The Coming Ressurection

Posted on December 3, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

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We have a double responsive reading tonight, because what we are discussing tonight is a big subject. We will be talking about the Coming Resurrection of Christ’s Children. Let’s start in:

2 Corinthians 5:1-9 (KJV) For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. [2] For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: [3] If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. [4] For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. [5] Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. [6] Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: [7] (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) [8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. [9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

These Earthly Bodies Are But Tents

There will come a day when our bodies cease to function. Yet that will not be the end of our lives. When we draw our breath for the very last time on this earth we do not cease to be. The Apostle declared in our first responsive reading:

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

As the Apostle speaks of THIS TABERNACLE he is referring to our earthly bodies. Invested by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle chooses his words carefully. He calls our bodies “our earthly house of this tabernacle”. The “tabernacle” or the Greek σκῆνος skēnos means “a tent, a temporary home”. The soul is housed in a tent or a temporary home while on this earth.

I remember as a young man taking my wife and children camping in England on the weekends. We would take out our tent, erect it, set up camp, and stay in that tent like it was home. Yet this tent wasn’t home – it was but a temporary dwelling place, a place to accommodate us while we traveled and pilgrimaged. When our time was ended we folded up the tent and moved on. We did not cease to be, but where we were ceased to be for us.

Our bodies are but tents. Temporary, fragile. Our home was made of stick and brick, with a shingle roof and doors that could lock. Our true home was substantial, but our tent while camping was flimsy, portable. It could keep the rain from us, but was not meant to be forever. It was only temporary.

If and when our bodies break down God has a more permanent building for us, a house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. We have a Heaven that we go to when we die. And we who are saved …

2 Corinthians 5:2-4 (NKJV) For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

When we packed up our tent to go home it was often with a bit of sadness, for we had a good time while we were camping with the kids. We made memories. We had a great experience. But though there was some sadness, we looked forward to home. At home we could shower, and sleep in our beds, not on the ground. At home we had a stove to cook on, not a camp fire. And at home the bugs didn’t bite us. We had air conditioning and heat. Home was much better.

I woke up Thanksgiving Day after a bad night, tossing and turning throughout the night. And I groaned, wishing that I was in that place where mortality might be swallowed up of life. Oh Beloved, no Christian in his or her right mind is afraid of death. God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). We are in tents now. But we wish to be clothed upon, that God would give us our resurrected bodies, that our aches and pains would be no more. We are on a journey now, and are pilgrims living in tents, fragile and flappable tents.

These bodies hold our souls, but these bodies were never meant to be permanent. Our God and our Father is immortal, and our bodies must be as our souls are, immortal, substantial, better than they are now.

2 Corinthians 5:6-9 (NKJV) Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

While we are in this body we are on mission for our Father. Ambassadors of Heaven, we are not in Heaven proper. We know this because sin, like a forest fire, is all around us. But when we vacate this tent – when we are absent from this body – we are present with the Lord. Not sleeping. Our souls do not sleep. The Apostle John looked into Heaven and saw:

Revelation 6:9-11 (KJV) And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the SOULS of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: [10] And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? [11] And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

John saw SOULS gathered around the Throne of the Lord. These SOULS were not sleeping, but knew what had happened to them, and cried out to the Lord Jesus. These SOULS were given white robes to show that they were redeemed of Christ (for has not Jesus promised …

Revelation 3:5 (KJV) He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. )

Oh praise His Name, His Children shall be with Him when they leave this tent. Praise His Name, we shall be clothed in white, for we have washed our robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). Praise Him!

We are in tents that we must leave, and our souls must fly to the Jesus Who we love and Who loves us. We leave here, and go home. We leave these tattered rags, these broken bodies, but we do not remain without clothing.

There is a coming Resurrection. For those who are Christ’s this resurrection will be a reward. For those who are not Christ’s this will be a terrible day of judgment.

Christ Is The Prototype Of Our Future Resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:12-22 (KJV) Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: [14] And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. [15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. [16] For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: [17] And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. [18] Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. [19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. [20] But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. [21] For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

There is a Coming Resurrection. There is a Coming Resurrection for God’s Children, and a Coming Resurrection for Adam’s Children. The Prophet Daniel wrote:

Daniel 12:2 (KJV)  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Those who have received Christ shall live forever. But those who will not receive Christ – they are under condemnation.

John 3:16-18 (KJV)   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.   [17]   For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.   [18]   He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

In Adam all die, but in Christ shall all be made alive. This is what God wants for all, if you will but receive Him as Lord and Savior.

When Christ died, He died for our sins. But when Christ rose from the grave, this was proof that God accepted the sacrifice that Christ made. Christ rose again to show us that we must rise again. When Jesus died on that Cross, He did not sleep or cease to be conscious for three days and three nights. We are told in Ephesians that Christ presented Himself to the Old Testament Saints.

Ephesians 4:8-10 (NKJV) … “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” 9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Jesus Christ came to undo all the wrong that Adam brought. Dying on the Cross, His soul left His earthly tent in order to share Himself with the saints of old. He descended to where they were, then ascended into Heaven with them, that He might fill all things. But Jesus did not stop here. He returned to earth in His resurrected body, a glorious permanent home that was different from what He had before. The Apostle says:

1 Corinthians 15:12-15 (KJV) Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: [14] And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. [15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

Jesus died. He left His tent. But He rose again to show us what God has in store for His Children. Jesus gave us everlasting life. Not just as souls, but has promised us bodies that will be as permanent and lasting as the souls He has given us. Christ was buried and rose from the dead, and as He was so shall we be. We are tied to our Savior. He saved us from sin. He saved us from hell. He saved us from death. And He saved us so that we can be permanently clothed upon, that our mortality can we swallowed up by the immortal.

1 Corinthians 15:16-18 (KJV) For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: [17] And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. [18] Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 

The Apostle tells us that the dead must be resurrected, for Christ was resurrected. If Christ was not resurrected, then they which are fallen asleep in Christ – those who have left their tents sleeping in the earth – are perished! The two go together.

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (KJV) But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. [21] For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Jesus is the firstfruits of them that slept. He is the prototype of what God has in store for us. Jesus was born into a temporary tent. He lived. He died. He left that tent. He was buried – His body slept. And three days later He rose from the grave, ever to live immortal, undying. And so shall we who have received Him be!

In Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive!

We are born into this life children of Adam, offspring of the first man and woman, steeped in sin. When Adam sinned by eating the forbidden fruit he and his wife were not only cast from Paradise, they lost the Tree of Life. Death entered the world. But Christ came to conquer sin and death. Those who “die” now in Christ but sleep. Their bodies go to the ground, and their souls go to the Christ Who loves us so. The resurrected body has not yet been given to the saints, saved by the Blood of Christ. The Apostle said:

1 Corinthians 15:23-26 (KJV) But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. [24] Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. [25] For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. [26] The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Christ is the firstfruits, the first One Who has a glorified body. But the Lord promises that each and every one of us will also be as Christ is. Christ the first fruits, afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming. When Jesus comes again in an event we call “The Rapture” Jesus will return with the souls of His saints. We are told in:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (KJV) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

What a glorious day that will be. Jesus the firstfruits will come, and the Scripture says even so them also which sleep in Jesus WILL GOD BRING WITH HIM. Those whose bodies “slept” in the ground will be the first ones resurrected. Jesus will bring the souls of the dear departed Saints with Him, and these Saints will be the first to get their resurrected bodies. But then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, ever to be with the Lord. If you are fortunate enough to be alive when Christ comes, you will not experience the leaving of this tent, but the changing of the tent. But it does not matter, precious Child of God. For each and every Christian is on a journey that will ultimately end up with you and I having a glorious, incorruptible body.

Leaving Our Bodies Is Not Unnatural But Necessary

1 Corinthians 15:35-37 (KJV) But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? [36] Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: [37] And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

Death is not an evil thing, but it is a part of this present life.

There will be a day when all death ceases. Jesus will destroy all death, and all death shall be placed into the Lake of Fire, along with the corrupt and the unbelieving, the cowardly, the fearful, the sinner who refuses the Christ. Paul uses a beautiful image here, the image of planting. A seed does not grow unless it is buried. The seed, when buried, does not resemble what it will one day be. Whether it be a seed of corn or of wheat or of okra or of squash, the seed may look like PART of what it will one day be – but not the whole.

To leave this tabernacle is not unnatural. To plant this tabernacle is not unnatural. It is a part of the process that Christ showed us in Himself. When Jesus died, He did not die fearful. As He died He forgave those who killed Him. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” our Savior said. As He died, He tended to His earthly responsibilities. “John, My mother is now your mother. Mary, John is now your son.” He was matter of fact. He suffered in death. “I thirst”. But Jesus never feared death, for He is the Conquerer of Death. “It is finished” He declared. Jesus killed the killer. Jesus conquered the grave. Buried, He came back to this earth on the third day, the number three being the number of the Triune God. Jesus died, defeated death, then rose again. Praise His holy name!

Our corrupt bodies, like the seed of the plant, must die. We must leave these tents to get our eternal tent. The Apostle goes further:

1 Corinthians 15:39 (KJV) All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.

Here is God’s answer to the Darwinian nonsense we call evolution. “All flesh is not the same flesh”. We are not descended from animals, but were made of God in His image. There is the flesh of mankind, the flesh of beasts, the flesh of birds, and the flesh of fishes. Each flesh is different.

Now hear me, Beloved.

The flesh you now have CANNOT inherit God’s Heaven!
That broken body you have – that gets more broken daily –
Cannot live in God’s glorious presence!

You need the glory of the resurrected body – and God will take care of this. God is able. The God Who made all the heavenly bodies we see about us in the night sky:

1 Corinthians 15:40-41 (KJV) There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. [41] There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

When you see all the glorious things that God has made, the limitlessness of space, the sun, the moon, this earth. You can only imagine how glorious the glorified body will be. What will be best about our future bodies is this …

1 Corinthians 15:42-46 (KJV) So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: [43] It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. [45] And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. [46] Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

The body that is buried is buried because it is corruptible, cancerous, broken. It has sin in it. It is weak, frail. But the body that God will give us at Christ’s coming is incorruptible, immortal, glorious, powerful, supernatural. The body we have now we inherited from that sinner Adam. The body we will one day have we will inherit from the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord. And it will be perfect, eternally perfect. It will be a body suited for Heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:49-54 (KJV) And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. [50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. [51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

Oh Beloved Child of God, the best is yet to be. The dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. This is what Christ purchased for us with His Blood. This is what Christ promises to us with His resurrection. Death is not our enemy, but a home going for the Child of God. Praise Him! Praise him! It is this knowledge that leads us to be faithful in serving Him. The Apostle ended with:

1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (KJV) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

What we offer in Christ is immortality to whosoever will. So we we are stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. We do what we do so that others can come into His Family. We are blessed, and thankful, and want others to be blessed as well.

Christ is the door of the sheep! Let us lead others to our Great Shepherd! For His glory. Amen.

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Trusting God

Posted on November 27, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

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Isaiah 26:3-9 (KJV)  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  [4]  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:  [5]  For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.  [6]  The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.  [7]  The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.  [8]  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.  [9]  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Audio of Sermon: 

When I was a young Christian my mentors – several other Christians I met in the Air Force – taught me the value of not only studying but memorizing Scripture. When you memorize Scripture it is like carrying a warm coat to stay warm, or an umbrella to stay dry. It’s like having a hidden emergency meal in case you are without food, or even better, a friend who keeps the loneliness and fear away. One of the first texts I memorized was John 3:16. You know this, don’t you?

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

I love that text because it reminds us God is the Gospel, and receiving Christ as He causes God to receive us as His everlasting children. That is so beautiful. But the second text I remember memorizing is the one we have before us today:

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon Thee,
because he trusteth in Thee – Isaiah 26:3

God Promises Double Peace IF

It almost reads like a poem, doesn’t it? What does God promise us in this text? The King James says “perfect peace”. That’s not exactly what the Hebrew says. In the Hebrew the word שָׁלוֹם shalowm – which means “peace” – is used twice. “Thou wilt keep him in SHALOWN SHALOWN whose mind is stayed upon Thee, because he trusteth in Thee”. God promises to His Children – to whosoever will – a DOUBLE Peace, a double portion of peace. God wants us to have not just SHALOWN, but SHALOWM SHALOWM. He wants us all walking in peace, not in fear or anxiousness. That is what is normal for the Christian way of life. The Apostle said it this was in:

Philippians 4:4-9 (NKJV) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

If God wants to give us a double portion of peace why is it that so few seem to have it? It is because we are not meeting the condition of the promise. Read the text again:

Thou wilt give him SHALOWM SHALOWN

but it doesn’t stop here. It goes on to say:

Whose mind is STAYED UPON THEE

“Stayed upon” is the Hebrew סָמַךְ camak which means to be upheld by, to lean or lay upon, to rest in or be born up by. The mind that is totally reliant upon God experiences the double peace of God. The faith that is 100% committed to Him results in the life that is filled with the double peace of God. Trusting in God is a surrender to God. The text even tells us this.

