Historical Posts
Be Thankful
Recognise your blessings and be thankful.
Paul wrote: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Genuine gratitude must be expressed. When we are truly grateful, we cannot help but say so. But, often we don’t say “thank you” enough. Be thankful and express it.
We should be thankful to parents for the love, nurture and direction they gave to us as we developed into mature adults. We should be thankful to teachers who patiently taught us the fundamentals of reading, writing, and arithmetic, the building blocks of education. We should be thankful to loving mates who have stood by us through thick and thin offering encouragement and support. We should be thankful to employers for the opportunity to work and provide for our families.
We should give thanks for the “little things” without which we could not survive. Are you thankful for the air you breathe? The sunshine? The rain? The changing of the seasons? Rather than complain about the weather, we should stop to give thanks.
We should be thankful for the people who have blessed and enriched our lives. It may have been a simple smile or an encouraging word, but it made a difference. Did we give thanks?
Most of all, we should be thankful to God who is the giver of all. For “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). As Paul also wrote: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of God? Of who hath been his counselor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever” (Romans 11:33-36 KJV).
We are ever in His debt. We should give thanks daily for His blessings! This nation may pause once a year to express thanksgiving, but those who truly understand will not let a day pass without giving thanks to God.
Are you thankful? Would you like to know more about His blessings?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Daniel Blesses God – Daniel 02:20-23 – audio
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Text: Daniel 2:20-23
Introduction
King Nebuchadnezzar had a very troubling dream, and no one could tell him what it was or its interpretation.
However, Daniel sought the mercies of God; it was then the secret was revealed unto him in a night vision.
After receiving the dream and its interpretation, Daniel blessed God!
Body
I. Daniel blesses the name of God, and declares that wisdom and might belong to Him (Daniel 2:20).
Paul wrote, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out (Romans 11:33)!
II. Daniel acknowledges God is in control of the times and seasons (Daniel 2:21).
He already promised that “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease (Genesis 8:22).”
He is also in control over who is in authority (Romans 13:1).
Again, it is declared that He is the source of all wisdom and knowledge.
III. Daniel gives credit to whom credit is due.
God knows the secret things (Deuteronomy 29:29), and reveals them.
He sees what is in the dark, and light dwells in Him (Daniel 2:22).
After all, He is light and there is no darkness in Him (1 John 1:5).
IV. Daniel is thankful to God, and praises Him (Daniel 2:23).
We should always be thankful to God (1 Thessalonians 5:18). As Daniel learned, God will make known to us what we seek of Him.
Conclusion
Just as Daniel praised God and thanked Him, so we must do.
When was the last time you thought of the goodness of God? Did you thank Him? Did you bless Him? He gives us wisdom and understanding, and answers our prayers.
We must recognize His power and submit to His will.
Content by Richard Dillon
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More Blessed to Give Than to Receive
It seems as if this congregation has suffered a lot of hardships lately. Sister Jewell fell and broke her ankle in three places, Brother Dillon has had a fever and sore throat, and Brother Van Tassel got injured with a stake ponder. I am sure none of these three individuals wanted to be in his or her situation. Sister Jewell even offered to trade Brother Dillon a stuffy head for a broken ankle!
We would all gladly give away something we do not want. In fact, if someone else has something that we think is better for us, we would trade for it. On the other hand, would we be willing to accept something we may not want but need? Would we be glad to get rid of something that we may not need but want, although it would be a greater benefit to someone else?
The apostle Paul said, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).’”
There are two things to notice about Paul’s statement here. First, he demonstrated how to support the weak. He did so by laboring! If we are to help others, we need to work as Christ worked for us. Second, he recalls that Jesus taught about giving. God gave Jesus to us; Jesus gave Himself for our sins (John 3:16). We need to be more givers than receivers.
Next week the brethren from Wood Avenue will be here to give of themselves to us. They will be laboring by knocking doors, teaching children, and conducting a gospel meeting. What will we give them? May we labor with them by inviting others to the gospel meeting, knocking doors, and working with Sonshine Family Camp. May we also give next week (and always)!
Content by Richard Dillon
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Psalm 021:01-07 Blessed – Part 3
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Three Part Series: Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3
Text: Psalm 21:1-7
Introduction
1. God wants His people to be happy.
2. As we have seen, the Psalms have much to say about happiness.
3. We have seen that we can be happy when our sins are forgiven / covered.
4. We have seen that we are blessed when we allow the Lord to teach us.
5. We have seen that we are blessed when we keep godly company.
6. Notice these passages:
a. Psalm 21:6-7. For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord, And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.
b. Psalm 2:12. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
c. Psalm 34:8. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
d. Psalm 84:5. Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
e. Psalm 84:12. O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!
