Implications Of Immaturity 7-6-25 PM

I.            We tie ourselves to old teaching (Hebrews 6:1-3).

a.      As we look at this text, we need to remember that it is tied to the previous chapter.

                         i.      Chapter 5 deals with Jesus being the Great High Priest.

1.      He is the Author of eternal salvation.

2.      He is a high priest in a similar manner to Melchisedec.

                        ii.      But, for their lazy hearing, they were headed back towards Judaism.

b.      They did not understand that things in the Old Testament pointed to Jesus, which is why he could not talk to them right then about the comparison of Melchisedec to Jesus.

c.       The writer, when we come to chapter 6, challenges them to go towards maturity in Christ.

d.      He tells them they need to leave the beginnings of Christ.

                        i.      The word “leaving” means to separate from or send away.

1.      Jesus sent away the multitudes (Matthew 13:36).

2.      This word is used in 1 Corinthians 7:11-13 to talk about the sending away of a spouse.

                      ii.      Very good lexicon writers define it as “abandon”.

1.      It is used in Romans 1:27 to describe the homosexuals that abandoned the natural use of the woman.

2.      It is used in Revelation 2:4 of the Ephesians who had left, or abandoned, their first love.

                     iii.      We need to understand that the writer is not telling them to leave, or abandon, the beginnings, which is the meaning of the word translated “principles”, the teaching of Jesus.

                     iv.      The beginning of Jesus, or the Christ, is in the many Old Testament passages that point to His coming into this world.

e.      What our writer is telling these brethren, is that they need to leave, abandon, the ties they have to the Old Testament.

                       i.      This is something many in the Lord’s church battle when it comes to denominational baggage they bring in from their conversion.

                     ii.      Those ties to the denominational teachings need to be abandoned.

                    iii.      When we fail to grow, or mature, we end up going back to those teachings because it is that with which we are most familiar.

f.        The writer then tells them to press on to perfection.

                      i.      This word is only used once in the book of Hebrews, but the verb form is used several times.

                     ii.      Hebrews 7:11, 19; 9:9; 10:1, 14; 11:40; 12:2.

                   iii.      Each of those show either the imperfection of Judaism or the perfection of Christianity.

g.      In other words, the writer, by inspiration is challenging them to abandon all ties to Judaism and march towards completion in Christ.

                     i.      We need to sever all ties with denominational teachings or worldliness as we mature in Christ.

                    ii.      If not, we will be tied down and unable to grow.

h.      The writer then mentions six doctrines they need to abandon.

                     i.      Again, he is not telling them to abandon doctrines of Christianity.

                   ii.      These six doctrines are doctrines that were found in Judaism, not Christianity.

                  iii.      Remember, he is telling them to abandon the beginning of Christ, or the Old Testament.

                  iv.      All six of these are found in the Old Testament and need to be viewed as such, and some pertain only to the Old Testament.

i.        Repentance from dead works.

                    i.      The writer did not say repentance from sin, which is necessary for conversion to Christ.

                   ii.      These refer to practices of the Old Law, while saying one is part of Christ.

                  iii.      Romans 7:6 and Hebrews 9:14 refer to the Old Law as dead.

                  iv.      Going back to that and laying a foundation of works of Judaism needed to be abandoned.

j.        Faith towards God.

                     i.      Jews believed in God and always been taught about God.

                    ii.      They needed to believe in Jesus as the Son of God, the Author of eternal salvation, and their Great High Priest.

                  iii.      Faith towards God was a characteristic of the Old Law and a foundational element of Judaism.

k.      The doctrine of baptisms.

                     i.      The word baptisms is translated in newer versions as washings.

                   ii.      There were numerous washings in the Levitical system.

                 iii.      The various offerings had to be washed.

                 iv.      Sometimes bodies had to be washed.

                  v.      One could not enter the tabernacle or temple without washing.

                 vi.      In fact, the word translated baptisms is not from the same Greek word commonly translated baptism.

                vii.      In every other instance it is translated washing and should be here as well.

l.        Laying on of hands.

                 i.      There is much written about laying on of hands in the New Testament.

                ii.      However, there is also a lot of instances mentioned in the Old Law of laying on of hands.

               iii.      Priests laid hands on sacrifices, those offering sacrifices had to lay their hands on the sacrifice they offered.

               iv.      All the people had to lay their hands on the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement.

                v.      Remember the context of this passage: Jesus as the Great High Priest.

              vi.      Don’t lay again the foundation of laying on of hands from the Old Law.

m.    The last two, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment, are both found often in the Old Testament.

                i.      Judaism was the only religion to teach these things, up until Christianity.

               ii.      They were foundational elements of Judaism and the teaching of the Old Law was to be abandoned because both of these are fully explained in the New Law.

n.      Verse 3 simply says that this will happen if they depend on doing God’s will and not their own.

o.      We must mature in Christ so that we are not tied down to old teaching that would hinders our understanding of the gospel.

II.            We turn from salvation (Hebrews 6:4-6).

a.      There are two words in this section that cause problems for people.

b.      The first word is impossible.

                 i.      If you believe in the possibility of falling away, how can you believe it is impossible to renew that one who has fallen away?

               ii.      Some try to soften it and make it mean just difficult.

              iii.      Some believe it means God thru the Holy Spirit can do it but you and I can’t.

              iv.      Some have said it means after baptism there is no bringing back.

c.       The other word is “if” in verse 6.

                i.      The problem here is “if” is not in the Greek.

               ii.      The ASV renders it better and accurately with “and then fall away”.

              iii.      The NASV says, “and then have fallen away”.

              iv.      The problem is that all the blessings he mentions match up in the Greek with the falling away.

               v.      They all read “having”.

             vi.      In other words, you have had all these things and now you have fallen away.

            vii.      The “if” was put there because of Calvinistic bias.

d.      Now, for the text itself.

e.      Notice these great blessings:

              i.      They had been enlightened by the light of the gospel.

             ii.      They had tasted the sweet taste of salvation.

            iii.      They were given miraculous gifts from the Holy Spirit.

            iv.      They were followers of the good word of God.

             v.      They had been blessed by the powers of God more fully seen in the world to come.

f.        One who has done all those things or received those blessings has been saved.

g.      The one who falls away from those blessings and goes back into Judaism, which is the context of this passage and book, cannot be saved by such.

             i.      It was and is impossible for Judaism to save him or her.

            ii.      There is only salvation in Christ, not Judaism.

h.      Those that associated with Judaism could continually crucify the Christ and put Him to an open shame in one of two ways:

             i.      By offering sacrifices that typified the Christ;

            ii.      By uniting with a people who were against the Christ.

i.        What does that mean for us today?

              i.      If we have obeyed the gospel and then leave it for something we came out of, we can’t find salvation there.

            ii.      That is why we left it in the first place.

           iii.      We can’t find salvation in worldliness or denominationalism.

III.            We face destruction (Hebrews 6:7-8).

a.      The writer closes this section with an illustration from gardening or horticulture.

b.      God waters the ground and the earth drinks it in and produces either herbs or thorns and briars.

            i.      The gospel goes out and it produces Christians or it turns people from God, depending on their reception or rejection of it.

           ii.      These are the only two results.

c.       Where the earth produces herbs there is a blessing.

d.      In fields that produce thorns and briars there is a burning.

e.      The illustration is simple:

            i.      Those that follow the Christ, the Great High Priest, will flourish and enjoy salvation for all eternity.

           ii.      Those that reject the Christ, the Great High Priest, will be burned in eternity in hell.

The Better Way 7-6-25 AM

I.            The purpose of love (1 Cor. 13:1-3).

a.      Paul finished the point he was making, recorded in chapter 12, about the oneness of the body and the necessity of all gifts, by saying there was a greater way of living as a Christian.

b.     The purpose of living the way of love is that it makes one godly.

          i.      God is love (1 John 4:8).

         ii.      We are called to love like God loves (1 John 4:16).

        iii.      Love is shown to God by keeping His commandments (1 John 5:3).

c.      When a Christian is living the agape love life God wants us to live, we are as godly as we can ever be.

d.     Paul points out that if we could speak every language known to man, or even like the angels, but not possess love, we would be useless.

       i.      The phrase sounding brass is translated “noisy gong” in other translations and tinkling cymbal is translated “clanging cymbal”.

       ii.      Both gongs and cymbals were used in the idolatrous practices so common in Corinth.

      iii.      It seems that Paul was saying that the worship you are offering while fighting with one another about speaking in tongues is equal to idol worship in the eyes of God.

       iv.      All of it is noisy and useless to God.

e.      Paul then turns to other miraculous abilities and says that if you could perform them and know things miraculously, you would be nothing.

        i.      Could you imagine being able to move a mountain into the sea, as Jesus said could be done, but be nothing?

       ii.      The word nothing indicates to be of no account or worthless.

       iii.      David Lipscomb pointed to Judas Iscariot as a man who fit this passage.

f.       Paul then turned from miraculous works to being sacrificial without love.

        i.      What would we think of someone who gave everything he had in order for the poor to be fed?

       ii.      What would we think of someone who gave his life for the cause of Christ?

       iii.      If it was done without love for their brethren and God, it would be worthless effort.

g.      Love shows us to be like God as much as is humanly possible.

h.     Love is the badge of discipleship that sets us apart from the world (John 13:34-35).

i.        Effort given without love is useless, worthless effort.

II.            The performance of love (1 Cor. 13:4-7).

a.      How do we know when someone is truly loving?

b.     Love is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).

c.      Like other things, love is shown in our actions and Paul points this out.

d.     Paul points out numerous attributes of love – some positive and some negative.

e.      We will join these together in groups to show what love is capable of doing:

       i.      Love helps us live in peace with other.

1.      It suffers long or is long in coming to anger – love doesn’t allow us to fly off hot.

2.      It is kind – the only time this particular Greek word is used and it carries the idea of being gentle towards others, showing oneself to be mild in disposition.

3.      It does not envy – instead of seeking revenge but responds with kindness (Romans 12:17-21).

       ii.      Love removes vanity.

1.      It does not vaunt itself – love refuses to brag about itself.

2.      It is not puffed up – love won’t let us swell up like a toad trying to bring attention to ourselves.

       iii.      Love helps us be better people.

1.      It does not behave itself unseemly – which means moral deformity.

2.      It seeks not its own – it doesn’t demand its rights.

      iv.      Love helps us control our feelings.

1.      It isn’t easily provoked – isn’t easily stirred to anger.

2.      It doesn’t think evil – this doesn’t mean one is naïve, but it does mean that we don’t go straight to thinking the worst about someone, but instead thinks the best until proven otherwise.

3.      One writer said these mean we don’t act like an accountant and record the mistakes of those we love.

      v.      Love helps deepen our convictions that are based on God’s word.

1.      It rejoices not in unrighteousness but does rejoice in the truth.

2.      God’s word is truth, so those things that are good and right with God bring joy and those that aren’t bring sadness.

      vi.      Love helps us to reach out to others.

1.      It bears all things – protects or hides the faults of others.

2.      It believes all things – it believes the best about others.

3.      It hopes all things – wanting the best and refusing to jump to conclusions.

4.      It endures all things – it will cause us to take whatever is given us and make something much more beautiful out of it.

III.            The permanence of love (1 Cor. 13:8-13).

a.      Paul contrasts the permanence of love with the limited duration of miraculous gifts.

       i.      Paul said that love would never perish or fail.

      ii.      However, the gifts would all fail, cease, or vanish.

1.      Each of those indicated the temporary nature of the miraculous gifts.

2.      They were never meant to last forever but love would, thus it is the more excellent way.

b.     Love would and will always hold a place of prominence in the life of a Christian.

c.      There are at least five different ideas about what that which is perfect is.

      i.      However, if we let the passage itself dictate the meaning, it is easy to see.

      ii.      Paul said that prophecy and knowledge were parts of something.

      iii.      Of what would they be parts?

      iv.      It has to be God’s word.

      v.      That which is perfect is the completed revelation of God’s will in written form.

d.     When that was finally brought to fruition, the miraculous would and did cease, but love would still continue to remain a vital part of the life of a Christian.

e.      The miraculous life was compared to the maturing of a child into an adult or looking into a mirror as opposed to looking face to face.

f.       As great as faith and hope are in the life of a Christian, love is the greatest.

      i.      There is great debate as to why love is said to be preeminent.

      ii.      The best answer to me is that love is more influential on others.

1.      Faith and hope are more internal.

2.      Love is shown to others, thus having a greater impact on the lives of those around us.

g.      Each has a part in saving us, but love for others helps save them as well.

