Historical Posts
The Presence of God – audio
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I can’t imagine what it’ll be like to be in God’s presence, but I’m pretty sure it’ll be the best thing about heaven.
- What will it feel like?
- What will he look like?
- What will it be like?
I want that, but I’m not ready for it yet. People can’t be in the presence of God, not actually, not yet. We couldn’t survive it.
Whenever God revealed himself to people in the Bible—even in some kind of limited way—he spelled out the things they must do to be ready . . . and not die.
After the Israelites left Egypt, God met them at Sinai to give them his law, but he couldn’t just “come down” and talk to them. He told Moses to consecrate them for two days, let them wash their clothes, and be ready the third day. And then he put limits concerning how close they could come to the mountain where God would reveal himself. Get too close and die. Break through the barrier to try to get a glimpse of God . . . and die. It was a serious matter.
That’s the way it’s always been. We can’t come close to God because of our sins. We’ve got to be cleansed to enter God’s presence.
That’s why verses like this one are fascinating: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8a).
Us? Close to God? How?
Through Jesus, of course. He cleanses us, makes us holy, and grants us access to God.
Remember the temple’s veil being torn in two pieces during the crucifixion? That veil had always symbolized a barrier between sinful people and a holy God. When Jesus died, he tore the barrier down.
But what James puts right after he tells us to draw near to God is interesting: “Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:8b-10).
We still don’t come to God flippantly.
He’s forgiven us, but that does not mean we stop repenting. He’s declared us righteous, but we still acknowledge our sinfulness.
We are reminded of that weekly when we come to the Lord’s Table. We don’t deserve to commune with Christ, and it’s incredible that he lets us sit and eat and drink with him.
But as we draw near to him we remember.
We remember the ways we’ve sinned against him. We remember the times we lost focus and said something wrong or did something sinful or thought something impure.
And so we draw near to God, but not without remembering what it cost to give us that access.
One day, when we receive our glorified bodies, we’ll draw near to him with no barriers at all.
No sinful flesh, no broken vessel. We’ll bask in his immeasurable holiness and light.
That’s the day we’re all waiting for.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Mothers and Memories
“Precious father, loving mother, fly across the lonely years; and old home scenes of my childhood, in fond memory appear. Precious memories, how they linger, how they ever flood my soul; in the stillness of the midnight, precious, sacred scenes unfold.”
Some of the fondest memories of life are those cherished recollections of a saintly mother and her loving care. We never forget the surprise parties, the cookies only she could make, and the gentle hugs and kisses that made every hurt go away. Mothers are special, irreplaceable people. They deserve to be honored.
As youngsters we understood how special they were. We proudly presented them with the first flowers of spring, showered them with kisses, and bestowed upon them special love and honor. But, have we continued the practice?
Let’s not forget that they still need and deserve to be treated in a special way. Solomon wrote: “Despise not thy mother when she is old” (Proverbs 23:22). The debt we owe cannot be repaid. Flowers, cards, calls and visits need to be frequent. One day is not enough! People of all ages need to know that they are loved, but especially mothers.
Jesus taught a powerful lesson from the cross as he looked down to see his mother staring up. To her he said, “Woman (a term of honor and respect), behold thy son,” Then turning to his trusted disciple, John, he said, “Behold thy mother” (John 19:26, 27). In the darkest hour of his life, his love for his mother was apparent. His heart went out to her.
Is His example not worthy of imitation? Make all the memories precious. Make every day Mother’s Day! It’s still not too late to start.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Remember Lot’s Wife
People leave lasting impressions. If someone asked you, “Do you remember…?” When a name was inserted, immediately you remember!
“Oh yes! He/she once told me…”
“He/she was the one that…”
Depending on who the person was, they did or said something good or bad, and you’ll probably never forget that for the rest of your life.
Do you remember…Lot’s wife? She was the one that…looked back toward Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19), and turned into a pillar of salt.
Many years later, Jesus taught the disciples of when the kingdom of God would come. He Himself would suffer many things and be rejected by His own people. They would eat and drink, marry, and be given in marriage, all unaware of what was happening.
Jesus reminded them, “Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife (Luke 17:28-32).”
The kingdom of God is here! Let us remember Lot’s wife and not turn back; instead, let us press on toward heaven by being a part of the kingdom of God!
Content by Richard Dillon
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2 Peter 1:12-15 Lord, Remind Me – audio
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Text: 2 Peter 1:12-15
Introduction.
1. Recently, at one of the Friday Night Sings, we sang a song that really spoke to me.
2. The title is Remind Me, Dear Lord. By Dottie Rambo.
The things that I love and hold dear to my heart Are just borrowed,
they’re not mine at all; Jesus only let me use them to brighten my life,
So remind me, remind me, dear Lord
(Chorus)
Roll back the curtain of mem’ry now and then,
Show me where you brought me from and where I could have been;
Just Remember I’m a human and humans forget –
so remind me, remind me, dear Lord
Nothing good have I done to deserve God’s own son,
I’m not worthy of the scars in His hands; Yet he chose the road to
Calv’ry to die in my stead – Why he loved me, I can’t understand
3. We so often need reminded!
4. 2 Peter 1:12-15.