Thou wilt give him SHALOWN SHALOWN whose mind is stayed upon Thee,
BECAUSE he TRUSTETH in THEE

Trusting in God means to lean upon Him, to put all your weight on Him. And God is able to take your weight. He is able to take your pain. God is able to hold you up.

Back in 1983 I had an accident that crushed my left leg. Though rebuilt, there are times I need to walk with a cane. When the leg is not able, I lean my weight on the cane. The cane is able to carry my weight. Imagine how foolish it would be if you saw me coming in with a pool noodle, leaning on this. You see me coming in with the pool noodle and say “Brother David, why do have that under your arm?” I reply, “Because my leg hurts today, and I’m leaning on it for support.” You might not say anything, but you’d walk away thinking the Pastor has gone crazy. Why am I relying on something pitiful and weak to put my trust in? Why not get a real cane, or find a better support? Yet many people are this way. They are staggering through life, leaning on different broken things.

Too many lean on the GOVERNMENT,
or on HUMAN INSTITUTIONS.
Or they lean on MONEY,
Or HOSPITALS and DOCTORS.
Some lean on GOOD LOOKS,
and some even lean on the CHURCH.

But everything in this life is broken. We need to lean on the eternal God and His provisions!

Our Trust Is To Be In God

So many people approach life, trying to do everything themselves. We cannot rely on our own strength if we want to be blessed. We are to rely on God. We are told:

Isaiah 26:4 (KJV)  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

If you have a King James version you’ll notice that the names of God are CAPITALIZED in this text. The word LORD is the Hebrew YAHWEH, which is the Eternal Name of God, the Great I AM. We are to trust in the Eternal God Who created all that you see. We read:

in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength

In YAH YAHWEH – the EVERLASTING AND ETERNAL I AM is everlasting strength. I told someone the other day …

When I was young my feet ran and my nose didn’t.
Now that I am old my nose runs and my feet don’t!

When we trust in man – even in ourselves – we trust in something that is fallable. But God is infallible. God is eternal. The God Who created the heavens and the earth, the animals, the plants, and all that is within it can not fail. Life is fragile, but God is a faithful. God does not change. God keeps His promises, and we can rely on Him. The Scripture says:

Deuteronomy 7:9-10 (NKJV) Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; 10 and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face.

Psalm 119:90 (NKJV) Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.

God is faithful, but we are fragile. God never fails, but we are subject to fail. Those who exalt themselves and rely on themselves will find themselves cursed in time. We read:

Isaiah 26:5-6 (KJV)  For {God} bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.  [6]  The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.

Those who are arrogant and prideful are eventually brought down. They may mock God today, but there will come a time when God will cause the proud to fall. But those who are poor … even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy …. those who rely upon Him shall be exalted in due time. There will come a day when every arrogant, prideful person will fall. But those who had nothing but God will triumph. What did Jesus say?

Matthew 5:3 (NKJV) Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Those who trust God are blessed, even when times seem bad.

There Is Power In A Singular Focus On God

First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, was recently attacked by an atheist with a gun. Killing 26 people the world cried out “Where was God”? But God was and is there. You won’t hear this story widely published for its not bloody enough, but just this week Pastor Frank Pomeroy was interviewed by NBC news. Pomeroy, who lost a daughter in the massacre, said:

“I knew everybody who gave their life that day. Some of them were my best friends and my daughter. I have no doubt they’re dancing with Jesus today.”

He also noted that though 26 were martyred, more than 26 have contacted him and said that they are recommitting their lives to the Lord, seeking Him out daily. Listen Beloved, trials come our way to tempt us and test us. God calls His people to keep their minds “stayed” on Him. To live to please Him. To live to glorify God.

When tried does your faith stand the trial?

Isaiah 26:7 (KJV)  The way of the just is uprightness: thou, Most Upright, dost weigh the path of the just.

God is called “The Most Upright. When a trial comes, do you collapse or are you held upright by Him? If you are saved, He will hold you up no matter what may come.

Those who belong to God are called the “Just” or the “Justified”. If your mind is stayed on God then your actions will reflect your mind. The way of the just is UPRIGHTNESS. Those who belong to Christ are His Disciples. We follow Him. We love Him. We trust Him. We do the right and godly thing at all times, glorifying our Lord. God says of us “I created you for My glory” (Isaiah 43:7). We are told:

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV) Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Psalm 86:12 (NKJV) I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore.

God can take the broken life and make it whole if we would be faithful in filling our minds with Him. To stay our minds on Him. To focus on His Word. To be obedient to Him. Remember that Adam and Eve lost Paradise and brought sin into the world when they “stayed their mind” on the wrong thing. God warned Adam:

Genesis 2:17 (NKJV) … but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Compare Adam to Abraham. Adam thought he knew better than God, this is when sin and death came into the world. If you want to be blessed you need to understand that God knows what is best. We are to cast all of our trust upon Him and His promises. Our Father Abraham was powerful in faith and much blessed because he “stayed his mind” on God. The Bible tells us that:

Romans 4:19-22 (NKJV) And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Abraham trusted God, casting himself upon God, believing God would keep His promise. And God did. God always keeps His promises. God is faithful! We have a dearth of faithful and powerful Christians today in America because our faith, sadly, is often not in God but in other things. Not too long ago Pastor Lentz of Hillsong Church – a huge congregation – sat in a television studio as a guest on The View and was asked whether abortion is sinful. His reply was typically that of his father Adam:

“That’s the kind of conversation we would have finding out your story, where you’re from, what you believe. I mean, God’s the judge,” … “People have to live to their own convictions,” Lentz continued. “That’s such a broad question, to me, I’m going higher. I want to sit with somebody and say, ‘What do you believe?’”

Like Adam, he spoke with a view toward pleasing the world. I did not say this to malign my brother in Christ, for peer pressure is indeed a strong thing, and many of us would be tempted to go for the applause rather than the boos when addressing such a liberal audience. Yet what does God expect of His Children, His Whom He has justified by His Blood?

Isaiah 26:8 (KJV)  Yea, in the WAY OF THY JUDGMENTS, O LORD, have we waited for thee..

We ask ourselves what has God said? What does the Scripture say? What has the Church historically supported based on His Word? Those who wish to have the double peace of God must let God speak rather than political correctness or what we feel. Strength for the justified is in Him. God is above it all. God made us, and God knows us, and God knows what is best for us. As the Apostle said:

Ephesians 6:10 (NKJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Our power is not in ourselves, but in God and what God has provided us.

You go outside, and find you have a flat tire. What do you do? If you are prepared, you go to the trunk of your car. You get out your spare, your jack, and your tire iron. In a few minutes you change your tire, then head to the Tire Shop to get the flat fixed. No problem. But let’s imagine another way. You go outside and see you have a flat tire. So you try and pick up your car rather than use the jack. You don’t trust the jack. You trust yourself. So you strain, and pull, and try and lift. As you do so you harm your body. Your heart rate goes dangerously high. Your blood pressure shoots up. Your mouth begins saying things that add to the problem. You begin to feel defeated, and you are certainly not at peace. You should have relied upon the jack.

You say, “But Brother, I would never do that!” But that’s what you do when you worry and fret and obsess rather than casting your cares upon God.

Isaiah 26:8 (KJV) …the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.

We love the Lord and thank Him for His faithfulness. God is so good. The unbeliever does not recognize the faithfulness of God, nor does the unbeliever than Him for His good provision. The way of the unbeliever is to ignore God. To take God’s bounty and yet never appreciate it. This is what you who are unbelievers do.

Isaiah 26:10-11 (KJV)  Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.  [11]  LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.

The way of the unbeliever is self and selfish, arrogance and pride. They do not see God’s hand. They do not praise Him for the strength that He gives them. They do not thank Him for the sun, the moon, the rain in due season. The more God gives, the more they demand, and yet never praise. In time such ways all lead to self destruction.

If you belong to God, you are not to walk in their way but in His Way. Christ is the WAY, the Truth, and the Life. We are to follow Him. We are to love God. We are to cast our concerns and our burdens on His broad shoulders. Stay your mind upon Him.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NKJV) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

The God Of Scripture Is Who I Love

Isaiah 26:9 (KJV)  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

When trials come – the dark nights and the valleys – we need the Lord. But if we want His Presence in the darkness, we need to follow Him in the light. “with my spirit will I seek Thee early”. We must love and trust God daily. Our days are to begin by praising Him and thanking Him for loving us so. We thank God for the salvation we have through Christ. We thank Him that He sent Jesus Christ to die for our sins, to be buried, and to rise from the grave on the third day. I am not ashamed to say that …

Acts 4:12 (KJV)  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

That faith alone in Christ alone saves a person. I am not ashamed of the Word of Faith that we preach:

Romans 10:9-11 (ESV) because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Salvation comes when you trust yourself to God in Christ, believing He paid for your sins in full. But blessing comes when you follow Him, trust Him, stay your mind on Him.

Isaiah 26:12 (KJV)  LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.

God has a double peace for His people. It is God’s will that you live in SHALOWM SHALOWM. It is God’s Will that He work among us. But we must be wholly devoted to Him. We must not live with one foot in the world and one foot on heaven. We must confess Him and Him alone. As Isaiah wrote:

Isaiah 26:13-14 (KJV)  O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.  [14]   They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.

God wants our 100%. He saved us so that we could have perfect peace, SHALOWM SHALOWM. He saved us so that we can live victorious lives in Him. Oh, that God the Holy Spirit would partner with me as I preach His Word. Oh that God would touch many through this text! If you do not know Christ, run to His waiting arms this very day!

Posted in Faithfulness of God, Following Disciples, Following Jesus, God's Children, gospel, Isaiah, Sermons Preached, Trusting God | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Nail In A Sure Place

Posted on November 19, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

Isaiah_22_23t25

Isaiah 22:23-25 (KJV)  And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.  [24]  And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.  [25]  In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.

Audio of Sermon: 

Where Is Your Nail Driven?

Well it happened once again. A small Church had a gunman go in, an Atheist who mocked Christians and yet once purportedly assisted in Sunday School at that very Church. A disgraced Airman, which terribly hurts me as a retired Air Force Technical Sergeant. The man enlisted in my Beloved Air Force and smeared it by his conduct. He was dishonorably discharged from the service that I so loved, and dishonorably discharged his weapon in a little First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The man killed children as young as 18 months old. He killed the Pastor’s 14 year old daughter. He killed 26 people. The news media promote the man’s name. The talking heads ask “Why” but provide no answers.

There is no answer unless you look up.

The last shooting in a Nashville Church was from a confused person wandering in the darkness. This shooting in a Texas Church is from a confused person wandering in darkness. In both cases it was a person who thought their life was in order. They fastened a nail in what they thought was a sure place. One was an atheist, a person that God calls “A Fool”.

Psalms 14:1 (KJV)… The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

God did not call the atheist a fool to mock him, but to speak truth.
The atheist is a “Fool” because the “sure place” he puts his nail is NOTHINGNESS.
That is stupid, foolish!

To deny that there is a Creative and Loving God with all the evidence we see around us, the beauty of creation, the joys and wonders within it, is indeed foolish. Though the book of nature is soiled by sin and corruption it I evident through common sense as well as experience that God is.

Job 12:7-12 (NIV) But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; 8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. 9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? 10 In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. 11 Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food? 12 Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?

To say there is no god is to drive a nail in a non-existent wall, then to hang all your hopes and dreams on it. How futile that is! But then, as the other confused killer, to believe in the false gods of this world. So many chase after false gods, idols, beings that truly are not. God has revealed Himself in the Scripture. The God of the one and only Holy Bible has said:

Isaiah 45:5-8 (ESV) I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, 6 that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. 7 I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things. 8 “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it.

There are confused atheists who have driven a nail in what they thought was a sure place, and there are confused polytheists who have done the same. The atheists foolishly believe in NO god, but the polytheists believe in MANY gods. They foolishly say “there are many ways to heaven” and in their seeker sensitivity would have man to believe that faith in a squirrel is as good as faith in a stone statue or in some perception of God. “As long as you’re sincere you shall all get to Heaven”. Is this true? Is sincerity the test of truth? If I sincerely believe 1+5=3 is it true because I believe it so? Is gravity suspended if I step off a cliff believing myself to be weightless? The atheist puts a nail in what he considers a sure place, but it is nothing. A polytheist puts a nail in a sure place – so he thinks – and it is also nothing. There is but one God, and He is the God Who reveals Himself in the Scripture.

Who Drives Your Nail?

In our text today God speaks of two nails driven. The first nail is driven by God. He says:

Isaiah 22:23 (KJV)  And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.

The person who has their faith in God will be blessed by God. God says “I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place”.The life that God blesses will also bless others. God says of this person “he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house”. In ancient times the inheritance was passed from father to son. The child that loved the Lord was promised to be a glorious throne to his father’s house. The one who trusted in God would be a blessing because God would strengthen him. God would make his life a blessing. God would insure that he was a “nail in a sure place”.

Who drives your nail?

In many cases we ourselves drive our own nail. We do not rely upon God, but upon ourselves and our own strengths and abilities.

