God Seeks True Worshipers 5-31-26 AM

I.            The absolute of worship.

a.      Jesus says those what worship God must worship in spirit and in truth.

b.      The word must tells us that this is not optional.

c.       There are some matters in Scripture that are shown to be absolute necessities.

           i.      Faith (Heb. 11:6).

           ii.      Belief and baptism (Mk. 16:16).

           iii.      Proper worship (John 4:24).

d.      “Must” modifies three vital elements of worship:

           i.      The object of worship – God.

           ii.      The attitude of worship – in spirit.

           iii.      The standard of worship – in truth.

e.      Jesus does not say:

           i.      Worship however you feel led.

           ii.      Worship according to your personality.

           iii.      Worship according to what draws the biggest crowds.

f.        Jesus says worship must be aimed at God, offered from the heart, and governed by truth.

g.      There are some words we understand as non-negotiable.

           i.      If a doctor says, you must take this medicine with food, that is not a suggestion.

           ii.      If a bridge sign says, trucks must not exceed this weight, that is not a preference.

           iii.      If a child is running towards the road and a parent shouts, you must stop, the strength of the word comes from the seriousness of the moment.

h.     Jesus uses this kind of word for worship.

i.       We cannot treat worship as casual, optional, or customizable.

j.       If God has spoken about worship, then reverence demands we listen to Him.

k.     We can’t remove the must from worship any more than we can remove the must from faith, belief, or baptism.

l.       Worship is not optional because God’s will is not optional.

II.            The action of worship.

a.     Jesus says, “Those who worship Him…”

b.     Worship is something offered to God, not merely watched.

          i.      It is not a religious performance attended by spectators.

          ii.      The word used in this text is connected to reverence, bowing, and humble honor before one who is worthy.

          iii.      Worship carries the idea of recognizing God’s worth and responding with reverence.

c.     Other New Testament words connected to worship and service emphasize awe, devotion, and religious service before God.

d.     This means true worship requires participation.

          i.      We are not the audience, God is.

          ii.      We are not spectators.

          iii.      We are worshipers.

e.      Think about a wedding.

          i.      The guests may watch, but the bride and groom are not there to merely observe.

          ii.      They are there to participate by speaking vows.

          iii.      They are there to give themselves to one another.

f.       In worship, we are not watching someone else do something spiritual – we are joining together to honor God.

g.     In each act of worship, the question is not “Was I present?” but “Did I offer this to God?”

h.     This should change how we enter worship.

          i.      We did not come to critique the song leader or the preacher.

          ii.      We come as servants of God, offering reverence to Him.

i.       We can sit in a pew and never truly worship.

j.       We can sing with our lips but not from our hearts.

k.     We can bow during a prayer and never truly pray.

l.       God seeks worshipers, not spectators.

m.    Worship is something we offer, not something we watch.

III.            The aim of worship.

a.     “Those who worship HIM” – God is the aim of worship.

b.     This is one of the most needed corrections of our time.

          i.      Worship is not aimed at my preference, comfort, emotions, entertainment, or my tradition.

          ii.      Worship is aimed at God.

c.      Jesus made this clear when Satan tempted Him (Matt. 4:10).

d.     God alone is worthy of worship and this removes every other possible object of worship.

          i.      Not angels.

          ii.      Not religious leaders.

          iii.      Not tradition.

          iv.      Not personal preference.

          v.      Not the crowd.

          vi.      Especially not self.

e.      God alone is the center, object, and audience of worship.

f.       Sometimes, after a worship service we may ask some questions:

          i.      Did you like the songs?

          ii.      Was the sermon good or interesting?

          iii.      Was the service too long?

          iv.      These are probably all natural reactions but they should not be the first questions asked.

g.     The best question we can ask is: Was God glorified and honored?

h.     When we substitute what we like for what God commands, we have made ourselves the aim of worship.

i.       This is why the statement, “I didn’t get anything out of worship today,” can reveal a big misunderstanding.

          i.      Worship does strengthen us.

          ii.      We do receive encouragement, correction, and are built up.

          iii.      But worship is first and foremost something we give to God.

j.        If I don’t get anything out of it, it is probably because I put nothing into it.

k.      Worship goes wrong when self replaces God at the center.

IV.            The attitude of worship.

a.      Jesus says we must worship in spirit.

b.      At a minimum, this means worship must come from the inner person – sincere, heartfelt, reverent, and spiritually engaged.

c.       New Testament worship is spiritual in nature.

           i.      We are to offer “spiritual sacrifices” (1 Pe. 2:5).

           ii.      Heb. 10:22.

           iii.      Our singing is to be from the heart (Eph. 5:19).

d.      Worship is not merely outward correctness – the heart must be involved.

e.      This is true in everyday relationships.

           i.      A husband can bring flowers to his wife with no affection.

           ii.      A child can say “I’m sorry” with no repentance.

           iii.      A person can shake your hand while looking past you.

f.       The outward act may be present, but the heart is absent.

g.      God does not just receive motions, He also sees hearts.

h.      To worship in spirit, we need to prepare our hearts.

           i.      This may mean arriving early instead of rushing in distracted and distracting others.

           ii.      It may mean praying before worship begins.

           iii.      It means putting our phones down unless we are using for the Bible app.

           iv.      It means refusing to let frustration, boredom, or criticism take over our hearts.

i.        We must remember that God is present when we worship.

           i.      Ps. 89:7.

           ii.      Hab. 2:20.

           iii.      Jesus was in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, which indicated His presence among the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 1.

j.        Worship should never be some heartless routine.

k.      God wants more than our presence; He wants our hearts.

V.            The authority of worship.

a.      Jesus says we must worship in truth.

b.      God’s word is truth (Jn. 17:17).

c.      Our worship is governed by the authority of Christ (Col. 3:17).

d.      To do something in the name of the Lord means to act under His authority.

e.      Scripture warns us that not all worship is acceptable worship.

           i.      There is vain worship (Matt. 15:9).

           ii.      There is ignorant worship (Acts 17:23).

           iii.      There is will worship (Col. 2:23).

f.        Sincerity alone is not enough.

g.      Worship is to be both heartfelt and truthful.

h.      There are five ways, or avenues, of worship authorized by the New Testament.

           i.      Singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

           ii.      Praying (Ac. 2:42).

           iii.      Preaching God’s word (Ac. 20:7).

           iv.      Partaking of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:20-30).

           v.      Giving of our means (1 Cor. 16:1-2).

i.        Each act must be carried out according to God’s instruction, not man’s invention.

j.        In worship, God has not left us without direction – truth is the blueprint.

k.      Worship is not driven by the question, “What do people want?”

l.        The only question that matters is, “What has God authorized?”

m.    Spirit without truth becomes emotionalism.

n.      Truth without spirit becomes cold formalism.

o.      Jesus requires both.

p.      We are not choosing between reverence and obedience.

q.      We are not choosing between heart and scripture.

r.       God seeks worshipers who bring Him both.

s.       True worship needs both a surrendered heart and a submitted will.

A Faith That Pleases God (Pt. 2) 5-24-26 PM

I.      Faith demonstrated (Heb. 11:4-5, 7).

A.      Faith is not merely something a person claims to have.

                   i.      Faith is lived out every day.

                   ii.      These verses show us three men who pleased God because their faith moved them to act.

                   iii.     Abel worshiped by faith; Enoch walked by faith; Noah worked by faith.

                   iv.     Again, none of them were perfect, but they all trusted God enough to obey Him.

B.      Abel shows us that faith worships God on God’s terms.

                   i.      The word translated offered means to bring near, present, or offer.

1.      Abel did not merely have faith in his heart.

2.      Abel’s faith moved Him to worship God.

                   ii.     But just worshiping God is not enough.

                   iii.    Abel offered a more excellent, or acceptable sacrifice, than Cain.

1.      More excellent means better, greater, or superior.

2.      It was not better or greater because it was superior to Cain’s.

                   iv.    In Genesis 4 we are told that Cain brought from the fruit of the ground while Abel brought of the firstborn of his flock (Gen. 4:3-4).

1.      To understand why Abel’s was superior to Cain’s, we need to understand the source of faith.

2.      Romans 10:17 – faith comes by hearing God’s word.

3.      At some point, we aren’t told when, God revealed what type of sacrifice was approved.

4.      This is what Abel offered and why his sacrifice was approved of by God and Cain’s was not.

                   v.    The difference between the two offerings was not just the gift itself, but the heart of faith behind the gift.

                   vi.   God testifies, or commends, Abel’s gift still today, because it was offered by faith.

                   vii.  Abel’s faith cost him his life (1 John 3:12).

                   viii. Abel’s faith still speaks: telling us worship matters, faith obeys even when others may resent it, and that pleasing God may cost us and God never forgets that cost.

C.       Enoch shows us that faith walks with God.

                    i.    Enoch was translated – to transfer, remove, or change from one place to another.

1.      Gen. 5:24 – Enoch did not experience death in the ordinary way: God took him.

2.      The reason God took him is because Enoch walked with God every day – it was not in an isolated moment, but every day.

3.      God bore witness to his life as a life that pleased Him.

                    ii.   Enoch was not perfect or sinless – it just means he was faithful.

1.      Enoch lived in a time and place when that was extremely rare.

2.      Jude 1:14-15 connects Enoch with a message of judgment against the unfaithful of his day.

3.      His life was not private or hidden from others.

4.      His life stood out against the ungodliness that surrounded him.

                    iii.    This probably came with a cost.

1.      We are not told the details, but anyone who walks with God in this way will stand out.

2.      Those who live this way in an ungodly culture always do.

                     iv.      Enoch teaches us that it is better to please God than to blend in with the world.

D.      Noah shows us that faith obeys God before it sees the outcome.

                     i.    Noah was warned by God about things to come that had never been seen on earth.

1.      His faith began with God’s word – he was warned of, or by, God.

2.      The phrase warned of God means divinely instructed, warned or directed.

3.      Noah did not act because he saw dark clouds on the horizon.

4.      He acted because God spoke.

                     ii.      Noah had never seen a flood, and probably never seen rain.

1.      He also had never seen God’s judgment.

2.      Faith does not wait until it sees everything.

3.      Faith acts because God speaks.

                     iii.      Noah took God seriously, which is the idea of “moved with fear.”

1.      Noah had a deep reverence for God.

2.      This deep reverence caused him to take God’s words seriously.

                     iv.      Noah’s faith caused him to pick up his tools.

1.      His faith measured the wood.

2.      His faith followed instructions.

3.      His faith kept building.

4.      His faith prepared for judgment while the rest of the world continued as usual.

                      v.      We never read specifically that the people mocked Noah, so we can’t preach that as fact.

1.      We do read that, by his obedient faith, Noah condemned the world.

2.      His life and work stood as a witness against the ungodliness around him.

                      vi.      Noah’s obedience would have made him stand out from everyone else.

1.      His faith affected his reputation.

2.      He was preparing for something no one else could see because he trusted in the God who had warned him.

                      vii.      His faith caused him to become heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

                      viii.      Noah didn’t earn righteousness by building a boat.

                      ix.      His building a boat revealed the faith by which he received God’s approval.

                      x.      Faith obeys God’s warning before it sees God’s judgment.

E.      Think of these three men and their demonstrations of faith.

                     i.      Abel shows faith in worship.

                     ii.      Enoch shows us faith in our daily walk.

                     iii.      Noah shows us faith in our obedient work.

                     iv.      Each man pleased God because each man trusted God enough to act.

F.       This is what real faith does.

                     i.       It does not remain hidden in the heart.

                     ii.      It comes out in worship, in conduct, in obedience, and in endurance.

                     iii.      Faith that pleases God is faith that moves us to obey God.

II.            Faith demanded (Heb. 11:6).

A.      This verse brings the whole discussion to a clear point: faith is not optional but it is demanded.

B.      The word translated “impossible” means unable, powerless, or impossible – there is no path to pleasing God without faith.

                     i.      God is not pleased by religious routine.

                     ii.      God is not pleased by outward obedience without inward trust.

                     iii.      God is not pleased by human pride, self-righteousness, or mere tradition.

                     iv.      God is pleased by faith – one that believes, seeks, and obeys Him.

C.      Faith believes that God is.

                     i.     The phrase “he that comes” comes from a word often used in Hebrews for approaching God in worship, prayer, and fellowship.

1.      It is not casual interest in God.

2.      It is coming near to Him in trust.

                     ii.      You cannot truly come to God while denying that God exists.

                     iii.      The first demand is that we believe God is.

1.      This means more than believing in some vague higher power.

2.      It means believing in the living God – the God who created all things by the word of His power.

3.      We have to believe in the God revealed in scripture.

                     iv.      It is interesting that scripture does not begin with trying to prove the existence of God – it just says “In the beginning God…”

1.      This does not mean belief in God is unreasonable.

2.      Ps. 19:1.

3.      Rom. 1:20.

4.      Heb. 3:4.

                     v.      Creation points beyond itself.

1.      Order points to intelligence.

2.      Design points to a Designer.

3.      Moral law points to a moral Lawgiver.

4.      Human life, conscience, beauty, and purpose all point to far beyond blind chance to the God who made us.

                     vi.      Faith does not close its eyes to the evidence.

                     vii.      Faith opens its eyes and says, “The word did not make itself. I did not make myself. There is a God, and I am accountable to Him.”

                     viii.      Saving faith goes even further.

1.      It does not merely believe God exists.

2.      It trusts the God who exists.

                     ix.      James 2:19.

1.      The faith that pleases God is more than admitting God is real.

2.      It is trusting Him enough to come to Him, surrender to Him, and obey Him.

                     x.      Faith begins by trusting that God is who He says He is.

D.      Faith believes that God rewards.

                     i.      The word translated “rewarder” means one who pays back, gives wages, or rewards.

1.      This does not mean that God owes us salvation as though we have done something to make Him indebted to us.

2.      Salvation will always be by grace.

3.      But, God graciously promises to bless those who have faith in Him that leads them to seek Him.

                     ii.      God wants us to believe that seeking Him is never wasted.

                     iii.      This would have mattered very much to the original audience of this letter.

1.      Some, if not many, were suffering for Christ.

2.      Some had lost possession.

3.      Some had been placed in prison.

4.      They needed to know that their faith was worth it all.

                     iv.      This verse says yes it is worth it.

                     v.      God sees, remembers, and rewards (Heb. 6:10).

1.      Sometimes the reward is peace in the midst of the storm.

2.      Sometimes it is strength to endure.

3.      Sometimes it is answered prayer.

4.      Sometimes it is spiritual growth.

5.      Sometimes it is restored fellowship after repentance.

6.      Sometimes it is death that results in eternity with God.

                     vi.      Faith believes God’s reward is better than the pleasures of sin.

                     vii.      The life of faith is sustained by the conviction that God is worth more than anything we give up to follow Him.

                     viii.      Faith keeps seeking God because God keeps rewarding.

E.      Faith diligently seeks God.

                     i.      The word for “seek” means to seek out, search for, pursue, seek diligently.

1.      It is not a lazy word.

2.      It is not a halfhearted glance in the direction of God.

3.      This is a pursuit that says, “I need God. I want God. I will not live without God.”

                     ii.      To diligently seek God means we do so on His terms.

1.      We seek by listening to His word.

2.      We seek Him through prayer.

3.      We seek Him through worship.

4.      We seek Him through repentance.

5.      We seek Him by obeying what He has commanded.

6.      We seek Him by continuing when obedience becomes costly.

7.      Jer. 29:13; Matt. 6:33.

                     iii.      This is not a once-a-week interest.

1.      This is not faith that only appears in the church building.

2.      This is a life pointed towards God.

                     iv.      A person who diligently seeks God does not ask, “What is the least I can get by with and still get to heaven?”

                     v.      The faith that pleases God asks, “How can I get even closer to God?”

                     vi.      This is the kind of faith that pleases God.

‍ ‍F.     Faith is demanded because God cannot be pleased without trust.

G.     Hopefully we can see why Hebrews 11:6 is so strong.

                     i.      Without faith, worship becomes empty.

                     ii.      Without faith, obedience becomes out of habit.

                     iii.      Without faith, suffering becomes meaningless.

                     iv.      Without faith, repentance becomes words, not actions.

                     v.      Without faith, religion becomes self-centered.

H.      With faith, life becomes an offering to God.

                     i.      Faith believes God exists.

                     ii.      Faith believes God speaks.

                     iii.      Faith believes God rewards.

                     iv.      Faith believes God forgives.

                     v.      Faith believes God is worth seeking.

                     vi.      Faith believes that God is worth obeying.

I.        This is why Abel offered.

J.        This is why Enoch walked.

K.      This is why Noah built.

L.        This is why we obey.

M.    Faith pleases God by trusting Him enough to seek Him.

Great Results Of The Resurrection 5-24-26 AM

I.        Preaching the gospel is profitable (1 Cor. 15:14).

A.     Paul told them that if Jesus was not risen, then the preaching he and others did was useless.

B.     But because Jesus is risen, there is good news to preach.

C.     Preaching involves telling others about the good news that Jesus has risen from the dead.

a.      This is what separates the gospel from any other religious message.

b.      We preach a risen Savior.