For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.
5. Thankfully, we have a God who knows us and knows that we need reminded so often!
6. What are some of the things of which we need reminded?
Body
I. LORD, WHEN I AM TEMPTED TO GIVE UP, REMIND ME THAT YOU NEVER GAVE UP ON ME.
A. At one time or another, all of us have been tempted to hang it up.
1. The parable of the sower teaches us that two out of three who obey the gospel will not remain faithful.
2. What are the causes of their falling away?
3. Matthew 13:20-22.
But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
a) Persecution – which comes in many forms.
b) The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches.
4. There are other things that make us want to throw in the towel.
a) Disappointment in ourselves.
b) Disappointment in others.
B. When you are tempted to give up, remember that Jesus didn’t give up on you!
1. He endured mocking and ridicule for you. Matthew 27:27-29.
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
2. He was beaten for you. Matthew 27:26. Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.
3. He carried that cross until He couldn’t carry it anymore. Matthew 27:32. Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.
4. He was crucified for you.
5. My precious Savior suffered pain and agony, He bore it all, that I might live.
C. Lord, when I am tempted to give up, remind me that what I am going through is NOTHING compared to what you went through for me!
II. LORD, WHEN I AM TEMPTED TO FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF, REMIND ME OF MY BLESSINGS.
A. We all get sad from time to time.
1. Jesus did. John 11:35. Jesus wept.
2. Many things cause us to be sad.
a) Seeing sin in the world.
b) Disappointment in others.
c) Death of a loved one.
d) Troubles at work or school.
e) Troubles in relationships.
f) Financial problems.
g) Health problems.
3. It has been said that all of us are either just getting out of a trial, just getting into a trial, or we are in a trial right now!
B. What happens, though, is we often go from feeling sad to feeling sorry for ourselves.
1. A person who feels sorry for himself is one who starts to think that he has it worse than anyone else.
2. He focuses inward on his pain and sorrow rather than outward.
3. He starts to get a little angry with the world and maybe even God.
C. When we start to feel sorry for ourselves, we need to remember our blessings!
1. I don’t care who you are and what problems your having, if you are in Christ, YOU ARE BLESSED!
2. Spiritually we are blessed. Ephesians 1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
3. Physically we are blessed. Matthew 6:33. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
a) Are you going hungry? Many in the world are.
b) Do you have a roof over your head. Many in the world don’t.
c) Do you have warm clothes for the cold weather that is coming. Some don’t.
4. When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost…Count your many blessings name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
D. Lord, remind me of my blessings.
III. LORD, WHEN I GET ANGRY WITH OTHERS, REMIND ME THAT I AM NOT PERFECT EITHER.
A. It is not a sin to get angry.
1. Jesus got angry. Mark 3:1-5.
And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
2. We are told to be angry. Ephesians 4:26. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
B. We are to be angry without sin. We are not to let the sun go down on our wrath.
1. It is one thing to be angry about sin and another thing to hold a personal grudge.
2. Maybe it would help us to be more forgiving if we remember, we are not perfect either.
3. Matthew 18:21-35.
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
C. Lord, remind me that I am not perfect either.
IV. LORD, WHEN I PUT THINGS OFF, REMIND ME THAT LIFE IS SHORT.
A. Procrastination is a universal problem.
1. We put off things, intending to do them later.
2. We put off…
a) Work around the house.
b) Getting into shape.
c) Working on our relationships.
d) Obedience to the gospel.
e) Talking to others about Jesus.
B. Lord, remind us that we may not have a tomorrow.
1. James 4:13-14.
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will[g] go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
2. Life is too short to procrastinate!
3. None of us is guaranteed another day.
Conclusion
1. Lord, remind me…
2. When I am tempted to give up, remind me that you never gave up on me.
3. When I am tempted to feel sorry for myself, remind me of my blessings.
4. When I get angry with others, remind me that I am not perfect either.
5. When I procrastinate, remind me that life is short.
Delivered on: September 16, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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Hebrews 06:09-20 Are We Spiritually Secure? – audio
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Text: Hebrews 6:9-20
Introduction
1. We have seen the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews express his concern
a. He makes mention of their spiritual immaturity – Hebrews 5:11-14
b. He warns them of the peril of not progressing – Hebrews 6:1-8
2. While he writes in this way, he has great confidence for their ultimate salvation
a. Though others had indeed fallen to the point where it was impossible to renew them again to repentance – Hebrews 6:4-6
b. Yet he could say of them, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things which accompany salvation… – Hebrews 6:9
3. What was it that gave the author confidence regarding his readers’ salvation?
a. What was the basis for their spiritual security, when the danger of apostasy had just been described in vivid detail?
b. What can we learn from this passage that may help us understand the basis for our own spiritual security?