7. We will be blessed / happy when we put our trust in God.
8. What does it mean to trust in the Lord?
9. In order to answer that question, let’s look to for examples of such trust.
Body
I. ABRAHAM TRUSTED GOD.
A. In leaving his homeland.
Hebrews 11:8-10. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
B. In having a child.
Genesis 15:5-6. Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
C. In his willingness to sacrifice that child.
Genesis 22:7-8. But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.
II. JOSHUA AND CALEB TRUSTED GOD.
A. The Spies (Except for Joshua and Caleb) felt there was no possible way to take the land.
Numbers 13:26-33. Now they departed and came back to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.” Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the giants (The descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”
B. Their lack of trust in God infected others.
Numbers 14:1-5. So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” So they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.” Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.
C. Joshua and Caleb tried to persuade them to trust in God.
Numbers 14:6-9. But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.”
D. Another example of Caleb’s trust.
Joshua 14:10-13. And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said.” And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance.
III. DAVID TRUSTED GOD.
A. A certain giant was defying God’s people.
1 Samuel 17:4-11. And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. And he had bronze armor on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders. Now the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his iron spearhead weighed six hundred shekels; and a shield-bearer went before him. Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.” When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.
B. Only David trusted God enough to face Goliath.
1 Samuel 17:45-47. Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
IV. IN ALL OF THESE CASES:
A. God’s people were challenged.
1. There were faced with problems that seemed too big or too difficult to handle.
a) Abraham was told to sacrifice a son.
b) Israel was told to take a land that was occupied by a people stronger than they.
c) David had to face a giant.
2. There were naysayers.
a) In the case of Joshua and Caleb, Israel was going to stone them. Numbers 14:10. And all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Now the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of meeting before all the children of Israel.
b) In David’s case:
(1) The people were dismayed and afraid. 1 Samuel 7:11. When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.
(2) His brothers derided him. 1 Samuel 17:28. Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”
(3) Saul felt it was impossible. 1 Samuel 17:33. And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”
(4) Goliath ridiculed him. 1 Samuel 17:43-44. So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”
B. These people remembered God’s past faithfulness.
1. Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son because God had never failed him. Hebrews 11:17-19. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
2. Undoubtedly, Joshua and Caleb’s trust in God came from remembering God’s previous deliverance of the nation of Israel.
3. David’s confidence was based on previous experiences as well. 1 Samuel 17:34-37. But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!
C. They trusted in God to deliver them in their current distress.
1. Even though the odds were against them…
2. Even though worldly wisdom said there was no chance…
3. Even though everyone else thought they were crazy…
4. They trusted in God!
5. A side-note:
a) Why did David take five stones?
b) I believe the answer to this question is very important.
c) We are to trust God to deliver us and then we are to prepare to do our part.
d) For all David knew, God would let him miss a couple of times.
e) He did not tempt, or test, God by only taking one stone. Matthew 4:5-7. Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”
f) He also had his staff just in case the stones did not work.
g) A lot of times, we trust God but we do not really know what His will is.
h) Therefore, like David, we have to prepare, do the best we can, and trust God to work it all out in the end.
V. WE ALL FACE CHALLENGES IN OUR WALK WITH GOD.
A. Do we trust in God? It’s on our money.
1. There will be naysayers.
2. We must remember God’s past faithfulness.
a) With us personally.
b) With others. Romans 15:4. For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
3. We must trust God to help us.
a) Matthew 6:31-34. “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
b) Matthew 7:7-11. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
B. Can God trust in us?
Conclusion
1. God wants you to be blessed.
2. We will be blessed by trusting in Him.
Delivered on: February 19, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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Psalm 040:01-04 Blessed – Part 2 – audio
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Three Part Series: Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3
Text: Psalm 40:1-4
Introduction
1. As Christians, we live in the world be we are not to be OF the world.
2. We will associate with people who are not Christians.
a. Family.
b. Friends.
c. Co-workers.
d. Fellow students.
3. The Bible warns us over and over again about the company we choose to keep.
4. Continuing our study on what the Psalms tell us about how to live blessed lives; notice what they say about the company that we keep.