In the background of this passage there was an important man who was necessary for the function of God’s Israel, a man named Shebna the Scribe. The Scribes were very important in the days of Israel. The Scribe not only faithfully copied Scripture so the people could have access to God’s Word, but they also spoke the Word and pointed to the Word. The Scribe was not to be lifted up with pride, but to realize that he was but the messenger of God. Shebna became arrogant, became willful, and began to promote himself rather than the Word of God.

He was the “Nail fastened in a sure place” that God was going to remove. He was the one spoken of in verse 25 of whom God said:

Isaiah 22:25 (KJV) In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.

The nail fastened by man’s hand would be removed, and all that was placed upon it would fall to the ground.

God would raise up another Scribe to be in Shebna’s place, a man by the name of Eliakim. Shebna, the religious pretender, was out, and all who trusted in Shebna were out. But Eliakim, the Nail fastened by the Lord, would be in a sure place. Everything that rested on Shebna would fall to the ground, but Eliakim would be sure because God made him sure.

Oh My Beloved, In Order For God To Bless Your Life
Shebna Must Die And Eliakim Must Rise

So many people are like Shebna. They trust in themselves. They are puffed up over themselves. They think their righteousness will be the train that takes them to Heaven.

Before salvation comes Shebna must fall, so that Christ can rise.

The Old Testament Scribes were marked by self righteousness. So many of them thought themselves the oracles of God because they memorized vast portions of Scripture. So many today believe that they will enter Heaven upon their death because:

They were uncommonly MORAL
They took the SACRAMENT of bread and cup weekly
They gave faithfully of their TITHE
They were never absent from SUNDAY SCHOOL
Though they skipped the Worship Services
They PRAYED meticulously, counting BEADS

My Beloved, Shebna must fall, and self must die before salvation can come. It was to His disciples, along with the Scribes and Pharisees that Jesus said:

Matthew 16:24-26 … If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Salvation is a surrender of self to God. Salvation is to stop being your own hammer and nail, and to turn yourself over to Him Who loves you and gave Himself for you. Salvation is to say to the Lord “I am unrighteous. I am undone. I am but a rusty nail. Use me, dear Lord, as you would.”

Salvation is a changing from Saul to Paul, not based on what we have done, but on what God will do. There was no greater religious creature than Saul of Taurus. Saul was

Philippians 3:5-6 (ESV) circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

This man, a leader in Israel, a nail fastened by his hand in what he thought was a sure place, chased Christians to murder them in their churches. Then one day Jesus Christ struck him down on the Damascus Road. God pulled that nail out of that unsure place and made Saul see himself as he was … lost, undone, a fool without God. On that day the fool was raised up and fastened by those nail scarred hands into a sure place. The Apostle said:

Philippians 3:7-8 (ESV) But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ …

Whereas before his life was based on his power, now his life was based on God’s power. God raised Saul and changed him to Paul, and God wishes to do the same for you. The Bible says of us all:

Romans 3:23 (ESV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

A sinner cannot make himself better. A sinner needs the Savior, and the Savior wants the sinner. Jesus Christ declared:

Luke 5:32 (ESV) I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.

Mark 2:17 (ESV) … Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus came for sinners. He came to save Shebna, but Shebna must die. He must give himself over to Christ if he would be made a Child of the King.

You have pains in your arms, your chest. You go to the doctor. You hear the bad news. “I’m sorry, but it seems as if you have a blockage in your heart. I will need to operate. You will have to trust yourself to me, to rest on my table, allow me to do what I do.” No, Doctor, I will not do this. I believe I will get better on my own. Continue this pathway and there will be consequences. No, Doctor, I will lay upon your table, but I wish to assist in the operation. Beloved, continue this way and there will be consequences. The Physician must be allowed to work, else you will die. The great Physician must be allowed to work, or you will die in your sins.

You cannot be saved unless Christ save you. You cannot slay a single passion toward evil unless Christ be in charge of the operation. He has said:

John 10:8-9 (ESV) Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

You use a door by going through it. Christ bids we cease trying and start following. We are to knock at mercy’s door and then enter. When we do He has promised to never leave nor forsake you. Jesus shed His Blood so that He could purchase you. Kill Shebna. Let Him have you all.

Christ Promises To Fasten You In A Sure Place

The person who is saved relies upon Christ and Christ alone. We are those who are continually …

Hebrews 12:2-3 (ESV) looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

What has God said of the one He saved, of Eliakim? He says:

Isaiah 22:23-24 (KJV)  And I WILL fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.  [24]  And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.

The one who entrusts his life to God is fastened as a nail in a sure place. The hands that made the Heavens and earth embrace you. God sustains those whom He saves. God ensures the future of His Beloved. Yes, a madman – a sad, misplaced and confused Shebna – came into a Church with a semi-automatic rifle. He killed many saints, many children, a few babies. Then this man died, going into an eternity without God and without hope. But Beloved, every person who died by his evil act did not die. Those who were nails hung by the hand of God were in a sure place. Though attacked and killed for their faith, the first century Christian did not despair. Believers in the first century Church knew that their faith could lead to their deaths. The Apostle Paul as he headed toward a sure Roman execution said:

Philippians 1:18-21 (ESV) What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

The nail driven in the sure place by God’s hand will endure. The life that ends here in eternity’s grasp will never end, for God has promised it. My dependance is on Christ and Christ alone. The dependance of Christ’s Church is on Christ and Christ alone. When I sin my hope is not on my penance, but on returning to Christ and Christ alone. And if I have wandered as a Prodigal Son away from the Father, my only hope for restoration is to return to Him and Him alone.

There is no other hope but Christ. There is no other salvation but the Old Rugged Cross. There is no Heaven without the Body and the Blood of Christ. Spurgeon wrote:

I’ll go to Jesus though my sins,
Have like a mountain rose!
I know His courts I’ll enter in,
Whatever may oppose.
Prostrate I lie before His Throne,
And there my sin confess.

{and I write}

I am but a wretch undone,
Without Him my life a mess!

{Hymnal}

All to Jesus, I surrender,
All to Him I freely give.
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live!

Is your nail in a sure place? Is your life in his hand? May God lead you to Christ this very day to save you and glorify His Name.

Posted in Blood of Atonement, Cross of Christ, Isaiah, preaching the Gospel, pride, salvation, Sermons Preached, sin | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Those Who Are Asleep

Posted on November 19, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

Audio of Sermon: 

1 Corinthians 15:1-6 (KJV)  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  [2]  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  [3]  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  [4]  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:  [5]  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:  [6]  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

restAs a Church, a group of believers in Jesus Christ, we come together every Sunday and Wednesday to worship God. We sing. We pray. But most of all we focus on a Book called The Holy Bible.

We do not focus on the Muslim Quran
or the Buddhist Tipitaka
or the Hindu’s four Vedas
nor on the Mormon Book of Moroni.

We do not care what the Jehovah Witness Watchtower has to say, nor are we interested in the musings of confused meanderings of the Shepherd’s Chapel, or any of the other thousands of pseudo religious cults.

We are not focused on politics
or political correctness.

We are not here to please the world,
But we are focused on pleasing God,
So we turn to His Bible.

What makes the Bible different? What makes it special?
It is Jesus Christ.
It is the fact that the Bible alone contains the Gospel of Christ.
Our Bible was written by people who no longer walk this planet.
This Bible is the writings of people who are no longer with us.
People who saw Jesus crucified.
People who took His broken and dead body down from the Cross.
People who saw Jesus buried.
People who saw Jesus rise from death, like a person rises from sleep in the morning.
These people heard Jesus proclaim that He gives eternal life.
Then these people saw Him rise from death.
He walked and talked among us for forty days and nights.
People saw the nail scars, the empty tomb.
Many of these people died martyr’s deaths because of what they saw.
But would not deny Jesus.
Of all the man-made religious writings in the world, the Bible alone contains Christ.
It speaks of His Gospel. His “Good News”.
Paul Is Headed Toward Sure Death But Is Unafraid

The Apostle Paul was imprisoned, headed to Rome and toward a sure death when he was to be brought before Caesar. Paul knew that he was headed toward death. He knew that the King of Rome would remove his head for daring to stand up and preach about Christ. And yet the Apostle was not ashamed and not afraid. He said:

Romans 1:16-17 (KJV)  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  [17]  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

The Apostle talked to resurrected Christ. He heard the Gospel from Christ’s own lips. He knew that the world would not like the Gospel of Jesus. The world loves the idea of eternal life, but hates the idea of obedience to God. Jesus Christ is a stumbling stone to the unbeliever, but a solid Rock on which every Christian is saved.

Romans 9:33 (KJV)  As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling-stone and rock of offense: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

The Gospel is what this Bible preaches from cover to cover.
The Apostle was unafraid of death because of this glorious Gospel. He said:

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 (KJV)  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  [2]  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

In order to be saved, you must receive the Gospel.
In order to be saved, you must stand in the Gospel.
In order to be saved, you must keep the Gospel in your memory.
Receiving the Gospel is not just a few seconds of your life and a faint sinners prayer.
Receiving the Gospel is not a mere walking the aisle and
shaking the preacher’s hand.
Receiving the Gospel is not just Church membership.
Receiving the Gospel means to grasp it with all your heart.

To grab it, as a drowning person might grab a life preserver. To hold on to it. Once you receive the Gospel, you stand in the Gospel, you keep it in memory, you believe and follow Christ.

What Exactly Is The Gospel?

1 Corinthians 15:3 (KJV) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 

The Gospel is passed down from generation to generation. It is not to be changed. The Apostle says:

I delivered unto you first of all that which I ALSO RECEIVED

Paul was saved by the Gospel. Who told him the Gospel? Jesus Christ Himself shared the Gospel to Paul when he was on the Damascus Road. Christ is the Gospel. He is the Messiah, God in the flesh Who came to save us. Many people today pass on a false Gospel because they have never been told the true Gospel. We are to pass the Gospel on. Paul passed the Gospel on as it was given to him. Too often we hear the Gospel, but hear a perverted Gospel. Preachers too often preach a perverted Gospel, a Gospel that has their own additions to it. What is the beginning of the Gospel?

Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures

Jesus Christ died for our sins. It is He and He alone Who made payment to God for our sins. Sin causes us to be separated from God. The Scriptures declare of God …

“..You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil dwells with You” (Psalm 5:4).

God is holy, without sin, without evil. The world will have you believe that God has no standards, that He loves you no matter how or when you sin. Beloved, sinners are separated from God. God said:

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2)

God made us to walk and talk with Him, to love Him as He loves us, but sin makes us love only ourselves. Sin puts us in the fore front. Sin makes us self focused rather than God focused. And being self focused we are not happy. We are miserable. This year at Christmas people will run around seeking to buy happiness, to find joy in stuff and self pleasure. There is no joy in this.

Joy is in love.
Joy is in sharing.
Joy is in giving.
And Christ gave everything.
Jesus Christ died for our sins.

He did this not coincidentally, but according to the Scriptures. The Bible tells us from the very beginning, from the Fall of man from God in rebellion, that God would one day send a Redeemer Who would love us enough to pay for our sins. Hear this my little poem:

Jesus took my punishment.
Jesus took my pain.
Jesus died for me and you,
And He would do it all again!
Oh what love our Savior has,
For every Child of Sin.
He calls us to His bleeding side,
To receive Him and enter in.
Eternal life is where God is,
And death is where God ain’t.
Come to Christ Who loves you so,
And He will make you into a Saint!

If you believe that you are not a broken sinner Christ cannot save you. If you do not see yourself as hopelessly lost, adrift in a sea of sin, in desperate need of Christ, then He cannot save you. Christ was asked once “why do You spend time with these sinners?” Our blessed Savior said:

Mark 2:17 (NLT) “Healthy people don’t need a doctor–sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

Jesus Christ died for our sins.

1 Corinthians 15:4 (KJV) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:  

The Gospel tells us that Christ died for our sins. Is this a metaphor? No, but the Apostle says:

And that he was buried

You don’t bury a living person. Jesus was dead. The Bible tells us:

John 19:30-37 (KJV)  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.  [31]  The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.  [32]  Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.  [33]  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:  [34]  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.  [35]  And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.  [36]  For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.  [37]  And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

The last thing Jesus tasted on this earth was not cool water. They couldn’t even allow Him a moment of pleasure …. but receiving the vinegar, He said “it is finished”, and bowed His head, and gave up the ghost. That is an old time way of saying Jesus died. He relinquished His life. Few noticed His death, but the religious crowd noticed that the sun was setting, and the next day was a special Sabbath. So the religious crowd demanded that those on the Cross be tortured further so that they might remove from the Cross.

Religion goes to the state and says “Let’s break the legs of those on the Cross so we don’t mar one of our holy days.” Religion makes nothing better, but often intensifies suffering in order to look good. A sinner cannot make themselves right with God. Christ died for our sins. There is no other resolution.

So now they come along, and in the name of God (forgive us, Lord) they break legs.
I have seen people break legs in business meetings (forgive us, Lord)
I have seen so called deacons break legs in the name of God (forgive us, Lord).
I have seen so called preachers break legs in the name of God (forgive us, Lord).