D.     The resurrection was a focal point of all the sermons recorded in Acts 2-5.

E.      It is essential to our salvation (Rom. 10:9-10).

F.      It is essential for baptism to be valid.

a.      Rom. 6:3-4

b.      Col. 2:12.

G.    Because Jesus has been raised from the dead, the preaching of the gospel is profitable and not vain.

II.       Faith is the victory (1 Cor. 15:17).

A.     Without Jesus being raised from the dead, any faith we might have would be useless, and we would still be weighed down by our sins.

B.     But because Jesus has been resurrected, our faith leads to victory.

a.      1 Cor. 15:57.

b.      1 John 5:4.

C.     We can overcome the world by faith because Jesus is risen from the dead.

D.     Satan was defeated the moment Jesus came forth from the grave (Gen. 3:15).

E.      There is great reason to have faith in the resurrection of Jesus.

a.      The eyewitnesses of the resurrection amount to over 500.

1.      1 Cor. 15:5-8.

2.      Someone said that if each witness could testify for fifteen minutes, it would take 129 hours to hear their testimony.

3.      That would be from Monday morning to Friday evening with no breaks hearing their testimony.

b.      The message being sent to the world (Col. 1:23).

c.       The change in the life of Paul is proof of the resurrection.

d.      The sacrifices made by the apostles, who were not even truly expecting a resurrection, attest to its truthfulness.

F.      For these reasons and others, there is no reason to not have faith in the resurrection of Jesus, thus there is no reason to not be victorious.

III.   Life has meaning (1 Cor. 15:18-19).

A.     If there was no resurrection, those that have died would be lost in hell, and our life on earth would be miserable.

B.     There would be no meaning or aim for our lives, and we would wander around aimlessly like so many in the world do.

a.      Paul’s words to the Thessalonians would have no meaning because we would sorrow because of no hope.

b.      This life would be all that there is, and we would be eternally lost.

C.      However, since Jesus came out of that tomb, we have direction and hope.

a.      We have the aim of heaven, ever striving for the goal set before us.

b.      We have hope which saves.

c.       Rom. 8:24.

D.     We know people who go from this to that and on to the next thing, wandering aimlessly because their lives have no direction.

E.      This great gospel, made possible by the Lord’s resurrection, gives us direction.

F.     We know where we are going and how to get there.

IV.  Death is defeated (1 Cor. 15:26).

A.     We all are going to die, unless the Lord returns first (Heb. 9:27).

B.      The death we face and will meet is not the end (1 Cor. 15:54-57).

C.      We will not be as we once were.

a.      1 Cor. 15:42-44.

b.      1 Cor. 15:51-53.

D.      We don’t know what this will be like, but it will be wonderful (1 John 3:2).

Jesus Prayed For One 5-17-26 AM

I.            Unity is created by the apostolic word.

a.      Jesus prayed for those who would believe on Him through “their” – the apostles – word.

b.      Jesus is praying for the apostles in this prayer (John 17:6-19).

c.      But Jesus is not just praying for the apostles in this prayer.

          i.      Jesus also prays for future believers, including us.

          ii.      But notice how the future believers would become believers: “through their word.”

d.      This is extremely important.

e.      The unity Jesus prayed for is not created by ignoring doctrine.

          i.      It is not created by lowering biblical conviction until everyone can stand together on only one or two issues.

          ii.      *It is created when people believe the apostolic message.

f.       It is vital to note where the apostles got their word.

          i.      It was not from their own minds.

          ii.      It was not developed at an apostolic meeting.

          iii.      It came from God and we read that in this very prayer (John 17:8, 14).

          iv.      When apostles taught through preaching or writing, it came from God.

          v.      What comes from God will always be truth.

g.     This is why the church in Acts 2 “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine” (Acts 2:42).

          i.      The first Christians were not united by a denominational headquarters, a human creed, a cultural preference, or a popular preacher.

          ii.      They were united by the gospel preached by and through the apostles.

h.     This is where denominationalism becomes a problem.

          i.      A denomination, by definition, is a named religious division.

          ii.      It is larger than a local congregation, smaller than the whole body of Christ, and usually bound together by human systems, creeds, traditions, or governing structures.

i.       The New Testament describes the church in two basic ways:

          i.      The universal body of the saved – all who belong to Christ.

          ii.      Local congregations – Christians worshiping and serving together in a particular place.

j.       What we don’t find in the New Testament is a third category: organized religious parties, each with its own doctrine, name, organizational structure, and identity, all treated as equally approved branches of Christianity.

k.      Think about an orchestra that is preparing to play together.

          i.      If every musician tunes to himself, each one may believe they are properly tuned, but the result won’t be harmony.

          ii.      The solution is not for everyone to just play loudly with great passion.

          iii.      The solution is for every instrument to be tuned to the same standard.

l.       This is what scripture allows in the lives of those who truly want to follow God.

          i.      God does not ask every believer to tune to a favorite preacher, pet doctrine, family heritage, or denominational creed.

          ii.      God calls us to tune our faith and practice to His word delivered through His apostles.

m.    When someone asks, “What denomination are you?” we shouldn’t answer as though we are simply defending our preferred religious brand.

n.      We can say “I am not trying to be a denomination. I am trying to simply be a Christian and follow the teaching of Christ He gave through His apostles.”

o.      That is a humble answer because it doesn’t boast in us.

           i.      It is clear because it points to scripture.

           ii.      It is loving because it invites people to examine the Bible for themselves.

p.      Unity begins when every voice bows to Jesus’ word.

II.            Unity reflects the Father and the Son.

a.      Jesus did not pray for union.

          i.      It was not “Father, let them all have different doctrines, different names, different worship styles, and different authorities, but help them get along.

          ii.      He prayed that His people would be one as the Father and Son are one.

b.     This doesn’t mean we become divine – it means our unity must reflect shared truth, purpose, love, and submission to the Father’s will.

c.     Paul applies the same principle in 1 Cor. 1:11-13.

d.     Paul’s question is still relevant today.

          i.      If Christ is not divided, why should His people be divided?

          ii.      If Paul did not want the Corinthians to wear the names of men, why would Christ approve of His people wearing human names, defending human creations, and making human division normal?

e.     Ephesians 4:4-6 – If there is one body, and Eph. 1:22-23 says that body is the church, then Christ only has one church and Christ does not have a collection of competing churches.

f.      Here is where we need to be careful.

         i.      We are not saying that everyone meeting in a building with the name church of Christ on it is automatically right.

         ii.      We are not saying that everyone meeting in a denomination is dishonest.

         iii.      We are not saying that sincere people do not love God.

         iv.      We are saying that sincerity does not create authority.

g.    A person can be sincere and still be mistaken – Paul was (Acts 23:1).

         i.      A tradition can be old and still be unauthorized.

         ii.      A religious practice can be popular and still not be found in the New Testament.

h.    The issue is not whether people are good, kind, sincere or religious – the issue is whether Christ has the right to define His own church.

i.      When a builder is handed the architect’s blueprint, his job is not to improve the design according to his person taste – it is to build whatever the architect drew.

         i.      If the blueprint calls for a vaulted ceiling but he puts a normal, flat ceiling because he likes that better, he has stopped submitting to the architect.

         ii.      If the builder decides to use ship-lap instead of drywall because his family has always used ship-lap, he has made tradition the authority.

j.      Jesus is not a consultant, He is the builder, owner, head, and Savior of the church (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28).

k.    Since Jesus built the church and bought the church, He gets to define it.

l.      This ought to move us to examine everything – name, worship, organization, doctrine, plan of salvation, attitude toward others, our loyalty to scripture.

m.   A church can wear a biblical name while acting with an unbiblical spirit.

         i.      A church can have “Christ” on the sign but fail to submit to Christ in practice.

         ii.      This sermon is not a call to pride in a name, but for repentance and restoration.

n.     Christ’s unity is deeper than a label and stronger than preference.

III.            Unity rejects man-made religious division.

a.     Some common defenses of denominationalism sound reasonable at first, but they do not hold up under scripture.

b.     “Aren’t denominations just branches of the vine?”

          i.      In John 15:5, Jesus says “I am the vine and you are the branches.”

          ii.      Some believe that Jesus is saying He is the vine and different denominations are the branches.

          iii.      Jesus, though, is referencing individual people (the rest of John 15:5).

          iv.      Jesus is talking about individual disciples abiding in Him, not separate religious organizations teaching conflicting doctrines.

          v.      If John 15 authorizes denominationalism, the vine would produce contradictory fruit.

          vi.      Jesus has never authorized contradictory fruit from the same vine.

c.      “Aren’t denominations just different roads to heaven?”

          i.      Jesus did not say I am one way among many.

          ii.      John 14:6.

          iii.      If Jesus is the way, it is not our job to create alternate routes.

          iv.      Our task is to walk in His way.

d.     “All denominations teach some truth.”

          i.      Many groups teach some truth.

          ii.      But some truth is not the same as the whole counsel of God.

          iii.      Paul warned in Galatians 1 that a distorted gospel is not harmless – it is spiritually deadly.

          iv.      The question is not “Can I find a true statement here?”

          v.      The question is, “Is this the doctrine of Christ?”

e.      “Aren’t there good people everywhere?”

          i.      Absolutely.

          ii.      There are kind, moral, sincere people in many places.

          iii.      Human goodness cannot replace obedience to Christ.

          iv.      Saul of Tarsus was as sincere as anyone has ever been.

          v.      He had zeal and a clean conscience.

          vi.      But he was still wrong until he submitted to the Lord.

f.       If a doctor gives a prescription with clear instructions, taking part of it while ignoring the rest can be dangerous.

          i.      The issue isn’t whether the patient is sincere.

          ii.      The issue is whether the patient follows the doctors orders.

          iii.      God’s word is not buffet of helpful religious ideas – it is the revealed will of God.

g.     We should reject denominationalism for the same reason we reject any human addition to God’s will – we love Jesus and trust His wisdom.

          i.      But, we must reject it in a Christ-like way.

          ii.      We don’t mock people, assume motives, or act as though we discovered the Bible by our own brilliance.

h.     We must speak the truth with love and humility.

          i.      Invite honest study.

          ii.      Open the Bible.

          iii.      Ask, “What did the first Christians believe, obey, practice, and call themselves?”

i.       The world should see Christ and not our party lines.

IV.            Unity is restored when we become simply Christians.

a.     Acts 2:36-47 shows us what happened when the apostolic word was first preached after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus.

         i.      Peter preached Christ, crucified, resurrected, and exalted and the people were cut to the heart, crying out “What shall we do?”

         ii.      Peter did not tell them to attend the church of their choice or join after a religious party named after a preacher.

b.    Acts 2:38.

         i.      Those who received the word were baptized – about 3,000 were added.

         ii.      Added to what?

         iii.      The church, the body of the saved (Acts 2:47).

c.     Then they continued in some things (Acts 2:42).

d.     That is New Testament Christianity in its beginning form.

          i.      No denominational name, creed, headquarters – no man-made religious party.

          ii.      Just saved people belonging to Christ, worshiping according to apostolic teaching, and living as the church of the Lord.

e.      Some people love old cars and there are many antique car shows.

           i.      There are some cars that are known for their modifications.

           ii.      However, the winners of the awards at the shows are those that have been restored to their original condition.

           iii.      The same engine parts, headlights, interior cloth, everything like it was when it came off the showroom floor years ago.

           iv.      That is restoration not innovation.

           v.      Restoration is returning to the original pattern.

f.        This is the pleas of churches of Christ at their best: not to start something new, but to return to the church revealed in the New Testament.

g.      This means our plea should be simple.

           i.      Let’s call Bible things by Bible names.

           ii.      Let’s do Bible things in Bible ways.

           iii.      Let’s be Christians only.

           iv.      Let’s belong to Christ completely.

h.      This has to begin with us.

           i.      We can’t trust a sign more than the Savior.

           ii.      We can’t defend tradition more than truth.

           iii.      We can’t speak truth with arrogance instead of love.

           iv.      We can’t treat the church like our inherited group instead of Christ’s blood-bought body.

i.        If we do any of these things we must repent and change ourselves before we ask those outside of Christ to repent and change.

j.        Restoration means returning to Christ, not defending ourselves.

A Faith That Pleases God (Pt. 1) 5-10-26 PM

I.            Faith described (Heb. 11:1).

a.      Notice that is not a Webster’s Dictionary type definition of faith.

b.      What it is is a living description of faith – the writer is showing us what faith does in the life and the heart of a believer.

c.      Faith reaches forward to what God has promised, and faith hold firm to what God has revealed, even when our eyes can’t see it.

d.      Faith is the undergirding to what we hope for.

           i.      The word translated substance is a word that carries the idea of something that stands under, a foundation, confidence, or assurance.

           ii.      It pictures for us what holds up a bridge – the supports that allows cars to drive over the concrete on top.

e.      Faith is not a vague wish or blind leap.

          i.      Faith does not say “I hope everything works out.”

          ii.      Biblical faith is a settled confidence that what God has promised is real, even before we receive it.

          iii.      Faith gives present strength because of future hope.

f.       Christians are people who live by hope (Rom. 8:24).

          i.      Biblical hope is defined as desire plus expectation.

          ii.      Hope is tied to salvation because salvation is not only about what God has already done for us in Christ, but also about what God has promised still awaits us.

          iii.      We have  forgiveness now, but we still hope for the final resurrection.

          iv.      We have peace with God now, but we still hope for eternal life.

          v.      We belong to Christ now, but we still hope for the day when faith becomes sight.

g.     This hope keeps us steady.

          i.      Heb. 6:19.

          ii.      Hope is the anchor and faith is the hand that holds to the rope.

          iii.      Faith says, “I don’t see everything God has promised yet, but I trust the God who promised it.”

h.     Without hope, faith becomes weak.

          i.      If there is no resurrection, no eternal life, no heavenly home, no final reward, then suffering for Christ makes no sense.

          ii.      But because God has promised these things, faith gives substance to hope.

          iii.      Faith makes the future promises of God strong enough to hold on to today.

i.       Faith also gives evidence, or conviction, about what we cannot see.

          i.      The word translated evidence means proof, conviction, or persuasion.

          ii.      It is the inward certainty that comes from reliable testimony.

j.        Faith is not believing without reason – faith is believing because God has spoken.

k.      There are many things we cannot see that are still real.

          i.      We cannot see God with physical eyes.

          ii.      We cannot see heaven or forgiveness being recorded in heaven.

          iii.      We cannot see Christ interceding for us as High Priest.

l.       But faith is sustained by the unseen because faith rests on the word of the unseen God.

          i.      2 Cor. 5:7.

          ii.      This does not mean Christians are blind to reality.

          iii.      It means Christians understand there is more to reality than what can be measured, touched, or seen.

m.    A life built only on what is visible will eventually collapse because all that is visible is temporary.

          i.      Health changes.

          ii.      Money disappears.

          iii.      People disappoint.

          iv.      Circumstances shift.

          v.      But, the unseen promises of God remain.

n.     Faith says, God is real, even when I can’t see Him; God is good, even when life is painful; God keeps His promises, even when I am still waiting; God rewards faithfulness, even when obedience costs me.

o.     Faith is confidence that moves us.

p.     This chapter is not describing faith as mere belief in religious facts – the rest of the chapter proves that – by faith is stated 11 times in this one chapter.

          i.      The faith of the people in this chapter did something.

          ii.      Biblical faith is never mere mental agreement – it is confidence in God that moves a person to respond in a positive way to God’s commands.

          iii.      Faith believes what God says about sin, so it repents.

          iv.      Faith believes what God says about Christ, so it confesses Him.

          v.      Faith believes what God says about baptism, so it obeys the gospel.

          vi.      Faith believes what God says about forgiveness, so it keeps coming back to Him.

          vii.      Faith believes what God says about eternal life, so it keeps going when life gets hard.

q.      Faith is never perfection – faith is trusting God enough to act on what He has said.

r.       Faith stands on God’s promises before it sees God’s answers.

s.      So when Hebrews 11 describes a faith that pleases God, it shows us two sides of the same truth: faith gives assurance about what we hope for, and faith gives conviction about what we cannot see.

t.       The world says, “Seeing is believing” but God says, “Believing is trusting Me until you see.”

