Historical Posts
Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth
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“There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
This is a phrase that describes a very unpleasant place. People who are unhappy and uncomfortable are there. Who will be there specifically and why? On five different occasions, Jesus describes different groups of people who will be in such a place as this:
- Sons of the kingdom without faith
- Not properly attired
- Evil servants
- Fearful and unprofitable
- Workers of iniquity, unknown by Jesus
Let’s look at each of these in more detail so that we may not be numbered among them.
1. Sons of the kingdom without faith – Matthew 8:5-13
a. Jesus commended a centurion for his faith (Matthew 8:10).
b. Jesus said many would come in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 8:11).
c. The sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness, where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12). Esau was a son, but sold his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34).
2. Not properly attired – Matthew 22:1-14
a. Jesus told a parable of a king who arranged a marriage feast for his son, and sent out servants to call those invited to the wedding (Matthew 22:1-4).
b. Some were disrespectful and unwilling to come, others went about their business, and still others killed the servants (Matthew 22:3-6).
c. The king destroyed the people and the city, and sent the servants to invite others (Matthew 22:7-10).
d. A man attended without a wedding garment, showing disrespect, and was cast into outer darkness, where there were weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 22:11-13; see Revelation 19:7-9; 3:4-5; 16:15).
3. Evil Servants – Matthew 24:45-51
a. Jesus praised the servant who is faithful (Matthew 24:45-47).
b. The evil servant, who says in his heart his master is coming, will be cut in two and abide with the hypocrites; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 24:48-51).
4. Fearful and Unprofitable- Matthew 25:14-30
a. Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to a man who distributed talents among three servants (Matthew 25:14-15).
b. The servant who received five talents made another five talents; the one who received two talents received two more. The one who received one talent went and hid it (Matthew 25:16-18).
c. The man praised the servants who doubled their talents, but cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:19-30).
5. Workers of iniquity who Jesus does not know – Luke 13:22-30
a. As Jesus journeyed toward Jerusalem, one asked Him if few are saved (Luke 13:22-23).
b. Jesus explained that many will seek to enter the narrow gate, but will not be able to enter (Luke 13:24).
c. Those Jesus did not know, workers of iniquity, would depart from Him, where there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Luke 13:25-28).
Who will be weeping and have gnashing of teeth? Jesus explained those that are:
- Sons of the kingdom (born into the kingdom but not abiding by the king’s laws)
- Individuals not properly attired (as the church is the bride of Christ)
- Evil servants who delay for the master’s coming
- Unprofitable servants, fearfully hiding their talent(s)
- Workers of iniquity crying “Lord, Lord”
These groups will all be weeping and gnashing their teeth. However, we do not have to be among them and weep or gnash our teeth; we can rejoice forever more by doing the Lord’s will and making sure we are not in those groups! As a result we will hear, “well done good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord (Matthew 25:21, 23).” Have you taken the steps to abide in God’s word and use your talents for Him?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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Judas and the Oil – Audio
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Text: John 12:1-8 and Matthew 26:6-13
Judas Iscariot had a plan for the oil that Mary poured on Jesus’ feet. What Jesus observed would cause all to consider what was taking place, and what would take place.
I. The plan Judas had for the oil was heard by:
A. Martha, who went about serving (John 12:2; see Luke 10:40-41).
B. Mary, Lazarus’ sister, who poured costly oil on Jesus’ feet; she earlier sat at His feet to listen to His teaching (John 12:3; John 11:1-2; Luke 10:39, 42).
C. Lazarus, who Jesus raised from the dead, sat at the table with Him (John 12:2; John 11:43-44).
D. Jesus’ disciples were witnesses (see Matthew 26:8).
E. Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (John 12:4-6; Matthew 26:14-16; John 13:21, 25-30).
II. Judas’ Oil Plan Revealed:
A. Mary poured a pound of very costly, fragrant oil on Jesus’ feet (see Song of Solomon 1:12; Song of Solomon 4:12-15).
B. Judas complained that the oil was not sold, and no money was given to the poor (John 12:5-6).
1) Judas was not primarily concerned for the poor.
2) Judas was a thief.
3) The love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10).
C. Jesus praised Mary for her good deed (John 12:7).
1) She prepared Jesus for His burial (Matthew 26:12; John 19:38-42).
2) This would be a memorial to her (Matthew 26:13).
D. Jesus knew the poor would always be with His disciples (John 12:8; Deuteronomy 15:11).
E. Jesus knew He would not always be with His disciples (John 12:8; John 7:33-34; 8:21; 13:33).
Simon did not have a plan for the oil, but Jesus did. A sinful woman washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed His feet, and anointed them with fragrant oil.
Simon complained of the woman’s character, but Jesus showed him that, unlike Simon, she did a lot for Him.
He commended her for her faith, and forgave her sins (Luke 7:36-50). Will you allow Jesus to work His plan for you and accept forgiveness of sin from Him?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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Forsake Not The Lord – Audio
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Forsake means to abandon, desert, leave, leave behind, or to neglect. When someone deserts us, or forsakes us, we may be expected to feel heartbroken, helpless, and all alone. We see this in Jesus. When He hung on the cross for our sins, He cried, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? (Matthew 27:45-46; Mark 15:34; Psalm 22:1)”
Jesus did not sin (1 Peter 2:22), yet had to be the sacrifice for all sin (Isaiah 53:8-12). Even as our sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2), Jesus felt some sense of being alone when he took on the sin of the world; yet, God raised Him from the dead, as He will us (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:25-36; 13:30-37; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Romans 8:11).
I. The Lord has not forsaken us.
A. The Lord has often said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5; Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5)”
B. Paul reminds Christians that even though they may expect to be persecuted, they are not forsaken (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
C. Even though some at first forsook Paul in his ministry, the Lord stood with him and strengthened him (2 Timothy 4:16-17; Philippians 4:13).
II. We must not forsake the Lord.
A. All of the disciples said they would not deny Jesus, but they did forsake Him and fled as He was betrayed (Matthew 26:35, 56).
B. When Jesus first called them, they left all to follow Him (Luke 5:1-11, 27-28).
C. Demas forsook Paul, having loved this present world (2 Timothy 4:10).
D. We are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some (Hebrews 10:24-25).
The Lord has not forsaken us; we must not forsake Him. We must never abandon, desert, leave, or neglect Him. Have you come to Him yet?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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Jesus Loves the Little Children
Introduction
A. At one time in our life we were children. Paul wrote, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11).”
B. Growing up is part of life physically, and should be a part of life spiritually.
Body
I. Children are precious in the sight of God.
A. “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward (Psalm 127:3).”
B. Jesus said of such is the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:13-14).
II. One must be like a child to enter the kingdom of heaven.
A. One must be converted and become as a little child to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1-5).
B. We must be born again in order to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3-7).
C. We become sons of God by faith in Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).
D. It is truly a blessing to be called children of God (1 John 3:1-3).
III. Children of God must grow.
A. We must desire the sincere milk of the word as newborn babes (1 Peter 2:2).
B. After Judas Iscariot went out to betray Jesus, He commanded His “little children” to love another as He was only going to be with them a little while longer (John 13:31-35).
C. Paul wrote to the Galatians, his “little children, for whom he labored in birth again until Christ was formed in them (Galatians 4:19).”
D. John wrote to his “little children,” encouraging them not to sin and reminding them that their sins are forgiven (1 John 2:1,12-13).
Conclusion
A. Have we become children of God?
B. Are we growing as Christians, serving God and loving one another?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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I Must be About My Father’s Business
Introduction
A. Today is Father’s Day, and perhaps many individuals are treating Dad out to dinner or simply spending some quality time with him.
B. Perhaps one thing that makes a lot of dads happy is knowing that their son will one day follow in their footsteps.
C. What about Jesus? Did He follow in His Father’s footsteps?
Body
I. Jesus had an earthly father.
A. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14).
B. Mary, a virgin, was betrothed to Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:27-35; 4:22).
C. Joseph was a carpenter (Mark 6:3).
II. Jesus had a Heavenly Father.
A. The only begotten Son has declared the Father (John 1:18).
B. The Son, who is from God, has seen the Father (John 6:46).
C. The Son and the Father are one (John 10:30).
D. The Son would go to His Father (John 14:28-31; 16:28).
III. Jesus did His Heavenly Father’s will.
A. Jesus did the works of His Heavenly Father (John 9:4).
B. Jesus was baptized by John (Luke 3).
C. Jesus was tempted by Satan, and overcame temptation (Luke 4).
D. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
E. Jesus commanded the apostles to preach the gospel to every creature (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16).
F. Jesus ascended into Heaven, vowing to return (Acts 1:9-11).
Conclusion
A. As Jesus was born of a virgin, Joseph brought Him up.
B. At the age of 12, Jesus knew He was here to be about His Father’s business (Luke 2:41-50).
C. He did the will of His Heavenly Father (John 3:16)!
D. Now, the rest is up to us to do His Father’s will (John 6:37-40).
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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That Should Have Been Me
Introduction
A. Sometimes we find ourselves on the outside looking in, thinking, “That should have been me!”
1) If only we had done something differently, we could have won
2) if we were the next in line, we could have been the lucky numbered customer
3) if it was a little farther over, it could have been worse.
B. It should have been me.
Body
I. The woman caught in adultery should have been stoned (John 8:3-12).
A. According to the old law, she should have been stoned (John 8:5; Leviticus 20:10-11).
B. Jesus did not stone her; rather, He forgave her (John 8:11).
II. The demon should have been cast out (Matthew 17:14-21).
A. The disciples should have been able to cast out the demon (Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17; Matthew 17:16,19-20).