Much of the evil in the midst of many so called churches today is based on religion, not on Christ nor His Gospel. And as they come to break Christ’s legs they found Him dead. To prove His death, a soldier pierced His side with a spear, and out ran blood and water. Jesus Christ was dead. His Blood had begun to separate, proof of death. These things were done according to the Scriptures, according to this Bible, which prophesied that He would be pierced, and not a bone of His body would be broken.

Jesus died.
Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb.

1 Corinthians 15:4 (KJV) and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures

And Jesus rose again. Death could not hold Him. Jesus said before He died:

Matthew 12:40 (KJV)   For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Jesus died. He was buried. For three days and three nights He was sealed in a blocked and guarded tomb. Jesus knew that this would happen. The Lord’s Table was Jesus’ declaration of what He would do for us. “Take, eat, this is My body broken for you. Take, drink, this is My blood of the New Covenant, shed for you.” The Gospel is that Jesus would die. But the Gospel is also that Jesus would live.

Jesus would die on the Cross, brutally tortured, brutally killed. He would be handled, embalmed according to the standards of that day. Jesus would be sealed in a tomb, and guards placed about it. Had He been alive when placed in that tomb He would have been dead after three days from lack of oxygen. Jesus was dead. Then He rose from the sleep of death.

Jesus is alive! He lives! He reigns over His people.

Are You Sleeping … Or Will You Sleep?

1 Corinthians 15:5-6 (KJV) And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:  [6]  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

When Paul wrote this text he was still walking this earth. So was Cephas or Peter, and so were most of five hundred brethren who saw Jesus … but some are FALLEN ASLEEP.

That is an interesting metaphor – falling asleep. The Christian doesn’t die. Christ has given the Christian eternal life. Jesus has said:

John 12:26 (ESV) If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

And

John 11:26 (ESV) … everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Christians do not die. Those who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, believing He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again NEVER DIE. Our bodies stop functioning, but Christians SLEEP. Our bodies SLEEP, whereas our souls go to be with Jesus.

The world SLEEPS. It sleeps in sin, believing it will never die.
The unbeliever SLEEPS. He drowses in life, believing death will never come.
The sinner SLEEPS.
Some Churches SLEEP.

Romans 13:11-14 (NLT) This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

A gunman enters a Texas Church. The news reports that 26 people were killed. The atheist and agnostic find this to be an opportunity to mock and question God. Where was God during this event? God was there. He was there when Paul was martyred, and Peter was nailed to a Cross, and the early Christians were stripped naked and killed by wild beasts in the Roman Coliseum. But these believers did not die. They slept. Their bodies slept. Those killed by earthly standards sleep in the dust of the ground, but their souls are with Jesus. As Paul declared,

2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

The world can make our bodies “sleep” but it cannot kill us. Christ has promised us life. Do you know Him? Have you received Him?

Posted in 1 Corinthians, Belong To God, Blood of Atonement, gospel, Sermons Preached | Tagged | Leave a comment

Tongues and Edification

Posted on November 16, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

1_Corinthians_14_Tongues_And_Edification1 Corinthians 14:21-25 (KJV)  In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.  [22]  Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.  [23]  If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?  [24]  But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:  [25]  And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

Audio of Sermon: 

A careful reading on the Scripture is generally all that is necessary to clear up any confusion. So it is with the Gift of Tongues.

Several many years ago – back in the 60s in America – a group of Christians did not read the Scriptures and began to push speaking in tongues. A Wikipedia article notes that:

“The Azusa Street Revival was a historic revival meeting that took place in Los Angeles, California, and is the origin of the Pentecostal movement. It was led by William J. Seymour, an African American preacher. It began with a meeting on April 9, 1906, and continued until roughly 1915. The revival was characterized by spiritual experiences accompanied with testimonies of physical healing miracles, worship services and speaking in tongues. The participants were criticized by the secular media and Christian theologians for behaviors considered to be outrageous and unorthodox, especially at the time. Today, the revival is considered by historians to be the primary catalyst for the spread of Pentecostalism in the 20th century.”

An entire denomination of Christianity believes that you are not baptized in the Holy Spirit unless you speak in tongues. They did not carefully read what the Apostle wrote. Hear his Words:

Tongues are FOR A SIGN,

NOT to them THAT BELIEVE,

BUT to THEM THAT BELIEVE NOT (vs 22)

We use “signs” every day. If you had never been to my house I give you specific instructions on what street to turn on, and how to notice 308 Evergreen when you go there. But once you come to my home a few times you no longer need the signs. I no longer need the signs. I’ve been there. I live there I can get home several ways, and at no point do I need the signs.

Tongues Are A Sign For Unbelievers, Not For Believers

You can disagree with this if you want, but this is what the Apostle states. If you are a Christian – saved by the glorious Grace of Christ and the Indwelling Spirit – you do not need the Gift of Tongues to affirm your salvation. Read it again with me.

1 Corinthians 14:22 (KJV) Wherefore tongues are for a sign, NOT TO THEM THAT BELIEVE, BUT TO THEM THAT BELIEVE NOT: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

Tongues were given as an evangelistic tool to share the Gospel with the lost. Prophesying or Preaching – the sharing forth of God’s Word – was given to those who believe. Though Jesus could have spoken in tongues – for He is the God Who created the many languages of the Tower of Babel …

Jesus never spoke in tongues throughout His entire earthly ministry
Jesus never spoke in tongues throughout His entire earthly ministry
Jesus never spoke in tongues throughout His entire earthly ministry

Jesus spoke in Koine Greek (the language of the people) and Aramaic (the language of the Jews). How do we know this? Because Jesus’ words are recorded in the New Testament in Koine Greek and Aramaic.

Jesus spoke to be understood. God gave us our tongues so we can communicate, so we can speak to one another. Jesus shared the Gospel – prophesying – preaching – calling people to follow Him. Jesus often spoke in parables not to make things easier understood, but to shut off deeper Biblical truth to those who were unsaved. A person must understand the GOSPEL before a person goes into the deeper truths of God.

Matthew 13:10-13 (NKJV) And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

The unbeliever cannot understand the deeper truths of God until they have been saved. It is for this reason I do not preach messages like the one tonight on a Sunday morning. Sunday mornings we have a higher likelihood of having unbelievers in our midst. They need to hear the Gospel, and it doesn’t hurt us either.

Tongues Were Prophesied As
A Sign To Unbelieving Israel

Tongues were given as a sign to fulfill the prophesy of Scripture. The Apostle says …

1 Corinthians 14:21 IN THE LAW it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

This is a quotation of …

Isaiah 28:11-12 (NKJV) For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, 12 To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear.

Christ came to Israel FIRST. He came to save His Old Testament people FIRST. God called Israel to salvation. God sent the Messiah to Israel first. Yet Israel rejected Christ.

John 1:10-13 (NKJV) He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Christ came to the Jews first.
Though many Jews received Christ as Savior,
Israel as a nation rejected Christ, and rejects Him today.

Fifty (50) days after His resurrection on the Jewish Fourth of July called The Day of Pentecost the Apostles along with 113 others were gathered in an upper room praying. The power of God descended, and those in the upper room went out speaking in many different tongues. The unbelievers in that festival at first thought these people were speaking from drunkenness. Peter replied:

Acts 2:14-21 (NKJV) … Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: (quoting Joel 2:28-32) 17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’

Tongues were a sign for not believers but UNBELIEVERS. Tongues go the attention of the unbeliever. The unbeliever heard the Gospel in their own language. Through the gift of tongues the Gospel was shared on Pentecost, and on that day 3000 came into the Church not by roll but by faith in Christ.

The Tongues that were effective to save souls on the day of Pentecost were effective because the unbeliever understood what was being said. On the Day of Pentecost people from many different countries and in many different languages heard the proclamation of Christ.

Uninterpreted Tongues Serves
No Purpose But Confusion

What happens if an unbeliever comes to the assembly of the Church and many people are speaking many tongues that the unbeliever does not understand? The Apostle says:

1 Corinthians 14:23 (KJV) If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 

To come together and speak a Word that people do not understand does not bless the unbeliever, but drives them away. They leave the assembly saying “These people are mad, or drunk with wine” as some purported on the Day of Pentecost. But then the Apostle says:

1 Corinthians 14:24-25 (KJV) But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:  [25]  And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

But if everyone prophesies – shares the clear Word of God so that all can understand -the unbeliever or unlearned can hear what is being said. The speaking of unknown tongues is not a blessing to the Body of Christ. None are saved where the Gospel is not clearly presented and the Word of God is not clearly expounded.

There must be clarity in what we say. We must be clear, and give a clear report of what God has given us, if the world will have a chance of being saved. The Apostle chastises the Corinthians, saying:

1 Corinthians 14:26 (KJV)  How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

Everything that is done in a Church is to be done unto edifying. Everything! That word “edify” is the Greek οἰκοδομή oikodomē which means “to build up or promote spiritual growth in the body”. Everything that is done in God’s Church should be upbuilding, nourishing.

To come together just to speak in tongues builds up no one. To come together to share the love of God and to witness of the glorious Gospel of Christ builds up everyone. Paul goes on to say:

1 Corinthians 14:27-31 (KJV)  If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.  [28]  But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.  [29]  Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.  [30]  If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.  [31]  For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

Every person is to work together in every way possible to aid in the Word of God going forth in an orderly and well understood manner.

If there’s a screaming baby, don’t just stare – BE THE CHURCH.
If there’s a ringing phone, don’t just stare – BE THE CHURCH.
If there’s a flying wasp, don’t just stare – BE THE CHURCH.
Listen. Learn. Grow. Share.
Work together to be a blessing by sharing the Word.

Paul did not forbid speaking in tongues or prophesying in the Church. But if there was no one who could interpret – convert into the understood language of the audience – then the Apostle said “let him keep silence in the Church”.

Without the interpreter present the person so gifted with Tongues was supposed to speak to himself and to God. He was to keep silence in the Church. Why? Because the uninterpreted tongue blesses no one.

And even in prophesy or preaching, teaching, witnessing not everyone was to go at the same time. The Apostle said let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge (listen). What is the point of this?

Can you imagine during the Worship Service I’m preaching, and dear Ruby jumps up and faces the audience. Interrupting what I’m saying she says “and that’s what our Sunday School lesson is going to be on today.” Then Ruby takes off, and starts teaching her Sunday School lesson.

As she gets into her lesson Jimmy jumps up and begins to share what he has for Sunday School. Now he’s trying to over-speak Ruby.

Then Beth Kirby stands up and starts putting her lesson before the Church. If someone were to walk in as a guest it would not be understandable, but confusion.

God does not want His Church confused, but comforted, blessed by the Word of God. All of you who are so gifted are to speak the Word one by one, that all may learn and all may be comforted.

The intent of the Spiritual Gift is never to confuse nor harm, but to build up. This is one of my favorite texts of Scripure, on I wish you all would take to heart:

1 Corinthians 14:32-33 (KJV)  And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.  [33]  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

A Spiritual gift is operated in union with God. The spirits of the prophets are subject to the Prophets. God gives us Spiritual gifts, but we control their use. I control my gift every week. If I didn’t, you would get out of Church Assembly for several hours. I try to monitor my time, and do God’s will within the allotted amount of time we have scheduled. When you are restless and fidgety I know it’s time to close.

And it’s about that time … because we have a Business Meeting to attend to. May God bless your hearts with His Word!

Posted in 1 Corinthians, Sermons Preached, Spiritual Gifts, Witnessing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Mike Buffaloe preaching at Crosspointe Sunday November 12 2017 – Giving

Posted on November 14, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

IMG_3270

Audio of Sermon: 

A powerful sermon that every Church and every Christian needs to hear. We live in prosperity in America. Let’s live for Jesus!

Posted in Faithfulness of God, Following Disciples, General, Sermons Preached | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Love! Love! Love!

Posted on November 14, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

1_Corinthians_13_1t13_LOVE_Riverview_BIBLENOTES

Audio of Sermon: 

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (KJV)  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  [2]  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.  [3]  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

When we hear the word “Charity” we think of giving to someone in need. The word translated “Charity” in our text today is the Greek word AGAPE, which should be translated not so much “Charity” as “Love”. Our New Testament was originally written in Koine Greek, and the ancient Greeks recognized four types of Love.

  1. There Is φιλέω Phileō Or Companiable Love. This is not the highest form of love, but a love based on affection or feeling, a fondness of, a liking. You can see how this love is by reading it in context. For instance, Jesus said:

Matthew 6:5 (NKJV) And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they LOVE {φιλέω Phileō} to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Matthew 10:37 (NKJV) He who LOVES {φιλέω Phileō} father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who LOVES {φιλέω Phileō} son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

Luke 20:46 (NKJV) Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, LOVE {φιλέω Phileō} greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,

Phileō is based on feelings, friendship. People bond together because of Phileō, the forge unions because of Phileō, but Phileō is an ever changing love based on how you feel at the moment. People fall into Phileō and fall out of Phileō. It is a very weak form of love.

  1. There is Στοργή (Storgē) or Natural Affection or Obligation. This is the kind of love that is found between parent and child because of their genetic or spiritual bonding. The word is compounded with Phileō in ..