II.            Faith depicted (Heb. 11:2-3).

a.      The writer now shows us what faith look like in real life and how faith shapes the way we understand reality.

           i.      Faith is not just something we feel.

           ii.      Faith changes how we live, worship, obey, and understand the world.

b.      Faith is depicted in the elders who pleased God.

           i.      Elders here does not refer to the office of elder in the church today.

           ii.      It refers to the faithful ones who lived before us – really, here the men and women mentioned in this chapter.

           iii.      These were not perfect people, as we know, but they were faithful people.

c.       This is important because Hebrews 11 is not about flawless heroes.

           i.      It is a chapter about people who trusted God enough to act.

           ii.      They sometimes struggled, had moments of weakness, had fear, and even failure.

           iii.      But what makes them worthy of this chapter is their faith.

d.      The phrase “obtained a good report” carries the idea of being testified about, witnessed to, or commended.

           i.      In other words, God bore witness to their faith.

           ii.      God testifies to the fact that their lives pleased Him.

           iii.      They didn’t earn their salvation by their own goodness, but God approved the faith that moved them to trust and obey Him.

e.      This is the point of the chapter: Faith is not invisible in the life of God’s people – it shows up.

f.       These elders received a good report because they believed God and acted.

g.     Faith is also depicted in how we understand creation.

          i.      The word for universe points to the whole created order.

          ii.      This means time, space, matter, and everything that exists within them.

h.     Through faith we understand does not mean faith is against reason.

          i.      It means faith begins with God’s revelation.

          ii.      No one was there when the universe began.

          iii.      There were no scientists, philosophers, historians, or preachers standing with God watching Him create everything.

i.       The only way to know the ultimate source of creation is for God to tell us and He has.

          i.      Genesis 1 repeatedly says “And God said…”

          ii.      Ps. 33:9; John 1:3.

j.       Faith looks at the universe and says that this didn’t happen by accident so it must have come from God by His word.

          i.      This is what the last part of verse 3 is saying.

          ii.      This is the concept of creatio ex nihilo, which means creation out of nothing.

          iii.      This means God did not create the universe out of existing material.

          iv.      God did not find eternal matter and reshape it.

          v.      God did not depend on something outside Himself.

k.      God spoke and what did not exist came into existence (Rom. 4:17; Ac. 17:24; Col. 1:16).

          i.      This is the biblical evidence.

          ii.      Scripture presents God as the source of everything created.

          iii.      This is why creation takes faith – we weren’t there and no one else either.

          iv.      We trust the testimony of the God who cannot lie.

l.       This goes beyond more than a debate about origins.

m.    Hebrews 11:3 is here because faith in the Creator strengthens faith in His promises.

          i.      Think about the original readers of this letter, the Hebrew Christians.

          ii.      They were tired, pressured, persecuted, suffering, and tempted to quit.

          iii.      They needed to remember who their God is.

n.     If God can create the universe out of nothing but His word, He can keep His promises He gave with His words.

o.     If God called the world into existence, He can call the dead from the grave.

p.     If God made what is visible from things invisible, He can sustain us when we cannot see the outcome.

q.     If God spoke creation into being, then His word is strong enough to build our lives on.

r.       Faith says, “I may not see the answer yet, but I know the God who spoke the entire universe into existence.

s.      This is the kind of faith that pleases God.

          i.      The elders show us that faith acts.

          ii.      Creation shows us that faith understands.

          iii.      Together, they remind us that the life that pleases God is built on trusting what God has said.

The Responsibilities In The Home 5-10-26 AM

I.            Children must obey and honor their parents.

a.     Eph. 6:1-3.

b.     There is a command to obey their parents.

          i.      Obedience means more that hearing instructions and teaching.

          ii.      It means listening with the intent to follow.

          iii.      Children are not born naturally obedient.

          iv.      Children have to be taught, trained, corrected, and shaped.

          v.      However, Paul, by inspiration, speaks directly to children.

          vi.      This means that children have a responsibility before God.

c.      Numerous scriptures speak to the responsibility of children in the home (Col. 3:20; Pr. 1:8-9; Pr. 6:20).

d.      Notice Luke 2:51 – even Jesus, who knew who He was at a young age, lived in submission to Joseph and Mary.

e.      If the Lord Himself honored the order of the home, children today should not treat obedience as a trivial thing.

f.       There is a caveat in this verse: “in the Lord.”

          i.      This does mean obedience to parents is part of a child’s relationship to God.

1.      Children obey their parents not merely because the parents are bigger, older, or paying the bills.

2.      They obey because God says it is right.

          ii.      But “in the Lord” is also a boundary.

1.      A child is not required to obey a command that would cause them to sin against God.

2.      Ac. 5:29; Matt. 10:37.

3.      If a parent tells a child to lie, steal, hide sin, or in some way disobey God, the child is to obey God first.

4.      Even in that type situation, the child should respond with humility and respect, not rebellion or hatred.

g.      Paul also says that children are to honor their parents.

           i.      You might ask what the difference between obedience and honor is.

1.      Obedience is connected to childhood, while living under the authority of the parents.

2.      Honor is lifelong.

           ii.      The idea of the word honor is to treat as weighty, valuable, worthy of respect.

1.      A child will grow up, leave home, marry, and begin a new home.

2.      However, the child will never outgrow the command to honor father and mother.

h.      There are several passages that speak to this as well.

           i.      This is a quotation of Ex. 20:12.

           ii.      Lev. 19:3.

           iii.      Pr. 23:22.

           iv.      Mark 7:9, 13.

           v.      1 Tim. 5:4 deals with taking care of a widowed mother, and the same would hold true of a father.

i.        Honor includes attitude, speech, gratitude, care, and respect.

j.        There are several biblical example of obedience:

           i.      We noticed the example of Jesus in Luke 2 already.

           ii.      God used the Rechabites as an example of honoring a father (Jer. 35).

k.      There are also examples of disobedience.

           i.      Absalom (2 Sam. 15-18) – his rebellion brought division, grief, and death – his dishonor hurt an entire nation.

           ii.      The sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas – they dishonored their father and God all at the same time and it brought judgment on themselves and sorrow to their families.

l.        When children obey quickly, speak respectfully, and receive correction humbly, that child is learning more than manners – that child is learning submission to God-given authority.

m.    When a teenager refuses correction, mocks his/her parents, lies about his/her activities, that is not just a family issue – it is a spiritual issue.

n.      A child who learns to obey godly parents is being trained to obey God.

II.            Mothers must strengthen the home.

a.      Ephesians 6:1-4 must be considered in light of what is found at the end of chapter 5.

b.      Eph. 5:22-24 speaks to the role of the wife/mother in the home.

c.       A mother’s submission is not inferiority.

           i.      The Bible does not teach that a wife is less valuable than a husband.

           ii.      Both male and female are made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27; Gal. 3:28; 1 Pe. 3:7 – fellow heir with the husband).

d.      Submission is not about worth – it is about order.

e.      God has ordered the home so that the home does not become a place of confusion and competition.

f.        A godly wife submits to her husband “as unto the Lord,” meaning her submission is ultimately part of her obedience to Christ.

g.      A mother helps create the spiritual atmosphere of the home.

            i.      Titus 2 gives older women the responsibility to teach younger women how to live in the home.

            ii.      Titus 2:3-5.

            iii.      We know Proverbs 31 contains the description of the worthy woman who strengthens her family through diligence, wisdom, work, generosity, and fear of God.

            iv.      1 Tim. 5:14.

h.      We need to make sure we understand that the phrase “keepers at home” does not mean a woman has no ability, intelligence, or value out of the home.

            i.      The worthy woman of Proverbs 31 shows that not to be the case.

            ii.      It does mean that the home is not to be neglected.

i.        A mother’s influence in the home is powerful.

j.        She helps shape the tone, habits, priorities, and spiritual well-being of her family.

k.      There are some examples of godly mothers in scripture:

            i.      Hannah prayed for a son and then gave that son back to God – her motherhood was shaped by prayer, sacrifice, and dedication to God.

            ii.      Lois and Eunice led Timothy to have a great faith in God – Timothy knew the Old Testament (2 Tim. 3:15) and that did not happen by accident.

l.        There are also some examples of ungodly mothers in scripture:

           i.      Rebekah manipulated her children and her husband to get the outcome she wanted when she should have trusted God – this resulted in family division, separation, and grief.

           ii.      Jezebel used her influence to promote idolatry and wickedness in Israel.

m.    A mother’s influence can build faith or it can feed rebellion – it can calm the home or rile it up – it can point children to God or it can teach them to manipulate.

n.      A godly mother strengthens the home when she speaks respectfully of and to her husband in front of the children.

o.      A godly mother strengthens the home when she teacher her children to pray, helps them get ready for Bible class and worship, corrects sinful acts and attitudes, and models kindness.

p.      A godly mother strengthens the home when she refuses to let the home become spiritually empty, even when life gets busy.

q.      A mother does not have to be loud to be powerful.

r.       Her faithfulness can echo for generations.

s.       Mothers glorify God by nurturing faith and honoring His order.

III.            Fathers must lead the home.

a.      Paul, by inspiration, gives fathers a direct command.

           i.      We fathers are not allowed to be spiritually absent.

           ii.      We cannot hand off the spiritual leadership of the home entirely to the mother; rely on the preacher, elders or Bible class teachers.

b.      God calls fathers to lead.

c.       The father is the head of the house.

           i.      This is not made up by some guy somewhere.

           ii.      The headship of the father is grounded in God’s order for the home.

           iii.      Numerous scriptures teach this:

1.      Eph. 5:23.

2.      1 Cor. 11:3.

3.      Gen. 18:19 implies it.

4.      Joshua 24:15 illustrates it.

           iv.      Being the head of the house does not mean selfish control.

           v.      Biblical headship looks like Christ.

           vi.      Jesus leads by truth, sacrifice, love, and holiness.

d.      The father is to love his wife as himself.

           i.      Before Paul speaks to fathers in Ephesians 6, he speaks to husbands in Ephesians 5.

           ii.      Eph. 5:25, 28.

           iii.      Notice Col. 3:19.

           iv.      1 Pe. 3:7 – husbands are live with their wives in understanding and show her honor.

           v.      A father teaches his children about God not only by what he says in Bible study but in how he treats their mother.

           vi.      When a son sees his father speak lovingly, repent quickly, serve sacrificially, and honor his wife, that son is learning what being a man is.

           vii.      When a daughter sees her father treat his wife this way, she is learning what godly love looks like and what she should be seeking in a future husband.

e.      The father must not provoke his children to wrath.

           i.      This happens when we are harsh, inconsistent, absent, hypocritical, unable to be pleased, or unwilling to apologize.

           ii.      Children can become discouraged if we treat them this way (Col. 3:21).

           iii.      Pr. 15:1; Jam. 1:19-20.

           iv.      Discipline is necessary, and children really want it, but sinful anger is not.

           v.      Authority is necessary, and children want order, but cruelty is not.

           vi.      Correction is necessary, but humiliation is not.

           vii.      A father has to be firm enough to correct error and gentle enough to keep the child’s heart.

f.        The father must bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

           i.      Bring them up carries the idea of nourishing, training, and raising carefully.

           ii.      Dads are not just here to punish wrong behavior.

           iii.      We are to cultivate godly hearts.

           iv.      Discipline involves correction and training.

           v.      Instruction involves teaching, warning, and forming the mind.

           vi.      It has to be of the Lord.

           vii.      The goal of a father must not simply be good grades, a good job, good athletic success, or social confidence.

           viii.      There is nothing wrong with those things but they should never be the priority.

           ix.      The highest goal is faithfulness to God.

           x.      There are numerous passages that emphasize this:

1.      De. 6:6-7.

2.      Pr. 22:6.

3.      Ps. 78:5-7 – we teach the next generation to set their hearts on God.

4.      2 Tim. 3:15 shows the priority of scripture.

5.      Heb. 12:7-11 – God disciplines His children so they can share in His holiness.

g.      There are some examples of godly fathers in scripture.

           i.      Abraham – we mentioned Gen. 18:19 earlier.

           ii.      Joshua made a public decision because he cared about his family’s spiritual state even more than their physical state.

h.     There are some examples of ungodly fathers in scripture.

          i.      Eli did not restrain his sons from causing the people to sin (1 Sam. 3:13).

          ii.      David was not always a good father.

1.      He did not punish Amnon for what he did to Tamar.

2.     He never got on to Adonijah, which caused Adonijah to become proud and rebellious (1 Ki. 1:6).

i.       A father truly leads when he makes worship a priority instead of an occasional option.

j.       A father leads when he opens his Bible at home, prays with and for his family, apologizes when he is wrong, and shows his children how to repent.

k.     A father leads when he disciplines consistently instead of exploding emotionally.

l.       A father leads when he lets his children know that God is going to be followed in his house.

m.    The home, if it will be as God wants it, needs present, loving, spiritual fathers, not passive ones.

n.      Fathers glorify God by leading their homes toward the Lord.

Remember 5-3-26 AM

I.            Remember the persecution you endured (Heb. 10:32-34).

a.     The writer says to remember the former day.

b.     Think back to the early days of their conversion, when following Jesus became costly.

c.     They had been enlightened – as mentioned, this means when they were converted to Christ.

d.     They endured a great fight of afflictions.

          i.      The language used indicates a severe contest, like a fight in the gladiator arenas of the day.

          ii.      Their lives as Christians were not casual or easy.

          iii.      It was a brutal spiritual contest.

e.      Part of the suffering was public shame, which is the idea of gazingstock.

          i.      Some translations have publicly exposed.

          ii.      They were put on display, publicly mocked, treated as a spectacle.

          iii.      Their suffering was not private, but public.

          iv.      This matters today because our society places so much emphasis on public perception.

          v.      We’d much rather, in general, face inward pain instead of outward shame.

          vi.      These brethren, at least for a time, had stood for Christ while being publicly mocked.

f.       He then reminds them of the way they stood with fellow Christians who were being treated this way (vs. 33b).

          i.      Companions come from the idea of shared participation.

          ii.      They not only suffered, but stood with others who suffered as well.

g.     They even reached out to those who had been imprisoned (vs. 34).

          i.      In that world, people imprisoned counted on friends and family to provide for them.

          ii.      They didn’t have three hots and a cot in that day.

          iii.      To visit those imprisoned was to risk being identified with them.

          iv.      These Christians did not hide in the shadows, but supported those that it might cost to support.

h.     They even endured the loss of property.

          i.      The spoiling of your goods indicates, seizure, confiscation, or loss of possessions.

          ii.      Their commitment to the Lord and one another had financial consequences.

          iii.      Notice that they endured this joyfully.

i.       We need to remember that suffering for Christ is a reminder that we have chosen the right road.

j.       We’ve all probably lost friends, and maybe family members, because we refused to be moved from the gospel at some point in our walk with the Lord.

k.     We may have been made fun of at work or by school friends because we don’t do the same things, wear the same things, or go to the same events as worldly people do.

l.       Hebrews is telling us that this path has always been costly.

m.    Faithful Christians don’t endure just their own suffering.

          i.      We help our brethren in their suffering.

          ii.      It is easy to admire bold believers from afar.

          iii.      It is harder to stand with them when that relationship costs us something.

n.      Faith remembers that following Jesus has always cost something.

II.            Remember the promise (Heb. 10:34b-36).

a.      Why were they willing to suffer loss joyfully?

b.      They knew God had promised them something better.

c.      They have a better inheritance, or possession as some translations say.

          i.      The word for substance means what one truly has, what belongs to him, or what is his property.

          ii.      They had lost earthly property, but we are only stewards of the possessions of this world.

          iii.      They knew they had a greater possession, that was truly theirs.

          iv.      Remember, better is a key word in Hebrews.

          v.      Their possessions in Christ were better because it cannot be taken away.

d.     Not only is it better, it is enduring.

          i.      This means lasting, or staying.

          ii.      Their earthly possessions could be taken away, or they would one day be corrupted.

          iii.      The heavenly possession can’t be taken and will not fade away.

e.      Because of this, they were told not throw away their confidence, which has a great reward.

          i.      Confidence describes a settled assurance with God.

          ii.      You see, the danger these people faced was more and greater than external persecution.

          iii.      The greater danger was internal collapse of faith.

          iv.      If they cast away their confidence, they would abandon the very thing that had gotten them this far.

f.       Only with endurance would they receive what God had promised.

          i.      Endurance means steadfastness under pressure.

          ii.      They could not just begin well – they had to continue faithfully.

g.     There is an important sequence to note – doing the will of God, receiving the promise.

          i.      He is not teaching salvation by works.

          ii.      He is simply teaching that genuine faith perseveres.

          iii.      The one who truly trusts in Christ continues in obedient trust until the promise is received.

h.      We live in a time when people are trading eternal treasure for immediate comfort.

i.        We have to remember that what is coming is better and what is better is lasting.

j.        Faith endures present loss because it knows the promise is better and lasting.