B. Jesus cast out the demon (Matthew 17:18).
III. Barabbas should have been crucified (Mark 15:6-15).
A. Barabbas was a robber (John 18:40; Acts 3:14).
B. Jesus was crucified instead (Mark 15:15).
IV. We should have been crucified!
A. We have all sinned (Romans 3:23; Galatians 3:22).
1) Our sins will find us out (Numbers 32:20-23).
2) The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
B. Jesus did not sin (1 Peter 2:22-24).
1) He was offered once to bear the sins of many (Hebrews 9:28).
2) “He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12).”
3) He who knew no sin became the sin sacrifice for us (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Conclusion
A. It should have been us who died on the cross because of our sins.
B. However, our blood would not cover our own sins. Only the precious blood of Christ could take away our sins!
C. It should have been each of us, but aren’t you glad it wasn’t?
Content by Richard Dillon
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I Will Be a Friend to Jesus
Introduction
A. There are all kinds of friends: old, new, close, distant, and even best friends.
B. Perhaps some friends seem better than others. What makes a good friend?
C. To whom shall we be a friend?
Body
I. We must be a true friend.
A. A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17).
B. “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).”
C. “Every man is a friend to one who gives gifts (Proverbs 19:6).”
D. The king will be a friend to one who “loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips (Proverbs 22:11).”
E. A friend gives hearty counsel, does not forsake another, and sharpens his countenance (Proverbs 27:9-10,17).
F. A friend is trustworthy (Micah 7:5-7; Jeremiah 9:4-6).
II. We must follow the example of true friends.
A. Abraham was called the friend of God (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23; Genesis 15:6).
B. Pilate was accused of not being a friend to Caesar by wanting to let Jesus go (John 19:12).
C. Was Judas truly a friend of Jesus (Matthew 26:47-50; Psalm 41:9; 55:12-13)?
D. Was Peter truly a friend of Jesus (Matthew 26:31-35,69-75)?
E. Paul became a friend to all that he might save some (1 Corinthians 9:19-22).
F. Perhaps the best example of a true Friend is Jesus (Matthew 11:19; 9:9-13).
III. We must choose our friends wisely.
A. We are a friend to Jesus if we keep His commandments (John 15:9-17).
B. To be a friend to Jesus, we cannot be a friend of the world (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17; Galatians 1:4; 6:14; Luke 16:13).
Conclusion
A. To be a true friend to Jesus, we must understand what it truly means to be a friend.
B. He showed us how to be a friend, and we must follow His example.
C. We must choose to be His friend, and not to be a friend of the world, by following His commandments.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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Worship in Song
Introduction
A. This is the fifth Sunday in May, which means shortly we will have a service emphasizing singing. Whether we can sing really well or can’t carry a tune in a bucket, we can all “make a joyful noise unto the LORD (Psalm 100:1).”
B. We must do so because God is our audience, and we need to please Him and encourage one another (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
Body
I. We speak to one another.
A. We can only speak to one another in song if we are together (Hebrews 10:24-25).
B. We must sing with the spirit and the understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15).
II. We make melody in our hearts to the Lord.
A. In order to make melody (from Greek psallo), one must “twitch” or “twang” on an instrument.
1) Frequently in the Old Testament, musical instruments were used (harp, tambourine, lute, etc.).
2) In the New Testament, the heart is specified as an instrument.
3) No authority exists in the New Testament for singing with an instrument.
B. Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn (Matthew 26:30) before going to the Mount of Olives.
C. Paul and Silas sang hymns at midnight in prison (Acts 16:25).
D. Jesus taught us at least two things about worship:
1) We must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).
2) Our worship is vain if our heart is far from God (Matthew 15:8-9).
E. If we are cheerful, we are to sing psalms (James 5:13; Psalm 122:1).
III. We sing with grace in our hearts to the Lord.
A. We could not be saved without the grace of God (Titus 2:11; Ephesians 2:5).
B. For this, we are very thankful (Psalm 100:1-5).
C. As sacrifices of thanksgiving were offered under the Old Testament (Leviticus 7:11-12), so we offer a sacrifice to God under the New Testament.
1) Our bodies are a living sacrifice acceptable to God (Romans 12:1).
2) The fruit of our lips is a continual sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15).
a. God created the fruit of our lips (Isaiah 57:19).
b. Isaiah’s lips were touched with live coal from an altar, taking away his iniquity (Isaiah 6:5-7).
c. God’s words should be upon our lips (Isaiah 51:16; 59:21).
d. Hosea reminds us that God takes away our iniquities, so we will “offer the sacrifices [fruit] of our lips (Hosea 14:1-2).”
Conclusion
A. As Christians, we have many reasons to rejoice!
B. When we come together on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7) to sing, we encourage one another through song.
C. We give praise unto God, thanking Him for what all He has given to us.
D. We do so in a way that is pleasing unto Him and is edifying to us all.
Content by Richard Dillon
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Water and Salvation
Introduction
A. By having a better appreciation for the Old Testament, we may have a better understanding of the New Testament. In fact, the things “written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4).”
B. Thus, with a better appreciation of Noah’s relationship to God, we can have a better understanding of our relationship with Him.
Body
I. God saved Noah through water.
A. The wickedness of man was great; the intents of man’s hearts were only evil continually (Genesis 6:5).
B. God planned to destroy man from the face of the earth (Genesis 6:7).
C. Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD (Genesis 6:8-9).
1) He was a just man.
2) He was “perfect” in his generations.
3) He walked with God.
D. Noah built the ark according to God’s instructions, and gathered the right number and kind of animals (Genesis 6:13-22).
E. The floods came, and those on the earth perished; Noah and his family were saved (Genesis 7:1-24).
II. God saves us through water.
A. All men have sinned (Romans 3:23; Galatians 3:22).
B. God destroys those who serve sin, yet saves those willing to serve Him (2 Peter 2:4-5; Romans 6:23).
C. God’s grace has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11; 2 Timothy 1:9-11).
D. We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:1-8; Hebrews 11:6-7; Romans 4:13-16; James 2).
E. As eight souls were saved through water, so baptism saves us (1 Peter 3:18-21).
1) Christ sanctifies and cleanses the church with the washing of water by the word (Ephesians 5:25-27).
2) We must be born of water and the Spirit in order to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:5).
3) Baptism allows us to die to ourselves, to be buried with Christ, and to rise again in a newness of life (Romans 6:1-7; Acts 8:36-39).
Conclusion
A. Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
B. He had faith in Him, and did what God commanded of Him.
C. God’s grace that brings salvation has appeared to all of us.
D. Are we willing to do what He commands us?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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A Study of the Rapture
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Thanks to Roger Genung from the Delight Church of Christ for this outline.
Introduction
A. Last week I viewed an ad for a new ‘Left Behind’ movie.
1. 15 books for adults, 40 titles for children, multiple movies, 1,397,900 (as of Thursday) followers on Twitter, a trilogy of video games and audio dramatizations (these are being aired on Christian radio) have made this a multi-million dollar business to spread error concerning the return of our Lord.
2. The basic idea of the books make it good fantasy, but that is all it is fantasy! We need to be spreading the truth to those who have believed this story. Some of you have expressed your concern over this false teaching. Thanks be to God that you are concerned!
B. Another term for “rapture” is “dispensational premillennialism”.
1. It started about 1830 from the mind of John N. Darby. Dispensationalists believe that all human history falls into seven dispensations. According to them, we live in the sixth which is called the dispensation of “Grace”. The seventh and final age is called “The Millennium”.
2. Dispensationalists teach that our age will end with the “Rapture”.
C. The “Rapture” is contrary to the Word of God. We will look at this.
Body
I. “Rapture” teaches that the saved will be taken while the lost remain on earth and there are three different resurrections.
The Bible says:
A. Matthew 13:24-30, 37-43
B. John 5:28-30
C. We need to help others to understand that when the end comes all will be judged together. The idea of “rapture” teaches that the lost which remain on earth will have a “second chance” to obey during the seven years of tribulation. This is not true!
1. All will come out of the graves at the same time.
2. All will meet at the judgment seat of Christ (II Corinthians 5:10).
II. “Rapture” teaches a secret “coming” of the Lord along with two future “comings”.
The Bible says:
A. I Thessalonians 4:16 and Matthew 25:31ff (…all the holy angels with Him…)
B. Hebrews 9:27-28
C. The Bible speaks of the Lord’s return as anything but secret.
1. The timing of His return is kept from us, but the event itself, is not! All will see and know of His coming.
2. Jesus never stated, nor was it even recorded, that He would come back more than once. II Peter 3:10 states that when Jesus does return to judge the world, the earth and the works will be burned up.
3. After His return, there will be no earth left to return to another time.
III. “Rapture” teaches the Antichrist will lead forces against Christ and that the battle of Armageddon will bring in the kingdom.
The Bible says:
A. II John 1:7 (Four verses speak of antichrist – I John 2:18, 22, 4:3)
B. II Thessalonians 2:1-4
C. We should be teaching others that antichrist is anyone who denies Christ has come in the flesh.
1. The term is never used in the Bible to mean just one man who is a leader of forces of evil.
2. The battle of Armageddon is not some futurist war…the warfare that God and His followers are involved in is not carnal.