Romans 12:10 (NKJV) Be KINDLY AFFECTIONATE {φιλόστοργος philoSTORGOS} to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

To show that Christians – all born into God’s family by the Grace of God – should show family love to one another. We are supernaturally brothers and sisters in Christ. My own brothers and sisters are related to me by blood. We have Στοργή (Storgē) for one another.

  1. There is Εροσ (Eros) Or Sexual Love. This type of love is king in America today. It says “I love you because you satisfy me sexually and make me happy”. What does God think of this type of temporal love? Though it was a word known to the ancient Greeks, the word Εροσ (Eros) is not used in the New Testament at all. What we in America so highly prize, God distains as the least of all loves.
  1. Then There Is Ἀγάπη Or Ἀγαπάω (Agapē Or Agapaō), God’s Standard Of Love. Agapē is the word translated “Charity” in our text today. It is God’s love. When the Bible says:

1 John 4:8 (NKJV) He who does not LOVE does not know God, for God is LOVE.

It is not saying that God is EROS or God is STORGĒ or even God is PHILEŌ. The love that God has is not sexual, familial, or even companiable. God is Agapē. Divine love is in no way selfish or self centered, self pleasing. It is a type of love that does good even when bad is done to it. It is a type of love that suffers for the good of others.

As creatures created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) we were designed to best operate from AGAPE, the love of God. Though we love in other ways we do not profit personally nor as a people unless AGAPE in what we operate by.

1 Corinthians 13:1 (KJV)  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not AGAPE, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

In 1 Corinthians 12 the Apostle spoke of Spiritual Gifts in the Church, and noted how these gifts are actually manifestations of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle told us that the Gifts are given to profit the WHOLE CHURCH. Now the Apostle tells us if the gift in operation does not come from AGAPE, God’s love, then that gift itself is just NOISE. Let me put it this way. If you sing a special song for the Church but are doing so for the applause of man (PHILEO) then it is PROFITLESS to either you, or to those who heard you. If you preach a sermon to gain a smile of approval, or to please a parent (STORGE), then what you preached is no more than noise.

AGAPE is for God, from God, to God, and because of God.
AGAPE glorifies God.

1 Corinthians 13:2 (KJV)And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not AGAPE, I am nothing.

Without AGAPE, the love of God that God gives, no matter how spectacular the gift you may display, it is as if there was nothing. AGAPE is what gives the gift power. AGAPE is like salt on a bland food. Without salt it is all as the tasteless white of an egg.

1 Corinthians 13:3 (KJV) And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

I can give it all and leave it all on the table, but without AGAPE there is no profit to me or to others. Anything we do that has self as the motivator is useless. We gain no reward from God for our acts if they are not AGAPE, from the Love of God.

What Does AGAPE Look Like?

This past Tuesday, October 31st of 2017 a misguided Muslim rented a Home Depot van. He drove down the Hudson River Park bike path and ran over 23 people, killing 8 and injuring 15. As he did so he shouted “Allahu Akhbar”—“God is Great” in Arabic. His action was useless. The love He showed did not come from God, but from a demon and a demon possessed heart. The love of God – AGAPE – changes things. Nothing is changed by hatred and hateful acts, nor by love of self or a deluded religion.

What does the Love of God look like?

1 Corinthians 13:4 (KJV) AGAPE suffereth long, and is kind; AGAPE envieth not; AGAPE vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

The love of God is long suffering, patient, kind. The love of God does not envy nor become green eyed over what someone else has. And the love of God is not puffed up, arrogant, or prideful. The Bible says of God that …

Psalm 86:15 (NKJV) But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

God is longsuffering, patient, and kind. The love that comes from God does not seek to destroy an enemy but does good to those who do badly. God tells us to show love even to our enemies. Jesus said:

Matthew 5:43-48 (NKJV) “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall LOVE {ἀγαπάω agapaō} your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, LOVE {ἀγαπάω agapaō} your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you LOVE {ἀγαπάω agapaō} those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

The lost soul and the pretender of religion twists AGAPE, God’s Love. But those who are the Children of God show AGAPE – Divine Love – to our enemies. We do good to those who do bad to us. We pray for those who despitefully use us. We emulate our God Who blesses both good and evil with sun and rain. And God rewards us for doing good even when others do bad to us. He rewards us with blessings, better health, and a crown that fades not away, reserved in Heaven for us (1 Peter 5:4).

How can we do this? When someone beheads a Christian with a dull knife, or rapes a child, or backbites us and smears our reputation, how can we show AGAPE to these MONSTERS? The truth is, they are not monsters. Every human was created in the image of God for more. Every human is precious. How do I know? Because Jesus Christ …

1 John 2:2 (NKJV) … is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but ALSO FOR THE WHOLE WORLD.

1 John 4:9-10 (NKJV) In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son INTO THE WORLD, THAT WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

John 3:16 (NKJV) For GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

God sent the Christ into the world to save the world, because every human is precious. So God does good to those who do bad. God sends His Sun on the good and the bad, and offers His Son to all. We must not dehumanize the sinner, but always remember that the sinner that is unsaved is bound by chains of darkness to the devil and his lost world. Christ’s Gospel is for every person who will receive it.

1 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

AGAPE or God’s Love “does not behave itself UNSEEMLY”. It shows respect to others, and does not conduct itself in a rude or mean way. God’s Love is always Godward. It “seeketh not her own”. It is not in it for itself. Today people ask the question:

“What’s in it for ME?”

AGAPE or the Love that God expects of His Children doesn’t ask this question. The greatest illustration of Love as God wants us to live it is in Jesus Christ. We read:

Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Love does not seek itself, it is not selfish but is willing to give up all in order to better its object. Jesus is very God of very God, yet He humbled Himself and took up the Cross of shame. In so doing He purchased salvation for each and every one of us who believe.

Love kneels and serves as Jesus served. In the ancient world of Christ only a slave washed another person’s feet. One day Jesus knelt and washed His disciple’s feet. He told them:

John 13:13-15 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for [so] I am. (14) If I then, [your] Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. (15) For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Love is not easily provoked. It does not wear a chip on its shoulder. As Jesus hung suffering on the Cross He said:

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do
Luke 23:34

Jesus tells us that when offended we are to …

Matthew 5:39-41 (NKJV) But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

Love is patient with those in darkness. Love does not think evil. It does not spend its nights dreaming of harming those who harmed you, of being hateful.

1 Corinthians 13:6 (KJV)  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

When you were a little child your momma would come in the room and put a thermometer in your mouth. You’d want to talk but momma would say, “Now hush! Keep this under your tongue until I tell you.” You’d sit for what seemed an eternity until momma came back and, pulling the thermometer out, she’d hold it up to the light and look. Momma was looking to see if the mercury – the colored stuff in that glass tube – was lined up with 98.6 degrees. If it was you were fine. Your temperature was normal, and you could resume your life as a kid. You could go back to school (yuk) or go outside and play. That thermometer governed what you did with your life. So it is with love. If you’re where you need to be with God, if your temperature is fine, then love will show in your life. You will be willing to work for God through His Church, just as He has commanded you to do. You will follow your design, not your own whims, knowing that your cooperation with with God and others will be instrumental in winning others to Christ.

The love that God would have us have does not secretly chuckle when our enemy falls. It does not dance on that poor person’s grave. But love does love the TRUTH. It loves the Word of God, because the Word of God is the blessing of God on His people. The Apostle says that Agape …

1 Corinthians 13:7 (KJV)  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Agape looks up, not down. It looks Godward, not fleshward.

And because of this Love – God’s Love – endures. Everything we have now will pass away or cease to be. There will be a day in Heaven when we have no more Bible, for on that day we will stand before the Living Word of God.

1 Corinthians 13:8, 13 (KJV) AGAPE never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. …. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, AGAPE, these three; but the greatest of these is AGAPE.

An ancient preacher named Jerome said:

“The church of Christ has been founded by shedding its own blood, not that of others; by enduring outrage, not by inflicting it.”

Our world desperately needs to see Christian love. They will never see that Love unless they see it through you. The success of the local Church is found on its ability to love like Jesus – no matter what may come. I encourage and exhort you to this type of True Love.

This is what Christ wants for His Church.

Posted in 1 Corinthians, Church, Cross of Christ, Faithfulness of God, Following Disciples, Love One Another, Men and Women, obedience, Sermons Preached | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Blessing Of Naked Obedience

Posted on November 14, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

Audio of Sermon: 

Isaiah 20 The Blessing Of Naked Obedience Riverview BIBLENOTES

Isaiah 20:1-6 (KJV)  In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it;  [2]  At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.  [3]  And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;  [4]  So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.  [5]  And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.  [6]  And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?

711 years before Christ was born Egypt promised Ashdod, a Philistine town about 35 miles west of Jerusalem, that it would protect it if they stood against the Assyrians. The King of Assyria named Sargon (this is the only place in the Bible his name is mentioned) sent his second in command to Ashdod. Rather than send assistance to Ashdod Egypt, scoundrels that they were, reneged on their promise and turned Ashdod over to Assyria.

God despises a lie.
God despises injustice.

God says of the liar who does not do as he promises:

Proverbs 12:22 (NKJV) LYING lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

Revelation 21:8 (NKJV) But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and ALL LIARS shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

Liars and deceivers are grouped sexually immoral people and murderers. This shows us that God hates a lie. God says of deception, injustice, and false weights:

Isaiah 61:8 (ESV) For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

Proverbs 20:23 (NLT) The LORD detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales.

The Egyptians may have justified their dishonesty by saying “But they are Philistines. No one likes Philistines, so let’s treat them dishonestly and use them for our own advantage.” God does not honor this, nor will He bless the deceiver or the liar.

God sent His Son into the world to save whosoever will. Our God …

1 Timothy 2:4 (NIV) wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

He does not hate any one people group. God establishes the nations to afford a certain level of protection for the people so the Gospel can go forth. To use someone as if they were but an animal, to treat someone so disrespectfully, God will not bless it. God will not bless meanness!

The Naked Obedience Of Isaiah

So God told His Prophet Isaiah:

Isaiah 20:2 (KJV) …. Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, WALKING NAKED AND BAREFOOT. 

Say what?
Isaiah was told by God to become a visible sermon.

God specifically told Isaiah to ….

loose the sackcloth from thy loins (the groin)
put off your shoe from your foot

And Isaiah did so, walking NAKED and BAREFOOT!

Let me say two things about this text. First, I’m glad God never asked me to preach naked to you. And I hope you all will AMEN that! But secondly to a Hebrew to be NAKED (עָרוֹם `arowm) can mean “BARE NAKED”or the word can mean “in your Fruit of the Looms” or “Loincloth”. A good example of this is when King David had the Ark returned to Jerusalem. When the Ark of the Covenant was brought back into Jerusalem King David danced before the Ark “wearing a linen ephod” or loincloth.

2 Samuel 6:14, 20 (NKJV) Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod (loin cloth) …

David was not BARE NAKED, but he was in his “Fruit of the Looms”. You could tell whether he was wearing boxers or briefs! But when David returned home his first wife Michal chewed him out.

2 Samuel 6:20 (NKJV) Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious was the king of Israel today, UNCOVERING HIMSELF today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows SHAMELESSLY UNCOVERS HIMSELF!”

For the King to show his underthings was highly politically incorrect – Ark or no Ark! One of the commentaries I consulted stated:

“With the great importance attached to the clothing in the East, where the feelings upon this point are peculiarly sensitive and modest, a person was looked upon as stripped and naked if he had only taken off his upper garment. What Isaiah was directed to do, therefore, was simply opposed to common custom, and not to moral decency. He was to lay aside the dress of a mourner and preacher of repentance, and to have nothing on but his tunic (cetoneth); and in this, as well as barefooted, he was to show himself in public. This was the costume of a man who had been robbed and disgraced, or else of a beggar or prisoner of war.” (Delitzsch, 1:372)

So we have Isaiah – barefoot and in his Fruit of the Looms – walking around in public for three years. He was supposed to do this for THREE YEARS! We see that in verse:

Isaiah 20:3-4 (KJV) And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath WALKED NAKED AND BAREFOOT THREE YEARS for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;  [4]  So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

Isaiah walked around town barefooted and looking like some of these confused people with their pants hanging down around their ankles for three years! Can you imagine the ridicule that Isaiah went through?

Isaiah did what God said without question.
And kept on doing it for three years!

Yet Isaiah never questioned God, but immediately responded and did as the Lord asked him to do. He did not hesitate. He did not argue. There is no indication that even GOD told Isaiah why he was to do as he did. God just said:

Shoes off.
Strip to the Fruit of the Looms.
Walk in public.

and Isaiah did it. What did Isaiah get out of doing what God said? Notice how God address Isaiah:

Isaiah 20:3 (KJV) And the LORD said, Like as MY SERVANT ISAIAH

Isaiah is MY SERVANT. I claim Isaiah. He has a special place in My Eternal YAHWEH Heart, because Isaiah loves me more than he loves anything or anyone else.

Isaiah loves Me more than he loves himself.
Isaiah is willing to go against political correctness, against the darkness.
Isaiah is not a dim bulb in the midst of the darkness.
He is willing to obey Me above all else.
Isaiah is MY Servant!

God Blesses Obedience

God blesses the Child who does what He says without question, without debate, without argument. What did Christ say?