III.            Remember punishment is coming for those who harm God’s people (Heb. 10:37-38).

a.      This section quotes from Habakkuk, which is a book written in a setting of violence, injustice, and coming judgment.

b.      In Hebrews, this is used to show that God is not indifferent to what His people are suffering – He is coming in judgment.

c.      There is a very important point that needs to be made here.

          i.      The writer is not talking about the second coming of our Lord.

          ii.      These people needed encouragement right then.

          iii.      Pointing to an unknown date far in the future would not help them.

          iv.      This is a reference to Christ coming in judgment.

          v.      This is a reference to the coming destruction of Jerusalem.

d.     Remember that he had told them to make sure they assemble together to give one another encouragement.

          i.      We talk about that verse when it comes to church attendance, and we should.

          ii.      But, in its context, we also need to keep in mind the last phrase: and so much the more as you see the day approaching.

          iii.      This is also a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem.

e.      As we stated a while back when introducing this book, it was written in the early 60’s of the first century.

          i.      In the later 60’s, Rome comes against Jerusalem.

          ii.      In AD 70, Jerusalem is destroyed.

f.       The Christians had been taught about the coming destruction of Jerusalem because our Lord spoke about it, recorded in Matthew 24.

g.     The Hebrews writer is encouraging these brethren, who would have lived in and around Jerusalem, to remember that the Lord is going to come in judgment against those who were harming them.

h.     The righteous live by faith.

i.       The unfaithful shrink back.

j.       There is no neutral ground.

k.     Under pressure, a Christian either keeps trusting or retreats into ruin.

l.       This is important to remember because it is easy for us to look around and think that evil is winning.

          i.      When injustice goes on and things are tough, we can become disoriented.

          ii.      We see here that Christ is not passive.

          iii.      He is not blind to our suffering and to wickedness.

          iv.      He comes against those who oppose His brethren.

m.    We don’t need revenge to keep going – we need faith.

n.      It doesn’t mean everything will be resolved quickly, but it does mean nothing done to us for Christ will be forgotten or ignored.

o.      Faith keeps going because Jesus sees the wicked and will judge rightly.

IV.            Remember your place (Heb. 10:39).

a.      The writer does not soften the danger in any way, but he also does not leave them there.

b.      Shrink back indicates pulling away in fear.

c.       Perdition carries the idea of a sense of ruin or destruction, not just inconvenience.

           i.      This is not loss of rewards only.

           ii.      It is spiritual destruction.

           iii.      To leave Jesus is not a move to a lesser place, but a move toward ruin.

d.      The writer shows his belief in them by saying that he believes they are the kind who will move towards the Christ, not from Him.

           i.      They will preserve their souls in Christ.

           ii.      This in not self-salvation, but persevering faith.

e.      Remember your place means remember you are in Christ.

           i.      You are among the faithful.

           ii.      You are in the place where life is found.

f.        Today, shrinking back rarely looks dramatic.

           i.      We don’t face the persecution these brethren faced.

           ii.      Our shrinking back looks like neglect.

g.      Neglect becomes drift, drift becomes distance, and distance becomes disobedience.

h.      We start neglecting prayer, or reading God’s word, and then we start to miss services.

i.        When we start missing services, we start to stop caring about holiness.

j.        We then start to stop being concerned with warnings we get in various ways from God.

k.      What begins as neglect ends in ruin unless there is repentance.

l.        Faith stays with Christ because leaving Him leads to ruin.

Choking Hazards 4-26-26 AM

I.            The distractions of the world.

a.      The first thing Jesus notes as a choking hazard are the cares of this world.

b.      Think about all that is going on around us or in which we are involved.

           i.      These things are not wrong by themselves are they?

           ii.      They become wrong when they cause us to turn our attention to them and from God’s word.

c.      Our jobs are not wrong are they?

          i.      We are told that if a man does not work he should not eat (2 Th. 3:10-12).

          ii.      Working is right and commanded.

          iii.      How many do we know that have allowed work to take them from God?

d.     Sports are not wrong.

          i.      Paul used multiple athletic illustrations and did so by inspiration.

          ii.      Wrestling, boxing, and running come to mind.

          iii.      How many families will miss services to be at an athletic event for their children?

          iv.      How many children are allowed to miss services for a practice or a game?

e.      These things, and others that you may think of, are not sinful.

f.        But they can be consuming if we allow them to be.

g.      Remember the account of Jesus being in the home of Mary and Martha?

           i.      Mary was sitting there listening to Jesus.

           ii.      We know what it says about Martha (Lu. 10:41-42).

           iii.      Jesus was right there in her house teaching and she was caught up with things, though nice, that were less important.

h.      We cannot give in to the temptation to make unimportant things more important than Jesus and His word because that is a choking hazard.

II.            The deceitfulness of riches.

a.      As we come to this choking hazard, we need to understand that having riches, or wealth, is not sinful.

           i.      Many of God’s great people have been people of wealth.

           ii.      Abraham, Job, David all come to mind.

           iii.      Joseph of Arimathea had wealth.

           iv.      What is sinful is the love of money (1 Tim. 6:10).

b.      We need wealthy Christians to help support the Lord’s work.

c.      Problems arise when we allow riches to deceive us.

d.      You might say, riches are inanimate, so how can they deceive us?

e.      The possession of wealth gives a false feeling of security.

           i.      In Luke 12, we read of a wealthy man.

           ii.      This man had a great harvest one year.

           iii.      Notice how he felt about this (Lu. 12:17-19).

           iv.      Look how God viewed him (Lu. 12:20).

           v.      The man’s attitude was “I’m safe because I have enough.”

           vi.      Many people feel money is the answer to all of life’s problems and if they have it, they cannot be harmed.

           vii.      Money is fleeting and, as the wise preacher points out, we are going to die and just leave it to someone else (Ecc. 2:17-19).

f.        The possession of wealth promises satisfaction.

           i.      John D. Rockefeller founded Standard Oil and became America’s first billionaire.

           ii.      He was asked by a reporter, “How much is enough?”

           iii.      His reply was “Just a little bit more.

           iv.      In his chase for wealth, Rockefeller had terrible stress, lost his hair early, had digestive issues, and was constantly worried about losing his money.

           v.      He said later in life, “I have made many millions, but they have brought be no happiness.

           vi.      Listen to something else the wise preacher said…(Ecc. 5:10).

g.      The possession of wealth promises significance.

           i.      Having money makes many people feel that they matter more than others.

           ii.      We’ve seen this attitude in many movies and it is made fun of in that sense.

           iii.      Movies generally point out things that are true in society.

           iv.      How much wealth we have does not matter in the end (Mk. 8:36).

           v.      Paul warned about the uncertainty of riches (1 Tim. 6:17).

           vi.      Money will always meet certain needs, but it will never meet the needs of the soul.

h.      We cannot give into the temptation of placing wealth over our soul because that is a choking hazard.

III.            The desire for more.

a.      In case something was left out, Jesus finished His thought of things that can be choking hazards with “the lust of other things.”

b.      This goes deeper than a harmful desire for wealth.

c.      It may be a craving for status.

          i.      Children today do not aspire to be astronauts or ball players nearly as much as they used to.

          ii.      What many children aspire to be now is known as an influencer.

          iii.      They want the status that goes along with social media fame.

          iv.      They want fame, to be known by many.

d.     It may be chasing comfort.

          i.      This usually involves a chase for wealth.

          ii.      It goes beyond it because it is a great desire for the things that wealth can get you.

          iii.      The nicer car, the fancier house, the better gadgets or toys.

e.      It has to do with wanting more of anything in place of God.

f.       1 John 2:16.

g.     It is not what you have that matters, but what has you.

h.     I read this very true statement: When desire is disordered, devotion is diminished.

i. Too many allow their possessions to possess them and our Lord says that is a choking hazard.

The Joy Of Forgiveness 4-19-26 AM

I.            The blessing of forgiveness (Ps. 32:1-2).

a.      The word blessed is the idea of a deep happiness because of a right relationship with God.

           i.      We see this idea in the very first psalm (Psalm 1:1-2).

           ii.      We also see this in the beatitudes of our Lord (Matt. 5:1-12).

           iii.      It is not just being happy, but happiness based on knowing one is in the good graces of God.

b.      David describes the way to this state of blessedness in three ways.

c.       He first says, blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven.

           i.      Transgression is a going beyond the line God has drawn.

           ii.      Forgiven carries the idea of being lifted up and carried away.

           iii.      David is saying the blessed, happy person is the one whose rebellion has been removed.

           iv.      This tells us that God is able to lift and remove the burden of confessed rebellion.

d.      Secondly, David wrote that one is blessed when his sin is covered.

           i.      The idea of the word sin is to miss the mark.

           ii.      Covered does not mean swept under the rug, but dealt with in such a way that they are totally removed.

           iii.      This is a picture of God’s mercy – giving us what we do not deserve.

           iv.      God doesn’t ignore sin – He covers what He forgives.

e.      Thirdly, David writes that one is blessed when God does not impute to sin to him.

           i.      The word iniquity carries the idea of guilt or crookedness.

           ii.      Impute means to count or charge to one’s account.

           iii.      Once a person is forgiven, God does not count that sin against him any longer or keep it on his record, or account.

           iv.      This is the point Paul makes in Romans 4:6-8.

           v.      Forgiveness means our guilt is no longer counted against us.

f.        These three things are a result of the final statement of verse 2.

           i.      There is no deceit in this blessed person.

           ii.      It does not say the person is sinless.

           iii.      This person has been completely honest with God about his sin and opened up to God about it seeking forgiveness.

g.      The joy of forgiveness belongs to those who stop hiding their sin and become honest with God about it.

II.            The burden of hidden sin (Ps. 32:3-4).

a.      Have you ever done something wrong to someone you love or respect but he or she didn’t know about it?

           i.      How did you feel emotionally around that person?

           ii.      Where you on edge and upset?

b.      What about when you knew you had sin in your life that was coming between you and God?

           i.      How did you feel, or maybe, how do you feel right now if that is where you are at the moment with God?

          ii.      Do you feel good about it or is there some sense of being upset?

c.      Notice how David feels.

          i.      One version says “my body wasted away.”

          ii.      Roaring is translated groaning in some versions.

          iii.      God’s hand was heavy on him and his strength was dried up.

d.     The point is, concealed sin does not bring peace or happiness.

          i.      There is no feeling of being blessed when we are hiding sin from others.

          ii.      We aren’t hiding it from God because He knows all.

e.      Hidden sin drains us.

          i.      We dwell on it and have a strong sense of guilt.

          ii.      If we hold it too long, we can become hardened to our sin (Heb. 3:13).

f.       If we have properly trained the conscience, sin hurts us because we understand what it does to our relationship with God (Isa. 59:1-2).

          i.      David hurt because he knew he was not right with God.

          ii.      The same is true for us when we try to conceal our sin.

III.            The breakthrough of confession (Ps. 32:5).

a.      This is the point where Nathan told David, You are the man.

           i.      David had a decision to make.

           ii.      He could have Nathan put to death and go on trying to hide or he could confess the sin and make things right.

           iii.      Being a man after God’s heart, David made his confession.

b.      This is the turning point of the psalm.

           i.      In verse 3-4, David is crushed.

           ii.      In verse 5, David is changed.

c.       David acknowledged his sin.

           i.      He didn’t try to blame someone else or try to make things look better than they were.

           ii.      He stopped denying his sin and took ownership of it.

d.      This is where repentance starts – relief begins at the same moment honesty does.

e.      A lot of our spiritual problems continue because we discuss how we’ve been hurt, we are stressed, our past family problems, or how we’ve been disappointed by others, but we fail to admit we have sinned.

f.        Healing only begins when we stop arguing with God about our sin.

g.      David then says, my iniquity I have not hid.

           i.      This is a play on the second idea of verse 1.

           ii.      Only God can cover or hide sin properly because only He can forgive it.

h.      This is a very powerful contrast between us and God.

           i.      We are terrible saviors.

           ii.      We cannot hide our sins, only sweep them under the rug.

           iii.      We can’t bury what God still sees.

i.        People use filters and photoshop on social media all the time.

           i.      They do this make themselves look better.

           ii.      They try to hide some blemish or remove something out of the picture they don’t like.

j.        There is no filter or photoshop for sin – God sees the real thing.

k.      Either we can spend our lives trying to cover our sins, or we can bring our sins to God who can truly cover them with forgiveness.

l.        As long as David tried to hide his sin, he lived in misery.

m.    When he uncovered it before God, God covered it with mercy.

n.      We have to stop hiding the sin that only God can heal.

o.      David made his confession to the Lord.

           i.      David didn’t vent about his sin on a Facebook or social media post.

           ii.      David didn’t confess his sin to a priest or a friend.

           iii.      David confessed his sin to the only one who could do something about it – the Lord.

p.      This is the majesty of grace: when sin is truly confessed, God is eager to forgive.

q.      Some people in this room may be living in verses 3-4 right now.

           i.      The way forward is not hiding and covering sin.

           ii.      It is not better image management.

           iii.      The way forward is verse 5.

r.       The doorway from misery to mercy is not marked “perfection” – it is marked “confession.”

IV.            The benefit of seeking God (Ps. 32:6-7).

a.      David has told us what he did about his sin and now begins to tell us what to do with ours.

b.      David says “For this” in the KJV and that is “Therefore…” in the ESV.

           i.      Because of what has just been stated is the idea.

           ii.      Because God forgives and wants to forgive, sinners should seek Him.

c.       David says to seek God now.

           i.      Don’t wait until sin hardens us.

           ii.      Don’t wait until our conscience is seared (1 Tim. 4:2).

d.      The right time to seek God is when He can be found.

e.      This doesn’t mean God is playing hide and seek with us.

           i.      It is teaching we may not always have the time to seek Him.

           ii.      Every opportunity to turn to Him should be treated with the utmost seriousness and sincerity.

f.       The right time to seek God is right now (2 Co. 6:2).

g.     When a person seeks God through repentance and confession, other times of temptation and distress are still going to come – there will be the rush of great waters.

h.     When those times come, they don’t have to sweep us away from God.

          i.      If we have strengthened that relationship with God, we are much more difficult to be moved.

          ii.      This only comes by continually seeking God and strengthening our relationship with Him.

i.       We need to trust God as a hiding place.

j.       David had tried hiding his sin, but will now hide himself in God.

k.     He had tried hiding from God, but now hides in God.

l.       God provides continual care and deliverance.

          i.      God watches over us as David realized.

          ii.      David had been surrounded by guilt but now he is surrounded by songs of deliverance.

m.    God not only forgives His people, He keeps surrounding them with grace and mercy.

Therefore… 4-12-26 PM

I.            Since (Heb. 10:19-21).

a.      The writer, by inspiration gives a very brief summary of what believers have in Jesus.

b.      We first says, since we have confidence because of the blood of Jesus.

           i.      The holiest mentioned is the idea of the most holy place in the temple or tabernacle.

           ii.      This was only entered once a year and only by the high priest.

           iii.      This was a guarded place.

           iv.      The ordinary worshiper could not enter boldly into the presence of God on the mercy seat of the temple.

           v.      Because of the blood of Jesus, each Christian can go into what the most holy place represented – the throne room of God in heaven.

           vi.      We do this by prayer – we don’t need a high priest to go for us because, in Christ, we can go there ourselves (Heb. 4:16).

           vii.      This confidence is not in ourselves.

           viii.      This confidence is because Jesus has shed His blood, opening up this avenue of coming before God for all mankind.

c.      He then writes, and since is not provided but implied, since we have a new and living way to go beyond the veil, or curtain.

          i.      The old way was repeated sacrifices.

          ii.      The old way was distance between yourself and temple and between yourself and God.

          iii.      The old way was a constant reminder of your sin.

          iv.      Jesus opened a new and living way.

          v.      It is new because it allows us to beyond the curtain of the temple to the very presence of God.

          vi.      It is new because it is tied to a new covenant.

          vii.      It is living because it is opened by a living Savior.

          viii.      It was all provided for by the giving of the flesh of this living, resurrected Savior.

d.     Lastly in this point, since we have a high priest over the house of God.

          i.      Our high priest is Jesus.

          ii.      He is not only the sacrifice but He is also the High Priest.

          iii.      The house of God is not just a building, it is the church (1 Tim. 3:15).

e.      The Christian life must be led through remembering what we have in Christ.

f.       We have access to God because of the blood of Christ.

g.     We have a new and living way because of Christ.

h.     We have a great High Priest who is the Christ.

i.       We cannot and must not leave the One who provides us these things.