3. God does not need men to fight His battles (II Kings 19:35).
4. We are fighting this spiritual battle right now! – II Corinthians 10:3-4
Conclusion
A. The second coming will be on the last day, all the dead shall be raised, all mankind will be judged and be sent to their eternal destinations, and the earth will be destroyed.
B. May God bless your study of His Word – II Thessalonians 2:13-17
Morning Sermon at the Delight Church of Christ on September 14, 2014 by Roger Genung
1224 Henderson
St Delight, AR 71940
870-379-2808
Content by Zachary Van Tassel
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Christians, Rejoice! – audio
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Introduction
A. It is wonderful to be a Christian!
B. We have so many things to enjoy, both in this life and in the one to come.
C. For example, today we can share mutual joy as we sing praises to our God, have fellowship with each other, and partake of delectable food.
D. We also look forward to the home that is laid up for us in Heaven.
Body
I. Christians rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4).
A. All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
B. In order to be in Christ, one must be baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27).
II. Christians rejoice in Hope (Romans 12:12).
A. There is one hope of our calling (Ephesians 4:4).
B. If Christ had not been risen from the dead, we would not have any hope (1 Corinthians 15:14-20).
III. Christians rejoice in their names being written in heaven (Luke 10:20).
IV. Christians rejoice in your genuine faith.
A. My faith praise, honor, and glorify Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:3-9).
Conclusion
A. Are you a Christian?
1) If so, you have every reason to rejoice!
2) If not, you can become a Christian right now and many will rejoice with you.
Content by Richard Dillon
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Matthew 13:13-17 – God is Speaking; Are You Listening? audio
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Text: Matthew 13:13-17 KJV (Reading by Andy Anderson)
Introduction
Illustration: An elderly couple was just getting up to start their day. “What would you like for breakfast?” the woman asked her husband. Receiving no answer, she proceeded to the kitchen to look for some ideas on what to cook. Her husband came in shortly thereafter, and she asked him again. “Did you decide on what you wanted for breakfast?” Still not receiving an answer, she began to clear off the table. When her husband had been seated, she walked over and asked him the third time: “WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR BREAKFAST?” He replied, “For the third time, I want bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, and orange juice!”
Sometimes people simply do not wish to listen. They hear what they only want to hear, or are too busy thinking about what they will say next to really pay attention to what is being said.
Body
I. God is speaking to us.
A. God has given mankind a very important message since the very beginning.
B. He spoke directly, through the Law, through the prophets, through His Son, and through His Inspired Word (Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16).
C. Everybody has a chance to hear Him speak!
II. Many are pleading for us to hear the Word of God!
A. Jesus pleads for us to listen.
1) He tells the seven churches in Asia: “He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22).”
2) He said, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand… (Mark 7:14)”
B. Peter preached, “…heed my words (Acts 2:14).”
C. Steven pleaded with many to listen to his words as he preached Christ (Acts 7:2).
D. The Jerusalem Council listened to Paul and Barnabas tell of all good things God did for the Gentiles, and then James pleaded for all to listen as he taught the agreement of the prophets (Acts 15:12ff.). James later commands his readers to listen to what God has done for the poor (James 2:5).
E. The author of Hebrews commands us to pay close attention to God’s Word (Hebrews 2:1-3).
III. Sadly, some do not listen to God’s words.
A. Many throughout the Old Testament did not listen to God (Nadab & Abihu, Jonah, et al.).
B. Jesus said that Isaiah’s prophecy has been fulfilled in that day regarding those that do not hear (Isaiah 6:9-10; Matthew 13:13-17).
C. The Hebrew writer said his audience became “dull of hearing (Hebrews 5:11).”
IV. Blessed are those that hear the Word of God!
A. The Bereans set a good example of hearing the word; they received it with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11).
B. Faith comes from hearing God’s Word (Romans 10:17), and we cannot be saved without it (Hebrews 11:6).
C. If we hear the words of Jesus and believe in God, we may have everlasting life (John 5:24).
D. We are of God if we hear His words (John 8:47).
E. If we hear the voice of Jesus, we are of the truth (John 18:37).
F. True hearers of the word will hear it, understand it, and bear fruit (Matthew 13:23).
G. We must not only hear the word; we must do it (James 1:21-25).
H. Jesus likened hearers and doers to wise men; those that did not hear/do to foolish men (Matthew 7:24-27).
Conclusion
Through the word of God, we learn how to receive salvation. We must truly listen to Him and do what He says! If we do, we may receive everlasting life.
Content by Richard Dillon
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Genesis 12:01-03 – Faith of Abraham – powerpoint – audio
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Text: Genesis 12:1-3 ESV
Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
(slide 2)
Introduction
Many tributes deservedly can be paid to the patriarch Abraham. He is the source of several nations including the nation God called His own people.
- Peoples who trace their origin to Abraham still have a vigorous existence 4000 years after his death and still maintain their identity.
- He was the father of kings and the father of persons who influenced the thinking and the course of the world.
- Three world religions trace their origin to Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
- Of all the tributes that justly can be bestowed upon Abraham, no tribute equals the one conferred upon him by God. This nomad who lived a primitive existence as he wandered among foreign cultures was capable of having a faith which God declared to be the Christian’s model for faith.
The Christian’s understanding of God’s promise to produce a universal blessing through Abraham far exceeds Abraham’s understanding. The Christian knows the full meaning of the promise, knows the ultimate fulfillment of that promise was achieved in the death and resurrection of Jesus, and knows the ultimate objective was the opportunity for all people to have salvation in Christ. He has the written Word. He can see God working through history to keep that promise.
Yet, the best any Christian can hope to do is to equal the faith of Abraham. God’s purpose began to take its earliest earthly form in Abraham because he was capable of having a faith which God could reckon for righteousness. It is that same faith which will allow the Christian to be righteous before God.
The New Testament pays great tribute to Abraham, the man of faith. His name appears 30 times in the gospels, 8 times in Acts (5 in one sermon), and 32 times in the epistles.
(slide 3)
Body
I. Abraham: A True Man of Faith.
Perhaps no one, except Christ, embodies the full meaning of faith more than the patriarch Abraham. The Bible quickly identifies Abraham, then called Abram, as a man of faith.
Genesis 15:6 ESV – And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. Throughout the history of Israel, Abraham is viewed as the “father of the faithful”. He is central to the story of God’s people.
Isaiah calls Abraham, “the rock” from which Israel was hewn, and “the quarry” from which they were dug (Isaiah 51:1 ESV).
It was the covenant that God made with Abraham that anticipated and promised the coming of Christ (the offspring through which the world would be blessed – Gal. 3:16 ESV).
Christians today are described in the New Testament as the spiritual heirs of the promise made to Abraham.
The Faith of Abraham as a type:
A. Both Paul and James reference the faith of Abraham as typical of the faith God has always desired and expected of His people. His faith was comprehensive, and thus was accounted to him for righteousness.
1. To those who wanted to find their salvation in the law of Moses, and return to that law as a means of justification, Paul references Abraham as an example of justification by faith, not perfect law keeping:
Rom 4:16 ESV – That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring – not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, … All men, like Abraham are justified by trusting in God.
2. To those who would define faith as just believing apart from obedience, James references Abraham’s faith as the classic example of faith that obeys God:
James 2:19-22 ESV – You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe – and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
(slide 4)
B. Abraham was reared in the city of Ur (Genesis 11:27-31 ESV), in the land of the Chaldeans. The city of Ur was located in Mesopotamia at the intersection of the Tigris and Euphrates River. It was dedicated to Nannar, the moon god. Nannar’s temple was in the center of the city, along with a colossal Ziggurat that was dedicated to her honor. Nannar was considered the queen and the landlord of the people. In the book Archaeology and the Old Testament by Unger, it is said that the moon god “owned their farms, their shops and their wealth.”
The scriptures tell us in Joshua 24:2 ESV that Abraham’s father, Terah, “served other gods.” It is unusual to find children that do not follow their parents in the course of their religion. Although Abraham was born in a city of idolaters and was raised by an idolater, he chose to serve Jehovah.
(slide 5)
II. God’s Call
According to Stephen, God called Abraham to leave his family while he was still living in Ur.
Acts 7:2-4 ESV – And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living.”
We might be able to reason why God did not want Abraham to stay in Ur. God was calling him away from the wickedness that surrounded him and his family. But God’s sanctifying purposes are deeper than just Abraham’s environment. This call was a test of faith.
After the death of his father, God called Abraham again.
Genesis 12:1 ESV – Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.”
God’s requests represented major challenges to Abraham’s faith.
A. First, he must sever his ties with his kinsmen. There are many today who will not leave family ties for any reason.
B. Second, he had to sever his tie to the place he had settled, to familiar things and customs, and with his roots. There are many today who have such a powerful bond to the place they live that they will not sever that bond for any reason.
C. Third, he had to leave the known for the unknown. God gave him no description of his destination. Abraham knew nothing about where he would be or how long he would be there. There are few who would make a move today with so little information.
D. Fourth, he had to trust God’s ability to protect him among strange peoples. In that time it was not safe for a man of wealth to live as a foreigner among strange peoples. Most people today would be hesitant to place their security solely in the hands of God.
(slide 6)
III. Abraham’s Response
How did Abraham respond?
Hebrews 11:8 ESV – By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
This verse describes a faith that obeys God even when it does not know where it is going. Abraham was walking by faith, not by sight. The writer of Hebrews cannot teach us about faith without a close look at Abraham. He walked by faith, was justified by faith, and died in faith. What can we learn from Hebrews 11 ESV about the faith of Abraham?
A. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out… ” (Heb. 11:8 ESV)
How do we know that Abraham believed God? That is an easy question. He obeyed. Obedience is a recurring concept in Hebrews 11 ESV, and an inescapable characteristic of true faith.
1. In the Greek language, “he was called” is a present participle, and thus could be translated, “as he was called”. When did Abraham obey? As soon as he was called. He was packing to go at the first words of God. There was no reluctance or hesitation. There was no arguing or rationalizing.
a. This type of implicit obedience does not appear out of nowhere.
Abraham had absolute confidence in God’s words. Implicit and complete obedience is born out of real faith. Abraham did not just agree with God; he trusted God.
b. In the same way, disobedience is the fruit of disbelief.
What was the first thing that Satan ever attempted to get men and women to do?
Gen 3:1-5 ESV – Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” – Satan wanted Eve to doubt God’s word – To disbelieve the full truthfulness of God’s commandment. Satan understood, and still does, that sinful conduct begins in disbelief. Adam and Eve could be led to sin if they were convinced that God did not speak the truth.
(slide 7)
c. The effort to strengthen our faith or confidence in God’s words is not just an intellectual pursuit. We must learn to live by faith, or we will fall through disobedience.
Heb 3:12-14 ESV – …Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
Heb 3:18-19 ESV – … And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
B. “he went out, not knowing where he was going.” – Abraham was not motivated to leave Ur or Haran because it appeared to be the most logical thing to do. He did not have a well ordered plan of his own. He was simply following the directions of God – not knowing what was ahead.
1. Was his faith blind? He was not blind to the reality of God, or His character. He knew God, and he believed Him. We must trust in God to lead – As a child trusts in his father and mother to provide.
Prov 3:5-7 ESV – Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
(slide 8)
C. Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house. He was called to leave Ur behind. The call of God in Gen. 12 ESV was specific:
Genesis 12:1 ESV – “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. How difficult was this?
1. Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be enrolled in a witness protection program? How could you leave your family and never contact them again? It would be difficult to be convinced that I had to completely sever the relationship.
a. Abraham was called to leave behind what he was most familiar with, and trust God to show him a new way. Every person who comes to God in faith is called to leave behind his past lifestyle through genuine repentance and follow God. God calls us to a commitment to leave sin behind and not return.
1. Rom 6:2-7 ESV – …How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.
2. This pilgrimage of demands that we live in this world without becoming like it.
Rom. 12:2 ESV – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
2 Cor. 6:14 ESV – Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Paul tells us that Jesus “gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,” Gal. 1:4 ESV.
a. The pressure to conform to the world around us and settle in here is sometimes called “worldliness”. There are certain activities that characterize worldliness, but it is primarily an attitude. It is the desire to stop sojourning and begin to take up residency here. It is giving into the flesh and living by the desires that characterize the world around us.
3. The apostle John presents an undeniable dichotomy. He tells us that we cannot “love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15 ESV) There is no point of compromise, ever. The world we live in will always oppose Christ, and thus His people.
a. The challenge for us is to retain our “pilgrim status” and not be enamored with what this world offers. To defeat worldliness we must grow spiritually to the point where we do not desire the world. The things of the world lose their attraction.
b. Abraham’s faith is impressive because he was not a poor man who had nothing to leave behind, or nothing to become attached to. He fully participated in the world, and did it successfully. But he lived detached from the world around him because of his faith in God’s promises. He still considered himself a stranger and longed to go somewhere else.
(slide 9)
IV. Lessons from the Life of Abraham
A. Abraham was a man of sacrificial selflessness.
In view of the vast wealth the gentleman possessed (Genesis 13:2 ESV), one can only imagine the property holdings he must have surrendered when he yielded to the Lord’s command and left his native Ur.
He lived the balance of his life – a full century – as a wanderer, abiding in tents along the way (Hebrews 11:9 ESV).
His vision of, and dedication to, the concept of the coming Messiah made all other considerations subordinate (John 8:56 ESV).
B. Abraham was a man of conviction.
Though his forbearers had been idolaters (Joshua 24:2 ESV), he was unswayed by family ties; rather, he cast his lot with the one who created him. How unlike so many today who measure their religious activity by what father or mother believed.
To Abraham, truth was more important than a genealogical connection. Faith was thicker than blood! This makes sense only in the light of an eternal reality.
C. Abraham was a man of faith, or trust.
Frequently the term “faith” suggests the idea of trust, and this aspect of the word aptly describes Abram. Because of his trust in Jehovah, the patriarch left his homeland and kinsmen, he journeyed close to a thousand miles (“not knowing where he went” – Hebrews 11:8 ESV), pursuing the will of the Lord, with only the promise of arriving at a destination that God would show him (Acts 7:3 ESV). No map, no radar was available – only the benevolent hand of his Maker.
D. Abraham provides a magnificent example of what constitutes true loyalty to God.
His path was charted generally by a course of unwavering obedience. His was not a “faith-only” philosophy. When he was called by Jehovah, he obeyed, walking by faith and not by sight (Hebrews 11:8 ESV).
The word “obeyed” in the text literally means to “hear under.” It implies a recognition of the authority of the speaker, and reflects a willingness to submit thereto.
(slide 10)
Conclusion
The life of Abraham abounds with lessons from which the sincere child of God can profit.
If we learn from these valuable truths, we too can be characterized as “the friend of God” – as the prophet was (James 2:23 ESV).
We are encouraged to walk by faith ever growing in our friendship with God. Let us thus “walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham” (Romans 4:12 ESV).
And we hold on to our hope in Jesus Christ as we trust in God’s promises to us. We are men and women of the promise! We are fully persuaded, even as Abraham was, that God will give us an eternal victory far more marvelous and grand than we can now imagine. For this victory we patiently wait as we walk by faith.
Content by Andrew Perkins
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Genesis 12:01-03 – God’s Promises to Abraham – Part 2 – powerpoint – audio
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(Part 1 – Part 2)
Text: Genesis 12:1-3 ESV (Reading by Steven Winland)
Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
(slide 2)
Introduction
- What does the Bible predict will happen in the future?
- How will God fulfill His promises to His people?
- Are the promises that God made to Abraham still being fulfilled?
- Does Israel have a special place in the coming of Christ?
- Will the temple be rebuilt and all Israel be saved?
(slide 3)
The most popular religious teaching concerning these questions is given by the premillennial dispensationalists. They teach that Jesus is returning to rule over a physical kingdom on earth for 1,000 years. Israel will be restored as a nation and return to God corporately through a national conversion to Christ. The temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt, along with the worship of the Temple.
(slide 4)
Body
I. Israel in the Divine plan:
The Biblical teaching concerning the place of the nation of Israel includes at least four elements:
- Selection;
- Testing;
- Rejection; and
- Replacement.
(slide 5)
A. Selection:
Almost two thousand years before the birth of Christ, Jehovah selected Abraham to be the founder of a new nation. It was declared that through him a seed would come by whom all peoples of the earth would be blessed. God fulfilled the promises of Genesis 12:1-3 ESV.
(slide 6)
1. Abraham’s offspring were delivered from an era of bondage in Egypt. They were given a special law and system of worship designed to separate them from the other nations of the world
Exodus 19:5-6 ESV – Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;
(slide 7)
2. God’s selection of Abraham, and thus Israel, was not due to any holy character, or just for their benefit, but as a means whereby He would bring Christ, as the coming Messiah of the Jews, and the Savior of the world.
Galatians 3:24-25 ESV – So the, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
(slide 8)
B. Testing:
For some fifteen hundred years the Lord God attempted to cultivate the nation of Israel to be a people that reflected His character and purpose. This was in preparation for the coming of Christ. But the nation grossly violated the law, frequently went after “strange gods,” and they viciously persecuted God’s prophets.
Jeremiah 32:23 ESV – And they entered and took possession of it. But they did not obey your voice or walk in your law. They did nothing of all you commanded them to do. Therefore you have made all this disaster come upon them.
Jesus enunciates the failure of Israel to meet the conditions of God’s covenant with them in Luke 13:34 ESV – O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
(slide 9)
C. Rejection:
The rebellion of the nation consummated with the murder of Jesus Christ. God rejected the Hebrew people, repudiated their status as His nation and determined to scatter them as dust.
(slide 10)
1. Israel’s unique status with God was conditional: Deuteronomy 28:1 ESV – And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
(slide 11)
2. Jesus foretold this Divine judgment in several of his later parables, including The Parable of the Wicked Tenants: Matt 21:33-44 ESV – “Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more that the first. And they did the same to them. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’ And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?’ Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
(slide 12)
a. This parable came to fulfillment when the Roman armies came against Palestine in A.D. 70, and Judaism was destroyed.
b. According to Jewish historian, Josephus, some 1.1 million Hebrews were slaughtered, and thousands were taken into slavery. All Jewish records were lost in that holocaust. Today, there is not a single Jew who knows his tribal ancestry. The physical nation of Israel is dead. The “Jews” that make up the State of Israel today (less than twenty-five percent of the world Jewish population) cannot legitimately be called a “God’s covenant nation.”
(slide 13)
c. With the coming of Christ, there was also an end to the law of Moses, and thus the separateness of Israel as God’s covenant people.
Ephesians 2:14-16 ESV – For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
(slide 14)
d. The writer of Hebrews points out that the law of Moses was inherently weak in several ways and that God had promised a new covenant based upon better promises.