Body
I. A PLETHORA OF PASSAGES.
A. Psalm 1:1-2. Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
B. Psalm 40:4. Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
C. Proverbs 1:10-15. My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit; We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil; Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse” – My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path;
D. Proverbs 4:14-15. Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.
E. Proverbs 13:20. He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
F. Proverbs 14:7. Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
G. Proverbs 16:29. A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good.
H. Proverbs 20:19. He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.
I. Proverbs 22:24-25. Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, 25 Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.
J. Proverbs 23:6. Do not eat the bread of a miser, Nor desire his delicacies;
K. Proverbs 23:20. Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
L. Proverbs 24:1-2. Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; 2 For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking.
M. Proverbs 28:7. Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father.
N. 1 Corinthians 15:33. Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
II. WHAT TYPES OF PEOPLE ARE MENTIONED IN THESE PASSAGES?
A. Ungodly / Wicked / Evil.
1. One who does that which is wrong.
2. A guilty person.
3. One who is immoral.
B. Sinners.
1. An offender.
2. One accounted guilty.
3. Sinful.
C. Scornful.
1. A scoffer.
2. One who mocks.
D. Proud.
1. Insolent.
2. Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect.
a) For God.
b) For the church.
c) For those in authority.
E. Those who turn aside to lies.
1. This is referring to those who turn aside to idolatry.
2. Romans 1:24-25. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
F. Foolish.
1. A dullard.
2. Simpleton.
3. Stupid fellow.
4. Arrogant one.
5. Biblically, a fool is one who does not hear and heed the word of God – Matthew 7:26
G. Violent.
1. Cruel.
2. Unjust.
3. Immoral.
H. Talebearers and Flatterers.
1. Talebearer – slanderer, informer.
2. Flatterer – one who flatters, deceives for personal gain.
I. Miser.
1. Disagreeable.
2. Unpleasant.
3. Malignant.
4. Bad.
J. Winebibbers and Gluttonous.
1. Winebibbers – drinkers of wine.
2. Gluttonous – vile, riotous eater.
III. IN REGARD TO THESE PEOPLE: HOW ARE WE TO INTERACT WITH THEM?
A. We are not to allow them to entice us.
1. They will try to get us to do that which we know is wrong.
2. We cannot allow them to cause us to sin against God.
B. We are not to enter their path or walk in their ways.
C. We are not to be companions with them.
1. To be a special friend.
2. To associate with someone.
D. We are not to associate with them.
1. To have fellowship with; to share.
2. Ephesians 5:11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
3. We are to “make no friendship with” them.
4. We are not to eat their bread.
5. We are not to mix with them.
E. We are not to envy them nor desire to be with them.
F. We are not suggesting that it is wrong to have friends who are not Christians.
1. All of us have family and friends who are not Christians.
2. What these passages are telling us is that we are not to be partners with them.
3. We are to show love and kindness to all – Galatians 6:10
4. But we are also to remain a separate people – 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
5. An important question: Given the opportunity to spend time with your brothers and sisters in Christ or to spend time with your worldly friends, whom do you choose?
6. Your answer to that question tells much about your spiritual maturity.
IV. WHY IS IT SUCH A BIG DEAL?
A. Why is God so concerned with whom we choose to spend our time?
B. Because God wants us to be happy and He knows us.
1. Psalm 106:34-35. They did not destroy the peoples, Concerning whom the Lord had commanded them, But they mingled with the Gentiles And learned their works;
2. He knows that if His people intermingle with the world, they will learn the works of the world.
3. 1 Corinthians 15:33. Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
4. Do we really want to put ourselves in this situation?
a) Wanting to “fit in” with friends who care nothing about what God wants from us.
b) This will eventually lead to unhappiness and discontent on our part.
c) God wants us to be blessed – happy.
5. Like any good parent, God wants to protect us from those things which will harm us.
a) Even though we may not see the danger.
b) Are we going to trust His judgment in this matter.
C. Unfortunately, we often act like stubborn children.
1. Stubbornly insisting that we know best.
2. Insisting that we can “handle” any temptations placed before us.
V. OUR JOB AS PARENTS.
A. We have to remember these things as parents.
1. We are responsible for bringing our children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
2. We are to look out for their spiritual well-being.
3. Part of that is making sure that they are not associating too closely with people who will pull them away from Christ.