II.            Let us (Heb. 10:22-25).

a.     Since we have all these things, there are some things we need to do.

b.     We need to draw near to God (vs. 22).

          i.      We need to come to God with complete sincerity.

          ii.      We need to fully give our lives to God.

          iii.      We need to do these things in complete faith.

          iv.      Just as a Jew would come to the temple to get close to God, bringing a sacrifice because his faith moved him to believe the promise of God.

          v.      We must bring ourselves as this living sacrifice as we are taught in Rom. 12:1-2.

          vi.      We are able to do this because we have been obedient to the gospel by having our hearts cleansed through baptism.

          vii.      We can’t live at a distance from God.

          viii.      We must draw near Him through worship, service, and steady fellowship with Him.

c.      Let us hold fast our confession (vs. 23).

          i.      Remember, these people are being tempted and compelled to deny Jesus as the Messiah.

          ii.      When they obeyed the gospel, they made the good confession, just like we have.

          iii.      Why did they need to hold fast?

          iv.      God is faithful that promised.

          v.      We are not being compelled to go to Judaism, but we are tempted all the time to deny Jesus.

          vi.      Circumstances will never be easy but we can’t give in.

          vii.      We can’t give in because God will never fail us.

          viii.      He has made us great promises.

          ix.      He is faithful to keep them and we must keep what we’ve committed to Him.

d.     Let us stir up one another to love and good works (vs. 24).

          i.      Things are difficult for all of us, just like they were difficult for 1st century Christians.

          ii.      The word translated provoke in the KJV is translated stimulate are stir up in newer translations.

          iii.      It cares the idea of a strong urging of others towards the end of producing more love for one another and good service to God and others.

          iv.      When the KJV was translated, the word provoke meant to stimulate to action, where it is now a negative word.

          v.      Instead of abandoning our brethren, we need to stimulate one another to do more for each other and more for God.

          vi.      When things are difficult, that is the time to lean in harder on doing what is right.

          vii.      We stimulate one another through various ways.

e.      Let us not forsake the worship of God.

          i.      This let us, like the since in verse 20, is implied.

          ii.      When we forsake the assembling of ourselves together, we let one another down.

          iii.      In a sense, the writer is stating, not encourage to assemble, but assemble to encourage.

          iv.      Our worship services are to build one another up and encourage one another.

          v.      When we fail to assemble, whether because of pressure not to come or mere neglect, we fail to encourage one another.

          vi.      We can’t let hardship push us away from the people we are supposed to be encouraging and who will encourage us.

          vii.      The gathered church is one of God’s avenues of keeping us from drifting.

          viii.      The truth is, we cannot hold fast to God alone.

f.       Since we have such a great Savior, let us do these things mentioned.

III.            Fearful (Heb. 10:26-30).

a.     This is a very negative section of scripture.

b.     It shows what happens to those who leave Jesus.

c.     It ought to be frightening to us.

d.     This is not about some moment of weakness followed by repentance.

          i.      This is looking at a willful turning from and leaving Jesus.

          ii.      This is apostasy.

e.      It needs to be understood that we don’t have to leave the church to apostatize.

          i.      We can live lives of rebellion against the Lord and be at services every time the doors are open.

          ii.      We can attend all services and still be without a Savior.

f.       If we willfully turn from Jesus, whether leaving Him physically and spiritually, or just spiritually, there is no more sacrifice for sins.

          i.      There is nothing else that will save us.

          ii.      No one or nothing else is coming to be our sacrifice for sins.

          iii.      Also, how does one believe in once saved, always saved interpret this passage?

          iv.      The writer is saying it is very possible to receive the truth and then leave it.

g.     The writer describes leaving Jesus in three shocking ways:

          i.      Trampling underfoot the Son of God.

          ii.      Profaning the blood of the covenant.

          iii.      Outraging, doing despite, to the Spirit of Grace.

h.     Can you imagine stomping on the face of Jesus and God being okay with that?

i.       Can you imagine treating as common the blood of the uncommon Savior and God being okay with that?

j.       Can you imagine angering the Holy Spirit, which we do when count His word as nothing, and God being okay with that?

k.     When someone treated the law of Moses this way, once two or three witnesses confirmed it, that person was put to death with no mercy.

l.       All we will have left is a definite fear of judgment and knowledge of fiery indignation from God.

m.    We are viewed as adversaries of God when we leave Him like this.

n.     The writer closes this out by quoting two Old Testament passages: Deut. 32:35 and Deut. 32:36.

         i.      These verses should strike fear in us.

         ii.      God is not going to miss.

‍ ‍iii. Even those who once belonged to Him.

The Reality Of Salvation 4-12-26 AM

I.            The realization of sin (Acts 2:37).

a.    The apostles had just stated that God had made Jesus both Lord and Christ and they had crucified Him (Acts 2:36).

b.    This message pierced them.

         i.      They were cut to the heart.

         ii.      Some versions say pierced to the heart.

         iii.      One version has the footnote, “Wounded in conscience.”

c.     This means that truth wounded them before it healed them.

d.     These people were brought face to face with their guilt.

e.      In order to be saved, a person must stop arguing with God about sin and start agreeing with Him about it.

f.       People have to come to understand two things:

          i.      How much God hates sin.

          ii.      They have sin in their lives.

g.     Until those two things are realized, individuals will never be saved.

          i.      The people on Pentecost were religious and devout, which tells us they were aware of the first thing.

          ii.      It was not until Peter and the apostles pointed out their complicity in the death of Jesus that they became aware of the second.

h.     No one comes to Christ or becomes saved casually.

          i.      There is no such thing as accidental salvation.

          ii.      Before one can have peace with God, there has to be conviction of sin.

i.       These people heard the gospel.

          i.      They were shown by scripture who Jesus was.

          ii.      They were shown what they had done in bringing about His death.

          iii.      They were shown what that meant before God.

j.       The word of God exposed their sin to them.

k.      Heb. 4:12.

          i.      Acts 2 contains a vivid illustration of the truth of this verse.

          ii.      The sermon did not just inform them, it exposed their hearts.

l.       When do we usually go to the doctor?

          i.      Not until the pain becomes too severe to dismiss.

          ii.      The pain isn’t the cure though, is it?

          iii.      It is the warning that something is wrong and needs to be seen about.

m.    In the same way, conviction of sin is painful, but it is merciful.

          i.      God is showing us that our condition is serious.

          ii.      He is showing us that our condition is spiritually deadly.

n.      Some people never come to Christ because they are never honest about their sinful state.

          i.      They compare themselves to others and say, “I’m not that bad.”

          ii.      It does not matter if we are better or worse that someone else.

          iii.      It matters only if we are right with God.

o.      The prodigal son did not come home until he came to himself (Lu. 15:17).

p.      David was not restored until he said, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Sam. 12:13).

q.      The publican in Luke 18 went home justified only after he cried out “God be merciful to me, a sinner.”

r.       No one will seek salvation until there is a realization of sin in one’s life.

II.            The requirement for salvation (Acts 2:38).

a.      Once the people asked what they needed to do, Peter, by inspiration, gave them a clear answer.

           i.      He didn’t say, say this prayer.

           ii.      He didn’t say, you are already saved.

           iii.      He didn’t say, nothing at all.

b.      The requirement was plain: repent and be baptized.

c.      Repentance is a change of heart that leads to a change of life.

          i.      It is a turning away from sin.

          ii.      But it has to be coupled with a surrender to the rule of Christ.

d.     Baptism is not presented as being optional or a good idea.

          i.      Peter joins it with repentance as the response of faith to the gospel.

          ii.      When they came to believe who Jesus was, they had to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins.

e.      There is a lot of argument about this in the religious world.

          i.      And joins things of like value.

          ii.      The word translated for means to obtain.

          iii.      It really is this simple.

          iv.      Repentance and baptism are equal and, when combined, bring about the obtaining of the remission of one’s sins.

f.       The book of Acts consistently presents this response as the way people entered Christ.

          i.      In every conversion account in the book, baptism takes place.

          ii.      These on Pentecost, those at the temple when Peter and John heal the lame man, Cornelius, Saul who became Paul, the Samaritans in Acts 8, Lydia, and every other account in the book.

g.     Jesus said whoever believes and is baptized will be saved (Mk. 16:16).

h.     Romans 6:3-4 tells us that in baptism we are united with Christ in His death and raised to walk in newness of life.

i.       In 2 Kings 5 we read about Naaman.

          i.      He wanted to be healed of his leprosy but he was resisting God’s simple command to dip seven times in the Jordan River.

          ii.      He wanted to be healed on his own terms.

          iii.      Only when he humbled himself and obeyed exactly what God said was he healed.

j.       This is still the struggle today.

          i.      People are glad and willing to talk about grace in the abstract, but continually resist the form of obedience God has laid out.

          ii.      Grace does not eliminate our response: it calls for a response.

k.     The world says, “Do what you want or what feels right”; the gospel says, “Do what God says.”

l.       We can’t rewrite Acts 2:38 to fit our preferences.

m.    Peter preached by the authority of Christ and was guided by the Holy Spirit in so doing.

n.      We can’t improve on heaven’s answer to this vital question.

o.      Repentance means we can’t hold on to the sins we love.

p.      Baptism means we can’t keep Jesus at a distance.

q.      Both say: “I yield myself to Christ.”

r.       Real salvation follows the requirements of God instead of inventing its own.

III.            The responsibility of self (Acts 2:40).

a.      We don’t have all the words that Peter and the apostles preached on that great day.

b.      But we do have this saying recorded in verse 40.

c.      There is no way that Peter was saying they had the power to save themselves apart from Jesus.

          i.      Scripture is clear that Jesus is the only Savior.

          ii.      His blood is the purchase price of our redemption (Acts 20:28; Rom. 5:8-9).

          iii.      We will always be saved by God’s grace (Eph. 2:8-9).

d.     What Peter did say is that each one present had a personal responsibility to respond to the gospel.

          i.      No one could obey for them.

          ii.      Their spouses, parents, children, friends could not respond for them.

          iii.      No one could surrender their heart for them or anyone else but him or herself.

e.      These words scream out personal responsibility.

          i.      Their generation, like all previous and following ones, was crooked, or sinful.

          ii.      They did not have to remain a part of it, just like we do not.

          iii.      They were being called to separate from rebellion and submit to Jesus and we are as well.

f.       This fits the pattern of scripture.

          i.      Noah built the ark, but each person had to enter it.

          ii.      Moses lifted up the serpent, but each bitten person had to look at it.

          iii.      Jesus died for all men, but each soul must submit in obedience.

g.     No one can eat for you can they?

h.     No one can take medicine for you can they?

i.       Someone may care deeply about you, plead with you, and pray for you, but that person cannot obey the gospel for you.

          i.      Parents can raise you to know the truth.

          ii.      A spouse can encourage you.

          iii.      A preacher can preach to you.

          iv.      A congregation can surround you with love and encouragement.

          v.      No one can obey Jesus in your place.

j.       This is where many people stall.

          i.      They know the truth and may even feel conviction.

          ii.      They may even intend one day to obey, but they keep waiting for a better time.

k.      Felix trembled in Acts 24, but that is not the same thing as transforming.

l.        Agrippa was almost persuaded in Acts 26, but almost is still lost.

m.    3,000 people in Acts did not just feel something, they acted.

n.      You and I, individually, are responsible for what we do with Jesus.

o.      You and I, individually, are responsible for what we do with truth.

p.      You and I, individually, are responsible for whether we remain in sin or come to Christ.

q.      This passage teaches the responsibility of self.

IV.            The reception of the Savior (Acts 2:41).

a.      This is the beautiful end of the passage.

           i.      Those that were in despair did not all stay in it.

           ii.      The people who asked the question got an answer.

           iii.      The people who heard the word received it.

b.      We know this because they obeyed it.

c.       Receiving the word was not just merely nodding and agreeing with the sermon.

           i.      It was not admiring the apostles preaching.

           ii.      It was responding in obedient faith.

d.      Their receiving the Savior was active, not passive.

           i.      They welcomed the truth and submitted to it.

           ii.      Their glad reception showed itself in immediate obedience.

e.      The result was wonderful: they were added to the church – the Lord and His people (Acts 2:47).

f.       Receiving the Savior at His word was not invisible sentiment or a great feeling.

g.     It brought those people into a new life, a new people, a new allegiance, and a new hope.

h.     When a person is drowning, he doesn’t argue with the lifeguard.

          i.      He doesn’t say, “Thanks for the offer, let me think about it for a minute.”

          ii.      He yields to the rescue.

i.       This is what the 3,000 did with Jesus.

j.       They did not debate the remedy, they received it.

k.     3,000 people obeyed that day.

          i.      The gospel can still move large numbers, but it always comes down to individual hearts.

          ii.      Every one of those 3,000 souls had to receive the word for him or herself.

l.       Today, people often want a Savior without surrender.

          i.      You can’t receive Christ and reject His word.

          ii.      Luke 6:46.

m.    When we truly receive the Savior, He is gladly obeyed.

Jesus, The Zealous 3-29-26 AM

I.            Zeal declared by David.

a.      Psalm 69:9.

b.      In the context of the psalm, David is suffering reproach and opposition.

c.       We don’t know the exact circumstances in which David found himself, but part of the reason for the suffering was His devotion to God.

           i.      His loyalty to God brought trouble into his life.

           ii.      This shows us that zeal for God is not applauded by the world, and sometimes, possibly not even by our own brethren.

d.      There are times that zeal for God brings suffering instead of comfort.

e.      David’s zeal was seen throughout his life.

           i.      1 Sam. 17:26 – David was upset that Goliath was defying God.

           ii.      1 Sam. 17:36 – David said the Philistine would be like the lion and bear he had killed because Goliath had defied God.

           iii.      1 Sam. 17:45-46 – David made it clear that the battle was about the name and the honor of God.

           iv.      David would not and could not sit by while God was being mocked.

f.        David’s zeal was seen in worship.

           i.      David made the plans for the place of God’s worship.

           ii.      David made the plans for the places of the people in God’s worship.

g.      David’s zeal was seen in his longing for God.

           i.      Ps. 27:4.

           ii.      Ps. 42:1-2.

           iii.      Ps. 63:1.

           iv.      Ps. 84:1-2, 10.

h.      David’s zeal was seen in his concern for God’s house.

           i.      2 Sam. 7:1-2 – David didn’t understand why he lived in a nice house while God’s ark remained in a tent.

           ii.      1 Chr. 29:2-3 – David gave sacrificially for the temple because He loved God.

i.        David’s zeal was not merely emotional.

           i.      It affected what grieved him.

           ii.      It affected what delighted him.

           iii.      It affected what he defended.

           iv.      It affected what he gave.

j.        Think about that practically from David’s life.

           i.      He ran toward Goliath when others cowered in fear.

           ii.      He rejoiced openly before the Lord while others mocked him.

           iii.      He longed for God, even when he was on the run from Saul.

           iv.      He gave generously for what would honor God.

k.      David’s statement in Ps. 69:9  was a personal confession of great devotion to God’s honor, worship, and dwelling.

l.        Zeal for God means caring deeply about what bears God’s name and refusing indifference when God is dishonored.

m.    Zeal for God changes what you defend, desire, and devote yourself to.

n.      David declared his zeal for God but his zeal was still imperfect.

II.            Zeal displayed in Jesus.

a.      John 2:13-17.

           i.      Jesus entered the temple and found abuse taking place.

           ii.      He saw God being dishonored and people being taken advantage of by those who said they loved God.

           iii.      This drove Jesus to show righteous indignation by creating a whip of cords, drive out the moneychangers and overturn the tables.

           iv.      John 2:16-17.

           v.      This caused His disciples to remember Psalm 69:9.

b.      This shows that the fullest fulfillment of this verse is in Jesus.

c.      Why did Jesus cleanse the temple?

           i.      It was being used in a way that dishonored God.

           ii.      It was meant to be sacred and was being treated as common.

           iii.      Worship had been corrupted by greed and irreverence.

d.     What exactly was wrong?

           i.      They had made it a house of trade, or merchandise (John 2:16).

           ii.      Later, we read that Jesus says the had made it a den of thieves (Mk. 11:15-17).

e.      It was not the activity that was wrong, it was the corruption.

f.       It was not the convenience but the commercialization of what was holy.

g.      Why were these things wrong?

          i.      They had turned worship into a money-making scheme.

          ii.      They distracted from the true purpose of the temple.

          iii.      They dishonored the Father whose house it was.

          iv.      It is very likely they were hindering those seeking God, especially those in the outer court area associated with the Gentiles.

h.     Jesus cleansing the temple was not sinful rage.

         i.      It was holy zeal.

         ii.      It was righteous concern for the honor of God.

         iii.      It was over for the Father expressed in action.

i.      This type zeal was seen in other places in the life of Jesus.

         i.      Luke 2:49 – as a child.

         ii.      John 4:34.

         iii.      John 5:19, 30 – Jesus was committed to doing only what pleased the Father.

         iv.      John 6:38.

         v.      John 8:29.

         vi.      Luke 22:42 – Jesus finished the work the Father gave Him to do.

j.      Jesus did not just feel strongly about God’s will: He obeyed it, defended it, suffered for it, and fulfilled it.

k.     John applies Ps. 69:9 to Jesus because Jesus perfectly embodied consuming devotion to the Father’s honor.

l.      True zeal is not measured by personality, volume, or intensity, but by obedience to God’s will even at a cost.

m.    David had zeal, but Jesus is the Zealous One.

n.     David cared for the Father’s house, but Jesus cleansed it.

o.     David suffered reproach for God, but Jesus went all the way to the cross in obedience to the Father.