Body
I. GOD DOES NOT FORGET OUR WORK AND LABOR OF LOVE (Hebrews 6:9-10)
A. GOD IS A JUST GOD, ONE WHO DOES NOT FORGET
1. He is very much aware of our service in the PAST (in that you have ministered)
a. Service that has been shown toward Him (toward His name) – Matthew 24:40
b. Service that has been shown toward His servants (to the saints)
2. He is very much aware of our service in the PRESENT (and do minister)
B. KNOWING THIS CAN BE A SOURCE OF GREAT COMFORT
1. In contrast to every sin which is blotted out and remembered no more (Hebrews 8:12), service rendered in love to God is not forgotten!
2. We need not fear that God will not see or remember our efforts to be pleasing to Him
a. God seeks to show Himself strong to those who are loyal to Him 2 Chronicles 16:9
b. If He took note of Cornelius’ desire to please Him in his unsaved state, how much more will He take note of His children’s effort to serve Him! – Acts 10:1-6
3. Thus when we stumble, but repent of our sins, our labor of love is remembered and our sins forgotten!
II. DILIGENCE, FAITH, AND PATIENCE ON OUR PART (Hebrews 6:11-12)
A. NOTE THE AUTHOR’S DESIRE
1. That his readers’ show the same diligence (earnestness) they had shown in the past
a. Diligent regarding their assurance of hope
b. Diligent until the end – Hebrews 3:6-14
2. That they do not become sluggish
a. The word sluggish is from a Greek word meaning dull
b. The same word as used in dull of hearing – Hebrews 5:11
c. They were already dull of hearing; his desire is they not become dull in conduct!
3. That they have faith and patience
a. Imitating those who through faith and patience inherit the promises
b. Such as Abraham, who is given as an example later – Hebrews 6:15
B. THESE QUALITIES ARE NECESSARY FOR SPIRITUAL SECURITY
1. Peter describes the need for diligence to make your calling and election sure – 2 Peter 1:5, 2 Peter 1:10-11
2. Jesus called upon His disciples to remain faithful if they wished to receive the crown of life – Revelation 2:10
3. Paul wrote that eternal life is for those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor and immortality – Romans 2:7
III. GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES (Hebrews 6:13-20)
A. THE EXAMPLE OF GOD’S PROMISE TO ABRAHAM
1. God made a promise to Abraham – Hebrews 6:13-15
a. In which He swore by Himself (because He could not swear by anyone higher)
b. A promise which Abraham obtained after patient endurance – v.15 with v.12
2. God confirmed His promise with an oath – Hebrews 6:16-18a
a. For men, an oath confirms what they say, ending all dispute
b. To assure us of the unchangeableness of His promise, God also swore an oath
c. This provided a double assurance that He would keep His promise:
1) One, because it impossible for God to lie anyway – Titus 1:2
2) Two, because of the oath by which He confirmed it — How does this relate to our spiritual security?
B. GOD’S FAITHFULNESS IS OUR ASSURANCE!
1. It gives us strong consolation – Hebrews 6:18b-19b
a. We who are seeking refuge
b. We who need an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast
2. This is especially true regarding our hope, which is Jesus! – Hebrews 6:19b-20
a. I understand Jesus to be the hope in this passage
1) For He is our hope, to whom we can flee as a refuge – 1 Timothy 1:1
2) As such, He is our anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast
b. As a forerunner, He has entered the Presence behind the veil (i.e., heaven)
c. He has become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek
1) Even as God swore He would do – Psalm 110:4
2) God not only promised, but He swore an oath, just like He did for Abraham
d. So He has kept His promise, providing us a superior High Priest!
3. Upon such an example of God’s faithfulness, we can have an assurance of our salvation as long as we continue to lay hold of the hope (Jesus) set before us
Conclusion
1. With a finely crafted argument, the author has returned his readers back to his original subject, which is Jesus as a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek
a. Our spiritual security is first based upon the character of God
1) Who is not unjust to forget our work and labor of love
2) Who keeps His promises
b. God has promised and swore with an oath concerning the priesthood of the Messiah
c. This priesthood Jesus now has in heaven, and as such is the basis of our hope
d. For which reason we should seek to learn what we can about the priesthood of Jesus
2. Yet as wonderful are the character and promises of God, we are not to take them for granted
a. We must be careful not to become sluggish
b. We must be careful to be diligent, imitating the faith and patience of those like Abraham who obtained God’s promise for them
c. Together with God’s character and promises, this is the basis for spiritual security
3. Have you fled to Jesus for refuge? Is He your hope, your anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast? Is He your High Priest? If so, then let these words sink deep into your heart:
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:11-12)
4. If you have not yet fled to Jesus for refuge, then please consider His tender invitation:
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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