Facts Of The Judgment Of God 7-6-25 AM

I.            Judgment is according to truth (Rom. 2:1-2).

a.      If you follow news at all, there has been a lot of talk about judges and judgments the past few years.

i.      There is talk of a two-tiered legal system.

ii.      If you lean one way politically you get one set of rules.

iii.      If you lean another you get a different set of rules.

b.     This is not new.

i.      It has long been held that if you have money you can get away with anything.

ii.      The rich have one set of rules while the poor have another has long been believed.

c.     Whether each of those is true or not does not matter when it comes to the judgment seat of Christ.

d.     Paul tells those of us who would engage in the judgment of others that we have a problem.

i.      Inexcusable literally means without defense.

ii.      One who judges others is condemned because we do the same things.

e.     We need to keep in mind what Paul is doing by inspiration in these first three chapters.

i.      Chapter one shows that Gentiles are condemned because of all the heinous sins in which they were engaging because of their rejection of God.

ii.      Chapter two shows that Jews are condemned because they had rejected Jesus and, before that, had seemingly rejected the Law of Moses, which led them to commit the same type sins as the Gentiles.

 iii.      Chapter three shows that all are condemned because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

f.        Paul is saying, by inspiration, that for lost Jews to judge lost Gentiles is ridiculous because you are committing the same sins.

g.      Their judgment was false because they were not using the right standard and they were involved in committing the same sins.

h.      This won’t happen at the judgment seat of Christ.

i.        His judgment, the judgment of God, is according to truth.

 i.      God’s word is the standard (John 17:17).

 ii.      John 12:48.

j.        This word does not and will not change (Matt. 24:35; 1 Pe. 1:23).

k.      When you and I and all humanity stand individually before the judgment seat of Christ, the resulting judgment will be based on truth.

 II.            There is no escape from judgment (Rom. 2:3-4).

a.      Some people in this life get away with things that others don’t.

 i.      We’ve seen this through our lives in both big and small things.

ii.      You may have cheated on a test in school and got caught while a friend cheated but didn’t get caught.

iii.      We’ve seen people get arrested for things that other people have done but not got arrested for.

 iv.      Our civil system is good but it isn’t perfect because humans are in charge of it.

b.      This will not happen on the judgment day.

c.       Paul asks this question: Do you really think you are going to escape judgment?

 i.      Paul knew there is no way that one will miss that appointment (Heb. 9:27).

 ii.      2 Cor. 5:10 – notice those phrases:

1.      All appear.

2.      That everyone.

 iii.      Acts 17:30-31 – notice those phrases:

1.      Commands all men everywhere.

2.      He will judge the world.

3.      Given assurance unto all men.

d.      There is no escaping the judgment of God.

 i.      No matter how much money or power one has, it won’t matter.

 ii.      There will only be truth of God’s word against the lives we’ve led.

III.            Rebellion brings wrath (Romans 2:5).

a.      When were you the harshest towards your children?

b.      For me, it was when one of them refused to admit wrong.

  i.      We would know that he or she did something but he or she would refuse to admit it.

  ii.      It may be why I’m bald because it made me want to pull my hair out.

c.       It always goes easier when you admit you did wrong and repent.

d.      This is true with parents and it is true with God.

e.      Those people who refuse to repent because of hard hearts are going to experience the wrath of God.

i.      Rom. 1:18 tells us that those Gentiles who engaged in those sins listed in the rest of the chapter would experience the wrath of God.

 ii.      The same is true for those who refused to believe in Jesus (John 3:36).

f.        Notice what Paul writes later in this same book (Rom. 11:22).

 i.      God had been good to those who made a change for Him.

 ii.      God had been severe on those Jews who refused to follow Jesus.

 iii.      Think about how severe it got – Rome destroying Jerusalem in a vicious way in AD 70.

g.      Paul calls the day of judgment the day of wrath.

 i.      Those that refuse to obey will experience the wrath of God.

 ii.      They will do so in a terrible way for all eternity.

h.      The result of rebellion against God is His wrath.

IV.            God judges according to deeds (Rom. 2:6-10).

a.      When judgment comes, it is going to be completely impartial.

b.      The reason for this is that it is based solely on our deeds.

 i.      Remember 2 Cor. 5:10.

 ii.      Judgment will be based on the things we have done while in this body.

c.       There is not a separate set of rules for one group over another.

d.      Those who patiently, enduringly, lived for God will have glory, honor, immortality, eternal life.

 i.      Those are four wonderful things aren’t they?

 ii.      By living for God, in well doing, we show we desire these things.

e.      Those who are causing problems and trying to make themselves more important, the idea of contentious, comes indignation, wrath, tribulation, and anguish.

 i.      Those are four terrible words aren’t they?

 ii.      By living for self, we will get what we deserve.

f.        It doesn’t matter if we are Jew or Gentile.

g.      Verses eight and nine show us how much God hates sin.

h.      Whatever our sentence is on that day, it will be based on our deeds.

 V.            It doesn’t matter who you are (Rom. 2:11).

a.      We mentioned earlier that there are always charges of two sets of standards in the law.

b.      We mentioned how some charge our legal system with a set of rules for those with money and set for those without.

c.       God does not care about our color, financial standing, or position in this world.

d.      Paul just wrote that Jew and Gentile will receive either good things or bad things and it will based on deeds.

e.      We need to understand it does not matter who we are or how much we have.

 i.      It doesn’t matter who our parents are.

 ii.      It doesn’t’ matter who our spouse is.

f.        Remember what Peter said when stood before Cornelius (Acts 10:34).

g.      There is no respect of persons with God.

A Case Of Conversion, Apostasy, And Restoration 6-29-25 AM

I.            The ruse of Simon (Acts 8:9-11).

a.      Simon was a man of that area that used magic or sorcery to capture the minds of the people of Samaria.

           i.      The word “sorcery” is the same word translated “wise men” in Matthew 2.

           ii.      This type of magic came from Zoroastrianism, which developed in what we know of as Iran.

           iii.      It was used to do exactly what the word “bewitched” means, capture minds, trick peoples minds into believing something by amazing them.

b.      By sleight of hand and trickery, Simon had gotten the people to believe that he had the power of God.

c.       By doing this, he held great power over the people.

           i.      It wasn’t just poor, common people either.

           ii.      His power was over the least to the greatest.

           iii.      This was the Chris Angel or Harry Houdini of his day.

II.            The redemption of Simon (Acts 8:12-13).

a.      The word “but” is very important in this passage.

           i.      Simon had held power over the people.

           ii.      They believed he as the power of God.

b.      But, when they heard the truth, their minds were changed.

            i.      Philip preached Christ to them.

            ii.      This included preaching about His church and about who and what Jesus was.

c.       Along with that preaching, Philip had been performing miracles to confirm the things he was preaching were true (Acts 8:6-7).

d.      Because of what they heard and what they saw they were convinced of the truth of the gospel and many obeyed the teaching of Philip and were baptized.

e.      What is amazing is that the one who had held power over the people by fraud also believed and was baptized.

            i.      This man, one who had position and prominence in the eyes of the people before Philip came, gave up all of that to obey the gospel.

            ii.      There is a lot of good to learn from this man.

            iii.      He was willing to leave behind that which he had used to promote himself in order to obey the gospel.

           iv.      We need more people like Simon in this world.

           v.      In Acts 13, we read of another sorcerer who had some power, Elymas, who withstood the truth that Paul preached and had to be struck blind.

           vi.      He was unwilling to change for the truth, whereas Simon was completely willing.

f.        When Simon heard Philip’s preaching, he believed it obeyed it by being baptized.

g.      Luke then tells us something that I find interesting.

           i.      He continued to go with Philip wherever he went and was in amazement at the miracles Philip performed.

           ii.      Why do you think he was amazed?

           iii.      The reason, at least to me, is that he was seeing something that was real.

           iv.      All the things he had done were faked so as to draw people to him.

           v.      What Philip was doing was real and lasting.

h.      Whatever way we look at it, Simon was saved at this point by believing the preaching of Philip and then being baptized into Christ.

III.            The resolve of Simon (Acts 8:14-19).

a.      Word got back to the apostles in Jerusalem about what great success Philip was having in Samaria so Peter and John came.

b.      When these two apostles came, they prayed that God would allow the Holy Spirit to be given to these new converts.

c.       The apostles then laid their hands on some of the converts and passed miraculous gifts on to them so they could confirm the words they would preach to others.

d.      This amazed Simon even more than Philip’s abilities.

e.      At this point, Simon resolved to get this ability for himself.

           i.      Performing miracles was wonderful.

           ii.      To Simon, the ability to give others the ability to perform miracles was too much for him to pass up.

f.        Sadly, he went through with his resolution and asked the apostles to give him that ability and he would pay them for it.

g.      In times past, Simon had made his living with magic.

           i.      He would perform magic and get paid.

           ii.      He would see a new trick and offer money to the one who performed it to teach him how to do it.

           iii.      It is probable that he saw the ability to impart gifts to others as a money making scheme.

IV.            The restoration of Simon (Acts 8:20-24).

a.      Peter immediately nipped this idea in the bud.

b.      The literal translation of the beginning of Peter’s statement is “you and your money will go to hell.”

           i.      Peter meant this literally.

           ii.      At that point, Simon was lost and would end up in hell for his sin.

c.       It is interesting that many in the religious world, those infected with the false doctrine of Calvinism, teach that based on this, Simon was never saved.

           i.      John Calvin taught this back in the 1600's and now it is still in books and sermons today.

           ii.      Despite the fact that Simon did everything else the other Samaritans did and the exact same language is used to describe their conversions, they were saved but Simon was not, at least according to Calvinism.

d.      For Simon to have not been saved would be to have him expressing an insincere faith at his conversion.

           i.      Luke says the exact opposite.

           ii.      Luke says that “Simon himself believed also.”

           iii.      He believed in the exact same manner as the others.

           iv.      He obeyed in the exact same manner as the others.

e.      The truth is, Simon obeyed and was saved but then sinned and became lost.

f.        Peter told Simon that he had no part of distributing the gifts of the Holy Spirit and, even if it were possible, which it wasn’t, he wouldn’t be able to do so because his heart was not right with God.

g.      It is at this point, we get to see another great spiritual lesson: a child of God who sins can repent and pray for forgiveness and have that sin removed.

           i.      Some call this God’s second law of pardon.

           ii.      A baptized believer who sins does not have to be baptized again.

           iii.      He or she has to repent and pray.

h.      The reason Simon needed to do so was that he was in the bile of bitterness, he would be eaten up with it if he continued in that mindset.

i.        Also, he was captive to the sin as long as he thought that way.

j.        Simon then asked Peter to pray for him.

           i.      I believe this shows Simon’s penitence and desire to be right with God.

           ii.      We extend the Lord’s invitation and ask people to respond allowing their brethren to pray for them.

Signs Of Spiritual Immaturity 6-22-25 PM

I.            Indolence towards God’s word (Hebrews 5:11).

a.      Learning is the same in any subject.

            i.      You begin with basic things and you add to them.

            ii.      You don’t do algebra before you learn addition and subtraction.

            iii.      You don’t learn to write until you learn to spell and so on.

b.      The same is true with spiritual matters.

c.       Our writer wanted to continue, and later will, talking about the priesthood of Melchisedek, but knew that the brethren to whom he was writing had a problem.

d.      It was a problem of indolence, or laziness.

            i.      The brethren were dull of hearing.

            ii.      Literally, they had lazy ears.

e.      When it came to God’s word, they simply had become lazy.

f.        There are different causes for this, but it still happens today.

            i.      Some refuse to take in God’s word.

1.      We don’t read the Bible or read spiritually stimulating articles.

2.      We have a number of leftover Spiritual Swords every quarter.

3.      We only get 50.

4.      Some are not taking advantage of a great spiritual resource.

            ii.      Some don’t listen well to the sermons.

1.      I know I have a responsibility to stand before you with something to say from God’s word.

2.      Every preacher has that responsibility.

3.      You as a listener, however, have a responsibility to have your ears open.

4.      Long ago, Jesus take heed how you hear (Luke 8:18).

5.      Our minds have to be open to the spoken word of God.

            iii.      Some just take God’s word for granted.

1.      We can get like that with God’s word.

2. We can just show up on Sundays and expect a sermon and go home, or we can have true worship, which is joint participation.

g.      When we get lazy in our spiritual lives, it shows up in the way we act, and in the sins we commit.

II.      An inability to share God’s word (Hebrews 5:12a).

a.      Do you remember what you did to obey the gospel?

            i.      You probably are thinking, “Well of course, Ben. Do you think I’m stupid”?

            ii.      Can you tell others?

b.      It’s amazing what we can share with others isn’t it?

            i.      We can share recipes with others.

            ii.      We can share how to fix a complicated combustible engine.

            iii.      We can share the intricacies of proper throwing mechanics.

            iv.      We can share our insight into our favorite sports teams.

            v.      We can share gossip.

c.       How many of us are sharing the gospel?

d.      Our writer told these brethren that it was past time that they were teachers.

           i.      These brethren had been given the gospel message numerous years before receiving this letter.

           ii.      If it was sent to Jewish converts in the area of Judea, these brethren were some of the first converts.

           iii.      Hebrews was probably written in the early 60's, so about 30 years had passed between the brethren being taught the gospel and their receiving this letter.

e.      It’s a shame when the deacon over the education department has to scrounge around for teachers and beg older Christians to teach younger Christians.

f.        These brethren had the need of being taught again the things they had already learned because they had forgotten them or allowed them to stagnate in their mind.

g.      The problem was this could be seen in their lives by their failure to remain faithful.

h.      It is needful for things to be gone over again and that is to be understood.

           i.      However, you and I, if we have been Christians for a while, should be able to teach them to others.

           ii.      Basic, first principle things, such as the plan of salvation, the one church, repentance, and doctrines such as these should not be hard concepts to mature Christians.