III.            Zeal demanded of Christians.

a.     We don’t have the example of Jesus given to us merely for admiration.

b.     It is also given for imitation.

c.     You and I are to be zealous people.

        i.      Newer versions have “Do not be slothful in zeal…” to begin Romans 12:11.

        ii.      Titus 2:14.

        iii.      Gal. 4:18.

        iv.      1 Cor. 15:58.

d.     We need zeal in the Lord’s church today.

        i.      Zeal in worship.

        ii.      Zeal in prayer.

        iii.      Zeal in sanctification.

        iv.      Zeal in evangelism.

        v.      Zeal in repentance.

e. It has to be proper, biblical zeal, not misplaced zeal.

        i.      Rom. 10:2, Gal. 1:13-14 and Php. 3:6 were mentioned in the introduction.

        ii.      Jam. 3:14-16.

        iii.      Two of the apostles were zealous of a special place by Jesus, which caused problems (Mk. 10:35-41).

f.      There are two dangers here: lacking zeal and misplaced zeal.

g. Lukewarmness is condemned.

        i.      Rev. 3:15-16.

        ii.      A cold, indifferent, passive Christianity is not acceptable to Jesus.

h. Misplaced zeal is also dangerous.

        i.      Passion without truth can be destructive.

        ii.      Energy without knowledge can be harmful.

        iii.      Sincerity alone is not enough – Paul was sincere while persecuting the church (Ac. 23:1).

i. How do we grow proper zeal today?

         i.      We have to keep Jesus at the center.

1.      Real, true zeal grows when we look at the obedience and devotion of Jesus.

2.      If we have a cold heart, it will be warmed by seeing Jesus clearly.

         ii.      We must anchor our zeal in truth.

1.      Zeal has to be governed by scripture.

2.      2 Tim. 2:15.

         iii.      We have to connect our zeal to obedience.

1.      Real zeal is not loud talk.

2.      It shows up in faithful living.

         iv.      We have to guard against those things that kill zeal.

1.      Sin.

2.      Worldliness.

3.      Prayerlessness.

4.      Constant distraction.

         v.      Christians have to stir up one another.

1.      Heb. 10:24-25.

2.      Zeal is strengthened by faithful fellowship.

j.     How do we do these things?

        i.      Show zeal in worship by coming prepared and attentive.

        ii.      Show zeal in prayer by setting aside consistent time with God.

        iii.      Show zeal in study by reading the Bible daily and seriously.

        iv.      Show zeal in purity by removing what feeds our temptation.

        v.      Show zeal in good works by looking for others to serve.

        vi.      Show zeal in evangelism by choosing to speak to others about Jesus.

        vii.      Show zeal in repentance by dealing with sin quickly.

k.    The New Testament calls over and over for believers to have fervent, informed, obedient zeal.

l. Christian zeal is holy passion shaped by truth and shown in obedience.

The Once For All Sacrifice Of Christ 3-22-26 PM

I. The inadequacy of animal sacrifices (Hebrew 10:1-6).

a. Our writer starts this section off by telling us that the law only contained a shadow of the good things to come from God.

i. A shadow is the form without substance.

ii. In fact, our writer then says the law did not contain the very image, Greek word icon, of those good things.

b. This was one of the purposes of the old law, to show the form of what was to come in Christ.

c. Because the law did not contain the substance of those good things, it was impossible for it and the sacrifices made along with it to ever make the followers of it perfect.

i. Notice Hebrews 7:19.

ii. This gives us an idea of what perfect or perfection means in Hebrews.

iii. It is the ability to draw near to God.

d. Those sacrifices under the old law, though demanded, still did not allow the one offering the sacrifice access to God; you still had to go through the high priest.

e. If they could have, as verse 2 points out, then they would not have needed to be continually offered.

i. There was no purging or cleansing from sin under the old law.

ii. Instead, there was a remembrance of sin every time that a sacrifice was made.

f. The reason for this is that it is impossible for animal blood to take away sins.

g. The writer then does something interesting by quoting from Psalm 40:6-8.

h. We will get deeper into this in the next point but something needs to be brought out here that goes along with the inadequacy of the animal sacrifices.

i. Notice that it tells us that God does not want sacrifice and offering and that burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin give God no pleasure.

ii. The animal sacrifices did not bring pleasure to God for this reason: the offerings were a reminder of sin and God hates sin and many of the offerings were made out of ritualistic habit and not love for God.

i. Do you remember what Samuel told Saul, recorded in 1 Samuel 15:22?

j. Remember what David wrote in the penitential Psalm 51:16?

k. God wanted love out of a pure heart and the sacrificial system had devolved into ritualism and all external actions with no change in the hearts of most who offered them.

l. So the animal sacrifices were inadequate because they couldn’t bring full access to God, the couldn’t remove sin, and they couldn’t change the heart of those that came to offer them.

II.‍ ‍The dedication of Christ (Hebrews 10:5-10).

a. Since the animal sacrifices were completely inadequate to remove sin, there had to be a sacrifice made that could.

b. Animal blood was not powerful enough to do it, so it had to be the blood of a human like us, the ones who needed the sacrifice.

c. Hopefully we understand that the sacrifice needed was not a mere human because we are sinful and in need of a sacrifice.

d. It had to be a perfect man and there are none here on earth.

e. For that reason, Jesus, the 2nd Person of the Godhead, became our offering.

i. It took great dedication on His part to become our offering.

ii. It involved giving up His equality with the Father and becoming like us and that took dedication.

f. We mentioned that the writer was inspired to take a quotation from Psalm 40:6-8.

i. If you read the Psalm, for this to be said strictly about David does not make sense.

ii. The entire Psalm is not a look to the Messiah because of verse 12 (Psalm 40:12).

iii. The Psalm overall, is about the trials of life and the need to depend on God’s guidance through those trials.

iv. You see, where David, really all of us, failed in following God, Jesus succeeded.

v. Those things for which David, and us, strive for with God, Jesus achieved.

g. Notice that Jesus is saying that God prepared Him a body.

i. In the original Hebrew of the Psalm, it literally says, “Mine ear thou hast digged”.

ii. The idea is that the body was made by God, showing the Virgin birth - no man was needed, only a womb to bring it into existence because God formed it.

iii. Also, by using the ear in the original, it shows the willingness to hear God’s commands on the part of the One formed.

‍ ‍ iv. Jesus was going to hear and heed the commands of the One who formed Him.

h. God was pleased with Jesus, not the burnt offerings and sacrifices.

i. So, he says in verse 7, I come to do thy will O God.

j. Notice now the parenthetical phrase, “in the volume of the book it is written of me”.

i. The Jews had no excuse for not believing in Jesus as the Messiah because the whole Old Testament pointed to Him.

ii. As Jesus had taught the Jews, the Old Testament testified of Jesus throughout it.

k. Since God was not pleased with the offerings of the Old Testament for the reasons we mentioned, Jesus took those away and the law the taught them and brought in the second.

i. But notice how it is stated.

ii. The sacrifices and burnt offerings were not pleasing to God in verse 8.

iii. Jesus came to do God’s will in verse 9.

iv. This tells us that it was God’s will and intention for the first to be removed and the second to be established.

v. There was never a plan for the Old Testament law to continue.

l. It was God’s will to provide for the forgiveness of our sins, to be able to set us apart, our sanctification (vs 10).

m. This was accomplished by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus one time for all time.

n. Notice through all of this that Jesus was dedicated to doing the will of God which culminated in His offering Himself for our sins one time for all time.

III.‍ ‍The ability of Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 10:11-18).

a. The writer goes back to the imagery of the old sacrificial system.

i. He points out that those priests continually stood offering the same sacrifices.

ii. The way its written shows the continual offering of the same sacrifices over and over again.

iii. Think about the offerings that were made: every day there were two bulls offered, every new moon their were offerings, every feast had certain offerings, and every time someone sinned there was to be an offering.

iv. All those offerings and the writer tells us that they never took away the first sin.

v. Instead, the high priest was always standing and offering.

b. He then points out that Jesus made one offering for sins forever and is now sitting at God’s right hand.

i. He is such a better High Priest because He offered a better sacrifice: Himself.

ii. This showed He completed the will of God when it came to the need for a sacrifice.

iii. This showed that Jesus was victorious over sin and death and will reign till those two are gone.

iv. Jesus destroyed the power of them with His offering and one day, when He returns, they will be gone forever.

c. Jesus, according to verse 14, only had to make one offering to give us access to God.

d. The writer now quotes again from Jeremiah 31:31-34.

i. This shows again that God never intended for the old law to remain in force.

ii. He doesn’t quote all of it, only that part having to do with forgiveness.

iii. The new law would provide forgiveness and redemption and the forgetting of sin, not a reminder of it.

e. He closes this section letting his readers know that since there is remission of sins, there is no longer a need for an offering for sin.

‍ ‍ i. The need was taken care of by Christ.

‍ ‍ii. The one time offering of Himself is good for all time when it comes to the providing of the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus, The Betrayed 3-22-26 AM

I.            Dear friend’s disloyalty.

a.      Did you notice how the psalmist described his betrayer?

           i.      Mine own familiar friend.

           ii.      Newer versions have “my own close friend.”

b.      The phrase “familiar friend” comes from the Hebrew term for peace.

           i.      This was a person in whom David had found peace.

           ii.      There was a closeness there that went beyond mere friendship.

c.       He then says, “in whom I trusted.”

           i.      David had listened to this person and learned from him.

           ii.      David trusted the counsel he had given him.

d.      David went on to say this man “did eat of my bread.”

           i.      To sit at a meal with a person in that day indicated closeness.

           ii.      Not only that, not everyone got to sit at the king’s table.

           iii.      Only those close to the king were trusted enough to have that honor.

e.      The phrase “has lifted up his heel against me” pictures a horse that kicks at its owner.

f.       What we see is a picture of great betrayal.

g.     We don’t know for sure, but this picture of a betrayer fits that of David’s friend Ahithophel.

          i.      We know about David’s sin with Bathsheba.

          ii.      We also probably remember that part of the punishment was the child from that illicit encounter was going to die.

          iii.      Do you remember the other part of the punishment (2 Sam. 12:10-11)?

h.    The fulfillment of this is recorded in 2 Samuel 15-17, where we read about Absalom’s rebellion against David.

         i.      We first read the name of Ahithophel in 2 Sam. 15:12.

         ii.      We then read where David is told that Ahithophel is with Absalom and listen to what David says (2 Sam. 15:31).

         iii.      Why would David pray that prayer?

         iv.      The answer is in 2 Sam. 16:23.

i.      Ahithophel had been a counselor to David it seems.

         i.      He had given counsel so often and so well, he had obtained a tremendous amount of respect.

         ii.      We are never told why, but Ahithophel turned against David and went with Absalom into rebellion against David.

j.       This is the force of the phrase “has lifted up his heel against me.”

k.     The one who had been at peace at the table has now become the one in rebellion.

l.      What we learn from this is that some of life’s biggest heartaches do not come from strangers, but from those who are nearest to us.

          i.      This is why betrayal feels different than opposition.

          ii.      Opposition comes from outside while betrayal comes from the inside.

          iii.      We don’t see it coming like we can opposition.

m.    Faithfulness to God does not exempt us from relational pain.

          i.      We can walk with God and still be hurt by those closest to us.

          ii.      It may be a spouse or a child.

          iii.      It may be a fellow preacher, elder, or Christian.

n.     Nearness is not the same as loyalty.

o.     A man can sit at the king’s table and still have rebellion in his heart.

p.     Psalm 41:9 is bigger than David though.

q.     David’s pain points beyond itself to a greater King who would be betrayed at the table.

 II.            Disciple’s disloyalty.

a.     John 13:18.

b.     Jesus expressly and plainly quotes our passage from Psalm 41.

          i.      He applies it to Himself and His being betrayed by one right there at the table with Him.

          ii.      Jesus is telling us that David’s betrayal long ago was not just an isolated moment in Israel’s history.

          iii.      It was a moment that was truly pointing to a much greater betrayal.

c.      David was a betrayed king.

d.      Jesus is the betrayed King of kings.

e.      It is amazing to think that Judas walked with Jesus for three years.

          i.      He saw many of the miracles.

          ii.      He heard much of the teaching.

          iii.      He had spent time with the group.

          iv.      He was present at the table.

f.     I believe that may be the very point of Jesus quoting Psalm 41:9 here – the betrayal comes from one who shared the meal.

g.    Judas is close enough to hear Jesus, to eat with Jesus, to be counted among the disciples, yet far enough away in his heart to hand Jesus over to the mob.

h.     This is makes the betrayal so shocking.

         i.      It would be understandable if someone Jesus did not know found where He was and then brought soldiers to arrest Jesus.

         ii.      Judas is familiar.

         iii.      He looks like a disciple.

         iv.      He walks with the disciples.

         v.      He is in the midst of the disciples.

i.      But his heart belongs to someone else.

j.      Nearness to Jesus is not the same as devotion to Jesus.

         i.      We can be around truth but still resist it.

         ii.      We can do holy things but still love unholy things.

         iii.      We can sit among people of God and still be spiritually false.

k.    Judas is a warning to all Christians who assume that closeness to religious activity equals faithfulness to Christ.

l.      We can sit near Jesus and still sell Him out.

m.   We may know the songs, the sermons, the prayer language or whatever.

         i.      We can know when to stand, when to sing, when to say amen, when to bow our heads.

         ii.      Religious knowledge and familiarity is not saving faith.

n.     Judas had exposure to Jesus.

         i.      Judas had opportunities with Jesus.

         ii.      Judas had access to Jesus.

         iii.      But, Judas never surrendered his heart to Jesus.

o.     The great issue is not, “Am I around Jesus,” but is “Am I submitted to Jesus?”

p.    Judas had what many people assume is enough: information, association, and participation. None of those things can replace devotion.”

q.    A person can stand in a garage all day and never become a car; just like a person can sit in church every week and still not be surrendered to Jesus.

r.     The seed of betrayal did not die out with ancient counselors or false disciples and that leads us to our last point.

III.            Daily disloyalty.

a.    Titus 1:16.

b.    Luke 6:46.

c.    Our mouths can speak loyalty while our lives are led in betrayal.

d.    When we excuse sin, protect sin, justify sin, hide sin, or cling to sin, we are doing more than just breaking a rule.

         i.      We are being traitors to a King.

         ii.      We are betraying the One who loves us and died for us.

e.     Sin isn’t just a failure, it is personal, against God, and a betrayal of Jesus.

f.      We may never betray Jesus with silver in our hand.

g.    We can betray Him with lust in our hearts.

         i.      With pride in our hearts.

         ii.      With dishonesty or cussing in our speech.

         iii.      With bitterness or hatred in our souls.

         iv.      With hypocrisy in our worship.

         v.      With half-hearted obedience in our daily lives.

h.    Sin can kiss Jesus and still deny Him.

         i.      This is exactly what Judas did in the garden.

         ii.      It looked like affection, but it was pure treachery and betrayal.

         iii.      We can say Lord with our lips while our lives are saying something else.

i.      We need to ask ourselves some questions:

         i.      What sin am I protecting right now?

         ii.      What area of obedience am I resisting right now?

         iii.      Where am I close to Jesus publicly but betraying Him privately?

j.      What happens in sermons like this is that, usually, the most faithful among us respond to the invitation, while those of us who are weak sit still.

k.     I am not saying these things to drive the faithful to the front.

l.       I am saying these things to drive those of us who are weak to repentance.

m.    Ahithophel gives us the pattern.

n.     Judas gives us the fulfillment.

o.     Our own sins show the ongoing danger.

p.     The truth is: public devotion can hide private disloyalty.

q.     A wedding ring on the hand does not guarantee faithfulness in the heart.

          i.      Symbols matter but they cannot be a substitute for loyalty.

          ii.      The Bible in the hand, a song on the lips, or a seat in the pew on Sunday cannot substitute for a surrendered life.

Jesus, The Chief Cornerstone 4-15-26 AM

I.            Rejected by nations, but chosen by God.

a.     In its context, Psalm 118 is part of a series of psalms that began in 113 as songs of deliverance.

b.     Notice how the psalm begins and ends (Ps. 118:1, 29).

          i.      Israel has been surrounded, opposed and pressed hard.

          ii.      Despite all that, God had rescued Israel.

          iii.      This was probably written sometime after the return from exile.

c.      This psalm is shows Israel as the rejected stone.

d.      The nations looked at Israel and saw a weak, small, vulnerable nation.

e.      God did not see it that way.

          i.      The nations saw insignificance – God saw His covenant people.

          ii.      The nations saw weakness – God saw His people as a means to display His glory.

          iii.      The nations saw something easy to pass by – God saw something He had chosen.

f.       This is the story of Israel from the beginning.

          i.      Always rejected by others but chosen by God.

          ii.      De. 7:7-8.

g.     Psalm 118 shows us that what the world rejects may be very precious in the eyes of God.

h.     Psalm 118 describes conflict, pressure, and rescue.

          i.      The Psalmist says they were surrounded by their enemies (vs. 10-12).

          ii.      They were pushed hard (vs. 13).

          iii.      Yet, they were upheld by the Lord.

          iv.      Then comes the great reversal of fortune in verse 22: the rejected stone becomes the cornerstone.

          v.      Verse 23 tells us this was the Lord’s doing and caused in awe in the eyes of His people.

i.      For us today, this matters because we are still tempted to value things by the way the world values them.

         i.      We can believe that being applauded means being right.

         ii.      Which in turn leads us to believe that being rejected means being wrong.

         iii.      God’s word teaches otherwise.

j.      Jesus told His disciples that the rejection of the world leads to acceptance by the Father (Matt. 5:10-12).

         i.      This goes against everything the world teaches.

         ii.      We are to go for the loudest cheers and the greatest ovations.

         iii.      God says that is not so.

k.     Faithfulness may look small or worthless to the world, but it is precious to God.

l.       Obedience may be unpopular and still be exactly where God’s favor is found.

m.    David, in 1 Samuel 16, is a fitting illustration.

          i.      Samuel was sent to anoint one of Jesse’s sons.

          ii.      David was not the obvious choice.

          iii.      His own father left him with the sheep so the other sons could come.

          iv.      Remember what God told Samuel (1 Sam. 16:7)?

          v.      David was overlooked by men, but chosen by God.

n.      This is what Psalm 118 is celebrating.

o.      Israel’s story was not meant to end with Israel.

p.      It only points forward to the true and greater rejected Stone.