John 14:15-16 (ESV) If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever …

Obedience leads to blessing. If you love Jesus, you obey Him. If you obey Him, He sends his Spirit to be with you. One follows the other.

Beaten and mocked for preaching Christ, the Jewish rulers dragged Peter and the Apostles in front of an angry crowd. “Stop telling people about Jesus!” they were told. But Peter and the Apostles replied:

We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)

The Church today has capitulated to the darkness. We know what God has said. We know what He has endorsed, and what He has not endorsed. But rather than go against the world, rather than lose our tax exempt status and our financial perks, rather than be chided as haters and racists we would rather back away from His Word and go with public opinion. I watched a clip the other day where a comedienne I personally like named Ellen Degeneres thanked President Obama for changing her life. “Thank you, President Obama, because I am now legally married to my wife”. I would that Ellen knew Christ and the power of His Word, and that such a lifestyle is not blessed by God. It is disobedient to His will. But many people live this way. Many who profess Christ live this way.

There is no blessing in disobedience, no blessing in delay in doing as God has asked. What did John say?

1 John 5:3 (ESV) For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

What God asks us to do He will bless us in doing, if we will but trust Him. Isaiah immediately stripped down to his loin cloth and did as God said for three years. God told Isaiah at the beginning of his Book:

Isaiah 1:19-20 (NKJV) If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; 20 But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

I have known men who professed they knew Christ, and yet refused to be baptized in water in obedience to our Lord’s command. Those men have gone beyond the veil into death. Are these professors with Christ or in a burning hell this very moment? I do not know. But I do know that if God has commanded it, it must be done. To be baptized in water is no grievous thing, nor is it a hardship. Walking around in your underwear for three years is grievous but bearable if God tells you to do it. Would you rather be baptized in water – something that takes only a few seconds – or walk around in your underwear three years. Tell me, quick. Which?

I have known professors of Christ who refuse to give but a pittance to God. God has given us everything, and asks that we in generosity give a small portion back. There are believers who skip Church on Sunday morning but attend other services so they can keep all their green paper in their pockets. I have known people who are niggardly, stingy, cheap, penny pinching for the things of God but extravagant in what they give to themselves. God tells His people:

Malachi 3:10 (ESV) Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Several years ago at another Church I asked the members to bring food to the Church Pantry. One of the members – I know not who – brought several sacks of expired food to the Church. By expired I mean the date stamp on the cans were 2-3 years out of date. They went shopping, replenished their cabinets, and brought the out of date food for the poor. God is not pleased with such stinginess. I have often gone through Church storage sheds and thrown away “donated” broken items that were given to God, while people kept the newer for themselves. God is not pleased.

Witnessing The Bible tells us that …

John 3:16 (KJV)   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God sent Jesus to save the world, and commands us to tell others about Him. Thankfully we do not need to do it in our underwear. God loves everyone, and just wants us to tell everyone that God made them and loves them. Look at your neighbor and tell them:

God made you and loves you!

That’s not hard. I was at a Bookstore with my wife last week, found a book I wanted, and went out to the car to wait on my wife. When she’s shopping I go sit in the car and read. A man with a long beard pulled up next to me, got out of his car, and said with a smile:

“Are you here selling Bibles?”

He saw the Riverview signs on the side of my van. I said “No, I’m sitting here reading. But I’d love to tell you about the Lord.” As he walked away he said “What can you tell me about the Lord?” Before he went into the store I loudly said “The Lord made you and He loves you”. He stopped, turned and looked at me, and said …

“I can agree with that”.

He went in the store, and I thought that was the end of it. So I went back to reading. After about 15 minutes (my wife is still shopping) the door opens and the man comes out, heading to my car. I prepare to tell him about the love of God in Christ when he walks up and says “I got this for you”. He grins as he hands me a little Gideon Bible that had a “Free” tag on it, something the store was giving away. I took it and thanked him for it. Then he handed me an old book he found, an old Bible Story book printed in 1904. He showed me the illustrations in it, and I went to hand it back to him. He said, “No, you keep it”, and walked away, got in his car, and drove off. What was God doing in all this? It was a test. Did I plant a seed of the Gospel? Or was this a Christian brother, or an angel entertained unaware? I don’t know. But God rewards faithfulness.

God Punishes Disobedience

Isaiah was to walk around in his underwear for three years. Put that in perspective with what God has asked US to do. I am reminded of how God came to a man named Jonah and told him …

Jonah 1:2 (KJV)  Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

What did Jonah do? He ran away from what God told him to do. Jonah was – just as we are today – politically correct. He didn’t like Ninevites. Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria, and Assyria was an enemy of Israel, and Jonah hated Assyrians. So Jonah refused to do what God told him to do. Jonah only had to go to Nineveh and “Cry against it”, tell them they were dishonoring God and God was fed up with it. But Jonah refused. He ran away.

You can’t run away from God.

God found Jonah, and Jonah was thrown into the sea in the midst of a storm. Then God sent a Great Fish (Jonah 1:17) to swallow Jonah. Not a whale, but a great fish, a creature that God designed specifically for Jonah. God can do that. God can do anything God wants to do. So God sends a Great Fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah sits in the gastric juices of this Great Fish for three days and three nights. His clothing is digesting, his hair bleaching. It had to stink. When you disobey God there are consequences. Finally Jonah cries out and begs God to deliver him from the belly of this fish (Jonah 2:1). The Bible says:

Jonah 2:10 (KJV)  And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

Jonah was vomited out on the shores of Nineveh, and here he went into the city preaching as God had commanded. I suspect that Jonah was preaching nearly naked at this time, because the gastric juices of a fish would have partially digested his clothing. Jonah still did what God told him to do, did it badly, but God reigned. God always reigns.

When you do what God says there is blessing, but when you disobey God there are always consequences. And what God wants done will be done. If you disobey God, God will raise up another. But God’s will will always be accomplished!

God told another or His people called Abraham …

Genesis 22:2 (NKJV) … “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

Abraham waited a hundred years for this boy to be born. Now God wants him to execute him. You would expect Abraham to say to God “I’d rather preach in my underwear”. What did Abraham say? NOTHING. Abraham rose early in the morning, and took his son Isaac to kill him as God asked. Once they got to the mountain Abraham tied the boy to the altar, took his knife, and prepared to end his life. God stopped him.

Genesis 22:12 (NKJV) … “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

There may be times when God asks us to do difficult things, but if God brings us TO it God will take us THROUGH it. We are to obey Him and His Word. Though all the world be against us, though no one stand with you, to obey God is always where the blessing lies. The writer of Hebrews said:

Hebrews 11:19 (NKJV) … {Abraham concluded} that God was able to raise {Isaac} up, even from the dead …

God had promised Abraham a seed, and God would not break His Word. What God asks us to do, to believe, to obey God will bless. Faith means to listen for the Voice of God, to hear what He says, and to obey Him. What God asks us to do is not unreasonable, nor is it overly difficult.

Why Did God Have Isaiah Preach In His Underwear?

God used Isaiah to start a conversation among the Egyptians that could lead to a conversion. The question God wanted the Egyptians to ask is:

Isaiah 20:6 (KJV) And THE INHABITANT OF THIS ISLE SHALL SAY IN THAT DAY, BEHOLD, SUCH IS OUR EXPECTATION, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE?

God wanted the lost to examine their hopeless and helpless situation and ask “How shall we escape?”. How indeed?

Hebrews 2:2-3 (NKJV) For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

The inhabitants of the isles cannot rely on themselves, nor on Egypt. How shall they escape destruction? Only through God can they be saved. God will save whosoever will. But there must be repentance, there must be obedience. Oh, how God would save you, dear Sinner, as He saved this sinner, this awful grievous sinner. Oh how God would bless your life if you would quit debating Him and begin instead to walk with Him. He calls you to His side. Isaiah preached naked knowing God would protect him, and God will protect you. But you must hear Him. You must come to Him by His Son. You must receive Christ as Lord and Savior, then live following Him for blessing. God blesses naked obedience, but will not honor the disobedient and half hearted. Receive Him as He is and learn of Him this very day. For Christ’s sake, and for yours.

May God touch your hearts with His Word.

Posted in Great Commission, Isaiah, Jesus, obedience, Order, Sermons Preached | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Church As Christ Planned It

Posted on November 2, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

Audio of Sermon: 

1In 1 Corinthians 11 we talked about God’s created order. We also discussed the order and ministration of the Lord’s Table. Now the Lord talks about the Church as Christ meant it to be. We read:

1 Corinthians 12:1-7 (KJV)1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit with all.

The Christian Church has three sources of power that the world does not have.

The Church Is Empowered By God’s Word

The Church has as a source of power The Word of God. The Word of God instructs us.

I saw a friend trying to put a baby crib together one time, and all the time he was fussing. “Who is the world thought this thing up! Nothing fits. It makes no sense!”. I asked him “What do the instructions say to do?”. His reply? “I don’t need any instructions. I can do this myself!”

This is what the world does today in nearly every part of life.
Is your marriage falling apart?
Could it be because you’re not following the Manufacturer’s Instructions, the Bible?
Is your family in disarray?
Could it be because you’re not following the Maker’s Plan?

God says of His Word:

Isaiah 40:8 (NKJV) The grass withers, the flower fades, But the WORD OF OUR GOD stands forever.”

Jesus’ Words when attacked were “It Is Written”. God’s Word makes for growth and order. The Bible says that in the early Church when …

… the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7)

There is NO SALVATION without the Word of God. It is the Word of God that gives us the Gospel promises. It is the Word of God that must be believed to be saved. There is NO SANCTIFICATION or growth without the Word of God. The Bible says:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

It is this Word of God today that will instruct us on …

1 Corinthians 12:1 (KJV) Now concerning SPIRITUAL GIFTS, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

The Church Is Empowered By The Spirit Of God

The first word in SPIRITUAL Gifts is SPIRITUAL or SPIRIT. The Holy Spirit of God. There are Spiritual Gifts in the Church, but before the Apostle speaks of Spiritual Gifts he speaks of the HOLY SPIRIT. Why? Because …

The power of the Christian – the power to understand Scripture and the power to do great works is in the indwelling Holy Spirit of God.

We were all “Gentiles” or lost people before we were saved by the Grace of God.

1 Corinthians 12:2 (KJV) Ye know that ye WERE Gentiles,
carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

We WERE Gentiles. You were a Gentile before you were saved. As Gentiles YOU WERE “carried away by dumb idols”. You followed NOTHING. You followed:

Flesh
Feelings
Foolishness
Fantasies

You made gods of these nothings, these imaginings, these desires. You were “carried AWAY” by these things.

Psalm 115:4-9 (NKJV) Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. 5 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 6 They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; 7 They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. 8 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them. 9 O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.

As Gentiles we were carried away by dumb idols.
The lost today are carried away by their nothing gods.
But the saved are empowered by their God.

1 Corinthians 12:3 (KJV) Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

The Mark of the Christian is how that person perceives and expresses Christ. The person who is lost “calls Christ accursed”. They use Jesus’ name in foul curse words. They mock His teachings.

The lost dissect what God has said, and throw away the parts that they do not like,
but keep the parts they do like.
Like the Deist Thomas Jefferson they take a knife to the Bible,
and cut out what they disagree with while retaining what they like.
“God is love” is in, but “God commands” is out.

You say “but I know Christians who do not believe the whole Bible”. They may be “Christian” but they are operating as if lost. The Christian proper and genuine follows the Word of God and the Spirit of God. The Christian is indwelt by the Spirit of God, also called the Spirit of Truth. Jesus said:

John 16:13-15 (NKJV) However, when He, the SPIRIT OF TRUTH, HAS COME, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

John 14:15-17 (NKJV) “If you love Me, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, WHOM THE WORLD CANNOT RECEIVE, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

The Holy Spirit indwells every Christian who is saved by faith in the LORD Jesus Christ. As our text tells us:

no man can say that JESUS IS THE LORD, but by the Holy {Spirit}.

It is the Holy Spirit that promotes the preeminence of Christ in SALVATION and in CHRISTIAN LIVING. It is the Holy Spirit that causes God’s Church to be in one accord.

The Church Is Blessed By The Manifestation Of The Spirit, The Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:4 (KJV) Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

The Spiritual Gift when it operates is the MANIFESTATION of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle tells us “there are DIVERSITIES of GIFTS”, that is, there are many different spiritual gifts in the Church, but “the same Spirit” – only One Holy Spirit behind that gift.

1 Corinthians 12:5 (KJV) And there are differences of ADMINISTRATIONS,
but the same Lord.

“Administrations” is the Greek διακονία diakonia which means ministry or service to those in need. God raises up and empowers people to act as servants, ministering to the needs of the saints of His house. There are different types of DIAKONIA, but the same Lord is behind every gift.

1 Corinthians 12:6 (KJV) And there are diversities of OPERATIONS, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

“Operations” is the Greek ἐνέργημα energēma which means “workings”, a focused expenditure of energy. Some spiritual gifts do not so much as minister to a weakness so much as they supply other necessary functions. Though there are different out-workings, the same God works all in all. It is not a human function, but a Divine enablement.

