.
2. The Gospel shall be preached in all the world.
C. Missionary work is the will of God.
1. God’s Word is going forth to a lost world.
2. I have set before thee an open door. – Rev. 3:8
a. The Philadelphia Church was one of missionary outreach.
b. God is still opening doors for the Gospel to go forth.
3. Do all you can to support the work of God.
a. Everyone can pray and pray and pray.
b. Give to the Work of God.
III. GOD WILL SEND RAIN FOR THE HARVEST
A. There is a Biblical pattern for the rain.
That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
-Deuteronomy 11:14
Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.
-Leviticus 26:4
1. The rain is a symbol of the Holy Ghost.
2. God sent the rain at appointed times.
Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
– Jeremiah 5:24
B. We need the Holy Ghost rain for the harvest.
1. The rain was for the harvest.
2. Only the Holy Ghost can convict men of their sin.
C. There must be a demonstration of God’s power.
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: - I Corinthians 2:4
1. To reach the lost.
2. The world needs to see a manifestation of God’s power.
Trinity in Creation
THE TRINITY IN CREATION
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:
-Romans 1:20
This Scripture tells us God reveals Himself through His creation. The invisible things of God are seen in the creation of the world. The Scripture explains it is God’s eternal power that is shown forth in His creation, and that the Godhead is also revealed through His creation. The Godhead is the term used to refer to the three persons within the one God. The number three is prominent in all of nature. God is revealing to man the invisible things of Him: THAT HE IS A TRIUNE GOD.
We will look at some examples from creation that reveal the three in one.
1. Light is divided into three parts.
The Bible tells us that God is light.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
-1 John 1:5
a. Ultraviolet light – That part of the light spectrum that is invisible to the eye.
> Type of the Father who is the invisible God. – Jn 1:18.
b. Visible light – The part of the spectrum that is seen by the eye.
> Type of the Son who is the light of the world. – Jn. 8:12.
c. Caloric light – The part of light that is not seen and is felt as heat.
> Type of the Holy Spirit who is not seen, yet we feel his effects.
2. The blood is divided into three parts.
a. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body.
> Type of the Father the giver of life.
b. White blood cells die to save the body.
> Type of the Son who gave His life to save us.
c. Platelets coagulate the blood.
> Type of the Holy Spirit who brings unity.
3. Snowflakes consists of geometric patterns of threes.
The Hebrew word for snow is “sheleg” which has a numerical value of 333.
NO TWO SNOWFLAKES ARE THE SAME!
No two snowflakes have been found to be the same. Data has been compiled from every storm since the 1950’s.
4. The number three in creation
> These are three elements to one unit.
a. Time – Past, present, future
b. Three dimensional measurement – Height, depth, breadth
c. Atom – Protons, neutrons, electrons
d. Geometry – point, line, plane
e. The states of all matter – Solid. liquid, vapor
f. Music – three major chords in every key
g. Musical chords – Three notes in most major chords
h. Electricity – motion, light, heat
5. The number three within the body of man.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
-Genesis 1:26
Notice the use of the plural pronouns us and our. Us and our refer to more than one person. These words were not used by accident. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God,” – II Tim. 3:16. These pronouns refer to the three persons within the one God. God created man in His own image. Man is composed of body, soul, and spirit: three in one. Man is made in the likeness of God. The human body is composed of groups of three. The creation reveals the Godhead.
a. Three joints in one finger and Three joints in one toe
b. Three bones in one arm and Three bones in one leg
c. Three parts to one brain
d. Three chambers to one heart
e. Three parts to one eye
f. Three parts to one ear
g. Three parts of the blood
h. Three parts to the hair
i. Thirty- three vertebrae – multiple of three
j. Twenty- seven ribs – multiple of three
We Need a Revelation of Jesus Christ
WE NEED A REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
I. THE OT SAINTS HAD A REVELATION OF GOD.
ADAM walked with God. Adam knew God. He fellowshipped with God.
ABRAHAM - And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. Genesis 17:1-2
ISAAC - And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake. - Genesis 26:24
JACOB – Wrestled with the Angel – Israel
MOSES – The I AM. – God revealed Himself on Mt. Sinai
JOSHUA – The LORD spake unto Joshua.- 1:1 God gave Joshua his battle plans.
GIDEON – The captain of the Lord’s host appeared unto him
DAVID – The LORD is my shepherd.
SOLOMON – The LORD appeared to Solomon.