II.            Raised by God, but rejected by the builders.

a.      Jesus took this passage and applied it to Himself (Matt. 21:33-46).

            i.      Beginning in verse 33, there is recorded the parable of the wicked servants, or tenants.

            ii.      Matthew 21:33-41.

            iii.      Jesus then asks the Jewish leaders what the owner will do.

            iv.      The Jewish leaders knew exactly what the owner would do.

            v.      Jesus then applies the parable using Psalm 118:22-23 (Matt. 21:42).

b.      In that moment, Jesus identifies Himself as the rejected Stone.

            i.      The religious leaders knew exactly at whom Jesus was pointing (Matt. 21:45).

            ii.      They had been entrusted with the stewardship of God’s people, but were rejecting the very Son sent by the Father.

c.       This point is not simply that Jesus was rejected.

d.      The point is that the rejection of Jesus is part of the very pattern Psalm 118 had already announced.

e.      In this sense, Israel was a type of Christ – Israel’s rejection by the nations pointed to the future rejection of Jesus by His own people.

f.        The cross was man’s verdict – the resurrection was God’s verdict.

g.      The leaders cast out Jesus – the Father raised up Jesus.

h.      The builders rejected the Stone – the Father made Him the Cornerstone.

i.        An extremely important thing to understand here is that we will never truly know Jesus if we only listen to the crowd.

           i.      Human opinion is not the final authority on Christ.

           ii.      The people who should have clearly recognized Him rejected Him most violently.

j.        The Stone men rejected is the Savior God raised.

k.      This parable is a warning to us today.

           i.      The tenants thought they could keep control if the Son was out of the way.

           ii.      Instead, their rejection exposed their rebellion and brought judgment.

l.        The warning is clear: rejecting the Son never removes His authority.

m.    When we see Jesus as the rejected and raised Stone, we are forced to answer a very personal question: What does that mean for those who come to Him?

III.            Relied on by the church to be built together on Him.

a.      Peter gives us a beautiful answer to this personal question in 1 Peter 2:4-5.

b.      Did you see the same pattern as Psalm 118?

           i.      Jesus is rejected by men, but chosen and precious in the sight of God.

           ii.      This is Psalm 118 fulfilled in Christ.

c.       Peter adds something very important to this.

           i.      As we come to Christ, we ourselves are being built together.

           ii.      Jesus is not just the cornerstone; He is the One around Whom the whole spiritual house is formed.

           iii.      The church is not a collection of isolated rocks lying near each other.

           iv.      The church is the spiritual house being built together around Christ.

d.      Christianity is not merely personal, but also corporate.

          i.      We are not lone wolves leaning on Jesus.

          ii.      We come to Him and are added to His people (Acts 2:47).

          iii.      We are built together because we are built on Jesus.

e.      Herein lies an extremely important lesson we need to make sure we learn and pass on to others.

f.       What is important to remember is that the cornerstone does not adjust to the stones that are added to it: the stones are aligned to the cornerstone.

           i.      We don’t reshape Christ around our preferences.

           ii.      We align ourselves to Him.

g.      His truth sets the line; His character sets the pattern; His gospel sets the center.

h.      When we align ourselves to Him, we are not only strengthened individually, we are fitted together as His people.

i.        In 1 Peter 2:4-5, Christ is the living Stone, rejected by men, but chosen by God.

           i.      Believers are living stones because we share in His life and are joined to Him.

           ii.      Together, we are being built into a spiritual house.

j.        Peter’s point is that the identity, unity, and worship of the church all depend on Christ.

k.      What this means for each of us is that we cannot build a stable life apart from Jesus and we can’t build a healthy congregation apart from Jesus.

l.        We must build our beliefs, our families, our hope, and our place in His church on Jesus and Him alone.

m.    Since we are being built together, this also means we need one another.

           i.      Again, there are no lone wolves and Jesus.

           ii.      It is Jesus forming a people, a spiritual house, with every stone set in relation to Hm.

n.      When we rely on Jesus, He builds us together.

o.      Jesus closed the Sermon on the Mount with this idea of building on the right foundation didn’t he? (Matt. 7:24-27).

p. Coming to Christ is what turns scattered lives into a spiritual house.

Dedication Of The Sanctuary 3-8-26 PM

I.   The dedication of the old sanctuary (Hebrews 9:18-21).

A.  Our writer begins by pointing out the fact that the old sanctuary had been dedicated with blood.

1. Moses had read all of God’s law to the people.

2. When he had read it all, he took the blood of animals, along with water and hyssop and wool, and sprinkled the tablet of stone and the people.

3.   This was done to show that they were dedicated to God.

B. He told them this was the blood of the covenant, the blood shed to ratify or dedicate them to God, which brought them into a covenant relationship with God.

1.   Notice the similarity of this to what Jesus said in the institution of the Lord’s Supper.

2.   Matthew 26:28.

C. Later, when the tabernacle and the instruments used in the worship of the tabernacle were finished, these were all sprinkled with blood as well.

D.   This blood cleansed those things in order for them to be used in service to God.

E.   This was all done to show to the people the necessity of sacrifice and the cost of sin.

1.   God had told them several times that life was in the blood.

2.   For things to be dedicated with blood showed to all involved that was being dedicated was costly and important.

II. The disarming of an argument (Hebrews 9:21).

A.   Our writer reminds his audience that nearly everything under the old law was purged, or cleansed with blood.

B. There were very few things that blood was not required for in order to cleanse it.

1.   Those things that were had to be washed with water or burned in a fire.

2.   None of the things mentioned in the Old Law that did not require blood had to do with sin.

3.   There was not a sin under the Old Law that did not require blood.

C.   Our writer then reminds his audience that without blood there can be no remission.

1.   The idea is that it is impossible for their to be the removal of sins without the shedding of blood.

2.   A sinner could not and cannot be separated from his sins unless blood has been shed for them.

D. The argument being dealt with is that of the fact the Jews could not understand how the Christ could die on a cross.

1.    Numerous times in the New Testament we are told that the death of Jesus was a stumbling block to the Jews.

2.   They couldn’t get over the fact that the Messiah died.

E.    We know this was because they were thinking physically.

F.    Nevertheless, it was a great burden on their mind.

G. The writer, by inspiration, is letting them know that if blood was not shed, there could be no remission of their sins.

1.   He’s already let them know that the blood of animals purified the flesh and that was all (vs. 13).

2.   It took the blood of Jesus to obtain eternal redemption for mankind (vs. 12).

H.   Jesus had to die because blood had to be shed in order for sins to be remitted.

I.   It took the Christ, the Messiah, dying for that blood to be shed because animal blood didn’t do the job and the blood of some sinful man would not either.

III.    The determination of the purification (Hebrews 9:23-24).

A.    Our writer tells us that it was necessary or determined that there had to be purification.

B.    The things of the Old Testament were all anti-types of things to come under the New Testament.

1.   The Old Testament instruments, sanctuary, and other things were all determined to need dedication and purification.

2.   Since they all pointed to things in heaven, under the spiritual nature of the New Testament, the New Testament sanctuary needed purifying as well.

C.   This was done with better sacrifices, namely the one sacrifice of Jesus.

D.   Jesus didn’t enter a man-made holy place, which were figures or types of what was to come.

E. Instead, He entered into heaven itself and is appearing before the very face of God for us.

1.    The word presence means before the face.

2.   Jesus is there before the face of God and is there working for us.

3. He is our Advocate, Mediator and Friend before God.

 IV.  The duration of the sacrifice (Hebrews 9:25-28).

A.   Every year the high priest would enter the most holy place with an offering for himself and for the people.

B.   We mentioned that he had done this on earth over 1500 times.

C. Jesus didn’t have to do that or else He would have had to have done it forever.

1.    Now, one time for all time, Jesus offered Himself.

2.   He did so at the completion of the age.

3.   This means we are in the last days.

4. There is no other sacrifice coming.

D.   You and I are all going to die and then face the judgment.

E.   That is what is left after this age, nothing more.

F.   Like we die once, Christ was offered once for sins.

1.  We don’t die over and over again.

2.  Jesus is not offered over and over again.

G. Instead, those who have died to sin are looking for Jesus to come again, not to deal with sin, but to take us home.

H. The ESV, at the end of verse 28 says, “not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”

1. Jesus has dealt with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

2.  That sacrifice endures until time is no more.

3.  He is coming back to save those of us who are looking for Him.

Jesus, The Priest-King 3-8-26 AM

I.            Jesus serves but also conquers (Ps. 110:1-3).

a.      In verse 1, we see kingship.

           i.      There is enthronement, which entails authority.

           ii.      His enemies will be brought under control.

b.      In verse 2, there will be rule in the midst of his enemies – rule while the opposition still exists.

c.       In verse 3, we see that the those who subject themselves to the king do so willingly – the NKJV says “Your people shall be volunteers in the day of your power.”

d.      These things are important to notice because the New Testament plainly uses Psalm 110 to say, “This is Jesus” – especially verse 1.

           i.      Jesus uses it about Himself (Matt. 22:41-46).

           ii.      Peter quotes it at Pentecost to get them to see Jesus as the Messiah (Acts 2:34-36)

           iii.      The book of Hebrews cites it more than once (Heb. 1:13 – to show the superiority of the Son; Heb. 10:12-13).

           iv.      Paul alludes to it in the great resurrection chapter (1 Cor. 15:25).

e.      This main point says that Jesus serves as well as conquers.

           i.      Ps. 110:1-2 shows Jesus as the conquering King – enemies are subdued, reigning on a throne, with complete victory.

           ii.      Ps. 110:3 shows His reign produces willing surrender of a people to be His, who offer themselves.

           iii.      This is how Jesus described His own Kingship (Mk. 10:45).

           iv.      The conquest is through the cross (Col. 2:13-15).

f.        In WWII, there was a tremendous victory we know as D-Day.

           i.      This victory set the final outcome of the war in motion.

           ii.      However, we know there were still many more battles to be fought.

g.      Later, there is the final day of that part of the conflict, known as V-E Day.

h.      Psalm 110 pictures for us that “already but not yet” reality.

           i.      Jesus reigns now in the midst of His enemies.

           ii.      His victory is certain even while spiritual conflict still continues.

i.        Jesus served us on the cross while also conquering death.

II.            Jesus intercedes but also reigns (Ps. 110:1, 4).

a.      Jesus is enthroned at the Father’s right hand in verse 1.

b.      Verse 4 brings thrilling news that Jesus is also a priest forever after the order, or likeness, of Melchizedek.

           i.      Kings and priests were separated for a reason.

           ii.      Power and access together is dangerous in sinful hands.

           iii.      God swears an oath – this Priest-King is trustworthy, permanent, and final.

c.       The book of Hebrews builds the priesthood of Jesus almost entirely on this line of thought.

           i.      Heb. 5:5-6 shows Jesus did not appoint Himself as priest; God did.

           ii.      Heb. 7:17 quotes Ps. 110:4 to argue Jesus is a priest forever.

           iii.      Heb. 7:21 quotes the oath language to show the certainty and superiority of the priesthood of Jesus.

d.      Jesus is reigning now.

           i.      All authority has been given Him (Mt. 28:18).

           ii.      Peter showed in Acts 2:34-36.

e.      Jesus is also interceding now; doing the work of a priest.

           i.      Heb. 7:23-25.

           ii.      Rom. 8:34.

           iii.      1 John 2:1-2.

f.        In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus tells Peter that He has prayed for him, that his faith would not fail.

           i.      Peter stumbles, doesn’t he?

           ii.      But he is not destroyed.

           iii.      That is priestly intercession.

g.      Think about that in terms of Psalm 110 – Jesus is not interceding from weakness – He is interceding as the enthroned King!

h.      Sometimes when we stumble and fall, we might think “I’m done. God can’t use me anymore. I’ve used up God’s patience.”

          i.      Remember Psalm 110 and the book of Hebrews combined.

          ii.      Together they show us our hope is not in our strength.

          iii.      Our hope is that we have a Priest-King who is permanent is presently interceding for us.

i.        Right now, Jesus reigns from the throne and He speaks our names from that throne.

III.            Jesus saves but also judges (Ps. 110:5-7).

a.      Verses 5-6 tell us that Jesus will strike through, or execute kings and fill the land with dead bodies.

           i.      This is not soft language.

           ii.      The Priest-King will deal with evil publicly and finally.

b.      Verse 7 tells us that Jesus will be relentless in His pursuit and will have certain victory – He will only pause to press on the fight.

c.       There are several New Testament passages that connect Jesus to judgment.

           i.      John 5:22-29.

           ii.      Acts 17:31.

           iii.      2 Cor. 5:10.

d.      It is also important to note that while Jesus judges, He also brings salvation.

           i.      The priesthood of Ps. 110:4 is what makes Ps. 110:5-6 good news for those who repent.

           ii.      Heb. 7:26-27 – Jesus offers Himself once for all.

           iii.      Heb. 10:12-14 – after offering one sacrifice, He sat down and His people have Him as Priest.

           iv.      This passage shows a completed sacrifice and subdued enemies, just as Ps. 110 foretells.

e.      This idea of saving but also judging is not new to God.

           i.      We see it in the account of His people leaving Egypt.

           ii.      God saves those under the blood and judges those that are not (Ex. 12).

           iii.      Israel is saved going through the Red Sea and Egypt is judged in the Red Sea (Ex. 14).

f.        That is Psalm 110 in motion – the Priest-King saves truly and the Priest-King judges truly.

g. The Priest-King will either be our refuge from judgment – or our Judge.

Jesus, The Unchanging Lord 3-1-26 AM

 I.            Fading life (Ps. 102:1-11).

a.      The psalm opens with strong emotion.

           i.      My days pass away like smoke.

           ii.      My bones burn like a furnace or a hearth.

           iii.      My heart is struck down like grass.

           iv.      I lie awake; I am like a lonely sparrow.

b.      There is physical weakness, emotional exhaustion, and social isolation all seen here.

c.      The reason for some of this is found in verse 10 – because of Your indignation and anger.

          i.      The psalmist feels divine discipline for some sin.

          ii.      He feels small, temporary, and breakable.

d.     The key image of this is found in verse 11 – My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.

e.      What this is reminding us of is the fact that life is fading.

f.       We don’t like to think about the temporary nature of life.

          i.      Health fades.

          ii.      Strength fades.

          iii.      Influence fades.

          iv.      Times of church growth fade.

g.     The truth is: we can’t pretend we are strong before God.

h.     Our lives are fragile and fading.

II.            Fixed Reign (Ps. 102:12-22).

a.     The tenor of the entire psalm changes in verse 12.

b.     There is a contrast that is intentional.

          i.      You are enthroned forever.

          ii.      You will arise and have mercy on Zion.

          iii.      The Lord is enthroned; He is robed in glory.

          iv.      He regards the prayer of the destitute.

c.      The psalmist moves from his own fading life to God’s fixed reign.

d.      God is enthroned, eternal, attentive, active.

e.      God is not fading – He is ruling.

f.       The psalmist says this hope is beyond one lifetime – “let this be recorded for a generation to come.”

g.      Our circumstances shift or change, but Christ is not reacting to events as they happen.

h.      He is reigning over them.

i.        Jesus reigns steadily over every shifting season.

III.            Failing strength (Ps. 102:23-24).

a.      The psalmist goes back to our human condition.

           i.      He has weakened my strength in the way; he has shortened my days.

           ii.      He feels cut off in the middle of his prime.

b.      He is not expressing unbelief – just pure honesty in emotion and feeling.

c.      He contrast “my day” (limited) with “your years” (throughout all generations).

d.      His issue is not whether God is eternal or not.

e.      His issue is with how a short life relates to an eternal God.

f.       Have you ever felt like your strength ran out before the task at hand did?

          i.      Family strain and we just snapped.

          ii.      Things before us and our health collapses.

          iii.      Souls in danger and ministry fatigue sets in.

g.      Our strength can fail but Christ’s does not.

