Historical Posts
More Grace – audio
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“For we all stumble in many things,” James wrote (James 3:2).
Amen to that. Most Christians I know are quite aware of the myriad ways they fall short.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but James is on a bit of a negative kick. He accuses his Christian readers of lusting, fighting, and coveting. He insinuates that they’re selfish, then – if that wasn’t enough – he calls them adulterers. He doesn’t seem very happy, does he?
I’m glad there’s this next verse, because it brings us back to the place we all need to be: But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
Isn’t that beautiful? He gives more grace!
We all stumble in many ways, but he gives more grace. Every day we fall short, but he gives more grace. We struggle and fall and get up and fall again, but he gives more grace.
It reminds me of what Paul wrote in Romans 5:20: “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.” All of us need a lot of that grace, don’t we? It’s good that it’s not a finite resource.
But notice the last part of James’ thought: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
One thing will put a barrier between us and God’s grace, and that’s pride.
Pride makes us think that we don’t need God that we’re doing pretty well on our own. Pride trusts in our own righteousness, our own ability to be good, do good, and look good. Pride emphasizes self over God, works over grace, appearance over substance.
So in James’ statement there’s a tremendous promise, but also a warning. God gives more grace to anyone willing to accept it – what an incredible blessing! But he withholds it from the proud – nothing could be worse.
Today, let’s pray something like this:
Father, remove all traces of pride from our hearts and fill us with your humility. Though we’re not worthy, please give us more grace. Never oppose us. Never reject us. Keep us humble and within your will. We ask this through Jesus. Amen.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Revelation 3:1 Autopsy on a Dead Church Member – powerpoint – audio
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Revelation-03-01-01-Autopsy-on-a-Dead-Church-Member.pdf
Revelation-03-01-01-Autopsy-on-a-Dead-Church-Member.pptx
Text: Revelation 3:1
- Causes of Death
– Starvation – 1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:12-14; Matthew 5:6
– Spiritual Diabetes – Isaiah 30:9-10; Jeremiah 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:3-4
– Sclerosis of the Giver – 2 Corinthians 9:7; Luke 12:19-20
– Sunday Sickness – John 4:23-24; Hebrews 10:24-25 - Big Head – Proverbs 16:18; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Proverbs 21:24; 1 Timothy 3:6
- Busybody – 1 Peter 4:15; 1 Timothy 5:13
- Big Mouth – James 1:26; James 3:6-8; Proverbs 10:19; Proverbs 17:28
- Stiff-Knecked – Acts 7:51; 2 Chronicles 30:8
- Always Looking Back – Luke 9:62
- Too Busy – Matthew 6:24; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 10:37-39
- Patting Himself on the Back – Luke 17:10; Matthew 6:3-4
- Finger Pointing – Matthew 7:3-5; 2 Corinthians 13:5
- No Backbone – 2 Timothy 1:6-7; 2 Timothy 4:1-2
- Straddling the Fence – James 3:9-12; 1 Kings 18:21
- Sitting in the Pew – Proverbs 22:13; James 2:18; Titus 2:14
- Full of Envy – Proverbs 14:30; Galatians 5:26; Proverbs 23:17
- Can’t Bend the Knee – Ephesians 3:14; Romans 14:11
- Won’t Spread the Gospel – Romans 10:14-15; Matthew 10:32-33
Content by Ralph Price
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2 Peter 02:20-22 Anatomy of a Backslider
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Text: 2 Peter 2:20-22
(Learning From One Who Knows By Experience)
Introduction
1. We read of the real possibility and serious consequences of backsliding in 2 Peter 2:20-22
2. It is interesting that we find this passage coming from the inspired pen of Peter
a. For if anyone knew “firsthand” the reality and dangers of backsliding, it was Peter!
b. As he discovered the night he denied Jesus!
3. The process of backsliding is a gradual one, often overtaking a person by surprise; and lest we fall from our own steadfastness
a. We shall carefully examine the process that led to Peter’s denial of Christ
b. Followed by noticing how Peter’s own words in his epistles are designed to prevent the same from happening to us!