What is the point the Apostle makes here? Regardless as to what is done in the Body of Christ, the Church, everything is to be done through the power of God’s Holy Spirit. This necessitates that every action done be done PRAYERFULLY and FOR GOD’S GLORY.

This is where many Churches fail today, and why so many Churches close their doors every year. The Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development noted that 4000 Churches close every year compared to 1000 new Church starts. Why is this? The Churches that close rely on human effort rather than God’s Empowerment. Jesus said:

John 15:4-6 (NKJV) Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

The local Church in America today is in many cases trying to compromise with the world rather than align itself with God’s Power and God’s Word. As Light aligns with darkness it becomes part of the darkness. This is why many close. There is no more value in going to a dead, spiritless Church than there is in going to a movie theater whose projector bulb is blown out.

Abiding in Christ we bear MUCH fruit. Abiding in the darkness we bear NO fruit. Abiding partway in Christ and partway in self we bear LITTLE fruit. We must abide in Him. And here is a key passage:

1 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit {with all}.

The Spiritual Gift exercised is a MANIFESTATION of the Holy Spirit. The Gifts are given not to bless just the person who wields the gift, but to BLESS THE CHURCH ITSELF.

No Spiritual Gift is operated SELFISHLY but SELFLESSLY.

The King James says the “manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit WITHAL”, which is the Old English word for “With All”. Where a gift functions, if it is a gift, it profits the Body of Christ. These “Gifts” are given as God sees fit to bestow them. They are “Gifts”. We do not earn nor deserve them. God gives them to each member to bless His Church.

Part 2
The Church As Christ Planned It

Last Sunday night we discussed the Church as Christ planned it. Let me share with you a common conversation that your Pastor often has with others. This conversation was between myself and someone who is NOT a member of our Church.

“Do you visit Nursing Homes?” I am asked. “Why yes. I visit where ever our people are.” Then he looks at me. “Well, so and so is in this Nursing Home, and you haven’t visited him. You know that he’s a member of this Church”.

Of course I’ll go and visit so and so at this Nursing Home he’s in. But the individual that is a “member” of our Church has not entered the building since I’ve been pastor here these five years. Someone is in the “Membership Roll” but never attends the Church, is never a part (unless it’s a non-preaching eating meeting), never tithes, and never contributes in any way, no one knows them. Yet this person or persons are “Members”. I had a similar conversation years ago when someone lamented that “This Church doesn’t take care of its members”. I asked, “Who are we not taking care of?” They told me someone’s name that I have NEVER met, NEVER seen in Church, wouldn’t know if they came up and smacked me.

The Apostle saw the Church as an operating Body of Believers,
DISCIPLES who follow the Lord TOGETHER.

A DISCIPLE is a believer who follows the DISCIPLINES of the Scripture.
DISCIPLES believe the Word of God, study the Word of God, and live by the Word of God. DISCIPLES who grow allow the indwelling Holy Spirit to operate through them.

1 Corinthians 12:8-12 (KJV) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

It’s impossible to read through this text and not see the Spirit of God as the main Subject. In this text we learn that …

The Same Spirit Manifests
The Various Gifts In The Body

vvs 12 … as the body is ONE, and hath MANY members, and
all the members of that one body, BEING MANY, ARE ONE BODY

MANY can be ONE when the Holy Spirit is operating through them all.

The Church is likened to a Body, a human Body. Just as the human body has many members – eyes, ears, mouth, tongue, head, hands, fingers, feet – both seen and unseen – heart, lungs, stomach, bowels – so does the Church. Each “Member” in the Church is not a “Member” on paper alone. Each “Member” is a “Member” because God set them in the Body. Each “Member” is a “Member” because each person has a function in the Church. And though each “Member” has differing “manifestations of the Spirit” the “Members” function together for the overall spiritual health of the Body, the Church.

That is why saying “so and so” is a “member” but “so and so” never attends the Church meetings is so foolish. I knew a man years ago (he is now with the Lord) who was in a tragic accident, one which severed his right leg from his body. As a result he wore a prosthesis, an artificial leg to take the place of that member that was lost. He didn’t keep the old leg. That leg was dead. Though it WAS a member of his Body, it no longer is because it was severed.

And here is another thing that the Apostle’s writing clears up. I have heard people say “I am a Christian, but I do not attend Church. I can worship Jesus fishing on Sunday just as well as I can coming to a Church”. The Apostle illustrates that every member of Christ is a member of some Body some where. To say “I am a Christian” but to deny the assembly of the Body is Biblically unsound. The Apostle says in another text:

Hebrews 10:23-25 (NKJV) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Part of “holding fast our confession of hope” is that we gather together as Christ’s Body stirring one another up to love and good works. We come together as Christ intended as a Body. Before our Lord Jesus began His earthly ministry He …

  1. … was Baptized in water (Matthew 3:13-17)

  2. … called others to minister with Him, people He called “disciples” (Matthew 4:18-22)

Now Jesus is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (1 Timothy 6:15) to Whom “every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess” (Philippians 2:10). If it were possible that anyone be a “Church of One” it would have been Jesus. But Jesus Christ surrendered to water Baptism and faithful attendance with His people. You are NOT being a Christian if you are not part of a Body of believers, a functioning part.

1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (KJV) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

It is the Holy Spirit of God Who gives the gifts. The Apostle does not list all of the Spiritual Gifts here, nor do I believe He lists every spiritual gift that is possible. A Spiritual Gift is a manifestation of the Spirit designed to bless and edify the whole Body.

Word of Wisdom
Word of Knowledge
Faith
Gifts of Healing
Working of Miracles
Prophecy or Preaching
Discerning Of Spirits
Many Types Of Tongues
Interpretation Of Tongues

The Apostle Paul lists spiritual gifts here, as well as in:

Romans 12:6-8 (KJV)  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;  [7]  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;  [8]  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Ephesians 4:11-13 (KJV)  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  [12]  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  [13]  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

What is interesting is that the Apostle Paul is the only Apostle who lists spiritual gifts. Each gift is given by the Holy Spirit to members of the Body of Christ as He wills. We do not earn nor deserve the gifts, nor can we work our way up to them. The Apostle Paul became an Apostle on the day Christ knocked him down on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:5-6). When God told Ananias to go to the newly converted Paul He said:

Acts 9:15 (KJV)  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Paul was God’s Apostle cause God said so, and God gives His calling and gifts as He sees fit.

The Spiritual Gifts are designed to work together. You can see this in the Gifts that Paul mentions. There is wisdom, which is the ability to apply knowledge. Then there is the gift of knowledge. God gives some members a great ability to KNOW, and others a great ability to APPLY WHAT IS KNOWN or Wisdom. God binds the Body together through His Spirit.

The Gifting And Forming Of The Church Is Of The Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:13-14 (KJV) For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  [14]  For the body is not one member, but many.

There are FOUR THINGS the Holy Spirit does to the believer at the point of salvation:

  1. You are BORN AGAIN by the Spirit. Our Lord Jesus told Nicodemus,

John 3:5 (NKJV) … “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

  1. You are INDWELT by the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

  1. You are SEALED by the Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV) In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

  1. You are BAPTIZED by the Spirit. We are baptized or united into one Body by the Holy Spirit. The Baptism of the Spirit places the believer into union with Christ and with other believers in the Body of Christ. The Baptism of the Spirit occurs in every believer’s life at the point of salvation. Note the Apostle said:

by one Spirit are we ALL baptized into one body

and

have been ALL MADE to drink into one Spirit

The Baptism of the Spirit is not just a special experience for a select few. This is what many “Pentecostals” believe, but this is not supported by the Scripture.

It is through the Spirit’s Baptism we are separated from the sinful world, translated into Christ’s Kingdom. The Apostle said:

Romans 6:1-4 (NKJV) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

It is not water baptism that causes us to die to sin, but Spirit Baptism.
Water Baptism is an outward expression of faith in Christ.
Spirit Baptism is an inward change wrought by God the day you were saved.

My relationship with the world changed the day that Christ came into my life, and yours did, too. You became buried with Christ, identifying with His death. Because of Spirit Baptism we walk in newness of life. Dr. Charles Stanley notes in his book The Wonderful, Spirit Filled Life:

“Every believer has been baptized by the Holy Spirit. Baptism symbolizes our identification with the body of Christ. To be baptized into the body is to be placed into the body, which happens at the moment of salvation.”

Dr. Billy Graham wrote in his book The Holy Spirit:

“In my own study of the Scriptures through the years I have become convinced that there is only one baptism with the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer, and that takes place at the moment of conversion.”

Dr. R.C. Sproul wrote in his book The Mystery Of The Holy Spirit:

The Bible does not support the notion that one group of believers has the baptism and another group does not: “There are not two levels of believers—–gifted and non-gifted, baptized in the Spirit and not baptized in the Spirit.”

If you have been saved by faith in Christ you have been baptized by the Spirit. You are transformed from the Kingdom of Darkness into Christ’s Kingdom.

Someone asked “Should I seek to be baptized by the Spirit?”. Dr. Ray Pritchard writes:

“The answer is no. Nowhere in the New Testament are believers told to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We are exhorted to be FILLED with the Spirit, to WALK in the Spirit, to QUENCH NOT the Spirit, to make sure that WE DO NOT GRIEVE the Holy Spirit. All these things are ongoing commands for the people of God—and all should be on our hearts and minds everyday. But NOWHERE IN SCRIPTURE ARE WE COMMANDED TO BE BAPTIZED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. {this is something God does to YOU}

If we ask why there is no such command, the answer is not difficult to find. If you are a Christian, you were baptized with the Spirit the moment you were saved so you don’t need to seek what you already have. If you aren’t a genuine Christian, you don’t need to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, you need Jesus first and foremost.”

We are baptized in the Spirit so that we can …

We Walk TOGETHER In Newness Of Life

If God has saved you, you are INDWELT, SEALED, BORN AGAIN, and SPIRIT BAPTIZED. Those whom God has changed and is changing He calls together to walk in newness of life.

We work together for the glory of our God! Just as the human body is comprised of many different parts, and every part equally important, so is the Church, the Body of Christ. Every Church member is important. Every part of your body is important.

1 Corinthians 12:15-18 (KJV)  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  [16]  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  [17]  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?  [18]  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, AS IT HATH PLEASED HIM.

Just as every part of the human body has a distinctive gifting and ability, every part of the Church of Christ has a distinctive gifting and ability. Some say “But I had no idea I have a spiritual gift”. This is perhaps because you have not been surrendered in your life to the Spirit of God. Let me ask you:

Do you READ His Word daily?
Do you DO what God says do, or do you critique His commands?
Do you PRAY and seek God’s will in your life?
Are you ABIDING in Christ?
Do you seek out opportunities to PUT LOVE IN ACTION?
Do you just USE people, or do you LOVE people?

How you answer these questions will determine whether you are used of God or not. And if God has gifted you, praise Him, because every gift is important. God sets the gifts as it pleases HIM, not us, but HIM. We use the gifts to glorify and magnify the Name of our Lord.

1 Corinthians 12:19-25 (KJV)  And if they were all one member, where were the body?  [20]  But now are they many members, yet but one body.  [21]  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  [22]  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:  [23]  And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  [24]  For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked:  [25]  That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

In the next Chapter (1 Corinthians 13) the Apostle focuses on what the King James called “Charity” or Love. Why did God require His Children to be gathered together as a Church? Because through the Church the Father teaches us LOVE.

The Kingdom of God is based on LOVE. I’m going to preach 1 Corinthians 13 this Sunday morning. Love is outward as well as inward. The world needs Love as God has defined it. There are many members in the Body of Christ, the Church, but each member requires the loving operation of the other member to function.

Vs 21 the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee:
nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 

As God gave each human a body with varied members that work together for the good of the body, so has God given us His Church. Every member needs the other. The human body was not given to us with its various giftings to be used selfishly for us, but to glorify God. As the Scripture says:

1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV)  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

We who are born, sealed, indwelt and baptized by the Spirit are not enemies of the Cross and partners with darkness. These who do not love God are those of whom the Scripture says:

Philippians 3:19 (KJV)  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things…

Our God is the God of the Bible, the God of true Scripture, the God Who saved us by giving His Blood for us. His Spirit flows through us, empowers us, causes us to ever move forward and ever reach upward. God gave us His Church so that we can learn love.

Vs 25 …. that the members should have the same care one for another

The Scripture says “God hath tempered the Body together”. It is God Who adds to the Body. It is God Who takes away from the Body. It is God at work in us, doing what He feels we need for His glory.

1 Corinthians 12:26-31 (KJV)  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.  [27]  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.  [28]  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.  [29]   Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?  [30]  Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?  [31]  But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

As Paul enumerates the gifts he emphasizes that not all have the same gifts. Each member is gifted as God sets the gifts.

The Pentecostal will say – incorrectly so – that you must speak in tongues before you are baptized in the Spirit. Pastor Dr. Charles Stanley gives a wonderful explanation as to why tongues were used in the early Church. On pages 152-162 of his book The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life Dr. Stanley notes than in each instance when tongues were used as a sign in the early Church, a major new group was introduced into the Body of Christ.