Hebrews 10:9-10 ESV – then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
1 Peter 1:18-21 ESV – knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
(slide 15)
D. Replacement:
As a consequence of Israel’s rejection of the Messiah, God has replaced physical Israel with a new nation, spiritual Israel. This spiritual Israel has been sanctified by the blood of Jesus. Today, the “Jew” is not one who is so physically, but one who is so inwardly, spiritually.
Romans 2:28-29 ESV – For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
(slide 16)
1. Those who submit to the gospel plan of redemption—whether Jew or Gentile become children of God, and thus are constituted as the true “offspring of Abraham”
Galatians 3:7-9 ESV – Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
Galatians 3:26-29 ESV – for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
1 Peter 2:9 ESV – But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
(slide 17)
II. Will All Israel be Saved?
Will there be a national conversion of Israel and the reestablishment of a national Jewish State?
A. Although, in fulfillment of the promises to Abraham, physical Israel was a special people to God, with the coming of the Gospel, there was no intrinsic value in being a physical descendant of Abraham.
John the Baptizer: Matthew 3:8-10 ESV – Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
1. John’s words are focused on the coming wrath of God (Matthew 3:7 ESV) which was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in 70 A.D. The point to be seen is this: When a tree is cut down, there is hope that it will sprout again, provided its stump or roots remain (Isaiah 11:1 ESV – There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.) But when the axe is laid at the root, where is the hope of restoration? There simply is none!
In the parable of the barren fig tree of Matthew 21 ESV Jesus declared “May no fruit ever come from you again!” (Matthew 21:19 ESV). Later in that same chapter Jesus announced to the Jews “the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.” (Matthew 21:43 ESV).
(slide 18)
2. In several of Jesus’ later parables He depicts Israel as those who reject…
1) the royal invitation to the marriage (Matt. 22:1-8 ESV);
2) the reign of the Nobleman over his household (Luke 19:14 ESV);
3) or the invitation to a great supper (Luke 14 ESV).
In each of these parables the punishment for such rejection is swift and final.
Luke 14:24 ESV – For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.
This refers, of course, to the Jewish majority that refused the gospel (a remnant accepted the invitation – Romans 11:5 ESV).
(slide 19)
B . Although Israel, as a nation, lost its land and its status as a favored nation in the eyes of God, the spiritual blessing of salvation remained. This was always the primary goal of the promises to Abraham.
Romans 10:12-15 ESV – For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
(slide 20)
1. Paul goes on to say that God has not cast off His people, but rather provided “ a remnant, chosen by grace” (Romans 11:5 ESV). After counseling the Gentiles to not be haughty about their position in the kingdom, he states that Jew can be “grafted” into the tree if they do not continue in unbelief. (Romans 11:23 ESV)
Romans 11:26-27 ESV – And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
The context provides the correct meaning of “all Israel will be saved.” It is in this way (the way of obeying Christ) that all Israel (who are saved) shall be saved. This passage does not affirm a nation-wide conversion of the people of Israel, but the true and only hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
(slide 21)
2. Paul anguished over his brethren in the flesh: In the previous chapter in Romans – Romans 9:1-5 ESV – I am speaking the truth in Christ – I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit – that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh is Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Romans 10:1 ESV – Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.
Paul’s anguish is inexplicable if Israel was to be converted as a nation in some future time. Israel’s blessing was spiritual, not physical. Israel’s hope was in Christ alone, and not is a physical connection with Abraham or the Law of Moses.
(slide 22)
Conclusion
Israel fulfilled it’s purpose in the Divine plan.
- Selection
- Testing
- Rejection
- Replacement
Israel can be saved just as we can be saved only through Jesus Christ.
Galatians 3:26-29 ESV – For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Content by Andrew Perkins
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Genesis 12:01-03 – God’s Promises to Abraham – Part 1 – powerpoint – audio
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Text: Genesis 12:1-3 ESV
Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
(slide 2)
Introduction
The words God spoke to Abram here form a spiritual foundation for our understanding of the rest of the scriptures. From God’s special calling and choosing of Abram we are able to see His progressive work that consummated is the coming of Christ, His death on Calvary and His resurrection from the dead. We need to understand how God fulfilled His promises to Abram (later Abraham).
(slide 3)
I. The Elements of the Promise:
When we describe the words of Genesis 12:1-3 ESV, we often speak of them as containing 3 interrelated promises. This is a good way to categorize the many promises that God made to Abraham. (Some suggest that it is best to understand the promise as a twofold promise:
1) A nation and land promise which was physical; and
2) a seed promise, which was spiritual).
The content of God’s promises to Abraham and His children were:
(slide 4)
A . A Great Nation
- Genesis 22:17 ESV – I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, God promised to turn Abram’s children into a great nation (I will surely multiply your offspring)
- All males of his household were given the special covenant of circumcision (Gen.17:1-14 ESV);
- His previously barren wife, Sarah, bore him a son (“of promise”) when he was “one hundred years old” (Gen.21:1-7 ESV).
- Later, that son, Isaac, took a wife from among his father’s people (Gen.24 ESV); and Jacob, the “chosen” son of Isaac, took a wife from his mother’s people (Gen.28:1-4 ESV). Both men were warned to take no wives of the Canaanites, nor of other nations where they dwelt, a warning extended throughout the generations yet to come. This was the “building” of a race of people who were to serve God’s purposes in a special way.
- Later known as the nation of Israel, (Jacob named called Israel by God). Israel became God’s nation through the giving of the law at Sinai, and God sanctified them through His commandments.
1. Prior to entering the land of the “promised land” of Canaan, Moses said, “The LORD your God has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as numerous as the stars of heaven.” (Deuteronomy 1:10 ESV)
2. Later Israel is identified as God’s special people, a great nation of His own making: 2 Sam. 7:23 ESV – And who is like your people Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem to be his people, making himself a name and doing for them great and awesome things by driving out before your people, whom you redeem for yourself from Egypt, a nation and its gods?
(slide 5)
B . The Land of Canaan
After Abram entered the land God led him to, God reiterated His intentions concerning the land: Genesis 13:14-15 ESV The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.
God later provided definitive boundaries to the promised land to Abraham: Genesis 15:18-21 ESV – On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites.”
(slide 6)
C. The Offspring
“in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” A repetition of the promise in Genesis 22:18 ESV reads, “in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” We are not left to guess the meaning. Paul writes, “Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, ‘And to offsprings,’ referring to many, but referring to one, ‘And to your offspring,’ who is Christ. (Galatians 3:16 ESV).
Paul’s grammatical emphasis makes it clear that the blessings for “all nations” did not depend upon Israel as a nation, nor upon Jews as a people, but upon one of Abraham’s descendants, Jesus Christ.
(slide 7)
II. The Fulfillment of the Promises
It is crucial that we understand the manner in which God fulfilled the promises He made to Abram in Genesis 12 ESV. Much false doctrine, especially the false teachings of pre-millennialism, has roots in a misinterpretation of these promises, and a failure to recognize their proper fulfillment.
(slide 8)
A. Pre-millennialism alleges that Jesus will return to this earth before he commences a thousand-year reign on David’s throne in Jerusalem. Pre-millennialism, and its theological sister, dispensationalism, argue that God intends to reestablish a physical Jewish kingdom in Palestine. The doctrine contends that there is yet a purpose to be served by physical Israel (interpreted as the present physical state of Israel that began in 1948). Dispensationalists also allege that in the “seven-year tribulation period,” just prior to Christ’s “millennial reign,” God will restore the Jews to Palestine, and a national conversion of the Hebrew people will occur.
(slide 9)
B. However, a careful consideration of the Bible text will indicate that God fulfilled every physical element of the promises He made to Abraham. Note: The physical aspects of these promises were but means to a far more important and eternal purpose of salvation from sins for all mankind. “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29 ESV).
(slide 10)
1. We have already seen that God fulfilled His promise to make Abraham’s children a great nation. This special covenant relationship was driven by the law given at Sinai, and predicated on their keeping of that law. In speaking about the value of the law to Israel Moses said… – Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today? (Deuteronomy 4:6-8 ESV).
(slide 11)
2. God gave all the land He promised – Scriptures clearly refute all of the present “land claims” of the pre-millennialists. Joshua 21:43-45 ESV – Thus the LORD gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. And the LORD gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.
(slide 12)
The retention of the land was conditional on their faithfulness. Joshua 23:11-16 ESV – Be very careful, therefore, to love the LORD your God. For if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you, know for certain that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good ground that the LORD your God has given you. “And now I about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed. But just as all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you have been fulfilled for you, so the LORD will bring upon you all the evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land that the LORD your God has given you, if you transgress the covenant of the LORD you God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them. Then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land that he has given to you.”
(slide 13)
3. God returned a remnant to the land: There is not a single New Testament passage that speaks of a restoration of national Israel and the literal return of Hebrews to Palestine at some future time. The prophets did speak about a restoration of Israel to the land after the 70 years of exile in Babylon. Jeremiah 29:10 ESV – For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon. I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.
(slide 14)
a. Ezra 1:1 ESV – In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: Jeremiah’s prophecy was fulfilled in the days of Cyrus, king of Persia, through the work of Ezra and Nehemiah.
(slide 15)
b. Other predictions, which speak of a “restoration” of Israel, refer to a spiritual restoration (to God, not Palestine – such as Isaiah 49:6-9 ESV; where Isaiah speaks of Jehovah’s Servant (the Messiah) restoring Israel and blessing all nations. Paul references this verse twice (2 Cor. 6 ESV and Acts 13 ESV in Antioch) in connection with the preaching of the gospel to both the Jew and the Gentile.