B. We should instill in them at a very young age that when they grow up, they need to marry a Christian.
1. When one chooses a spouse, he is choosing to attach himself to a certain person for the rest of his life.
2. Steve Higginbotham kept records for 21 years at a particular congregation regarding mixed marriages.
a) 76 youth married non-Christians and 57 of them ended up leaving the faith (75%).
b) 24 of the 76 who married non-Christians ended up divorced (32%).
c) 4 of the 76 were able to convert their spouse (5%).
d) 13 youth married Christians and only 3 left the faith (23%).
e) 3 of the 13 who married Christians have divorced (23%).
Conclusion.
1. God wants us to be happy.
2. Associating too closely with sinful, worldly people will only bring trouble and heartache.
3. Let us have the attitude of David – Psalm 84:10
Delivered on: February 12, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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Psalm 001:01-03 Blessed – Part 1 – audio
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Three Part Series: Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3
Text: Psalm 1:1-3
Introduction
1. Happiness…
2. People are constantly in pursuit of it.
3. God desires us to be happy individuals as well.
4. As a matter of fact, He tells us how to accomplish it.
5. The word “blessed” means happy.
6. In the Hebrew, it comes from a word that literally means “to go, walk straight on; signifies to be happy.” In other words, the way in which we go (Live) shows what the end will be.
7. One can derive happiness from life by going the right way in this life.
8. Let us start a short series on what the book of Psalms tells us about how to live a blessed life.
I. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE SINS ARE FORGIVEN.
Psalm 32:1-2. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
A. Do you realize the consequences of your iniquities?
1. They cause you to be separated from God – Isaiah 59:1-2
2. They cause you to be deserving of eternal separation from God – Romans 6:23
3. Unforgiven sin causes you to be an enemy of God – Matthew 12:30
4. Hebrews 10:28-31 – Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
B. Indeed, it ought to bring us great joy t4o know that our sins are forgiven and covered.
1. Forgiveness is described as our sins being covered.
a) In Old Testament times, when a debt was owed, it was carved into the face of a stone.
b) When the debt was paid in full, the engraving was filled in with wax.
c) Sin is a debt that we owe.
d) It is covered by the blood of Jesus.
2. Isaiah 1:18. “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, ” Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
a) Here, sin is shown as a stain that is removed.
b) Hence, that stone of debt is not only filled in, it is scrubbed clean as if there never was a debt owed.
3. Isaiah 38:17. Indeed it was for my own peace That I had great bitterness; But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.
a) Sin is cast behind the back of God.
b) He throws that rock behind his back!
4. Isaiah 44:21-22. “Remember these, O Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me! I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”
a) Sins are blotted out like a thick cloud.
b) A thick cloud arises between God and stone which He threw behind His back.
5. Micah 7:18-19. Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.
a) God casts our sins into the depths of the sea.
b) He throws that rock into the deepest part of the ocean; never to be seen again.
II. HOW DO WE ATTAIN THIS FORGIVENESS?? BLESSED ARE THE UNDEFILED IN THE WAY.
A. Psalm 119:1-2. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!
1. Those who are undefiled are blessed. The passage goes on to tell us how to be undefiled.
2. The undefiled are those who walk in the law of the Lord.
3. The undefiled are those who keep God’s testimonies.
4. The undefiled are the ones who seek God with their whole heart.
5. We attain forgiveness by seeking God with our WHOLE heart.
a) With an open mind.
b) With a ready mind (Ready to obey).
c) With a hunger – Matthew 5:6
6. Once we seek Him, we must be willing to walk in His Law and keep His testimonies.
a) We must be obedient.
b) Belief alone is not (And never has been) enough.
B. We must allow ourselves to be instructed by God – Psalm 94:12
1. Let’s emphasize here that it is God’s instruction that will lead to our salvation and ultimate happiness.
2. 1 Thessalonians 2:13. For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
3. Only two possible sources of spiritual authority – Matthew 21:23-25
4. Man’s doctrine will not profit us.
III. TAKING DELIGHT IN GOD’S LAW BRINGS HAPPINESS!
A. Psalm 1:1-2. Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
1. Do you delight in the Law of God?
2. We delight in…
a) Watching sports…
b) Reading good books…
c) Gardening…
d) Exercising…
e) Reading the Bible???
B. Psalm 112:1. Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments.
1. Do you GREATLY delight in God’s law?
2. Whether or not you delight in God’s law depends largely on how you view it.
a) Do you simply view it as a rule book?
(1) Do this.
(2) Don’t do that.
(3) The Bible is a rule book, however, if this is the primary way you see the Bible, you are probably not going to take much pleasure in it.
b) A better way to view the Bible:
(1) A book in which I can see the very mind of my Creator.