III.    An insufficient diet (Hebrews 5:12-14).

a.      If you want to get sick, keep eating the wrong kinds foods.

           i.      Physically, ingesting the proper foods is key to good health.

           ii.      If you eat foods that are unhealthy, or refuse to eat, you are going to be unhealthy.

b.      Spiritually speaking, the food on which we must grow is the word of God (1 Peter 2:2).

            i.      Milk is fine for infants.

            ii.      A new convert is not ready for the type of study that a 20 year Christian should be doing.

c.       However, there is in the church , as there was with these brethren, people who are immature because they have not been eating properly.

           i.      Their diet of God’s word is spotty at best.

           ii.      Relying on what one gets in 2 30 minute sermons and 2 45 minute class periods won’t let you starve, but you won’t grow much either.

d.      If we are still having the same problems and committing the same sins, we are showing that our spiritual diet is insufficient.

           i.      Someone once said that right learning leads to right living.

           ii.      If we fail to learn right, we can’t live right.

           iii.      We won’t overcome sin and remain faithful with a weak spiritual diet.

e.      We live in a time with more than enough avenues of study.

           i.      It is amazing what can be found with a simple google search.

           ii.      Sadly, many of us are ignoring the great opportunities for study that we have.

           iii.      As a human being, one of the marks of maturity is you learn how to feed yourself. This is true in spiritual growth too.

f.        So many tools lie within easy reach, but too many Christians are ignoring them.

g.      We grow when we exercise our senses.

           i.      Spiritually, we are to know right from wrong.

           ii.      We read and take in information to train our senses.

           iii.      The only way to do this is to take in the right information, which is God’s word, and use it to find out what is right and wrong.

h.      The only way this is possible is if we use what God provides us.

Some Truths From A Dishonest Man 6-22-25 AM

I.        We need to fear God (Lu. 23:40).

a.      These two men were both hanging on crosses in terrible pain.

b.      One of them continued to harass Jesus.

           i.      Luke 23:38 mentions that superscription attached to the cross of Jesus.

           ii.      The next verse contains the jab of the criminal telling Jesus that if He were truly the Messiah He could save Himself as well as the thieves.

c.       After seeing all that was going on and hearing what Jesus had said up to this point, the other criminal had enough.

           i.      Again, we don’t know what clicked in his mind.

           ii.      He had seen and heard enough to draw the conclusion that Jesus was different than them and was who He said He was.

d.      Since he had come to realize that Jesus was the Messiah, he realized that to be mocking Jesus was to show a lack of reverence for God.

e.      When you look at the lives of people today, you see a lot of lack of reverence for God, which is what fear in this verse means.

f.        Long ago the Preacher said man is whole when he fears God and keeps His commandments (Ecc. 12:13).

g.      Instead, our society shows a lack of reverence by their actions and words (Ps. 36:1).

h.      Notice Romans 3:12-18.

           i.      This rings true in our time today.

           ii.      All around us are those who do not reverence God.

i.        This dishonest man stated a bold truth to his companion – you need to fear God.

j.        All today need to have a reverence for God as well and we, as His people, have to exemplify that to all others.

II.       We deserve our condemnation (Lu. 23:40-41).

a.      These two men deserved the punishment they were enduring.

b.      Crucifixion was reserved for those who had committed severe crimes.

           i.      Stealing from houses was not a crime punishable by death.

           ii.      When you read about Rome putting people to death by crucifixion, it was often because of some crime against Rome in some way.

c.       Whatever these two men had done, it had to have been severe and viewed by Roman law as a crime against the state.

d.      The criminal speaking did not deny he had done something wrong.

           i.      He said that they were receiving the due reward of their deeds.

           ii.      What they had done was worthy of the punishment they were receiving.

e.      The truth is we all are in this situation (Rom. 6:23).

f.        None of us are free from sin.

g.      Rom. 3:10, 23.

h.      Sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:1-2).

           i.      Being separated from God is spiritual death.

           ii.      That is what we deserve because we’ve all sinned.

i.        Rom. 5:12.

j.        James 1:14-15.

k.      This dishonest man knew that he deserved the punishment he was receiving.

l.        We deserve punishment because we have all sinned.

III.     Jesus was sinless (Luke 23:41).

a.      The criminal had just stated that he and his companion were getting what they deserved because of their actions.

b.      He then stated that Jesus had done nothing amiss, or, as all newer translations say, nothing wrong.

c.       Jesus was perfect, sinless in action all His life.

           i.      The Old Testament prophesied this would be the case (Isa. 53:9).

           ii.      Numerous New Testament verses teach this fact (2 Cor. 5:20-21; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 Pet. 2:21-22;  Heb. 4:15; 1 John 3:5).

d.      This criminal knew that the charges against Jesus were not true.

           i.      Pilate had known this as well (John 19:4).

           ii.      Only envy had delivered Jesus into this predicament (Mk. 15:10).

e.      I don’t know for sure that the man understood that Jesus was perfectly sinless His whole life.

           i.      Jesus knew that He was (John 8:29).

           ii.      We don’t know for sure what this man fully knew.

f.        This dishonest man did know and was willing to state that Jesus was sinless in this regard and we know He was sinless in every aspect.

IV.    Jesus would receive a kingdom (Luke 23:42).

a.      He states his request as if he knew it was an absolute fact that Jesus would receive a kingdom.

b.      How did He know about the kingdom?

           i.      Remember, if what we stated in the introduction is true, this man knew the Old Testament.

           ii.      He knew the promise of God to David in 2 Sam. 7.

           iii.      He knew what Isaiah wrote about the coming one (Isa. 9:6-7).

           iv.      He knew what Danial wrote about the kingdom (Dan. 2:44; Dan 7:13-14).

c.      This man believed that Jesus was the Messiah and he knew the Messiah was to receive a kingdom.

d.      An angel spoke to Mary about the kingdom her Son would have (Luke 1:33).

e.      Jesus spoke about His coming kingdom:

           i.      Matt. 16:18-19.

           ii.      Mark 9:1.

           iii.      All the parables about the kingdom of heaven are about the kingdom He would receive.

           iv.      Jesus told people to repent because the kingdom was near.

           v.      Jesus told Pilate that His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36).

f.        The apostles spoke about the kingdom being in existence after His ascension into heaven.

           i.      Rom. 14:17;

           ii.      1 Cor. 4:20.

           iii.      Col. 1:13.

           iv.      Heb. 12:28.

g.      There are those today who teach that Jesus does not have a kingdom yet.

            i.      With all the things going on in Israel, this is becoming more and more prevalent.

            ii.      Our premillennial friends have been teaching this false doctrine for a long time.

h.      This dishonest man told the truth that Jesus was going to have a kingdom.

V.      Only Jesus allows you into His kingdom (Luke 23:42).

a.      This man requested Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into His kingdom.

            i.      He didn’t ask anyone else.

            ii.      He knew it was the kingdom of Jesus and not anyone else.

b.      Only Jesus is the way into the kingdom (John 14:6).

c.       Many people today are citizens in some other kingdom than that of Jesus.

           i.      They are trying to get to God through man-made ways.

           ii.      They are trying to get to God through some other man that Jesus.

d.      It is only the kingdom of Jesus that will be delivered up to God the Father (1 Cor. 15:24).

e.      Jesus is the only way to salvation (Acts 4:12).

f.        No other name and no other person can allow us into the kingdom that will be delivered to the Father.

g.      Because Jesus is the only one who allows you into His kingdom, we have to follow His commands to do so.

           i.      Jesus died for the church (Acts 20:28).

           ii.      Therefore, Jesus has the right to set the terms of entrance into it.

h.      We have to listen to His word (Matt. 11:5).

i.        We have to believe Jesus is God’s Son (John 8:24).

j.        We have to repent of our sins (Luke 13:3, 5).

k.      We have to confess Jesus as Lord (Matt. 10:32-33).

l. We have to be baptized (Mark 16:16).

What Is A Father? 6-15-25 AM

I.            Fierce.

a.      There is the belief that all people are either a sheep or a wolf.

           i.      Someone came up with the idea for another category to add to that.

           ii.      The other category is that of sheepdog.

b.      Sheepdogs fiercely protect the flock.

c.       They look out for any predators that may harm the sheep that have been placed in their protection.

d.      This is what a father is supposed to be for his family.

e.      He is to be fierce in the face of Satan.

           i.      Satan is described as a roaring lion (1 Pe. 5:8).

           ii.      Satan is trying to destroy our homes.

f.        Fathers are to fiercely protect each member of the home.

g.      He has to be on guard against any form of attack that Satan may launch.

h.      Paul told the Corinthians… (1 Cor. 16:13).

           i.      Newer versions have be on guard for watch ye.

           ii.      This is the role of a father.

i.        Sometimes those in his home won’t like what he does because they may not see the harm in something but he does.

j.        Fathers are to be fierce in protecting their families physically as well.

II.            Available.

a.      Fathers need to be present in the lives of their families.

           i.      Present does not just mean bodily presence.

           ii.      It is not enough to be in the same house or even the same room but glued to a phone or the tv.

b.      Ephesians 6:4.

c.       There is no way to bring up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord while being away from them.

           i.      The word for nurture means “the whole training and education of children” – newer versions translate it as training.

           ii.      The word for admonition means “a putting into the mind” – newer versions translate it as instruction.

d.      Fathers have the responsibility of seeing to their children being trained and instructed in the doctrines of Christ.

e.      That takes being available to those children to take the time to teach them.

f.        Our children need us to be available to them to answer their questions about life.

g.      Our children need us to be available to them when they are hurting and need comfort.

h.      Fathers need to listen and show up in their children’s big moments as well as the small ones.

III.            Trustworthy.

a.      A father should be able to be trusted by his wife.

b.      A father should be able to be trusted by his children.

c.       All family members should be able to count on the father to be and do what he should be and do.

d.      Proverbs 20:7.

           i.      When a father is trustworthy, his children are blessed.

           ii.      When a father is trustworthy, his wife is blessed.

e.      This attribute comes from following Christ.

f.        A father that has this attribute is consistent.

           i.      Children don’t have to worry about what mood dad is going to be in when he gets home.

           ii.      His wife doesn’t have to worry about how he is spending the family’s money or if he is being faithful to her.

g.      A father is honest in his dealings with others, modeling this attribute for his children.

h.      A father who is trustworthy has shown his ability to make wise decisions for his family based on God’s word.

IV.            Humble.

a.      Humble is defined as not proud or arrogant when it is used as an adjective and to make meek when it is a verb.

b.      A father has to model this in both ways.

c.       A father cannot be proud or arrogant and expect his family to grow in the knowledge of Christ.

d.      A father has to make himself meek, put his strength under the control of God, in order for his family to have the opportunity to prosper spiritually.

e.      Matt. 23:12.

f.        I read an article about how fathers can model humility and it had four ways this can be done.

            i.      Get over ourselves – our family members are just as important as we are because they are also made in the image of God.

            ii.      Be able to admit when we are wrong – it is not a sin to apologize to our wife or children when we are wrong about something.

            iii.      Do the dirty jobs – show our children what it means to work, even doing the dirty stuff like changing a diaper or cleaning up other messes.

            iv.      Realize we can learn from our wife and children – we are never to old to learn something and we need to let them know that we learned something from them.

g.      Our Lord was humble and we must be as well for our families to prosper.

V.            Encouraging.

a.      We should be our wives biggest fans.

b.      We should be our children’s biggest fans.

c.       Paul told the Thessalonians… (1 Th. 5:11).

d.      We need to encourage them in every good endeavor.

e.      We can do that in several different ways:

            i.      We need to pray for our families and our family members should know we are praying for them.

            ii.      We should speak in encouraging ways to them and not tear them down.

            iii.      We should be guiding our families to trust in God during the good times and the bad times.

f.        When things don’t go right for our children at school or in a ballgame or recital, when they get in the car to go home is not the time to rehash all they did wrong.

            i.      This is something that took me a while to learn.

            ii.      The ride home should be as encouraging as it can be and then take care of the corrections in a discussion at home the next day or at practice.

g.      We need to be lifting up our families, not tearing them down.

VI.            Respectable.

a.      Respectable simply means able to be respected.

b.      Eph. 5:33 end with “and the wife see that she reverences her husband.”

           i.      The word for reverences is translated respects in all the newer versions.

           ii.      In reality, this is what a man wants from his wife and family.

           iii.      Husbands are to love their wives but wives are to respect their husbands.

           iv.      This is because that is what both need for fulfillment in life.

c.       A father needs to possess the type personality and act in a way that makes him able to be respected by his family.

d.      When we are fierce, available, trustworthy, humble, and encouraging, we will be able to be respected by our wives and children.

e.      In order to be respected like we desire, we must be respectable.