(slide 16)
Conclusion
God promised Abraham:
- A nation
- A land
- An offspring
God fulfilled these promises in the nation of Israel, the Promised Land and Jesus Christ.
Content by Andrew Perkins
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Foundations of Faith Series – audio
Many thanks to Brian Giselbach of the Wood Avenue congregation in Florence Alabama for preaching this series of lessons for us. We also truly appreciate the many Wood Avenue members who devoted their time in outreach and encouragement leading up to this series.
Be sure to listen to each of the lessons in this series.
Foundations of Faith |
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· Why Should I Have Faith When Evil And Suffering Are In The World? |
Content by Zachary Van Tassel
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FOF – What Do I Do About My Faith Getting Weak? audio
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· Why Should I Have Faith When Evil And Suffering Are In The World? |
What Do I Do About My Faith Getting Weak?
Introduction
1. Now and again we sing a song: ”Revive us again: Fill each heart with Thy love; May each soul be rekindled, With fire from above.” Just because we sing it doesn’t mean we believe it!
2. Revival is Biblical! Isaiah 57:15. Revival is God’s will!
3. We are considering the question: What Do I Do About My Faith Getting Weak?
4. Revival is the answer to faith getting weak because weak faith is a reversal of God’s will for our faith. God wants faith to grow and thrive. If your faith is getting weak, then we want to interrupt and reverse that process.
5. Years ago, the apostle Paul addressed the problem of spiritual weakness in texts like Hebrews 5:12-14 and 1 Corinthians 2:14, 3:1-4. I am highlighting these texts deliberately because they show the connection between spiritual weakness and weak spiritual thinking. I want to capitalize on this relationship in this sermon.
Body
I. When our faith is weak, these are not the best moments (times) of our lives.
A. We want to limit these times and prevent them if we can. The result of a sustained, weakened faith is the loss of our souls.
B. Perhaps it would be best to have this conversation one-on-one.
C. Where you are in your relationship with God is the most important thing in your life. We know this because Heaven has made a considerable investment to save you from Hell (1 Tim.1:15; John 3:16; 3:36).
II. Why do we sometimes find ourselves in a condition of spiritual weakness (of complacency, of doubt, of discouragement, of disobedience) and in need of revival?
A. I will venture an explanation: The missing ingredient in so much of our faith is our own ”do-or-die” commitment to live seriously for Christ! We have simply failed to make up our minds to be thoroughly His.
B. Consider the ultimatum of Jesus in Luke 9:23 and Luke 14:27. What is discipleship but the daily yielding of my faith and life to His Lordship?
C. Consider John’s explanation of spiritual maturity: 1 John 3:9. Think of this statement in light of 1 Thessalonians 2:13. As long as we know the Word and as long as we yield ourselves to it we will be spiritually mature (Psa.119:11; 1 John 1:5-9).
1. We have the means to be spiritually strong. We must not allow our faith to enter into a state of habitual weakness (in which is failure and loss of interest in the things of God; in which is discouragement; in which is sin and rebellion).
2. The difference between weak faith (that excuses weakness and is moving away from God) and mature faith (that overcomes weakness and is moving closer to God) is a mind that is fully decided in following Christ.
III. So let’s talk about revival! Six simple steps you need to take in order to get your life back on track with God (six things to do when your faith is getting weak):
A. STEP # 1: You need some time to think!
- If your faith has been weakening, then you need to be alarmed because of the potential danger. So get off by yourself, and do some thinking.
- Paul said: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Cor.13:5).
- Test yourself against the measure of God’s Word!
- Peter told us that we don’t grow spiritually because we don’t use the mind properly: 2 Peter 1:2-11.
- The first remedy to spiritual lethargy is to turn your mind back to God. Example: The prodigal son (Luke 15).
B. STEP # 2: Decide once and for all that personal sin (all personal sin) is going to be taken seriously!
- Sin is what makes revival necessary. You must stop flirting with sin – period!
- Sin is ugly! Sin is slavery! Sin will kill your soul! Sin will rob you of Heaven (Rom.6:23)!
- Jesus said that one of the things that’s going to condemn people is the fact that “their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed” (Mat.13:15; eyes and ears are simply metaphors for the mind).
- Revival comes when we open our minds to the reality of sin.
C. STEP # 3: Be thorough when it comes to repentance!
- This is how the mind properly reacts to sin. “Repentance” is the toughest word in the dictionary of Christianity. See Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30-31.
- Repentance is about making up your mind to walk in a different direction. Re-pentance is about making up your mind to be done with sin (and to serve God).
- Repentance requires thought and deliberation.
- Review your life! Acknowledge your sins (1 John 1:9)! Chart a new course!
- Let godly sorrow do its work (Psa.51:17; Isa.57:15).
- Contrition is an inherent component of repentance. Repentance requires the abhorence of sin (Rom.12:9). Learn to hate personal sin!
D. STEP # 4: Eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive!
- Again, this is mind-work.
- Jesus spoke about purging our lives and foregoing any pleasure in order to avoid going to Hell (Matt.5:29-30). This includes change in our relationships and our exposure to the influences of the world (1 Cor.15:33; Psa.101:3).
- This means protecting and sanctifying the mind for the glory of God (2 Cor.10:5), and gravitating toward those things that are going to be positive forces in our lives (Phil.4:8-9).
- How do we do this? You must to prioritize personal Bible study and prayer, worship and church attendance, involvement in good works (like benevolence, and evangelism, and visitation, and encouragement).
E. STEP # 5: Focus on Christ and be committed to Him (“Do-or-die!”)!
- Be all in! Belong completely to Him!
- He is the object and foundation of our faith. Faith will only be as strong as our focus. But focus is an action of the mind!
- Focus on Jesus as our example of perfect, robust faith. The writer of Hebrews exhorted us to “look unto Jesus” (literally: turning away from all others; Heb.12:2).
- But also this: Jesus Christ calls us to the highest and best that we’re capable of (Luke 9:23; Matt.5:41; Matt.6:33).
- Here is where you begin your focus: “Search the Scriptures: for in them you think you have etemal life; and they are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). See also John 15:14.
F. STEP # 6: Let your motivation be the beauty of the grace of God!
- There is no substitute for being thoroughly taken (emotionally and mentally) with the grace of God (1 John 4:19). Let the beauty and wonder of God’s grace move you to decision, action, and praise.
- Be on guard against the wrong ideas about grace. Sometimes sin, failure, indifference, and weakness are excused on the basis that God has done all the heavy-lifting by sending His Son to be our sacrifice for sin – and therefore there is nothing for you to do.
- • Grace doesn’t lead to spiritual weakness, but to careful and joyful obedience (Titus 2:11-14). God’s grace is the reason to grow, and mature, and be strong in the faith.
- • You will never find an excuse for sin or weakness in grace (Rom.6:1-4). God’s love and grace is the provocation to a more complete, enjoyable, useful, and sanctified life in the service of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
1. What do I do about my faith getting weak? The answer is REVIVAL!
2. Revival begins with the mind being restored to God.
3. Jesus died so you wouldn’t have to live another day (or die someday) in sin.
4. The Son of God is offering to save you from eternal catastrophe. Today is the day to have a change of heart and mind, and set your life on a new course.
5. Accept His offer of salvation by trusting in His grace, confessing your faith in Jesus Christ (Rom.10:10), turning from your sins (Luke 13:3), and then dying to your sins in baptism (Rom.6:3-4; and being united with Christ).
6. This is where all of us make our start. If we’ve turned our back on Him (and allowed our faith to get weak), let’s turn back to Him at once (1 John 1:9).
Content by Brian Giselbach
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FOF – Jesus Christ: The Way, The Truth, and The Life – audio
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Jesus Christ: The Way, The Truth, and The Life
Introduction
1. John 14:1-6
2. It is the evening before the crucifixion, and Jesus still has so much to say to His disciples. Important things!
3. Part of His discourse to the disciples is recorded in John 13-16. He is going away, but He assures them that they know where He is going and that they know the way.
a. Thomas answered Him abruptly: “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
b. Jesus said to Him in that amazing statement for the ages: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).
4. Today we will investigate this amazing statement in view of appreciating its unequaled value to men and women in need of a Savior.
Body
I. Let us observe some of the implications of the statement:
A. The words of Jesus imply that all people fit into two basic groups (John 3:16; Matt.25:31-46; Matt.13:36-43; Matt.7:13-14; Matt.25:1-13; John 5:28-29).
B. The words of Jesus mean that the way to God is absolute and singular (Matt.7:13-14; Acts 4:12).
C. The words of Jesus propose that we are out of touch with God, that we need to come to God, and that we can come to God (Heb.10:20).
II. One of the messages to be derived from the words of this text is the tragedy and ruin of life without Christ!
A. Why Jesus came.
1. There are many ways the Bible describes our wayward and sinful condition before God. Here’s the way Paul said it: Ephesians 2:12. Jesus said it this way: John 15:5.
2. Being without Christ is the worse thing in the world to happen to us because of who He is. He came to be our Lord, our Counselor, our Savior, our Shepherd, and our Friend. He wants to be all of these things to you.
3. Consider three points from Jesus’ description of Himself (as our bridge to God):
B. Because Jesus is the way, without Him we are lost!
1. A lost dog, a lost car, a lost ring, a lost billfold, a lost child, a lost cause – all of these things excite and alarm us because they all have to do with things that are valuable to us.