(2) A book that reveals my Creator’s great love for me.
(3) A book in which I can learn how to better please my Creator and live in a right relationship with Him. Thus giving me great peace / happiness.
(4) A book that teaches me how to be a better:
(a) Neighbor.
(b) Friend.
(c) Spouse.
(d) Parent.
(e) Brother / Sister.
(5) A book that gives me hope.
(6) Viewing the Bible in these ways will help me to DELIGHT in it.
Delivered on: February 5, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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Psalm 01:01-06 Are You Living the Blessed Life?
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Text: Psalm 1:1-6
Introduction
- Is your life as joyous and happy as you would like it to be? Does your life find real meaning & purpose to it? If not, it may be because, your not following the Biblical standard for the blessed life. To live the blessed life, you must be willing to love God more than the pleasures, riches, and fame this world can offer – Hebrews 11:24-26. If you think the Christian lifestyle is too boring and restrictive for you, you will miss out on living the blessed life.
- To live the blessed life you must get rid of self, and submit yourselves totally to God – Matthew 16:24-26. Instead of laying up treasures for yourself, your must lay up treasures in heaven – Matthew 6:19-21.
- The Bible is the pattern to live the blessed life. These are blessings that can only come by obeying God. In Psalm 1:1-6, God gives us instructions how to live the blessed life. Let us consider them.
We Must Avoid Certain Things to Have the Blessed Life – Psalm 1:1
- The Word of God teaches you must avoid & abstain yourself from things & people in order to live the blessed life. People that have impure thoughts, those that don’t respect authority, those that dress & behave themselves in a shameful manner must be avoided & any that will give you bad advise – Psalm 1:1; Proverbs 4:14-15.
- To live the blessed life, the Christian must shun & keep away from the bombardment of the devils destructive messages through magazines, music lyrics, radio, television, and internet. Don’t be deceived these mediums are teaching many the way of destruction – 1 Corinthians 15:33.
- The blessed life requires one to avoid the lifestyles of the worldly & ungodly persons (Abortion, co-habitation, homosexuality, bi-sexual). You cannot have the blessed life, if you engage and love worldly activities because they’re the contrary to Gods – James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17.
The Blessed Life Requires That You Delight in the Law of The Lord – Psalm 1:2
- To enjoy the blessed life, it is required that you love the Word of God. We should take the attitude of Job concerning the words that proceed from God – Job 23:12; Psalm 119:72; Psalm 119:127; Proverbs 23:23
- Studying the Word of God, and meditating on it day & night is necessary to enjoy the blessed life just as eating daily meals are necessary to sustain our physical life – Psalm 1:2; Psalm 119:11. It involves applying the principals, precepts, and commandments of God to your life which requires study & application of the Word in your life – 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
- Are you living the blessed life? If not, why not? God has made the way for you to get back home through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Preached at Gahanna-Jefferson church of Christ 8-28-2008
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
Revelation 14:13 Righteous Dead
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(The Blessed State of the Righteous Dead)
Text: Revelation 14:13
Introduction
1. In describing the Revelation that was shown to him, John heard words of comfort…
a. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'” – Revelation 14:13a
b. “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” – Revelation 14:13b
2. What else does the Bible say about the state of the righteous dead…?
a. In regards to the intermediate state?
b. That period from the moment of one’s death until the resurrection of the last day?