Communication In The Home 6-8-25 AM

I.            Barriers to communication.

a.      Materialism.

           i.      Whenever we put things before God, it hurts our marriages.

           ii.      Our relationship with God affects our relationship with our spouse.

           iii.      Many think that by providing many material goods that they are showing their love.

           iv.      In truth, we need to be verbal much more than material in the way we express our love for our spouses.

b.      A critical attitude.

           i.      A psychologist wrote: “The major barrier to mutual interpersonal communication is our very natural tendency to judge, evaluate, to approve or disapprove the statement of the other person...”

           ii.      As in all things, we are to judge righteous judgment.

c.       Fear.

           i.      If there is a lot of criticism, we are afraid to open up to our spouse.

           ii.      Also, if a spouse cannot take a negative comment we don’t open up as we should.

d.      Manipulation.

           i.      Whining, pouting, or withholding to get your spouse to think your way or do what you want is wrong.

           ii.      No one likes to be manipulated and it only creates resentment and distrust.

e.      Preoccupation.

           i.      We live in a busy world and sometimes we get caught up in the mundane instead of the important.

           ii.      Our spouses needs to know that they have our attention.

f.        Dullness.

           i.      Sometimes we let our marriages get stuck in ruts.

           ii.      Everything stays the same from our words to our foods, to our clothes to the places we go.

           iii.      Happy couples look for new things to do together.

g.      Dishonesty.

           i.      This ruins marriages.

           ii.      The trust that must be there is thwarted with even the smallest of untruths being noticed.

II.            Keys to effective communication.

a.      Be knowledgeable (1 Peter 3:7).

           i.      We should know the likes and dislikes of our mate.

           ii.      This can only happen by spending time together.

b.      Be loving.

           i.      We cannot render evil for evil.

           ii.      We must be loving even when our spouse is not.

c.       Be transparent - nothing should be hidden from our spouse.

           i.      If your spouse is to deeply love he/she must deeply know you.

           ii.      No room for the “what he/she doesn’t know...”

d.      Be trustworthy.

e.      Be positive - if something is unimportant, leave it alone.

f.        Be sensitive.

           i.      Just because we would not feel a certain way does not mean our spouse won’t.

           ii.      We need to be accepting of our spouses feelings and help them deal with them.

g.      Be an effective communicator - look for clues our spouse is not getting what we are saying.

h.      Be a good listener.

           i.      On several occasions Jesus said, “He that hath ears...”

           ii.      Don’t jump to conclusions, but hear everything first.

i.        Be prayerful.

           i.      It is hard to argue with someone for whom you’re praying.

           ii.      We will calm down doing then and remember how we are supposed to treat our spouse.

III.            How to fight fairly.

a.      Clarify the issue.

           i.      Make sure you are arguing about the same thing.

           ii.      Many times we are arguing over different issues.

b.      Repeat their words.

           i.      We’ve all said these words at some time during an argument: “That’s not what I said.”

           ii.      We should make ourselves understand exactly what the other person said.

c.       Choose the right time.

           i.      Don’t ambush your spouse with an argument.

           ii.      Right before bed is not the best time.

d.      Look before you leap.

           i.      Will arguing about this topic bring about any good.

           ii.      Proverbs 17:14.

e.      Resolve to resolve.

           i.      Don’t end an argument without the matter being resolved.

           ii.      Ephesians 4:26.

f.        Attack the problem, not your spouse.

           i.      Leave the mud-slinging to the politicians.

           ii.      Before too long, a rock gets into the mud.

g.      Hold hands while arguing.

           i.      The one who devised these rules said it is difficult to verbally assault your spouse while holding hands.

           ii.      The writer then said don’t let go until you have prayed.

(Material gathered from several sources for this sermon)

Grace In The Aftermath 6-1-25 AM

I.            Inspiration speaks about divorce (Matt. 19:3-9).

a.      The Pharisees often tested Jesus and this text contains one of those situations.

b.      The teaching of that time was divided when it came to divorce, just like today.

                                                              i.      There were those that believed in divorce for any reason.

                                                            ii.      There were those that believed in divorce only for fornication.

c.       What Jesus did was point them back to God’s creation of marriage in the beginning.

d.      What Jesus did was uphold God’s original design for marriage: lifelong, a covenant, and sacred.

e.      Jesus also recognized that sexual immorality can so damage a relationship that it can break the marital covenant.

f.        Notice that Jesus did not command divorce in this situation.

                                                              i.      A couple who experiences adultery on the part of one of the parties in the covenant does not have to divorce.

                                                            ii.      If both parties can reconcile, that is wonderful and the marriage is saved.

g.      However, some cannot reconcile, so the Lord allows for divorce in that instance.

h.      In a perfect world, this would be the only cause for divorce, but we know this is not a perfect world.

i.        Paul spoke about marriage in 1 Corinthians 7.

                                                              i.      A wife should not depart from her husband (1 Cor. 7:10).

                                                            ii.      The husband should not put away or divorce his wife (1 Cor. 7:11).

                                                          iii.      If either does for some reason other than fornication, he or she is to remain unmarried or seek reconciliation (1 Cor. 7:11).

j.        Paul then taught that a Christian married to a non-Christian is not so tied to the non-Christian that he or she can leave the Lord to keep the marriage together (1 Cor. 7:15).

                                                              i.      Not under bondage means that the marriage vow is not stronger than one’s vow to Christ to live for Him.

                                                            ii.      But nowhere does Paul say that this allows the Christian to remarry.

                                                          iii.      Jesus gave the one exception that allows for remarriage and that is fornication (Matt. 19:9)

k.      This shows us that there will be divorce for other reasons besides fornication.

II.            Embrace restoration (John 8:1-11).

a.      This is another account where Jesus was tested.

b.      The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman before Jesus who had been taken in the very act of adultery.

                                                              i.      It takes two to commit adultery.

                                                            ii.      It is telling that the man involved was not brought before Jesus.

                                                          iii.      This was strictly a plan to entrap Jesus.

c.       How did our Lord respond?

                                                              i.      A response based purely on justice would have been to condemn the woman to death.

                                                            ii.      Instead, Jesus showed grace to the woman.

d.      Jesus said that for the one among them who was without sin to cast the first stone.

e.      Their response was to slowly walk away beginning with the oldest to the youngest.

f.        Notice that Jesus did not deny a sin had taken place.

                                                              i.      Jesus told her to go and sin no more.

                                                            ii.      This implies that she had sinned.

g.      The church, us who belong to Christ, need to react in the same way when divorce occurs.

h.      Unless we have been through a divorce, we don’t understand the weight that is on one who has.

                                                              i.      There is the weight of the different emotions we mentioned in the introduction.

                                                            ii.      There is the spiritual weight of questioning if you are still right with God or not.

i.        The response of a Christian should be compassion.

j.        However, if you talk with those who have experienced divorce the response some will say what they have seen is suspicion or silence.

                                                              i.      Suspicion that they had committed some sin that caused the other spouse to turn to fornication or end the marriage.

                                                            ii.      Silence in that they are ignored as people because we don’t know what to say to them.

k.      We can’t treat divorced individuals as second-class Christians.

l.        How would we want to be treated if it was us who experienced such an unwanted experience (Matt. 7:12)?

m.    We have to avoid gossip or making assumptions (Matt. 7:1).

n.      We must continue to be friendly and make sure to include people who have experienced divorce as much as we can, keeping their feelings in mind.

III.            Practical ways the church can help (Rom. 12:9-13).

a.      This text in Romans is not specifically about those who have experienced divorce.

b.      It is specifically about how we are to treat one another in the church in any situation.

c.       We need to listen without judging, while understanding there are two sides to every story.

d.      We need to offer counseling if wanted or needed.

                                                              i.      This is not something everyone can do.

                                                            ii.      This needs to be done by those who are qualified.

e.      Don’t exclude from positions God allows – we should never make anything harder on someone than God does.

f.        We can help with the adjustment period.

                                                              i.      There may be a need for help with childcare.

                                                            ii.      There may be a need for help with moving.

g.      We need to show love while standing firm on the truths of scripture.

The Great High Priest 5-25-25 PM

 I.            The role of the Jewish high priest (Hebrews 5:1-14).

a.      The writer begins introducing Jesus as the high priest by talking about the role the high priest was supposed to have fulfilled under the Mosaic Law.

                                                              i.      As we study the life of Christ and read about Annas and Caiphas, it is not hard to see that those two at least, did not fit the description given us of the high priest by our writer.

                                                            ii.      Instead, those men were concerned about power and how to keep what they had and get more if possible.

                                                          iii.      God never wanted the high priest to think that way.

b.      I came across one article that said the high priest had to be the richest of his brothers and if he was not, his brothers were to give him some of their money until he had more than them.

c.       All of these ideas came from perversions of the Mosaic Law.

d.      The high priest was a man, taken from among men, and was set before the people to go to God on their behalf.

                                                              i.      He offered the various gifts that could be given, such as the thank offerings.

                                                            ii.      He also offered sacrifices for the people.

e.       His role was to be one who showed compassion on the people who were ignorant of God’s law or had committed sins.

                                                              i.      This was definitely not the case during the time this was written.

                                                            ii.      It had become a political appointment instead of a role to bring people to God.

f.        The reason he could do that was because he himself was beset by sin and weakness.

                                                              i.      In chapter 9, the writer will touch on this more, but he wanted the people to see God’s intent for the role of high priest.

                                                            ii.      He was a man, just like every other person, who would show compassion on those who needed it because of ignorance and sin.

g.      Because of his own sinfulness, he would offer sacrifices for himself as well as for the people.

                                                              i.      On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would offer for himself first.

                                                            ii.      He would then offer for the people before he went into the most holy place.

h.      The role of the high priest was to come to God on behalf of the people and for himself.

II.            The calling of Jesus as High Priest (Hebrews 5:4-6).

a.      The office of high priest was never intended to be an office or role that was taken up on one’s own.

                                                              i.      It had gotten to the point where it was almost a man running for office.

                                                            ii.      He would do favors for the one’s in control or show himself loyal in some way so as to get the position.

b.      It was one appointed by God just the way Aaron had been appointed.

c.       It was in this fashion that Jesus was appointed High Priest.

                                                              i.      Our Lord did not take on this title Himself.

                                                            ii.      It was bestowed upon Him by God.

d.      God called Jesus His Son and called Him a priest after the order of Melchisedec.

                                                              i.      The first quote is from Psalm 2:7.

                                                            ii.      The second is from Psalm 110:4.

e.       Melchisedec is mentioned again later, but we meet him in Genesis 14:18.

                                                              i.      He was the king of Salem as well as a priest of God.

                                                            ii.      Abraham honored him by paying tribute to him after returning from freeing Lot who had been kidnapped.

f.        We won’t go any deeper into this aspect other than to say that Jesus was made a King and a Priest, which is what Melchisedec had been and those are the only two about whom we read in scripture that held those two offices simultaneously.

g.      Our God called His Son Jesus to be our High Priest.

                                                              i.      A high priest was to show compassion for those ignorant of God’s word and who were in sin.

                                                            ii.      From the life of Jesus, we know that is exactly what He did.

h.      He is the High Priest who knows what we are going through, because we need that and it was a requirement of a high priest (Hebrews 4:15).

III.            The perfecting of Jesus to be High Priest (Hebrews 5:7-10).

a.      I hope that no one believes that this passage teaches that Jesus was not perfect.

                                                              i.      We just read the verse that tells us that Jesus was without sin.

                                                            ii.      This word perfect in verse 9 is a word that simply means complete.

                                                          iii.      This section tells us that Jesus had to endure what He did to complete Him for the role of our Savior and High Priest.

b.      The night of His betrayal, Jesus went into the garden to pray.

                                                              i.      We know that He prayed for God to release Him from the anguish He was going to have to endure but that He knew God’s will must be done.

                                                            ii.      Notice the words, “strong crying and tears”.

                                                          iii.      Luke tells us that it was so severe that Jesus began to have blood mingled in with His sweat.

                                                          iv.      He used the word agony to describe the condition of Jesus while praying.

                                                            v.      He was in such a state that God sent an angel to minister to Him.

c.       The last phrase of verse 7 is very interesting and has caused a lot of disagreement among Bible scholars.

d.      I’m no scholar so I won’t disagree with anyone.

e.       The last phrase says that Jesus’s prayer was heard because He feared God.

                                                              i.      There is no doubt that Jesus feared, or had reverence for, God the Father the entire time that He was on earth.

                                                            ii.      Some say that the writer was inspired to simply write this truth, that Jesus was heard because He revered God.

f.        Another line of thought is that this carries the idea that because Jesus feared God, God heard His prayer for comfort.

                                                              i.      Remember our Lord was human just like us.

                                                            ii.      It had to be extremely tempting for the human side of Jesus to want to get out of the extreme pain and anguish He was about to face.

                                                          iii.      Those prayers that Jesus prayed in the garden were prayers for strength in the hour of temptation.

                                                          iv.      He was praying for the human side of Himself to go along with the will of God.