2. Jesus came into the world because – by Heaven’s valuation – we have lost the most valuable possession we have: our souls.
3. See Matthew 16:26. This question was asked by the One who came to save the soul. He asked it in order to make us think; to remind us of the value of the soul.
4. What is the soul? It is your essence as a human being (minus your physical body). You are a spiritual being with thoughts, and memory, and personality. And God has ordained you to live forever.
5. Nothing is more valuable than your soul, and Jesus is the way to find it!
C. Because Jesus is the truth, without Him we are in error!
1. Truth is that which corresponds to reality. Sadly, truth and reality have fallen on hard times. The very idea of truth is often rejected. Sometimes people say, “You have your truth, and I have my truth!”
2. And yet, even as we deny truth, we meet it everyday.
3. You need to know: Jesus was not a speculator in the world of think-so, uncertainty, or subjectivity. Based on the reality of God, the reality of sin, and the reality that God is going to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31), Jesus came to bring us to God! We need to know this, and be sure of it, because it is true!
4. Jesus said: “And where I go you know, and the way you know” (John 14:4). Jesus was going to the Father. Can we go to the Father also? Yes…”and the way you know.” Thomas asked: “Lord…how can we know the way?” One of the things Jesus said in reply was: “I am…the truth…”
5. Here is what this means: Jesus Christ is the source and embodiment of all that we need to know to reach Heaven (John 8:32; Col.1:3-6; Rom.6:17-18; John 8:46; Gal.3:1).
6. This is one of the most important things you need to consider when it comes to understanding and accepting the truth about something: The process depends as much on the integrity of the listener as it does the veracity of the message!
7. Jesus Christ is the truth. He can save you from error and deception. But you have to “love the truth” (2 Thess.2:10). And that requires a sincere and noble heart.
D. Because Jesus is the life, without Him we are dead (John 1:4; John 10:10; John 11:25-26).
1. Before Jesus was our Savior, He was our Creator. As our Creator, He is our source of life (“in Him we live, and move, and have our being”; Acts 17:28).
2. Jesus is the only way to reach God! When a man or woman is baptized into Christ, there is an infusion of life (so that the soul is no longer dead to God; Rom.6:5).
3. In Jesus Christ, whatever we lack, one thing is certain: We will never be short of life!
4. Do you know what it means to be a Christian? It means new life (2 Cor.5:15).
5. Live or die, come what may, Jesus is our life. And because He is our life, we count not our lives dear to ourselves (Acts 20:24). Only in Jesus Christ is there power to overcome death (and we become more than conquerors; Rom.8:37)!
6. Jesus said (after calling us to commitment): “Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matt.16:25)
Conclusion
1. Thomas a Kempis, commenting on John 14:6, wrote these immortal words in honor of Jesus: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. Without the way there is no going; without the truth there is no knowing; without the life there is no living.”
2. Our absolute and inescapable dependence on Jesus Christ is affirmed! Never forget what He said: “No one comes to the Father except through Me!”
3. It was a powerful thing to say. But you have power too! You have the power to obey Him or reject Him!
4. Some are angered by the exclusivity of His words (and want nothing to do with Him)! How much better, and wiser, to consider the possibility that He is, in fact, the only way to the Father!
5. It should be to our surprise and amazement that access to God has been graciously provided at all! Who are we to place God under our judgment and reject His grace?
Content by Brian Giselbach
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FOF – The Problem of Sin – audio
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The Problem of Sin
Introduction
1. “Sin” is the most horrific word in the Bible and in human experience! It is sin that imperils our souls and makes our rescue from Hell so necessary. It is sin that causes such pain in the heart of God.
2. Dr. Karl Menninger, in his book, Whatever Became Of Sin, takes preachers to task for soft-pedaling when it comes to the subject of sin, and then adds that a preacher “cannot minimize sin and maintain his proper role in our culture.” Of course, any effort to minimize sin is to minimize the very reason why Jesus came from Heaven to earth – to save us from our sins.
3. Although there is a time and place for preachers to talk about specific sins, there is also a time and place to help the church understand the larger issue of sin’s gravity.
Body
I. How is sin to be defined?
A. Let’s pursue a blended approach (academic and practical) to defining sin:
1. The primary words for sin in the original language revolve around two main concepts:
(1) To sin is to “miss the mark” (as when a player aims for a goal and misses, or when an archer shoots an arrow and it falls short of the target). And then
(2) To sin is to “transgress” (as when a player steps out of bounds on a field/court of play).
2. So the basic idea of sin is easy to grasp. Sin involves a person straying off course or failing to achieve a goal.
B. Now there are a couple of ideas that need to be understood about sin that make this both a deeply spiritual issue and a relationship issue that, if not remedied, places us in the grip of Hell itself (and deservedly so)!
1. If sin is missing the goal or straying off course, then there must be a pre-determined boundary or goal: Romans 4:15; 1 John 3:4
2. Sin is more than just external behavior; it arises from the attitudes, the motives, and the will of each human being: Matthew 15:18-19; Jeremiah 17:9
C. Adding to this: The situation is even worse because the problem of sin is universal (Romans 3:9-18, 23).
II. This raises a question that is tremendously important: Why do we sin?
A. It is my guess that the cause of sin among human beings bears a relationship to the origin of sin (which we read about in Genesis 3:1-8). Paul cited this connection in Romans 5:12-21. How were we infected by Adam’s sin?
B. Some are of the opinion (and they teach it as the truth) that all of Adam’s offspring (including you/me) become sinners by inheritance; that we are sinners by nature; that we are hopelessly and totally depraved (hence the idea of total depravity).
C. But there are a several problems with this idea. I will mention some of them briefly:
1. Paul wrote: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned…” (Romans 5:12) Paul did not say: “Death spread to all men, because Adam sinned”, but “because all sinned.” My sin is what brought death into my life as a consequence of sin!
2. Paul said (Romans 5:19): “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” If righteousness comes conditionally (by way of influence) – and it does – why not unrighteousness (or sin)?
3. Paul said we are made sinners by Adam’s offense (so there’s a connection to be sure), but he never says how we are made sinners. Several scriptures (including Romans 1:18-32 and Ephesians 2:1ff) indicate that we become sinners by allowing ourselves, through varying degrees of consciousness, to fall under the influences characteristic of a sinful environment (which was introduced into the world by Adam)!
4. The impression of a sinful environment on the mind has proven to be a powerful influence (shaping our thoughts and personalities from even our earliest years).
– Still, the Bible places the onus responsibility for your sin on you: Ezekiel 18:4; James 1:12-18; 1 John 2:1.
– We have no one to blame for our sin but ourselves!
D. Some of the wrong things people believe about sin:
1. One of the ideas that people have is that all human beings are basically good (in their hearts). But consider: Matthew 18:1-5; 19:14; Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; John 2:24-25; Romans 7:18
2. Another idea contends that we must sin because we are human (on the basis that no one is perfect).
– One of the problems with this is that it fails to recognize the way the Bible deals with the subject of sin (which is primarily a decision of the will to transgress God’s law).
– Another problem with this idea is: If our humanity is inescapably tied to sin, then salvation from sin must include salvation from our humanity. But Jesus didn’t come to dehumanize us. Instead, He appealed to our humanity (our will; our autonomy) in order to save us Ephesians 2:8; Matthew 23:37.
E. So here’s the conclusion I believe the evidence demands: The vector of the fall (in Genesis 3) has been entirely negative! One writer said it this way: “Sin, at bottom, is as simple as it is dreadful: sin is simply telling God to “buzz off”! He claims us for Himself, and we say, “Leave me alone!”
III. What are the consequences of sin?
A. The worst and most serious consequence of our sin is our estrangement from God!
1. To be a stranger to God is to be dead to God (Ephesians 2:1).
2. Isaiah 59:1-2; Psalm 51:4; Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 25:41
B. A second consequence of sin is our estrangement from others!
C. A third consequence of sin is our estrangement from ourselves (Hebrews 3:13; Luke 15; John 8:34). Someone said once: “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.”
IV. No sermon on the subject of sin would be complete without a discussion of the remedy for overcoming sin!
A. Acts 8: Philip preached Jesus to an Ethiopian official from Isaiah 53
B. To overcome sin, a person must first recognize his/her own personal sin and personal guilt (Psalm 51; Acts 8; 1 Timothy 1:15).
C. And then steps must be taken – as directed by God – to have your sins expiated (or satisfied; or atoned for)! Jesus Christ came into the world to do this (Gal.4:3-7), and the effects of His sacrifice come to us on the basis of an obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 3:21-26)! This is the essence of the gospel! See also Mark 16:15-16; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 1 John 4:19. This is the only remedy God has provided for the problem of sin.
D. Several years ago, Wendell Winkler came out with a book called Studying Sin Seriously. In this masterful book he highlighted a number of aids that we can utilize in overcoming temptation and sin! Among them:
1. We can use the Bible to help us overcome sin (Psalm 119:9; John 17:17; Psalm 119:11).
2. We can utilize prayer in overcoming temptation and sin (Ephesians 6:13-18; Matthew 6:13).
3. We can also cultivate a reverential fear of God in our desire to overcome sin (Exodus 20:20; Proverbs 3:7; 2 Corinthians 5:11).
4. Regular self-examination will help us to overcome sin (2 Corinthians 13:5). Also, be careful about who our friends are (1 Corinthians 15:33). Also, knowing that God is watching us, and that we will give an account of our lives before Him (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Conclusion
1. The problem with sin is that it will keep you out of Heaven. Even worse than that, you will find yourself in Hell forever.