[The answer depends upon what covenant was in force. But in both testaments we find words and imagery that suggests a condition of blessedness for the righteous dead. Consider what we find…]
Body
I. DURING THE OLD COVENANT
A. WORDS THAT COMFORTED…
1. The death of God’s saints was precious in His sight – Psalm 116:15
2. The death of the righteous was rest and peace, confronting evil no longer – Isaiah 57:1-2
— Such words hinted of a blessed condition of the righteous dead in OT times
B. IMAGERY THAT CONSOLED…
1. The beggar Lazarus was consoled and comforted – Luke 16:19-22,25
2. The reference to Moses places this during the Old Covenant – Luke 16:29-31
3. Jesus’ account accords somewhat with Greek concepts of Hades
4. The Greek conception of Hades was that of a locality receiving into itself all the dead, but divided into two regions, one a place of torment, the other of blessedness. – ISBE
5. Greeks referred to the place of torment as Tartarus; Peter also – cf. 2 Peter 2:4
6. Jews viewed the place of blessedness where Abraham was as Paradise – Barnes
7. Jesus later promised the thief that he would be in Paradise – Luke 23:43
8. Which between His death and ascension must have still been in Hades
a. For after His death Jesus descended to Hades – cf. Acts 2:27
b. Yet after His resurrection He had still not ascended to Heaven – cf. John 20:17
— The story of Lazarus and the promise to the thief on the cross illustrates the blessed state of the righteous at that time
[While the Old Covenant was still in effect, little was revealed about the state of the righteous dead. We now live under the New Covenant, where more is revealed and the blessedness is even greater…]
II. DURING THE NEW COVENANT
A. WORDS THAT COMFORT…
1. Paul viewed his impending death as a departure, using “a metaphor drawn from loosing from moorings preparatory to setting sail” (Thayer) – 2 Timothy 4:6
2. Peter used the Greek word exodos (translated “decease”), meaning “exit”, the same word used to describe the Exodus of Israel from Egyptian bondage – 2 Peter 1:15
3. Paul wrote of death as a gain, something far better than living – Philippians 1:21,23
4. He looked forward to being with Christ, at home with the Lord – Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8
5. He described the righteous dead as asleep in Jesus, yet living with Him, and coming with Him – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14; 5:9-11
6. He described Paradise as now in the third heaven (the presence of God!) – 2 Corinthians 12:1-4
a. Could the location of Paradise have changed from Hades to heaven?
b. Many believe that such occurred at the ascension of Christ, as suggested in Ephesians 4:8-10
— Death for the righteous now promised something far greater!
B. IMAGERY THAT CONSOLES…
1. Jesus made promises that clearly refer to the eternal state, after the Judgment
a. The right to the tree of life – Revelation 2:7; cf. 22:2, 14
b. Not hurt by the second death – Revelation 2:11; cf. 21:8
c. Names not blotted out of the Book of Life – Revelation 3:5; cf. 20:12, 15
2. Yet also those that refer to the intermediate state, between death and the resurrection
a. To reign over the nations with Christ – Revelation 2:26-27; 3:21; cf. 20:4-6
b. To walk with Him in white, clothed in white garments – Revelation 3:4-5; cf. 7:9-17
— Jesus describes blessings for the righteous dead prior to eternal state!
Conclusion
1. The condition of the righteous in the intermediate state has always been one of bliss…
a. As depicted by the story of the rich man and Lazarus
b. Yet that only describes the condition while the Law of Moses was still in effect
2. The New Testament indicates that the condition of the righteous dead changed after Jesus ascended to heaven, so that…
a. Paradise is now in the presence of God in heaven
b. Faithful Christians can look forward to being with Christ upon their death
c. The righteous dead are now in the presence of Jesus, comforted by Him and serving God in His temple, even reigning with Him!
3. “But if righteous dead are in heaven now, what happens after the resurrection and judgment…?”
a. God and Jesus will dwell with them in heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven into a new heaven and new earth – cf. Revelation 21:1-22:5
b. A promise Peter and the early Christians looked forward to – cf. 2 Peter 3:13
4. Wonderful are the words John heard from heaven…! “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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How to be Blessed – Psalm 1:1-6
Text: Psalm 1:1-6
We Christians sort of throw the word “blessed” around somewhat flippantly, don’t we?
- “How are you?” “Oh, I’m blessed.”
- “Have a blessed day.”
- “Bless you.”
- “He’s been a real blessing to me.”
It’s definitely a powerful word, but sometimes using a word too much, especially without thinking about it, robs it of its true significance.
Of all the words he could’ve chosen, the psalmist uses “blessed” as the first word of the first psalm:
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. (Psalm 1:1-6)
What does it mean to be blessed?
Sometimes we associate it with material prosperity… “The Lord has blessed us with so many things.”
Or maybe physical well-being… “I’m blessed to be cancer-free.”
There’s nothing wrong with using it like that, but blessed is so much richer.
In this psalm it means to be favored by God.
It means to live the life God called you to live.
It’s related to the word “happy,” but it’s so much richer than the fickle, tied-to-today’s-fortunes kind of happiness that characterizes many folks.
The psalmist makes it quite clear: the blessed person is the one who avoids the choices of the wicked but instead chooses to delight in God’s law.
God always blesses that person.
- Will he be rich? Probably not.
- Will his health be good? Not always.
- Will his life be struggle-free? Rarely.
But he’s blessed.
God always blesses those who seek him more than anything else.
If you’re looking for this, you won’t find it in a financial windfall or a clean bill of health or a streak of good luck.
You’ll find it when you seek God above everything else.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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