                                                            v.      His prayer was heard and answered in the form of the angel coming to minister to Him in His deeply emotional state.

g.      Either of these views does nothing to hurt the text or disagrees with any other passage of scripture.

h.      It does seem odd that the writer would be inspired to simply tell us that Jesus was heard because He feared when we realize that He always had feared God the Father, but that does not mean it is not the case.

i.        Despite the fact that He was a Son and not just a servant, He still learned obedience.

                                                              i.      This does not mean He didn’t know it before.

                                                            ii.      What it does seem to mean is that Jesus learned of the true consequences of obedience.

                                                          iii.      One of the temptations facing those to whom this book was written was to forsake God because of the cost.

                                                          iv.      It was going to possibly cost them their lives.

                                                            v.      Our Lord understands the cost because that was the price He had to pay to obey the Father.

                                                          vi.      He can see us through that temptation because He faced it and conquered it Himself.

j.        His following through with being obedient completed Him and allowed Him to be the author, or source, of salvation for all those that obey Him.

                                                              i.      By His suffering for us because of obedience, He was made the perfect Savior and High Priest.

                                                            ii.      Those that obey Jesus, not just believe on Him, can obtain salvation because of what Jesus did for us.

k.      This all allowed Jesus to be called by God to be our High Priest after the order of Melchisedec.

A G.R.E.A.T. Marriage AM 5-25-25

 I.            God must be in your marriage.

a.      God is the Designer and Institutor of marriage (Genesis 2:18).

b.      As such, He has the right to say who can and can’t be married (Matthew 19:1-9).

c.       But the fact is, unless we honor God by allowing Him to be present in our marriages, they will fail.

d.      Since God instituted marriage, He has given us the manual for how to have the type marriage He has always had in mind for mankind.

                                                              i.      He has allowed it to be modeled by the relationship of Christ and the church.

                                                            ii.      He has given the parameters of marriage for our benefit.

e.       He must be allowed into our marriages and that is our part.

f.        Ecclesiastes 4:12 - God is to be that third cord.

g.      The couple who allows the Lord to be a vital part of their marriage has a tremendous advantage over those who don’t.

                                                              i.      He must be present in prayer.

                                                            ii.      He must be present in study.

                                                          iii.      He must be present in worship.

                                                          iv.      He must be present in the type love shown to one another.

II.            Remember your vows.

a.      Will you have this man to be your husband, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?

b.      Will you have this woman to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?

c.       For those of you who are not married, these are type vows you will one day make if you decide to get married to someone.

                                                              i.      Notice the seriousness of each of these promises you are going to make the one you have decided to marry.

                                                            ii.      Notice also that these are for life.

                                                          iii.      That is the way God intended for marriage to be (Romans 7:2).

d.      For those of us who are married, do you remember these vows you made to the one who was standing before you?

                                                              i.      Your voice may have been quivering as you said them.

                                                            ii.      Hopefully, each of us realized the seriousness of the words to which we were saying I do.

e.       But what happens is that over time, we tend to forget these words that are of such great import.

                                                              i.      We fail to bring the love to the ones we made the vow that they deserve.

                                                            ii.      We say biting words that bring no honor or comfort to them.

                                                          iii.      Sadly, sometimes we fail to forsake all others and become unfaithful.

f.        It may be we would never consider committing adultery, but our marriages can still be failing because, while keeping ourselves only for our spouse, we are failing in the other vows we made.

g.      Love, honor, comfort, companionship, are all things we promised and we must make sure that we are living up to those vows we made.

h.      A preacher, in a sermon about marriage made this statement about our vows: “Winston Churchill kept England stable during the World War 2 bombing raids by emphasizing that “Wars are not won by evacuations.” Likewise, marriages are not kept together by bailing out. Your wedding vows are not multiple choice questions!”

i.        Every aspect of each vow is vital to keeping our marriages great!

III.            Enjoy life together.

a.      Ecclesiastes 9:9.

b.      Remember what God said recorded in Genesis 2:18?

c.       When marriage is entered into by a man and woman, which is the biblical standard for marriage, God says it is good.

d.      Those two are to be together till death parts them.

                                                              i.      We don’t know when death will come for either party in the marriage.

                                                            ii.      Therefore, they are committing to being together for many years.

e.       A lot happens during those married years doesn’t it?

                                                              i.      Some very good things happen.

                                                            ii.      Some very bad things can happen.

f.        A husband and wife must be able to enjoy life together because many of the years are going to be with one another only.

g.      Many couples run into problems when their children leave home because they wrapped their lives up in the activities of their children and didn’t take the time to continue growing their relationship with their spouses.

h.      A husband and wife are blessed greatly if they are given children by the Lord, but those children are not to be the center of their marriage to one another.

                                                              i.      A husband is to love His wife as He loves himself.

                                                            ii.      A wife is to honor her husband.

                                                          iii.      Those are to be ongoing while the children are in the home.

                                                          iv.      The spouse is to be loved above all else except the Lord.

                                                            v.      Our spouses are to be our closest friends and included in all things.

                                                          vi.      They should never feel left out or alienated by us.

 IV.            Appreciate one another.

a.      Proverbs 18:22.

b.      Do you thank your spouse for the things he or she does?

                                                              i.      We might think, “Hey, she’s supposed to do this or, he’s supposed to do that”.

                                                            ii.      While it may be true that he or she is supposed to do that, you and I are still to appreciate their doing it.

c.       All of us like to be shown appreciation for things we do for the ones we love.

d.      If we like it, we should believe our spouses like it as well.

e.       Too many times, after the newness of marriage wears off, we begin to take one another for granted.

                                                              i.      One psychologist wrote, “We become deadened to our spouse’s special qualities and instead focus on things that annoy us about them. These doldrums leave couples confused and discouraged”.

                                                            ii.      This same psychologist blamed lack of appreciation in marriage for the downfall of many marriages.

f.        One writer said that appreciation in marriage is an antidote to divorce.

g.      Our God has done great things for us and we show Him our appreciation by the life we live for Him, as well as the prayers we offer Him.

                                                              i.      While we don’t pray to our spouses, we must make sure we are showing them our appreciation for the love and sacrifice they show us.

                                                            ii.      They need to hear and see it.

V.            Treat your spouse as the most important person on earth.

a.      Who is more important to you on earth than your spouse?

b.      If you can answer someone else, you have deep problems in your marriage.

c.       There should be no relationship on this earth that is more important than the one with your spouse.

                                                              i.      Too many allow parental relationships to hinder their marriages.

                                                            ii.      Too many allow work relationships to hinder their marriages.

                                                          iii.      Too many allow relationships with children to hinder their marriages.

d.      Jesus gave Himself for the church according to Ephesians 5:25 tells us.

e.       That is how important His relationship with the church was to Him and that is the model we are given for marriage.

f.        As a Christian, I know there is nothing more important to Jesus than the church of which I am a part.

g.      My wife needs to know there is no one more important on earth, just like your spouse needs to know there is no one more important on earth to you.

What Is My Role? 5-18-25 AM

I.       Practice Christianity.

a.      The most important role that we can fill is that of a role model.

b.      As parents of older children, we have to set the example of a Christian.

c.       They have been watching us for years and continue to watch us.

d.      The things that are important to us as adults will be important to them.

                                                              i.      If sports are important to us, more than likely they will be important to them.

                                                            ii.      If work is important to us, more than likely it will be important to them.

                                                          iii.      If the Lord is important to us, more than likely He will be important to them.

e.      I came across a great question: Are you the adult you want your children to grow up to be?

f.        When our children get into the young adult stage, it is too late for that question isn’t it?

g.      However, it can still be used as a model.

h.      Paul told Timothy to be an example of the believers (1 Tim. 4:12).

i.        This is what parents are to be for their older children.

j.        In essence, this is a role that never changes.

                                                              i.      We are to be role models to our children at all ages.

                                                            ii.      We are to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).

                                                          iii.      We are to model Christ for them at all times.

k.      This role never changes for us from the time we bring our firstborn into the world until the moment we take our last breath.

II.      Promote communication.

a.      We have to maintain open lines of communication with our older children.

b.      By this I mean we cannot force our thoughts or opinions on them when situations arise.

                                                              i.      We might handle something differently than they are thinking about.

                                                            ii.      We can’t force our opinions on them by saying, You should do it this way.

c.       This is difficult because we normally think the way we handle situations is the best way.

                                                              i.      If they are not doing it how we would, we want to intervene.

                                                            ii.      This is only going to cause hard feelings or shut down the lines of communication.

d.      There are several ways we can promote good, open communication:

                                                              i.      Don’t jump to conclusions (Jam. 1:19).

                                                            ii.      Be available to our children.

                                                          iii.      Be honest about our own problems – we aren’t perfect and we’ve had to learn from our own mistakes.

                                                          iv.      Don’t get upset or angry with them during a conversation (Pr. 15:1).

                                                            v.      Realize that sometimes they need to vent and don’t want us to fix it for them.

                                                          vi.      Pray for them and let them know you are praying for them (Jam. 5:16).

III.     Patiently confront.

a.      Our children are going to sin and make mistakes and how we deal with them at those times will have a big effect on how that relationship will continue.

b.      Our Father is full of forgiveness and grace.

                                                              i.      Our Lord taught us to ask for forgiveness in prayer (Matt. 6:12).

                                                            ii.      Romans 5:20 – the abundance of grace.

                                                          iii.      Ephesians 1:7 – we have forgiveness because of the riches of His grace.

c.       I point those verses to ask this: If our Father in heaven shows us so much grace and forgiveness, should we not show that same level of grace and forgiveness to our children?

d.      God confronts us in our sins and mistakes, so I am not saying we ignore our children’s mistakes or sin.

e.      I am saying we should not jump on them feet first when those mistakes are made or sins are committed.

f.        Our older children are going to mess up, just like we did when we got into the same stage of life.

g.      How we react when they do will go a long way towards us having a good or bad relationship with them as we both age.

IV.     Prioritize consent.

a.      What this simply means is: we have to respect boundaries.

b.      Their house is their house not ours.

c.       If they are married, we have to understand the biblical teaching of Gen. 2:23-24.

d.      What are some practical ways we can do this?

                                                              i.      Listen without interrupting or correcting them – let them know we value their thoughts.

                                                            ii.      Realize they are able to handle their own problems – ask before giving advice.

                                                          iii.      Avoid emotional manipulation – don’t say things like “After all I’ve done for you…”

                                                          iv.      Talk to them like you would talk to any other adult.

                                                            v.      Don’t get mad if they say no to something.

vi. Be willing to apologize if we are wrong on something.

Encouraging News 5-11-25 PM

I.            The position of Jesus now (Hebrews 4:14).

a.      As we mentioned in the introduction, the writer goes back to showing us that Jesus is better: in this case, a better high priest.

                                                              i.      Beginning in here and going through a greater part of the book, this is the focus.

                                                            ii.      The Jews revered the position of the high priest and it was important to show that Jesus is greater than any high priest on earth has ever been.

b.      To show that Jesus is greater, the writer was first inspired to show the position Jesus now occupies.

c.       Jesus is a High Priest in heaven.

d.      Aaron and other high priests on earth would pass through a curtain once a year into the most holy place.

                                                              i.      The most holy place was a foreshadowing of heaven.

                                                            ii.      You remember that the veil between the holy and most holy place was torn from top to bottom when Jesus died on the cross (Mark 15:38).

                                                          iii.      Only one time per year, in the 7th month, on the 10th day of the month, could the high priest enter the tabernacle.

                                                          iv.      All of this is found in Leviticus 16.

                                                            v.      He would have already offered a bull for himself and one for the people as well as a goat for all their sins.

                                                          vi.      One goat, the scapegoat would be touched by all the people and then let out into the wilderness.

e.      Jesus, who is better, has passed on into heaven itself.

                                                              i.      Jesus is now reigning there, on the right hand of God.

                                                            ii.      He is sitting on the throne overseeing His kingdom.

f.        The greatness of Jesus above all others is what is being stressed here.

                                                              i.      Others only went into that which looked to heaven.

                                                            ii.      They could only go once per year.

                                                          iii.      Jesus, after having offered Himself for the people, went into the true heaven and has stayed there ever since.

g.      Because He is so great, we ought to hold onto our confession of Him for dear life.

                                                              i.      The phrase hold fast means to cling to tenaciously.

                                                            ii.      We ought to have a death grip on it and not let it go.

h.      Remember, the writer’s original audience was a group of Jewish converts who were being tempted to give up Christ.

                                                              i.      Why give up the greatest High Priest for a far inferior high priest?

                                                            ii.      Cling to your confession of Christ made at baptism.

i.        The same holds true for us when the world calls or the trials of life hit.

                                                              i.      To leave Jesus is to leave our only hope.

                                                            ii.      He is the only one who has passed into the heavens.

                                                          iii.      He is the only one ruling over His spiritual body of people and turn from Him is committing spiritual suicide.

II.            The perfection of Jesus while on earth (Hebrews 4:15).

a.      The high priest in those days had become an officially appointed position.

                                                              i.      When you read about the high priests that ruled in the days of Jesus, Annas and Caiphas, you don’t read about people who were concerned about the common folk.