2. Do you want to defeat the problem of sin in your life? Then adopt one simple disposition: Humility before God! See Luke 18:13.
3. Your Savior is imploring you to turn from your sin!
– Do it to avoid Hell!
– Do it to allow the Lord to make you fit, by His grace, for Heaven!
– Finally: James 4:7-10
Content by Brian Giselbach
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· Why Should I Have Faith When Evil And Suffering Are In The World? |
Does God Exist?
Introduction
1. Does God exist? Yes, God does exist! But not just because I believe it or say it.
2. Someday, if I ever deny His existence, He will still exist. The existence of God is not dependent on my recognition or my acceptance of Him.
3. There are many people who deny the existence of God. When they do this they end up diminishing their own existence more than they do the existence of God.
4. Sadly, faith is no longer a cultural expectation. We live in an age of skepticism, doubt, and unbelief.
5. Consider this: If God does exist, and if He created everything we see around us, then His existence is the most important thing we could contemplate.
6. Consider this also:
– If God does exist; He may expect me to believe that He exists and He may expect me to respond to Him in some particular fashion.
– And if I fail to meet this expectation, He may even hold me accountable for this failure.
Body
I. Does God exist?
I have already answered the question in the affirmative. But I understand, this doesn’t make it so.
A. The first order of business in a discussion of the existence of God is to define what we mean by “God”!
1. This is not easy to do. But I have to try. Based on the Bible, when I talk about God, I mean the eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Creator revealed to us through Jesus Christ and the Bible as being:
(1) Without beginning or end
(2) Comprised of three personalities (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit)
(3) He has a great and deep love for human beings.
2. This is a vastly imperfect definition of “God”. However it is accurate as a general definition.
B. We can dispense with the ultra-extreme atheistic position. In order for a person to say (unequivocally) that there is no God, he would have to possess all knowledge (because it may be that the one thing this person does not know is that God exists). Only the most arrogant individual would take such an extreme position.
1. Most atheists are actually agnostics. They claim that a person cannot know whether God exists, and so they choose to fall on the side of unbelief (and adopt the irreligious lifestyle their unbelief demands).
2. They then claim that their anti-God stance is intellectually superior to those of us who believe in God (insisting that the burden of proof lies with us; that we have to prove God’s existence to them). I would argue that the burden of proof lies with the unbeliever: He has to prove that the physical world is all there is, which he cannot do.
C. Another point to think about: Why isn’t God’s existence so obvious as to render the efforts of unbelievers and deniers completely foolish and without merit? There are a few things to consider:
1. The Bible itself recognizes the fact that God is not always forcefully obvious (Job 23:8-9).
2. We have to consider the possibility that God is not obvious to us on purpose. He wants us to respond to Him voluntarily (by faith; not against our will).
3. God has provided just the right kind of evidence (and amount of evidence) so as to require humility and the correct learning skills so that the good and honest soul can properly interpret the evidence – without coercion.
4. Finally: It is God’s prerogative (not man’s) to determine when, where, and how He reveals Himself to us. Consider the fact that God provided evidence that is abundant and overflowing when He sent His Son, 2,000 years ago, to live and work among men. But some choose – wrongly – to deny the historical evidence and demand some kind of repeatable scientific proof from God – Examples: Luke 16:19-31 and John 20:24-29.
D. Speaking of evidence: It is sometimes said that it is impossible to prove the existence of God.
1. The truth is: We all weigh and consider evidence differently. Some people need more evidence (or persuasion) before making a commitment, others need less.
2. In one sense it is not possible to prove the existence of God.
(1) God does not have a physical body – so we can’t exactly weigh Him on a scale or measure Him with a tape measure.
(2) Nor can God be examined under a microscope or seen through a telescope.
(3) God is a spiritual being; not a physical being. His existence is beyond the scope of scientific investigation.
(4) Besides, God doesn’t have to condescend to our standards in order to “earn the right” to be believed in.
3. Another way to make a case for something is to present several lines of evidence that, although no single line of evidence is conclusive, many lines of evidence converge to make it possible to reach a reasonable conclusion. In other words, you present a kind of “legal case” based on “inferential proof”.
II. How do we know there is a God?
A. Since the Bible claims to be inspired of God (2 Tim.3:16-17), what answer does the Bible gives to this question?
1. God, the author of the Bible, makes no formal case for His existence. The Bible simply begins this way: Genesis 1:1. We shouldn’t be surprised by this. I have never picked up a book where the author begins by making a case for his own existence.
2. In the absence of any formal argumentation one has to speculate whether God is suggesting that if people are foolish enough to deny His existence, then they don’t deserve the effort it would take to persuade them otherwise.
3. Nevertheless, God has not left us without witness. There are important clues in the Bible as to how a person might go about establishing a case for the existence of God. Examples:
(1). The statement Pharoah made to Moses in Exodus 5:2. In response, at the behest of God, Moses gave overwhelming evidence (through ten plagues) that God was to be feared and obeyed!
(2). We don’t have miraculous power at our disposal today. But we do have the handiwork of God Himself, and it is beautiful, marvelous, and sometimes terrifying (Psalm 19:1). God has displayed His power in creation. Like Pharoah, we disbelieve to our doom.
B. The Biblical case for the existence of God:
1. The Bible presents a case for the existence of God based on cosmology (the existence of the world/universe): Hebrews 3:4; Job 12:7-10; Romans 1:19-20
(1) The Cosmological Argument is based on the general experience that everything in the universe (cosmos) is actually an effect that must have had a cause. Not only that, but every effect must have an adequate cause.
– If you were walking on the beach and found a watch lying on the sand, you would naturally assume that some able-bodied person(s) had produced it, and you would recognize it as a something especially suited for the purpose of displaying time. You wouldn’t say: “What a remarkable coincidence! All the parts randomly came together to produce this watch.”
– We would know immediately that this watch was no accident. We would know that it was caused, and we would know that it wasn’t caused by a school of fish or a flock of seagulls. The existence of that watch must have an adequate cause… and the only creature we know of that can create a watch is a human being.
– Even so, the universe, and all its parts, is an effect. Something had to have caused the effect (because something doesn’t come from nothing). And that cause must be God!
(2) The Teleological Argument is based on the idea that the universe demonstrates a high degree of organization, and that such characteristics imply a designer (or architect). Of course the Designer is God. Numerous examples of design in nature could be given.
Note: None of these arguments are invincible to the point that they can persuade every unbeliever to become a believer. As I said before, God stops short in providing unequivocal evidence for His existence. He gives us room to deny Him if that is where our prejudice and disposition leads us. If this argument (pointing to creation as evidence for God’s existence) has limitations, then it’s because God Himself has put these limitations in place. I maintain that it is reasonable to observe creation, and from this observation, come to the conclusion that God made all that we see around us. This the Biblical case for the existence of God.
2. The Bible presents a case for the existence of God based on morality and conscience: Romans 2:14-15
(1) Example of the reaction of the world when the first photographs of the concentration camp at Auschwitz were released following WWII. Intuitively, people of conscience knew that what had happened was wrong!
– Where did this recognition of right and wrong (this moral compass) originate?
– None of the arguments offered by the Nazis were satisfactory.
– All efforts to justify man’s inhumanity to man fail to satisfy us because they carry with them the subtle suggestion that morality is arbitrary. If morality is arbitrary, then suddenly, our world becomes a very dangerous place. Every person becomes a law to himself; which actually translates into lawlessness.
(2) The truth is: There are general moral principles that are universally recognized. It will not do to argue against this on the basis of thousands of hypothetical moral dilemmas or “what-if” situations (real or imagined) where right and wrong are ambiguous. Just because dusk and dawn exist doesn’t mean you can’t identify daylight or dark.
(3) The great thing about the moral argument is that once you get a handle on it you discover something amazing: The moral argument is not a description of how people behave; it is a prescription of how people should behave! In other words, it is right to be kind, and generous, and honest, and courageous, and just. It is wrong to be selfish, cruel, deceptive, abusive, and ungrateful. God created moral order. Therefore, God exists.
3. The Bible presents a case for the existence of God based on His activity in history:
(1). If it can be demonstrated that the Bible is Divinely-inspired (that it cannot be the production of a man or group of men), then it can be concluded that God exists. This wonderful truth can be demonstrated by pointing to several lines of evidence.
(2). Once the Divine inspiration of the Bible is established, there are a couple of directions you can take. In my judgment, the best “road to take” is that which focuses on the personality and ministry of Jesus Christ.
(3). This argument is used by Paul in Acts 17. See especially: Acts 17:30-31. What is interesting about Paul’s words is the response that followed. Some mocked and were disinterested. No doubt they considered themselves reasonable and intellectually elite. But then the Bible focuses on the smart ones. Based on Paul’s message, some believed (Dionysius the Areopagite, Damaris, and a few others).
Conclusion
1. There are other arguments and reasons to believe in the existence of God. It has been my purpose to highlight the arguments that are found in God’s own Word.
2. We need to be assured that we do not stand on shifting sand (when we believe in God). When we say “There is a God in Heaven,” we stand on immovable bedrock.
3. Jesus once said (John 14:1): “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” It is here that we come to the “holy ground” of faith. Faith in God is rational (as the arguments for God’s existence demonstrate). But there is much more. Faith in God must be personal.
4. God invites you to know Him convincingly and personally through His Son Jesus Christ.
Content by Brian Giselbach
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