ISAIAH saw the LORD high and lifted up. HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
JEREMIAH was called to be a prophet before he was born
Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. - Jeremiah 1:9
EZEKIEL saw visions of God.
DANIEL - I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. - Daniel 7:13
THE PROPHETS received the word of the Lord.
II. THE DISCIPLES HAD A REVELATION OF JESUS
THE DISCIPLES had to understand who Jesus was. Who is the Messiah?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
- Matthew 16:16 17
Paul saw the light on the road to Damascus.
John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day.
III. WE NEED A REVELATION OF JESUS
A. To know Him in His power.
1. His power to Save.
2. His power to heal.
3. He is all powerful.
B. To know Him in a personal way.
1. A friend that is closer than a brother.
2. A relationship of love.
3. To commune with Him in fellowship. – To sup with Him.
C. To trust that He will keep His Word.
1. To know that He will not fail.
2. We need to know Him in order to have faith in Him.
3. Jesus desires to work on our behalf.
Trinity in Creation
- OCASSION:Adult Sunday School
- DATE: December 13, 2009
- TITLE: THE TRINITY IN CREATION
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: -Romans 1:20
This Scripture tells us God reveals Himself through His creation. The invisible things of God are seen in the creation of the world. The Scripture explains it is God’s eternal power that is shown forth in His creation, and that the Godhead is also revealed through His creation. The Godhead is the term used to refer to the three persons within the one God. The number three is prominent in all of nature. God is revealing to man the invisible things of Him: THAT HE IS A TRIUNE GOD. We will look at some examples from creation that reveal the three in one.
1. Light is divided into three parts. The ‘spectrum’ of light. The Bible tells us that God is light.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (light—to shine, luminous, fire)
-1 John 1:5
We do not worship light as God, for light is God’s own creation. God is LIKE light in the sense of GOODNESS, RIGHTEOUSNESS. IN a spiritual sense, God is light, there is no darkness, no evil, no sin in Him.
a. Ultraviolet light – That part of the light spectrum that is invisible to the eye.
> Type of the Father who is the invisible God. – Jn 1:18.
b. Visible light – The part of the spectrum that is seen by the eye.
> Type of the Son who is the light of the world. – Jn. 8:12.
c. Caloric light – The part of light that is not seen and is felt as heat.
> Type of the Holy Spirit who is not seen, yet we feel his effects.
2. The blood is divided into three parts.
a. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body.
> Type of the Father the giver of life.
b. White blood cells die to save the body.
> Type of the Son who gave His life to save us.
c. Platelets coagulate the blood.
> Type of the Holy Spirit who brings unity.
3. Snowflakes consists of geometric patterns of threes.
The Hebrew word for snow is “sheleg” which has a numerical value of 333.
NO TWO SNOWFLAKES ARE THE SAME!
No two snowflakes have been found to be the same. Data has been compiled from every storm since the 1950’s.
4. The number three in creation
> These are three elements to one unit.
a. Time – Past, present, future
b. Three dimensional measurement – Height, depth, breadth
c. Atom – Protons, neutrons, electrons
d. Geometry – point, line, plane
e. The states of all matter – Solid. liquid, vapor
f. Music – three major chords in every key
g. Musical chords – Three notes in most major chords
h. Electricity – motion, light, heat
5. The number three within the body of man.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
-Genesis 1:26
Notice the use of the plural pronouns us and our. Us and our refer to more than one person. These words were not used by accident. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God,” – II Tim. 3:16. These pronouns refer to the three persons within the one God. God created man in His own image. Man is composed of body, soul, and spirit: three in one. Man is made in the likeness of God. The human body is composed of groups of three. The creation reveals (ILLUSTRATES) the Godhead.
a. Three joints in one finger and Three joints in one toe
b. Three bones in one arm and Three bones in one leg
c. Three parts to one brain
d. Three chambers to one heart
e. Three parts to one eye – cornea, retina, pupil
f. Three parts to one ear -
g. Three parts of the blood
h. Three parts to the hair
i. Thirty- three vertebrae – multiple of three
j. Twenty- seven ribs – multiple of three
10 Favorite Passages in Context:
- John 3:16 –For God so loved the world…
- 1 John 1:8 -If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves…
- 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven…
- Matt. 5:48 –be ye therefore perfect…
- Rom. 1:20- … invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen..
- Luke 1:79 –…light to guide…way of peace…