                                                            ii.      All those men, and all the leaders of the Jews, cared about was their power and prestige.

                                                          iii.      If someone had to get killed to keep it, so be it.

                                                          iv.      If someone lost what they had to keep it, so be it.

b.      Yes, Jesus has ascended on high, but while He was on earth, He went through the same things each of us do.

                                                              i.      1 John 2:15-16 lets us know the avenues of temptation: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, the pride of life.

                                                            ii.      At His temptation after His baptism, our Lord faced each of these avenues when Satan came to Him.

c.       Jesus, the human side of Him, could have sinned.

d.      Despite the possibility He could have sinned, He never did.

e.      But because He was tempted, Jesus can be sympathetic to us as we go through temptations.

                                                              i.      We all know the old saying, don’t judge a man till you walk in his shoes.

                                                            ii.      Jesus has been in our shoes.

                                                          iii.      The word translated sympathize means to suffer with another person.

                                                          iv.      It carries the idea of having entered into the experience and feeling the heartache yourself.

f.        Jesus was and is perfect in overcoming temptation, yet He knows exactly how we feel because He has been there and done that.

g.      Jesus is not some far off individual who cares nothing for those He is supposed to be assisting.

h.      Rather, our High Priest hurts when we hurt.

III.            The purpose of Jesus on the throne (Hebrews 4:16).

a.      The purpose of Jesus on the cross was to save man.

b.      The purpose of Jesus on the throne is to aid those that allow His work on the cross to accomplish its purpose in their lives.

c.       Because He is where is and He is what He is, you and I can confidently come to Jesus for help in time of need.

                                                              i.      The time of need is that time temptation comes.

                                                            ii.      You and I can’t handle those things on our own so we must be people of prayer, seeking the help of our High Priest.

d.      There is no way we can physically approach the throne.

                                                              i.      This has to be a reference to prayer.

                                                            ii.      We are to ask for what we need (1 John 5:14-15).

e.      The purpose of Jesus is to give us what we need when we come to God through Christ in prayer.

f.        His is a throne of grace.

                                                              i.      This looks back to the mercy seat found on top of the ark of the covenant in the most holy place.

                                                            ii.      The blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled on that mercy seat and it brought the propitiation of the sins of the people.

                                                          iii.      Now that Jesus has become the propitiation for our sins, (1 John 2:2), we approach Him for the grace we need in time of temptation.

g.      We can and will receive the mercy and grace each of us needs because of what Jesus has done for us to become our High Priest.

What A Mother Is 5-11-25 AM

I.            Manager.

a.      One of the hats that a mother wears is that of manager.

b.      Solomon spent a great deal of time speaking about this concerning the virtuous woman (Pr. 31:15-16, 19, 21).

c.       She manages the household.

                                                              i.      Paul gave some instructions to women that Timothy was to preach (1 Tim. 5:14).

                                                            ii.      Notice the phrase, “guide the house.”

                                                          iii.      It means “manage the family affairs.”

                                                          iv.      If your home is like ours, it functions well because mom is in control of it.

d.      A mother manages money.

                                                              i.      She keeps the family on track with finances.

                                                            ii.      Of course, the father is to provide for the family and help manage money as well.

                                                          iii.      But, more often than not, mom is buying clothes for the kids, things for the house, doing the grocery shopping and all those type things.

                                                          iv.      She must do these well for the family to survive financially.

e.      A mother manages time.

                                                              i.      Think of all the places your family members have to be.

                                                            ii.      More often than not, the mom is the one in charge of getting everyone to recitals, practices or wherever.

                                                          iii.      It may not be her doing the actual taking but she is keeping everyone going to the right place.

f.        A mother manages egos.

                                                              i.      She knows her children and what they need.

                                                            ii.      Romans 12:3.

                                                          iii.      Moms know which children needs their ego massaged and which ones need knocked down a few pegs.

II.            Observer.

a.      Another hat that a mother wears is that of observer.

b.      Notice what Solomon said about the virtuous woman (Pr. 31:27).

c.       Mothers observe their children.

                                                              i.      In our day and age, they have to watch many things for their children.

1.      They watch what is on their computers.

2.      They watch what is on their iPads and Ipods.

3.      They watch what they are looking at in entertainment.

                                                            ii.      They also watch the lives of their children.

                                                          iii.      Mary did this with Jesus (Luke 2:19, 51).

                                                          iv.      Moms remember all the milestones of their children.

d.      Mothers observe their marriage relationship.

                                                              i.      They know best when things aren’t right in their marriages.

                                                            ii.      Dads tend to go along and let things slide, while moms observe what the problems are and address them.

III.            Teacher.

a.      Moms teach their children many things.

b.      The virtuous woman was a teacher (Pr. 31:26).

c.       We know all the things in life that moms have to teach that their children need growing up.

d.      Moms teach many other things as well.

                                                              i.      They teach love.

1.      There is nothing like the love of a mother.

2.      They would and will do anything for their children.

                                                            ii.      They teach honesty.

                                                          iii.      They teach responsibility.

                                                          iv.      They teach discipline.

IV.            Hinderer.

a.      Moms are hinderers.

b.      You might think this is something awful but it’s not.

c.       She hinders her children from sin.

                                                              i.      How many times have you been tempted to do something but thought about what your mom would say?

                                                            ii.      Those lessons she taught us have kept us out sin and trouble more times than we would like to count.

d.      She hinders dad from doing things he shouldn’t.

                                                              i.      Think of how many times a look from mom kept us dads from going overboard in discipline or some other area.

                                                            ii.      Where dads react, moms are more thoughtful and that hinders dad from doing some dumb things.

e.      Notice what the children and husband of the virtuous woman said about her (Pr. 31:28).

V.            Enabler.

a.      Moms wear the hat of being an enabler.

b.      In know this has become a bad word in our society.

c.       However, it can be used in a good way.

d.      Moms enable their children to grow.

                                                              i.      Kids have to experience some tough times in order to grow and moms enable them to do that.

                                                            ii.      Because of the equipping she does through her teaching, it enables the children to endure those hard times.

                                                          iii.      Because of the biblical example she has set and the biblical teaching she had done, her children are enabled to deal with temptation.

e.      Moms enable dads to perform their roles.

                                                              i.      Knowing the home front is taken care of, fathers can provide for the family the way God intended.

                                                            ii.      They can go to work and feel good about leaving the house because it is in good hands.

                                                          iii.      He knows he has a help meet that understands what the Bible says about the role she is to fulfill and does it because she wants to be pleasing to God.

                                                          iv.      This is seen in the virtuous woman (Pr. 31:11-12, 23).

VI.            Restorer.

a.      Moms are restorers.

b.      Such was the case with the virtuous woman (Pr. 31:25-26).

c.       They restore calm in fearful times.

                                                              i.      How many times were you scared as a child and being held or hugged by your mom restored calm in your life?

                                                            ii.      When you were sick, wasn’t mom there to hold you against her or to lay down with you?

                                                          iii.      She does these things to help bring calm into our lives.

d.      Moms restore hearts that are hurting.

                                                              i.      When you were little and a friend moved away or couldn’t come over or didn’t treat you the way that you thought you should be treated, who fixed that?

                                                            ii.      As you grew and someone broke your heart, who was there to talk you off that ledge?

e.      Moms restore peace in the family.

                                                              i.      She is a mediator.

                                                            ii.      She is a labor negotiator.

                                                          iii.      She is judge, jury and executioner at times.

Let’s Preach Jesus 5-4-25 AM

I.                    Manner of His life (Acts 2:22).

A.                 The 12 were facing a group of people that contributed to the death of Jesus.

B.                  It was the Holy Spirit’s intent to show the people through this sermon who that Jesus was.

C.                  The 12 first show that the manner of Jesus’ life showed Him to be the Son of God.

D.                 Approved means: “to expose to view, to declare, to prove by arguments, demonstrate.

E.                  God had shown Jesus to be exactly what He claimed to be by miracles, signs and wonders.

1.                  Isaiah 61:1 fulfilled in Lu 4:18.

2.                  Each miracle was a testament to the fact that He was the Son of God.

F.                  Miracle means power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature.

1.                  Jesus is shown to be deity by that which resided in Him.

2.                  Ability to do these miracles was enough proof.

G.                 Wonders simply means miracles.

H.                 Sign means an occurrence transcending common course of nature.

I.                    Walking on water, healing people, raising the dead or any thing like this was a proof of who Jesus was.

J.                   These things were not done behind closed doors.

1.                  Brought in man through the roof - house was crowded.

2.                  Woman healed of blood issue in crowd.

K.                  These people knew it all to be true.

L.                   To preach Jesus involves His manner of life.

II.                  Meaning of His death (Acts 2:23).

A.                 The death of Jesus was not a sign of lack of approval from God.

B.                  No doubt some believed this to be the case.

C.                  Rather, His death meant that God approved of His ability to be man’s final and atoning sacrifice.

1.                  God did the delivering of Jesus.

2.                  Determinate counsel means appointed purpose.

3.                  Foreknowledge means pre-arrangement.

D.                 This was always God’s plan (Rev. 13:8; 1 Pet. 1:19-20).

E.                  Our Premillenial friends don’t know what it means to truly preach Jesus b/c they don’t understand why He died.

1.                  He did not die as an afterthought.

2.                  He died according the appointed purpose God devised before the world began.

F.                  The Jews had not bungled God’s plans but fulfilled them.

G.                 What they meant for evil God had planned for good.

H.                 To preach Jesus involves the meaning of His death.

III.                Marvels of His resurrection (Acts 2:24-32).

A.                 Immediately following preaching about His death, the inspired apostles point to His resurrection.

B.                  No doubt there were rumors around of His resurrection.

1.                  The council did the best they could to keep it to a minimum.

2.                  Most would not speak of these rumors publicly.

3.                  If they would have been cast out when alive, surely they would have been cast out if said was risen.

C.                  These men, before a large audience, openly state as fact the resurrection of Jesus.

D.                 As a proof of His resurrection they point to prophecy.

1.                  David was beloved by the people.

2.                  The 12 quote David from Ps 16:8-11.

E.                  They proceeded to point out that this passage could not refer to David (Acts 2:29-32).

1.                  They all knew where David’s tomb was.

2.                  They could see his bones of they so chose.

F.                  David spoke of the fact that he knew Jesus would be raised up from the dead and this gave David hope for the same.

G.                 The 12 then say that they had seen Jesus so this was no joke being pulled on the audience.

1.                  Later, Paul would point to the fact that Jesus had been seen as proof of His resurrection (1 Co 15).

2.                  Over 500 people had seen Jesus, many of whom still were alive when Paul wrote the letter.

H.                 To preach Jesus involves marvels of His resurrection.

IV.               Majesty of His reign (Acts 2:33-36).

A.                 The purpose of His resurrection was to allow Jesus to ascend back to heaven and begin reigning as King.

1.                  This was the promise to David.

2.                  They already mentioned this (Acts 2:30).

B.                  Jesus had promised the Sanhedrin He would arise and sit on the right hand of the power of God (Lu 22:69).

C.                  The beginning of His reign allowed the fulfillment of Joel 2 according to the 12 (Acts 2:33b).

D.                 The 12 then point out another prophetic proof of the reign of Jesus and quote from Ps 110:1.

1.                  David hadn’t ascended into the heavens, his body was still in the grave.

2.                  Not only that but David called this person Lord.

3.                  Only Jesus fulfilled this prophecy.

E.                  He then brings it home to the Jews by telling them that they were the murderers of the Messiah, but God had used them to place Jesus on the throne.

F.                  Notice that for one to reign, there must be something over which he reigns.

1.                  Eph. 1:22-23.

2.                  Church and kingdom used interchangeably by Jesus (Matt. 16:18-19)

G.                 Philip would preach Jesus in Samaria and taught them about the kingdom (Acts 8:5 + 12).

H.                 To preach Jesus involves the majesty of His reign.

V.                 Method of entry into His kingdom (Acts 2:37-38).

A.                 The apostles did not stop with telling their audience that Jesus was now reigning over His kingdom.

B.                  When asked, Peter gave the audience the method of entry into that kingdom - repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.

C.                  Paul gave a list of sins to the Corinthians and told them those that lived in those sins would not inherit the kingdom of God.

1.                  He then said, and such were some of you.

2.                  He then told they had been changed b/c they were washed, sanctified and justified in Christ.

D.                 Washing, sanctification, and justification all take place when someone is baptized into Christ.

E.                  To preach Jesus involves the method of entry into His kingdom.

(Main points from a sermon by James Rogers)

You Can’t Fool God 4-13-25 PM

 I.      The nature of God’s word (Hebrews 4:12).

a.      Have you ever read a verse and wondered why it is where it is?

                                                              i.      Just reading through this passage, I wondered why this particular verse is here.

                                                            ii.      Because of this, I have often used this verse to show the power of God’s written word.