IV.            Forever Lord (Ps. 102:25-28).

a.      In Psalm 102, the psalmist is clearly speaking to Jehovah.

          i.      Of old you laid the foundation of the earth.

          ii.      They will perish, but you will remain.

          iii.      You are the same.

b.      This psalm is not merely saying God lasts a long time.

c.       It is saying He predates, outlasts, truly stands outside creation.

d.      The comfort the psalmist finds in the midst of a changing life is that the God who made everything will still be there when everything collapses.

e.      Now turn to Hebrews 1.

           i.      The writer is showing that Jesus is better than the angels.

           ii.      To do that, he is inspired to string together Old Testament passages about Jehovah and apply them to the Son.

f.        Then we come to Hebrews 1:10-12, where he quotes Psalm 102.

g.      Notice what the writer did by inspiration:

          i.      He took a psalm addressed to Jehovah and said the Father is speaking those words to the Son.

          ii.      This is not an illustration.

          iii.      It is identification.

h.     The Son is the Lord of Psalm 102.

i.       Hebrews 1 has already shown us some things:

          i.      The Son is the radiance of the glory of God (Heb. 1:3).

          ii.      The Son upholds the universe by the word of His power (Heb. 1:3).

          iii.      The Son sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:3).

j.       Then Psalm 102 is quoted to prove:

          i.      The Son is the Creator.

          ii.      The Son is eternal.

          iii.      The Son is immutable.

k.      The argument of Hebrews depends on this truth: If Jesus is not unchanging Jehovah, He cannot be the unshakable foundation for suffering believers.

l.        The writer anchors them, in the beginning of the letter, this fact: your circumstances my collapse, your culture may turn hostile, but the One seated at the right hand of God will never wear out.

m.    Psalm 102:

          i.      A suffering man feels like smoke.

          ii.      He clings to an unchanging Lord.

n.      Hebrews 1:

           i.      Suffering Christians feel like giving up.

           ii.      They are told that the Lord of Psalm 102 is Jesus.

o.      The comfort of Psalm 102 becomes sharper in Hebrews 1.

p.      Now, the unchanging Creator has:

           i.      Taken on flesh.

           ii.      He has endured suffering.

           iii.      He has died.

           iv.      He has risen.

           v.      He is now enthroned at God’s right hand.

q.      The One who remains in Psalm 102:26 is the One who bore the cross.

r. That means the His unchanging nature is not one of detachment from our problems, but faithful to us in all things.

Jesus, The Ideal King 2-15-26 AM

I.            His piety (Ps. 72:1-4).

a.     David first prayed that his son would show a great spiritual devotion towards God.

b.     Solomon needed to depend on the God for righteousness and justice.

          i.      We know Solomon did do this at the beginning of his reign.

          ii.      When told by God he could have anything, Solomon showed piety by asking for wisdom to lead (2 Chr. 1:7-10).

          iii.      He was just in his ruling, as when asked to judge between two mothers (1 Ki. 3:16-28 – notice verse 28).

c.      Sadly, this piety did not extend through the entirety of his reign.

          i.      We know that Solomon gave in to the foreign wives he married.

          ii.      1 Ki. 11:4.

d.     Jesus, the Ideal King, remained dependent upon God for the entirety of His stay on earth.

          i.      John 8:29.

          ii.      Jesus was reliant upon God in prayer (Heb. 5:7-9).

          iii.      As we noticed last week, I come to do your will O God (Heb. 10:9).

e.      There was not one instance where Jesus did His own will (John 6:38).

f.       Most rulers we know of expect others to bow to them.

          i.      In the Old Testament, we read of kings holding out scepters and others bowing to them.

          ii.      We have heard of those who hold out a hand and the person coming to the ruler bows and kisses the ring.

g.     Jesus, the Ideal King, is repeatedly found in prayer, bowing before the Father.

          i.      When big decisions were to be made, Jesus bowed in prayer.

          ii.      In Gethsemane, as soldiers were coming to take Him away, Jesus bowed in prayer.

h.      Jesus was constantly and consistently dependent upon God, despite being God in the flesh.

i.        If He was so dependent upon God, how much more should we?

II.            His perseverance (Ps. 72:5-7).

a.      David wanted Solomon to continue to be faithful to God all the days of his reign.

          i.      David understood the need for perseverance in faith.

          ii.      He had lived it out in his own reign.

b.     If Solomon would do so, the people under his reign would be blessed and righteousness would flourish.

c.     He would be a blessing to his people and they would be in peace.

d.     Solomon, as we pointed out, did so for a time but then became unfaithful – he did not persevere in faithfulness.

e.     Jesus, the Ideal King, persevered in faithfulness the entire time of His earthly stay.

         i.      He was faithful to God.

         ii.      He was also faithful to His followers.

f.      Jesus never quit on God or on His people.

         i.      John 13:1.

         ii.      Heb. 13:8.

         iii.      2 Tim. 2:13.

g.    I’ve been to New Orleans twice.

         i.      If you’ve ever gone, you know that you go over Lake Pontchatrain.

         ii.      The bridge is the longest over water bridge in the world, spanning almost 24 miles.

         iii.      The first time I went over it, it was at night and it was very foggy.

         iv.      All I could think about was the my friend driving was going drive us over the side in the fog and we would end up with the alligators.

         v.      I was genuinely scared to even look out the window.

h.    Imagine driving over that bridge and learning the engineer sometimes lost interest halfway through some of his projects.

         i.      Some he saw all the way through.

         ii.      Others, he simply left to the workers to finish with no oversight.

i.      I wouldn’t go over it – I would just never have gone to New Orleans.

j.      We wouldn’t trust that bridge.

k.    Jesus never abandons what He begins (Php. 1:6).

l.      Earthly kings and leaders change, but Jesus does not.

m.   His faithfulness is not seasonal – it is eternal.

III.            His prosperity (Ps. 72:8-11).

a.     David wanted Solomon to be honored by others and to be prosperous.

b.     This was definitely the case for Solomon.

          i.      God blessed him with more wealth than anyone in history.

          ii.      Leaders came from all over the known world to hear his wisdom and to learn from him.

c.      But, when you read these words, it cannot be the case that this all fits Solomon.

          i.      Not all nations honored him.

          ii.      Not all kings bowed before him.

d.      This has to point to the prosperity of one greater than Solomon.

e.      Jesus was not prosperous in the sense of physical wealth.

          i.      He said He didn’t have anywhere to lay His head.

          ii.      We never read of a permanent residence for Jesus during His ministry.

          iii.      His own brothers did not believe in Him.

f.       Jesus, the Ideal King, is prosperous in the sense of not losing any that God gives Him (John 6:39).

          i.       Jesus deals in souls.

          ii.      Nothing is more valuable than a human soul (Matt. 16:26).

g.     Jesus is prosperous in mercy (Eph. 2:4).

h.     Jesus rains that prosperity down on us (Rom. 10:12).

          i.      Notice how Micah describes God’s mercy (Mic. 7:18-19).

          ii.      Our Lord makes mercy available continuously (Heb. 4:16).

i.       Jesus told a parable about a servant who was indebted to such a measure he would never be able to repay it.

          i.       The master forgave the debt completely.

          ii.      It was totally removed from existence.

          iii.      This is the mercy of Jesus – not merely reducing our debt, but completely removing it

j.       This shows us the prosperity of Jesus, the Ideal King.

IV.            His pity (Ps. 72:12-14).

a.     David wanted for his son to be a king on whom the people could rely for pity and relief when in need.

b.     Solomon showed that in his dealing with the two women we mentioned earlier.

c.     We know this was fully fulfilled in Jesus, the Ideal King.

d.     Jesus was not some social justice warrior.

          i.      But, He was extremely concerned about the poor and unfortunate.

          ii.      He was continuously gracious to them.

e.      How many times do we read something like “He was moved with compassion”?

          i.      It was Jesus who touched the leper.

          ii.      It was Jesus who looked lovingly on a widow crying at the funeral procession of her son.

          iii.      It was Jesus who was moved to spare the life of a woman caught in sin.

f.       Jesus was not detached from suffering – He was drawn to it.

          i.      He called for Blind Bartimaeus when others were telling the man to be quiet.

          ii.      He called for the children when others were telling them to go away.

g.      Jesus touched the untouchable.

h.      Jesus loves the unlovable (Rom. 5:8).

i.        You and I are never invisible to the Ideal King.

V.            His permanence (Ps. 72:12-17).

a.      David wanted his son to rule over a kingdom that was vast and for his reign to go on for years.

           i.      The kingdom of Israel grew to its largest size under Solomon.

           ii.      He reigned for 40 years.

b.      Sadly, because of Solomon turning from God, the kingdom failed to grow any larger and Solomon died before he had to.

           i.      God had promised Solomon a large kingdom since he asked for wisdom.

           ii.      God also told him he would have length of days as long as he remained faithful.

c.       This section of the psalm is why the Jews consider this a Messianic Psalm.

d.      This can only be said of God’s Anointed One and we know that to be Jesus, the Ideal King.

           i.      Luke 1:32-33.

           ii.      Heb. 1:8.

           iii.      Rev. 11:15.

e.      Every earthly kingdom fades.

f.        The kingdom of Christ never will.

g.      One day I hope to visit Italy, Greece, maybe even Egypt.

           i.      I want to see the remnants of those great kingdoms.

           ii.      I want to see the Coliseum, Mars Hill, and the pyramids.

           iii.      Those are all ruins.

h.      They were once unstoppable empires, but are now museums.

i.        There will never be ruins of the kingdom of Christ.

           i.      His throne does not decay.

           ii.      His authority will never weaken.

           iii.      His reign will never end.

The Heavenly Tabernacle 2-8-26 PM

I.            The Person offering the sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11).

a.      The writer begins by pointing out the fact that Christ has come.

          i.      He did not use the name of Jesus, but His title.

          ii.      Jesus is the Christ, or the Messiah, and these people needed to be reminded that He was the One for whom they had been looking.

          iii.      This wasn’t some man, but the Anointed One.

          iv.      The phrase “being come” literally means “appearing as”.

b.      When He came it was to be the High Priest, which our writer has already shown Jesus to be using Old Testament passages to prove it.

c.      And He is the High Priest of good things to come.

          i.      The Greek language is a little ambiguous here.

          ii.      Some translations word it like the KJV and show the good things coming in the future tense.

          iii.      Others translate it in the past tense as the good things have already come (ESV - of the good things that have come).

          iv.      The language allows for either and both are true.

          v.      Jesus brought good things with Him and there are good things in store for us in the future.

          vi.      The good things to come do stand for the blessings we find in the New Covenant as will be pointed out later by our writer.

d.     Those good things come to us from or through, which is the meaning of the word translated “by”, a greater and more perfect tabernacle.

          i.      This tabernacle, our writer tells us, is one that is not made with hands.

          ii.      It is not a physical tabernacle like that of the Old Covenant.

          iii.      It is one that is not of this creation, which is the meaning of the word “building”.

          iv.      Nothing like this creation is on earth, it is spiritual.

          v.      When Jesus ascended, He did so into heaven.

          vi.      This is where He is serving us as our High Priest and is giving us all those good things we have and that are to come.

e.      Jesus, the Christ, is in this heavenly tabernacle, working for us.

          i.      We ought to take great comfort in this fact.

          ii.      He is in the presence of God, able to give us what we need when we come with our requests.

f.       If Jesus were still on earth, He could not serve us in this way.

g.      We needed Him to come, but we also needed Him to go back from where He came.

II.            The preciousness of the sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12).

a.      When the Aaron or one of his descendants went into the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement, he always went in with blood.

           i.      He entered with the blood of a bull for his sins and the sins of his family.

           ii.      He also had the blood of a goat, which was for the sins of the people.

           iii.      If he entered without these, he would have been put to death by God.

           iv.      These were needed to atone for the sins of everyone.

b.      Jesus did not enter the spiritual Most Holy Place, which is heaven, with the blood of those animals.

c.      Instead, Jesus was able to enter that spiritual tabernacle with His own precious blood.

          i.      Think of the price that was paid for the sins of the world.

          ii.      It came at tremendous cost.

d.     The blood that was shed under the Old Law was to show people the price of sin.

e.      There is no greater sacrifice that heaven could have made than to send God’s only begotten Son to pay the price for sin with His precious blood.

f.       This ought to imprint on our minds the hatred for sin that God has.

          i.      It ought to convince us of the high cost of sin.

          ii.      It ought to convince us of the stand that God takes against sin.

          iii.      He will have no part of it or with those who live in it because He was willing to send His Son to pay for our sins and there is nothing left to take away our sin if we reject His Son.

g.     This ought to also imprint on our minds the love that Jesus has for us.

          i.      The first verse tells us that the Christ came.

          ii.      This verse tells us why He came.

          iii.      He came to shed His blood for our sins.

h.      What was given for us was not the blood of some animal, but the precious blood of Christ.

III.            The permanence of the sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12).

a.      One time a year the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place with the blood of bulls and goats.

          i.      This went from the time the Law was instituted until temple was destroyed in AD 70.

          ii.      The sacrifice was only effective until the death of Christ and His resurrection and ascension, but they continued with the sacrifices because of their rejection of the Lord.

          iii.      About 1,500 years passed between the giving of the Law and AD 70.

          iv.      So there were about 1,500 Days of Atonement.

          v.      Every year the people were reminded of their sin.

b.     Jesus, the Great High Priest, offered His precious blood one time for all time.

          i.      The word “once” literally means upon one occasion only, at once for all.

          ii.      The blood of Christ is so powerful it only had to be offered once.

          iii.      The reason for this is that it totally washes away the sins of man.

          iv.      Animal blood only pushed them forward.

c.      Why would these people want to go back to something that only reminded them of their sin and had to be offered every year, along with any other sacrifices that they needed to make throughout the year?

d.      Leaving Jesus leaves the only blood that can take away sin.

e.      Why would anyone want to leave this precious blood today that removes our sin?

IV.            The power of the sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12-14).

a.      The power of the sacrifice under the Mosaic Law was very limited.

           i.      It did not last long.

           ii.      It had to be offered once a year.

           iii.      It simply reminded the people of their sins.

b.      The sacrifice of Jesus is far more powerful than all of the sacrifices of the Mosaic Law combined.

c.       His blood is so powerful it obtained eternal redemption for us.

           i.      The word obtained is translated “secured” in other translations.

           ii.      His blood was able to remove our sins eternally.

           iii.      It is powerful enough to wash all the sins of God’s people who lived under the Mosaic Law.

           iv.      It is powerful enough to wash all our sins away as well.

           v.      It is secured forever.

           vi.      There is never going to be another sacrifice needed.

d.      The writer pointed out that the blood and the sprinkling of water under the Old Law purified the flesh.

           i.      Blood had to be shed for sin and for rituals that involved those that had become impure.

           ii.      Also, when one had become unclean for some reason, he had to be sprinkled with water that had mixed in it, the ashes of a red heifer that had been sacrificed.

           iii.      You can read about this in Numbers 19.

           iv.      These were done to purify the flesh.

e.      If that could purify the flesh, our writer says, think how much more the blood of Christ can purify your conscience!

f.        We’ve often said in this study that the Old Law appealed to the outward man, the flesh, while the New Law appeals to the inward man, the spiritual.

g.      If blood and water can purify the flesh, the blood of Christ is more powerful because it purifies the conscience.

h.      It can because the blood of Christ is without spot, there is no impurity from sin or some other uncleanness in it.

i.        The eternal Spirit through which He offered Himself to God has one of two meanings:

           i.      It may mean the Holy Spirit, in that Jesus offered Himself up for man to God with help of the Holy Spirit.

1.      This would have all three members of the Godhead working together in the sacrifice of Christ.

2.      It may be this.

           ii.      Or, it may mean the divine aspect of Christ, that which made Him deity.

           iii.      Either of these two beliefs is in line with what the New Testament teaches about the sacrifice of Jesus.

j.       The word translated purge is the word from which we get the English word “catharsis”.

          i.      It means to purify from the pollution of sin.

          ii.      It is a complete removal of that pollution by the blood of Christ.

k.      That which is purged is our conscience.

          i.      The conscience is that part of our makeup that gives us pain when we do what we consider to be wrong, and commends us when we do what we consider to be good.

          ii.      Only the blood of Christ can purify, or purge out all the sins that have affected our conscience.

          iii.      We bear the weight of our sin in our conscience.

          iv.      The blood of Christ removes that weight and it is only the blood of Christ that can do this.

l.       Coming into contact with the blood of Christ will purge one from a desire to do those things that kill us, sinful things.

m.    What it causes us to do is have a desire to serve God!

          i.      Think how powerful that is: having the ability to turn us to God, away from the world and all of its sin.

          ii.      It turns us into servants of God.

n.      How could it not?

          i.      It was the Son of God acting on our behalf.

          ii.      He did something for us that nothing or no one else could do: obtain eternal redemption for us.

          iii.      How could we not want to serve the God who put this plan into motion to save us from our sins?