The Jews entered the Church in Acts 2.
The Samaritans entered the Church in Acts 8.
The Gentiles were incorporated into the Church in Acts 10.
And the Disciples of John the Baptist entered the Church in Acts 19.

This was the beginning of the Baptism, and tongues were used as a sign so the early Church could believe. But by the time the Apostle wrote 1 Corinthians he declared:

… 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?  [30]  Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

The rhetorical question Paul was asking requires a firm NO. Not all are Apostles. Not all are Prophets. Not all are Teachers, nor Miracle Workers. Not all have gifts of Healing. Not all speak in Tongues, nor Interpret Tongues. The Pentecostal second blessing teaching does not stand the test of Scripture.

The purpose of the Spiritual gifts was not elitism, nor schism, but the same Spirit working all in all. The Church that loves and unites in love will experience the blessing of the Spirit’s manifestation not just this Sunday, but every time it meets.

May God touch your hearts with His Love.

Posted in 1 Corinthians, Church, Following Disciples, Following Jesus, General, Sermons Preached | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Burden of Egypt, Blessing of Grace

Posted on October 29, 2017 by bibleteacherorg

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Isaiah 19:1 (KJV) The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

Isaiah 19:18-25 (KJV) In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction. [19] In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. [20] And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and He shall send them a Savior, and a Great One, and He shall deliver them. [21] And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it. [22] And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them. [23] In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. [24] In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: [25] Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

Audio of Sermon:

8:30 AM 

11 AM 

There is a wonderful prophecy, part of which was fulfilled and part which is yet to come, found in our text today. God spoke through Isaiah and prophesied that the LORD was to ride upon a swift cloud and come into Egypt. God was coming to destroy the idolatry, the worship of false gods and goddesses, in that place. And God would take the heart of the Egyptians and cause the heart of Egypt to melt. He would soften their hearts after He destroyed their idols.

God sent Assyria into Egypt, and Assyria overthrew this world power. In verse 22 we see the reason for the destruction of Egypt:

the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.

The reason that God strikes a person or a nation is not to primarily destroy, but to heal them. God brings tragedy into the arrogant life to cause us to look upward, to trust Him, to love Him. We become so self focused at times that we forget that life is but a gift from God, a stewardship that He has placed in our trust.

Ecclesiastes 5:19 (NKJV) As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor—THIS IS THE GIFT OF GOD.

We do not earn nor deserve the lives we have. It is God Who has given us life. The Lord says

Ezekiel 18:4 (NKJV) Behold! All souls are MINE; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine!

We belong to God. We forget this. Nations belong to God. Nations, composed of people, forget this. God raises up nations, and God causes nations to fall. The Apostle said:

Romans 13:1-3 (NKJV) Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For THERE IS NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT FROM GOD, AND THE AUTHORITIES THAT EXIST ARE APPOINTED BY GOD. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.

President Obama was in office 8 years because the Lord granted it. President Trump is in office now because God granted it. We vote, and should vote, but God is in control. Everything we have and are as a nation is because God has allowed it. He – in the words of the Old King James – suffered us. And God suffers much because of us. He owns everything. Your bank accounts are His, for your souls are His, and He controls what happens to us. And God, like He did with Egypt, can bring or allow to be brought tragedy into a nation. But His intent is not raw destruction, but the desire to draw us back into a sane relationship with Him.

Egypt fell under Assyria, but God had another prophecy in this text that has yet to be fulfilled, a Millennial Kingdom where Grace reigns. God speaks in our text of a time when the Lord is acknowledged and Christ rules, a time when peace is restored to the land.

Where Grace reigns, and people turn to the Lord, wonderful things happen. That’s what our text now focuses on. Oh that God would melt the hearts hardened against Him today. Oh that you would love Him as He loves you. Oh, that you would call upon Jesus, and trust Him to live your life through. Oh that you would see life as a stewardship of God! Oh that you would see life as a stewardship of God!

Where Grace Reigns The Hardest Hearts – and Tongues – Are Changed

Isaiah 19:18 (KJV) In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts …

In the history of the Bible there was no more hardened heart than the hearts of the Egyptians. The first nations mentioned in the Bible are Havilah (Arabia), Cush (Ethiopia), and Assyria (Genesis 2:11). Egypt is not mentioned until the calling of Abraham by God. The Egyptians looked upon Abram’s wife Sarai and Abram told them she was his sister to protect his own life. When the Pharaoh of Egypt took Sarai to himself the Lord judged him by sending plagues to his house (Genesis 12:17). The first Pharaoh that God encounters quickly repents, and returns Sarai to her foolish husband Abram.

The future Pharaoh would not be so soft hearted.

Egypt was a land where, the philosophers said, “people grew gods in their gardens”. Joseph would be sold into slavery to Egypt, and the nation of Israel would become slaves to Egypt for over 400 years. God would raised up Moses and demand through him to Pharaoh “Let My people go, that they can worship Me in the wilderness” (Exodus 5:1). But Pharaoh would harden his heart until ten plagues nearly destroyed all of Egypt. Pharaoh’s heart was so hard that he led his army to destruction into the parted Red Sea. Egypt is a picture of idolatry. But

Isaiah 19:18 (KJV) In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts …

When the Lord touches the heart with His Grace He changes the language of a person. Before I knew Christ my language was foul, cursing, evil. I followed the pattern of my masters, the flesh, the world, and the devil. But God put a new word in my mouth, and a new song in my heart. We who are saved may have been hard hearted as Pharaoh before meeting the Spirit, but God melted that heart with His Grace. God says to us:

Isaiah 51:16 (NIV) I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand– I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.'”

God’s people learn the language of Canaan. We learn His Word as He teaches us. Just as a parent takes his newborn and begins to speak love to the babe, God takes us and through His Word teaches us to speak. We who are saved learn and love the language of Canaan, the Promised Word. And we speak His Word regardless as to the lesser word of the world. As God said in Jeremiah …

Jeremiah 1:9-10 (NKJV) Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. 10 See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.”

God’s Word is pure and holy and right. “Every Word of God is pure: He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him” (Proverbs 30:5). It is a such a shame that so many alleged believers have compromised His Word. I have heard the oft repeated statement “Times are changing, but the Bible doesn’t change with the times.” Beloved, when has right ever changed with wrong to be part of the darkness. What God has said is true. “Let God be true, and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).

Our Master has said: Matthew 4:4 (NKJV) … “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

The Father teaches His children the language He speaks. A parent who speaks English teaches his child English, not Spanish. A parent who is German teaches his child German, not Portuguese. The Father of Heaven teaches His Children the language of Canaan, the language of the promised Land above. Though you may have been as hard hearted as the Egyptian, you are now His Beloved Child by Christ’s Blood. Though once you spoke the ga ga goo goos of the world, the nonsense of futile darkness, you now speak His language. Your marching orders are to:

Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV) Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may IMPART GRACE TO THE HEARERS.

Furthermore, whereas we once cursed God, making His Holy Name a joke and a mockery, those born into His Family magnify His Name.

Isaiah 19:18 (KJV) In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts …

Our tongues called upon His Name to be saved. Our tongues now exalt Him Who loved us,

Titus 2:14 (NKJV) … Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Galatians 1:4 (NKJV) Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

We were given the language of Canaan because that is our destination, that glorious Beulah Land where love reigns. We are not darkness, but we are light in the Lord. The dog no longer barks, the pig no longer oinks, but we sing a new song to our Master as we ascend to glory!

Where Grace Is, The Savior Is!

Isaiah 19:19 (KJV) In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.

Egypt is the land of pyramids and stone gods. When people think of the capital city of Egypt, Cairo, they think of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids. These were great monuments not to God, but to death and falseness. But where Grace comes, death does not dominate, but worship of the Lord does. Whereas the middle of Egypt used to be an altar to a Great Pyramid, now there is an altar to the Great God Who created all things. Whereas there were pillars where people clung to, now people worship at the pillar of God. Our trust was in other things, but now the saved Child trusts in God our Father.

Psalm 62:7 (NKJV) In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.

Psalm 18:2 (NKJV) The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

We worship the Lord because He has saved us. What has He saved us from? God sent unto us a GREAT SAVIOR. Our text says:

Isaiah 19:20 (KJV) And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a Savior, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.

For years we tried living our lives in this sad, dark world. We tried doing it our way. We made brick to please the masters, but then the masters took away the straw and demanded more and more. The devil cannot be pleased. For every inch you give the world, it will demand another. The flesh cannot be satisfied. We tried it our way, and were miserable. Like the Egyptians we sat by the fleshpots and ate. We made up gods to follow.

So we cried out.

Romans 7:24 (NKJV) O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Sin and death oppressed us, so we cried out. And the Father sent us a Savior, a GREAT Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus came with but one mission in mind, to seek and to save the lost.

In a crowded mall a mother and her small daughter were shopping for Christmas presents. As she became frustrated by the crowd and the long lines at the register she turned, and in irritation asked her daughter “What is the reason we do all this? What is the reason for this season?” Her daughter smiling said “Jesus”. Jesus is the reason for not just Christmas, but every day.

I cried out as a young man, seeking purpose in life. I wondered why we die. I lay in bed at night frightened of death, and wondering what the next life would bring. Then one day I heard the preacher speak of life and Christ, and I realized that I did not have to stay imprisoned. Jesus Christ is the Savior sent of God, and a GREAT Savior. I needed a GREAT Savior, and so do you.

I still need a GREAT Savior, for I am a GREAT Sinner!
And so are you!

Praise God that Jesus came. Jesus Christ was sent to save the chiefest of sinners. The Apostle said:

1 Timothy 1:15 (NKJV) This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

When I was lost I compared myself to others, and thought “I’m not that bad”. But the day I was saved God the Holy Spirit opened my eyes and made me realize that I am not to compare myself to others, but I am to compare myself to God. Compared to God I am a great sinner. Compared to God I fall far short of His standard. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. ALL HAVE SINNED and FALL SHORT of the GLORY OF GOD.

We are GREAT Sinners, but we have, praise the Lord, a GREAT SAVIOR!

The Pharisees thought and think today that they are above sin. I have heard of preachers preaching on women wearing open toed shoes or slacks. Listen preacher, we have no time for foolishness and falderal. We have no time to preach silliness or novelties. We need to preach a Great Savior. We need to preach what Jesus said:

Mark 2:17 (NKJV)… “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

I have heard people say “I don’t want to go to Church with those hypocrites”. Well do you want to go to HELL with them, because you will, if you do not come to Christ and obey His Word. The Church is Christ’s Church, and it is filled to the brim with sinners saved by Grace. Praise His Holy Name! If you are a sinner Jesus came looking for you. He said:

Luke 19:10 (NKJV) … for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost, but once saved we are of His flock and of His Church. He gave His life a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28) and has told us:

John 10:10-11, 14-16 … I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. … 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Christ saves His people, His sheep, then brings us into His flock. That is His Church, His flock, the Family of God. The Savior is building His Kingdom, and every local Church is the place where Christ rules and reigns.

Love is spoken here.
Forgiveness is spoken here.
Grace is spoken here.
Not license, but GRACE!

Jesus is King of His people.

Where The Savior Is, Love Is The Order Of The Day

Isaiah 19:23-24 In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. [24] In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land

There were never three more people who hated one another as much as Egypt, Assyria, and Israel hated. The Egyptians are cousins to the Israelites, both formed from the loins of Abraham. One by Isaac the child of promise, the other by Ishmael the child of the bondswoman. The Assyrians were cousins to neither Israel nor Egypt, but loved power and the flesh.

But where the Great Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ is, there is peace. Under the banner of His love, a Great Love:

1 John 4:10 (NKJV) In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

God loved US, US all. Red and yellow, black and white, we are PRECIOUS in HIS SIGHT. God sent His Son for us all. And though we may have been enemies in our unsaved life, now in Christ we are God’s Children. Where Christ is, peace is.

Listen Beloved, the world would have you believe that you can legislate morality. You cannot. The liberal would have you believe all people are inherently good. This is experientially untrue. The lawyers got together and make two layers of crime, standard crime and hate crimes, and said they would penalize the hate crime the more. Did this stop racism and hatred? No, not at all. The Klan marches in Tennessee have solved nothing. The Gays march in San Francisco and solve nothing. African Americans march in on Washington and solve nothing. The confused burn American flags and solve nothing. Others fly a Confederate flag and solve nothing. We tear down statues and solve nothing. We have placed into the Presidency of the United States both white and black men and solved nothing. Our Congress, Supreme Court, and Schools are desegregated, and nothing is resolved. As a nation we are confused. What is our hope?

Our hope is Christ. Your hope is Christ. My hope is Christ. And where Christ is, there is real solution. Where Christ is your skin color does not matter, but rather “What think ye of Christ?” You are my brother, former Assyrian, if you love Jesus and receive Him as Lord and Savior. You are my sister, former Egyptian, if you love Jesus and receive Him as Lord and Savior.

Isaiah 19:25 (KJV) Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

Peace will not return to our homes, our communities, our cities, our states, and our nation until Christ reigns in every heart. In Him there is no confusion. In Him is peace and the blessing of God forever more.

May God lead you to Him today! Holy Spirit, please touch our hearts.

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