Body
I. THE ANATOMY OF A BACKSLIDER
A. PRIDE – Mark 14:27-31
1. In a boastful manner, Peter claims he will not fall away or deny Christ!
2. In doing so, Peter takes the first step in backsliding: “pride”! – Proverbs 16:18
3. Why is this the “first” step?
a. Because the first step in entering the kingdom is humility – Matthew 18:3-4
b. So if we lose “humility”, we take that first step backward
4. Paul’s advice to the Corinthians is very apropos in this regard – 1 Corinthians 10:11
B. LAZINESS – Mark 14:32-42
1. Told to keep watch, Peter kept falling asleep
2. It was therefore lack of diligent preparation which caused him to be caught off guard for what was to follow
3. The same thing can happen to us!
a. Without diligence, we too can be found unprepared – Luke 21:34-36
b. More often than not, it is a “gradual drifting” that catches us off guard – Hebrews 2:1-3
c. But when we are proud of ourselves, we become lazy, and that easily leads to the next step
C. COWARDICE – Mark 14:54
1. Note that it says “…Peter followed Him at a distance”
2. Now that Jesus had become unpopular…
a. Peter stays far enough away so as not to be identified with Him
b. Peter was unprepared for the challenge of facing ridicule and persecution
3. Without diligent preparation, we too can become guilty of cowardice!
a. Ashamed to be seen carrying a Bible
b. Ashamed to be seen giving thanks
c. Ashamed to be seen with other Christians
d. Perhaps even ashamed to let others know that we are Christians!
4. And yet, Jesus has made it clear what He thinks of “cowardice” – Mark 8:38; Revelation 21:8
5. When we are ashamed of Christ, it is natural for to fall into the next step of backsliding
D. WORLDLINESS – Mark 14:54
1. We now find Peter sitting with the servants of the High Priest and warming himself by the fire
2. Ashamed to be seen with Christ, it becomes easy to mingle with those of the world and enjoy their comforts
3. But one cannot be “comforted by the fire” of the world, and not be “burned”!
a. Close contact with that which can harm has its effects! – Proverbs 6:27-29
b. So it is we cannot “flirt with the world” and walk away untouched! – 1 Corinthians 15:33
4. By the time we become “friends with the world”, it is only a short time before we take the next and final step of backsliding
E. DENIAL – Mark 14:66-71
1. Away from Christ, at comfort with those in the world, Peter finds himself denying His Lord and Savior!
2. In so doing, he has put himself in grave danger – Mark 10:32-33
3. Though we may never actually deny Jesus in “words”, we can easily backslide to the point of denying Him in “action”
a. We are called to worship Him…but make excuses why we cannot
b. We are called to serve Him…but render little or no service
c. We are called to stand by His side and suffer for His name …but stand afar off in the safety of the world’s comfort
[When we deny the Lord, our backsliding is complete; unless we repent, the only thing left is to one day face the Lord, where we will fully realize the error of our ways! For Peter, he fully realized his sin when the Lord turned and looked at him there in the courtyard (cf. Luke 22:60-62). Imagine the feeling in Peter’s heart as those eyes of His Savior pierced his soul! Like Judas, Peter wept bitterly over his sin. Unlike Judas, Peter had “godly sorrow” that results in true repentance (cf. 2 Corinthians 7:10-11). And years later, we find Peter writing the sort of things that would prevent us from making the same mistake he did…]
II. ADVICE FROM ONE WHO LEARNED THE HARD WAY
A. TO GUARD AGAINST “PRIDE”
1. Peter enjoins “humility” – 1 Peter 5:5-6
2. Indeed, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble”
B. TO WARD AGAINST “LAZINESS”.
1. Peter commands “diligence” – 1 Peter 5:8-9
2. Note especially his words in his second epistle – 2 Peter 1:5,10; 3:14
C. INSTEAD OF “COWARDICE”.
1. Peter charges us to “glorify God” – 1 Peter 4:16
2. Think not of what it means to you, but what it means to God!
D. INSTEAD OF “WORLDLINESS”
1. Peter tells us to “abstain” – 1 Peter 2:11-12
2. Remember that we are “sojourners and pilgrims”, destined for a better place than the things of this world have to offer!