1.      It does do that, no doubt.

2.      However, in the context of this passage, that is not what is under consideration, because the word of God here was not written but spoken, when speaking about the rest.

b.      So, all the times I have used this verse, I have used it correctly but not in its proper context.

c.       This verse, in this context, while proclaiming the power of God’s word, is pointing to what He told the Israelites long ago.

                                                              i.      God told those Israelites that, because of their unbelief, they were not going to enter into God’s land of rest.

                                                            ii.      He just warned his readers, in verse 11, that they better take care to enter the land of rest and not fall like those Israelites of old had done.

d.      This words starts with “for”, which can be translated “because”.

                                                              i.      Because of the fact that God means what He says, don’t think you can fool God.

                                                            ii.      God’s word is a sword that penetrates deep into who and what we are spiritually and reveals all things about us.

e.      Because of its power, the writer was inspired to tell us the nature of God’s word.

f.        It is quick or alive.

                                                              i.      It is such because it is from the living God.

                                                            ii.      It accomplishes that for which God sent it out (Isaiah 55:11).

                                                          iii.      It is active at all times on our hearts when it is taken in.

                                                          iv.      It is a God-breathed force (2 Timothy 3:16-17) that can’t be destroyed (Mark 13:31).

g.      It is powerful.

                                                              i.      The Greek word here translated powerful is the word from we get the English word “energy”.

                                                            ii.      It literally means engaged in work, capable of doing.

                                                          iii.      It was a medical term referring to medical treatment and the influence of medicine.

                                                          iv.      Think of the power God’s word has to change lives.

                                                            v.      It is a transforming power, which is seeking to be unleashed in our lives.

h.      It is sharper than any dagger on the face of the earth.

                                                              i.      The word “sword” is literally dagger, being the Greek word for the small dagger that is highly accurate in its cutting and not used to hack like the larger sword of the Roman soldier.

                                                            ii.      God’s word is capable of piercing into our inner being.

                                                          iii.      It reveals who we really are and there is no way to fool God because of its power.

i.        For us, God’s word tells us how to live and why we need to live that way.

II.      What God’s word notices (Hebrews 4:12).

a.      Oftentimes, I believe, though we won’t verbalize it, Christians think they can fool God.

                                                              i.      There is no doubt we believe we can fool the people around us.

                                                            ii.      It happens all the time.

                                                          iii.      We do fool those around us if we so desire.

b.      But, we think we can get away with claiming to be something we are not.

                                                              i.      It’s almost as if we believe that if we can convince ourselves we are okay in what we are doing, it will be okay.

                                                            ii.      We can sin that way and it is justified in our minds.

c.       One day, God’s word is going to be opened at our judgment.

                                                              i.      The word translated “discerner” in this vers is used only here in the New Testament.

                                                            ii.      It literally means “one whose business and special gift is to judge”.

d.      We do know that the Bible, God’s revealed, inspired word, is going to be opened at the judgment day (Revelation 20:12).

e.      It is God’s word that is going to judge us in the end (John 12:48).

f.        Friends, it notices all.

                                                              i.      Every action we undertake is known by it.

                                                            ii.      But in this verse, it lets us know that it is going to judge even our thoughts and our intents.

                                                          iii.      Why we did what we did is open to the light of God’s word.

g.      Think of the joints, that connect bones together.

                                                              i.      Where everything meets and works is the idea there.

                                                            ii.      God’s word gets into where everything in our hearts is working and shows why we do what we do.

h.      Think of the marrow, on the inside of the bone.

                                                              i.      It is a picture of the intent of our action.

                                                            ii.      It deals with what motivates us and causes us to take the actions we take.

i.        God’s word notices all.

                                                              i.      When we stand before the Lord in judgment, think of what is going to be judged.

                                                            ii.      Our deeds (2 Corinthians 5:10).

                                                          iii.      Our words (Matthew 12:26).

                                                          iv.      This verse before us tells us our thoughts and intents are going to be laid out as evidence in judgment.

j.        Daniel Webster, the great statesman, once said, “My greatest thought is my accountability to God”.

k.      We need to be very aware of the fact that we are all going to stand before the Lord in judgment and we will not be able to fool God.

 III.    Man’s nakedness before God (Hebrews 4:13).

a.      This verse is really simple isn’t it?

b.      There is no creature who is not known to God and all is laid bare to God.

c.       There is an interesting picture here though, of which we need to be aware.

                                                              i.      As we will notice in the next sermon from Hebrews, Jesus is called a High Priest.

                                                            ii.      The word “opened” is defined as “ to bend back the neck of a victim to be slain, to lay bare or expose by bending back”.

d.      What is pictured here is a sacrifice.

                                                              i.      Think of what happened when an offering was made under the Old Testament law.

1.      It was killed.

2.      It was flayed, so it was naked.

3.      It was cut open so that all the insides could be seen.

4.      It was inspected by the priest, to make sure all of it was sound and there was no disease in it.

5.      It was divided into two equal parts by being split open from the exposed throat all the way to the hindquarters.

                                                            ii.      That whole animal was laid bare before all that saw it and it was known whether or not it was fit to offer to God.

e.      Brethren, you and I are to offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).

f.        God’s word opens us up for Him to see whether or not we are fit to offer to God.

g.      We are completely open to Him and we can’t fool Him.

Which Church Did Jesus Build? 4-13-25 AM

 I.       The church Jesus built is divine in origin.

a.      One of the easiest and best ways to begin determining which church Jesus built is to look at its origin.

b.      The Bible is clear that every house is built by someone (Hebrews 3:4).

                                                              i.      The church is compared to a house (1 Timothy 3:15).

                                                            ii.      Therefore, someone had to build the church.

c.       If you do a google search on the internet for the history of various denominations, you can find who started, or built, them.

                                                              i.      For instance, the United Methodist Church began, according to umc.org, on April 23, 1968.

1.      The Methodist religion is based on the teaching of John Wesley.

2.      According to christianity.about.com, Methodism was established in 1739.

                                                            ii.      You can find out about the history of the Presbyterian Church at pcusa.com and there it is written that they trace their origins back to Scotland and mention John Knox specifically who was a student of Calvin.

d.      These are just two examples of the man-made origins of denominations.

e.      We are told by the prophets that there was going to be a kingdom established by God.

                                                              i.      Isaiah 9:7.

                                                            ii.      Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14 and many others.

f.        This nearness of this coming kingdom was preached by John the Baptizer as well as Jesus.

                                                              i.      Matthew 3:2.

                                                            ii.      Matthew 4:17.

g.      Jesus told Peter that He would give him the keys to the kingdom immediately after saying that He would build a church (Matthew 16:18-19).

                                                              i.      Jesus told His disciples that some of them would not die until they had seen the kingdom come (Mark 9:1).

                                                            ii.      This tells us that there is a kingdom now or else there are some very old men running around.

h.      After the establishment of the church on the Day of Pentecost found in Acts 2, we never read of a future kingdom, but that it was in place then.

                                                              i.      Colossians 1:13.

                                                            ii.      Hebrews 12:28.

                                                          iii.      Revelation 1:9.

i.        There are certain marks which identify this church that is divine in origin:

                                                              i.      The time of its origination (Daniel 2:44 - Roman empire).

                                                            ii.      The place of its origination (Isaiah 2:2-4 - Jereusalem).

                                                          iii.      The events surrounding its origination (Joel 2:28ff - the giving of the Holy Spirit).

j.        If a church does not have the right Originator, the right time, place or events of origination, it is not the church Jesus built.

II.      The church Jesus built is directed by scripture.

a.      When you look at the denominational world, you see that these religions have creed books, manuals, catechisms and conferences.

                                                              i.      You can go to creeds.net and see the various creeds and catechisms that govern the lives of members of various denominations.

                                                            ii.      I have in my office an older copy of the Methodist Book of Discipline.

b.      You can go to sbc.net and view what has been voted on and decided at various Southern Baptist Conventions.

c.       All of these things have been added by man to the religious world.

                                                              i.      They are used to decide what is going to be taught and believed by a specific group of people.

                                                            ii.      They decide what doctrinal stands are going to be taken for that group of people.

d.      All of this is in addition to God’s Word.

e.      You and I are going to be judged by God’s Word (John 12:48).

                                                              i.      We are not going to stand before God on the judgment day and be judged by some convention or creed.

                                                            ii.      Our faithfulness to the Lord will not be determined by our following or rejecting a papal bull.

f.        On that great day, there is going to be the book of life and the books of the Bible opened and our fate will rest on our abiding in the grace of God by our following His word (Revelation 20:12).

g.      The church of which we read in the New Testament followed the apostles doctrine (Acts 2:42).

                                                              i.      They had received this doctrine from Jesus (John 17:14).

                                                            ii.      Jesus had received it from the Father (John 17:8).

h.      If a church is not directed by the Bible only, it is not the church Jesus built.

III.     The church Jesus built is distinctive in doctrine.

a.      Being directed by scripture, the church Jesus built follows the doctrines that are found only in the New Testament.

b.      No one is claiming that the church Jesus built is the only body that teaches some of the things we will mention, however, it is the only one that teaches all of them.

c.       The church Jesus built teaches that one must be baptized for the remission of sins in order to have sins washed away (Acts 2:38).

                                                              i.      There are a very few denominations that teach this.

                                                            ii.      However, the vast majority teach some other doctrine concerning salvation.

d.      The church Jesus built teaches that singing without instruments is required in worship (Ephesians 5:19).

                                                              i.      The Greek Orthodox church and a handful of other groups teach this as well.

                                                            ii.      However the vast majority teach instrumental accompaniment is okay.

e.      The church Jesus built teaches that every Lord’s day Christians should partake of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7).

                                                              i.      Virtually every religious body observes the Lord’s Supper at some point in the year.

                                                            ii.      However, none of which I am aware partake every first day of the week.

f.        These three doctrines are very basic and only the hem of the garment when it comes to distinctiveness.

g.      If a church is not following the distinctive doctrines of the New Testament, it is not the church Jesus built.

IV.     The church Jesus built is destined for heaven.

a.      All spiritual blessings are found in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

                                                              i.      The only way to be in Christ is to be baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-4).

                                                            ii.      When one is baptized, one is added to the church that Jesus built (Acts 2:47).

b.      That church, or kingdom, has Jesus as its head (Ephesians 1:22-23).

c.       One day, the King of the kingdom is going to deliver that kingdom to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24).

d.      Unless one is in the church that Jesus built, he is not destined for heaven.

How Many Are There? 4-6-25 AM

I.            Jesus said He would build a church (Matt. 16:18).

a.      This verse is the ending point of a much longer discussion.

                                                              i.      It began back in verse 13.

                                                            ii.      Jesus asked the disciples who men were saying He was.

                                                          iii.      They told Him the various people they had heard people saying He was.

b.      Jesus then got personal by asking them who they thought He was.

c.       Peter gave the great and inspired answer in verse 16 (Matt. 16:16).

d.      Jesus told Peter he was exactly right and based on the fact that He was the Son of God, Jesus says He was going to build His church.

                                                              i.      Notice that “church” is singular.

                                                            ii.      He did not say He was going to build a multiplicity of churches.

e.      Another important point to notice is that Jesus used the words “church” and “kingdom” interchangeably.

                                                              i.      This is important!

                                                            ii.      The reason it is important is because the word “kingdom” is what we see used in the Old Testament.

                                                          iii.      Jesus was uniting the concepts of kingdom and church into one unit.

f.        It was revealed to Daniel that there would be a kingdom established in the future.

                                                              i.      Daniel 2:44.

                                                            ii.      Daniel 7:13-14.

g.      Each of these mention just one kingdom – Jesus said He would build one church.

h.      Another concept seen in the Old Testament that would be combined with the church is that of a house.

                                                              i.      Isa. 2:2-3.

                                                            ii.      These concepts are tied together by inspiration in 1 Tim. 3:15.

                                                          iii.      Isaiah was inspired to write about one house of God.

                                                          iv.      Paul was inspired to write that the house of God is the church of God, by which is meant the church belonging to God.

i.        When John began paving the way for Jesus, John spoke of the kingdom (Matt. 3:2).

j.        When Jesus began preaching, Jesus used the same wording (Matt. 4:17).

k.      All that the prophets and Jesus mentioned was one kingdom or church.

II.            Jesus purchased one church (Acts 20:28).

a.      Paul met with the elders of the church that met in Ephesus one last time.

b.      The conversation he had with them is recorded towards the end of Acts 20.

c.       Paul told them to take heed or pay attention to themselves and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit had placed them.

d.      The reason they needed to pay attention to themselves and the flock was to make sure they were feeding the flock, which Paul called the church of God.

                                                              i.      The main job of an eldership is to make sure the church is fed properly.

                                                            ii.      The proper feeding of the church is God’s word (1 Pe. 2:2).

e.      For our purposes, notice the last phrase of the verse: which He has purchased with His own blood.

                                                              i.      This shows us Jesus is God because Jesus is the one who shed His blood.

                                                            ii.      This also shows us the church is singular.

                                                          iii.      This also shows us the importance of the church.

f.        If one is as good as another, then you are saying that the blood of Jesus is not that important.

                                                              i.      Each of us that is of age has purchased a car.