E. INSTEAD OF “DENIAL”
1. Peter exhorts us to ever be ready to “give a defense” – 1 Peter 3:15
2. By careful preparation, we will “defend” Christ, and not “deny” Christ!
Conclusion
1. From one who learned by the hard road of experience, let’s heed his advice lest we one day backslide ourselves, and in so doing deny the Lord! – 2 Peter 3:17-18
2. Remember too that when Peter saw the eyes of his Lord, he realized the error of his way
a. Fortunately for him, there was still time to repent
b. But for us, when we see Jesus “face to face”, the time to repent will be gone…it will be the time for judgment!
3. If we realize that we are guilty of backsliding
a. Repent now; do not wait until you stand before Jesus
b. Do it now, so that your “face to face” encounter with Jesus will be terrific, not terrifying!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Hebrews 12:03-11 Avoiding Discouragement – audio
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Text: Hebrews 12:3-11
Introduction:
A. Notice the key word in the text discouraged in Hebrews 12:3
1. It is the greek word ekluw
2. It means to faint, become discouraged, to give up
B. How easy that is in the fast paced lives we live today with everything crowding in on us
Body
I. CONSIDER THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS (Hebrews 12:3-4)
A. Consider the sufferings of Christ.
1. Garden – Hebrews 5:7
2. Beating
3. Cross
B. Compare your suffering to his.
II. LOOK FOR LESSONS IN THE CORRECTION OF THE LORD (Hebrews 12:5-11)
A. Remember the principles of the Lord’s correction – Hebrews 12:5-6
1. Ephesians 6:4, 2 Timothy 3:16
2. His correction is not to be despised. (disregard)
3. His correction is not aimed at discouraging you. (reclaiming or strengthing)
4. His correction is proof of his love. (not neglect)
5. His correction is only given to God’s children. (let’s be thankful)
B. Recognize the correction of the Lord as confirmation of your relationship with Him – Hebrews 12:7
1. His correction is positive proof that you have a relationship with God.(if corrected)
2. All children are chastened at some time. (our parents)
C. Release your pride and submit to the Lord – Hebrews 12:8-10a
1. Human – respect
2. Divine – subjection
D. Receive the benefits of the Lord’s correction – Hebrews 12:10b-11
1. Partakers of His holiness
2. Peaceable fruit of righteousness
Conclusion
1. 1 Peter 5:10-11
2. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Beggars
I was getting off the interstate last week when I saw a man at the bottom of the exit ramp holding a “NEED FOOD” sign. I’m always stirred by different feelings when I see this – compassion, curiosity, even a bit of guilt and shame (for not doing more to help). Why doesn’t he have food? Should I give him money?
But it’s also interesting to recognize that this is the image Jesus used to start the most famous sermon ever preached. Most of his people thought the Messiah would come riding on the back of a white stallion at the front of an army of liberation. He would be strong, proud, powerful, and he would restore them to their former glory.
But his first words were nothing like what they expected.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3).
Coming to God’s kingdom, Jesus said, involves first of all admitting that we are spiritually poverty-stricken. We are powerless to attain salvation, and we depend on God for everything that is good.
Beggars. That’s what we are. We come to Jesus without “a righteousness of our own” and receive that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith (Phil 3:9); “In him,” Paul writes, we “become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
What all this means is that being in the Lord’s kingdom involves emptying ourselves of pride, achievement, and accomplishment. We don’t bring our goodness to the table and exchange it for forgiveness. We don’t bring our impeccable morality and integrity to the Lord and hope it’s enough to be saved.
“Poor in spirit” means recognizing that there is “none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10), including me.
It means admitting that “no one understands; no one seeks for God,” that “no one does good, not even one” (Romans 3:12)… including me.
That is very hard for most of us. Naturally, I want to point to a few of the good things I’ve done. I want to compare myself to some of society’s dregs and take a little pride in, “Well, at least I’m not like that.”
That’s why pride has always been the biggest obstacle between us and salvation. It takes our eyes off of God and puts them on us.
You can’t be a part of the kingdom until you recognize that you are utterly dependent upon God for salvation. Blessed are the spiritual beggars, for theirs is the kingdom.
Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die. . . . When I soar to worlds unknown, See Thee on Thy judgment throne, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee (Augustus Toplady).
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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