                                                            ii.      If you take that car to be serviced and they brought out another vehicle how would you feel?

                                                          iii.      If you expressed your disapproval and they responded by saying one is as good as another, how would you feel?

g.      How do we think Jesus feels when we say that about the church that cost His own blood to purchase?

h.      If something cost such a precious thing as the blood of our sinless Savior, we should never denigrate by saying one is as good as another.

III.            Jesus has one body.

a.      Romans 12:4-5.

                                                              i.      A body is made up of a lot of parts.

                                                            ii.      The church is made of a lot of members.

                                                          iii.      As with the parts of a body, each member is very important.

                                                          iv.      But, we make up one body in Christ.

b.      1 Corinthians 12:12-20.

                                                              i.      Christ has one body.

                                                            ii.      We get into that body by being baptized into it according to verse 13, which corresponds with Php. 3:26-27.

                                                          iii.      Each part of the body is important and God has given us the abilities we have for a reason.

                                                          iv.      But the important part for us to notice is that there is one body, not many.

                                                            v.      Another important point is found in verse 25 – that there be no schism, or division.

                                                          vi.      A body doesn’t do different things and it suffers when there is a problem or division in it.

                                                        vii.      We need to understand this when it comes to differing doctrines among religious groups.

                                                      viii.      A body of people can’t all teach and believe different things as we see in the religious world today.

                                                          ix.      It didn’t work for an individual congregation in Corinth (1 Cor. 1:10-13).

                                                            x.      It doesn’t work for the church as a whole universally either.

c.       Ephesians 2:16.

                                                              i.      This chapter shows how our Lord brought Jews and Gentiles together for the purpose of salvation.

                                                            ii.      According to verse 14, Jesus made both Jew and Gentile one.

                                                          iii.      He did this by doing away with the Old Law.

                                                          iv.      He united the two into one body.

                                                            v.      Eph. 4:4, in listing several things of which there are just one, Paul was inspired to write there is one body.

d.      Colossians 3:15.

                                                              i.      We are called to be in one body.

                                                            ii.      We are called by the gospel (2 Th. 2:14).

                                                          iii.      Therefore, the gospel calls men to be in body.

e.      You might be asking, “What is this body?”

f.        You are asking a great question and one which is answered in the scriptures.

g.      Ephesians 1:22-23.

                                                              i.      Jesus is the Head of one body, which is the church.

                                                            ii.      Ephesians 2:16 mentions one body just a few verses after Ephesians 1:22-23 says that the body is the church.

                                                          iii.      Therefore, Jesus united Jew and Gentile into one church.

h.      Colossians 1:18.

                                                              i.      Jesus is the head of the body, which is the church.

                                                            ii.      As a body only has one head, a head only has one body.

i.        The New Testament, by means of the illustration of a head and a body, show there is only one church.

IV.            Jesus has one bride.

a.      Ephesians 5:22-33 compare the relationship of Jesus and the church to a husband and a wife.

b.      A husband is to love his wife just like Christ loved the church (vs. 25).

                                                              i.      Jesus showed that love by giving Himself for the church.

                                                            ii.      This goes back to the earlier idea of Jesus purchasing the church with His own blood.

c.       Notice the singular phrases.

                                                              i.      Christ loved the church.

                                                            ii.      Gave Himself for it.

                                                          iii.      That He might sanctify and cleanse it.

                                                          iv.      That He might present it.

                                                            v.      It should be holy and without blemish.

d.      A man should only have one wife.

e.      This illustration loses all its power if Christ has more than one church.

f.        Paul makes sure that we understand that he is talking about Jesus and the church (vs. 32).

Characteristics Of Prayer 3-30-25 AM

I.                    Properly motivated.

A.                 Someone once wrote, It is strange that, while praying, we seldom ask for change of character, but always a change in circumstance.

B.                  When praying, we need to make sure motives are pure.

C.                  Every request needs to have God’s will in mind.

D.                 Notice in this model prayer that Jesus said, Thy will be done...

1.                  Jesus prayed this in the garden (Matt. 26:39, 42).

2.                  Paul asked the Roman brethren to pray for him to come to Rome if it was God’s will (Rom. 15:32).

E.                  Our every concern ought to be with doing the will of God.

1.                  This was Jesus’ main concern (John 4:34).

2.                  The psalmist, prophesying of coming Messiah, wrote, “I delight to do thy will” (Ps. 40:8).

3.                  Peter tells us that we are not to live to the flesh but to the will of God (1 Pe. 4:2).

F.                  The only ones who will make to heaven are those who do the will of God (1 Jo. 2:17).

G.                 Someone once wrote: “Prayer is surrender‑‑surrender to the will of God and cooperation with that will. If I throw out a boathook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God.”

H.                 As we pray we must make sure we are seeking God’s will and not our own.

II.                  Purposefully aimed.

A.                 Prayers don’t need to be generic.

B.                  I appreciated br. Huffman asking us to pray for him.

C.                  Paul asked for the prayers of others (1 Th. 5:25).

D.                 Paul was specific in prayer:

1.                  He prayed for the Colossians (Col. 1:3).

2.                  For the Philippians (Php. 1:4).

3.                  For the Thessalonians (2 Th. 1:11).

E.                There are things for which we need to pray:

1.                  Pray for preachers to preach gospel (Luke 10:2).

2.                 Government (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

3.                 Pray for the sick.

4.                 For each other (Jam. 5:16).

5.                 Pray not to enter into temptation (Luke 22:40).

6.                 Pray for our enemies (Luke 6:28).

F.                 There are situations that arise about which we must pray.

1.                  Job opportunities, family situations, illness.

2.                 We should take all these before God’s throne.

G.               Some may ask why we need to even ask God.

1.                  God wants us to rely on Him in prayer.

3.                 Paul would say ...(Php. 4:6).

H.                There are other things that could be mentioned for which we need to pray but these show that there needs to be purpose in our prayers.

III.                Patiently offered.

A.                 The New Testament is very clear that there is to be endurance in offering up requests to God.

B.                  Notice Luke 18:1-8.

1.                  The parable is to get us to not give up in prayer.

2.                  If an unrighteous person will eventually heed the continued request of an individual, what about the righteous God we serve.

C.                 Notice Luke 11:5-8 - the friend kept knocking.

D.                 Luke 11:9-10 - vs 10 spec means keep on doing these.

E.                 Notice Romans 12:12.

1.                  In the midst of a list of qualities a Christian needs, Paul says continuing instant n prayer.

2.                 Continuing instant is one word in the Greek.

3.                 One of the meanings of the Greek word is to persevere and not faint.

F.                 Paul told the Thessalonians to pray without ceasing.

G.                We don’t need to give up on something after praying one time about it.

IV.               Promptly enacted.

A.                 If we are going to pray for something, we need to work for it.

B.                God is not going to miraculously save people for whom we pray or give money to missionaries miraculously.

C.                If we want someone to be saved we need to pray for them and then go and teach them.

D.                If we want someone to come back to the Lord, we need to pray for them and then let them know they are lost.

E.                If we want the borders of the kingdom to be spread we must give the money for that to happen.

F.                 If we want the grieving to be comforted, lets do what we can to bring them comfort.

G.               There is no point in praying for something and then not doing our part to make it happen.

You Can Miss Out On A Good Thing 3-23-25 PM

I.                    The availability of rest (Hebrews 4:1).

A.                 The New King James starts the verse this way: “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest...”

B.                  What we should take away from this is that there is a place of rest that is available to us.

C.                  We need to be very cautious that we don’t miss out on it.

D.                 The Hebrews writer was inspired to use the word translated fear.

1.                  You might be thinking that the fearful are going to be cast into hell (Revelation 21:8), and that the love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

a.                  Both of these are true of course.

b.                  Then why would we be told to fear?

2.                  Remember, these people were in danger of falling away from God and some may already have.

3.                  They had left their love behind and love can’t cast out fear if there is no love present.

4.                  Jesus told the Ephesians they had left their first love (Revelation 2:4).

5.                  Love will cast out fear but love leads to obedience (John 14:15).

6.                  The problem of the audience of our writer was that they were lacking in faith, leading them to leave God which is disobedience and a lack of love.

7.                  Our obedience to the Lord prevents a missing out on the rest of God (John 15:10).

E.                  We can come short of the rest of God; we can miss out on a good thing.

F.                  We see it all around us.

1.                  There are Christians we know who have left the Lord and others who are barely hanging on to the Lord.

2.                  These can and will miss out on the rest of God if they don’t have a fear of missing out, which will cause them to again be obedient to the Lord.

G.                 To be honest, there should always be a sense of dread of missing out on heaven.

H.                 It is available to all, but will be missed out on by those who fail to fear missing it, which leads to disobedience.

II.                  The basis of rest (Hebrews 4:2-7).

A.                 The writer again uses the example of the Israelites in the wilderness to warn us.

B.                  He first reminds us that faith is necessary to accept the rest.

1.                  The good news of Jesus was being preached and had been preached to those who received this letter, just has it has been preached to us.

2.                  The good news of rest had been preached to the Israelites as well.

a.                  He is not saying the same gospel was preached to those in the wilderness.

b.                  Gospel means good news and the good news of rest had been preached to them.

3.                  Sadly, those aged 20 and older, except for Caleb and Joshua, did not have faith in the message preached to them.

4.                  If we want to reach the land of rest promised to us, there must be faith in the message preached and faith, as love, leads to obedience to the message.

C.                  He then mentions the decree of God.

1.                  If God had not given a promise, then there would be nothing in which to place our faith.

a.                  The same for the Israelites.

b.                  If God had not told them about the Promised Land, there would be no reason for them to have faith.

c.                   However, He did, and many of them did not have faith in the message from God.

2.                  God had promised them and then took away the promise because of their unbelief.

3.                  God had spoken the promise to them but they could not enter, not because it wasn’t prepared for them, as he mentions at the end of verse 3, but because they did not have faith.

4.                  The rest promised was tied to the seventh day of creation.

a.                  God had created a wonderful place for man and wanted man to enjoy it with Him.

b.                  However, man sinned, and from that point forward, God’s aim has been to get His people into a place of rest with Him.

c.                   Those unfaithful Israelites could not enter into the land of rest because of their sin.

d.                  We can’t enjoy the presence of God and His blissful rest with sin in our lives.

e.                  They could not enjoy a physical land and we will not enjoy a spiritual land.

f.                    Verse 6 tells us the promise remains but they did not receive it because of disobedience.

g.                  We won’t either, by God’s decree.

D.                 If we want the rest of God, there must be immediate action on our part (Hebrews 4:7).

1.                  Five times in chapters 3-4, the word today is used.

2.                  The KJV says, “limiteth” and the NKJV says, “designates”.

3.                  There is a specific time we need to accept this rest and remain faithful and that is today, immediately.

E.                  We have way to many people who are acting haphazardly with this promise of rest.

1.                  We feel like we can pick and choose our times of faithfulness to God.

2.                  We feel like God is going to give us time and we have all of it we want.

3.                  We need a desperate sense of urgency in the Lord’s church and at West Walker.

4.                  Why are people falling away?

5.                  They don’t have a sense of urgency about them.

6.                  Tomorrow is not promised.

7.                  Do we think the people who died Thursday in that wreck on 20-59 thought that would be their last drive home?

8.                  Do we think the 29 yr old mother I mentioned a couple of weeks ago thought she would not return home from the hospital?

9.                  What makes us think we are any different than them?

10.              We must get a sense of immediacy for the doing of God’s will or we will miss out on the rest of God as did those Israelites so long ago.

 III.                The nature of God’s rest (Hebrews 4:8-11).

A.                 We need to understand what this rest is.

1.                  We know it is not the rest of the Promised Land.

a.                  He has used this as an illustration for people that came after the giving of the Promised Land.

b.                  That promise has already been fulfilled (Joshua 21:43-45).

c.                   As verse 8 will show, this is God’s rest about which our writer is speaking.

2.                  It is not the sabbath day’s rest either.

a.                  This was given to the people under the Mosaic Law.

b.                  This law has been done away with in Christ (Ephesians 2:14-15).

3.                  This rest is heaven, God’s rest.

a.                  This is compared to the rest of God on the completion of creation (Hebrews 4:4).

b.                  It is described for us in Revelation 14:13.

B.                  It is not the rest into which Joshua took those second generation Israelites.

1.                  They still fought in that land.

2.                  They still battled sin in that land.

3.                  They still fell away from God in that land and eventually went into captivity.

C.                  He then tells us that there still remains a rest for God’s people.

1.                  Heaven is out there waiting for us.

2.                  We can’t give up because the danger is there of missing out on a good thing.

D.                 There is a spiritual place of rest awaiting us that is beyond our imaginations.

E.                  Because of that, we need to be diligent to enter it.

1.                  We need to be proactive.

2.                  We need to nip problems in the bud before they fully develop.

3.                  We need to see the problems areas in our lives and deal with them now.

4.                  We need to help others see the problems in their lives and help them deal with them now if they will.

F.                  The reason to do it now is that we can fall just like the first generation of Israelites coming out of Egypt fell.