Christian Service
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Timothy 2 2:15 (My Translation) “Be diligent to present thyself to God as approved, a workman unshamed, rightly interpreting the word of the truth.” I: Word Studies: 1. Study: Usually thought of an intellectual pursuit of knowledge — Word has here an almost forgotten meaning — “to pay attention to; give care and thought to.” Greek Word means to be diligent or zealous –Form of inperative here (aor) indicates that this action which should be undertaken at once– “Get on the ball.” 2. To Show: Really has the idea of presenting, something to another. In Romans 6, we are to...
By Their Fruit
Galatians 5:16-26 I: Every tree is known by its fruit. 1. Everything brought forth after its kind. 2. “No spring can produce salt water and fresh.” 3. The best test we can give to prove ones relation to Christ is the fruit test. 4. Paul gave us a guide to measure by, (Busby’s inspection guide). II: The Fruit from the Tree of Sin: 1. Regardless of the soil or care. 2. Secual immorality outside the marriage vows and unfaithful to the marriage vow. 3. Sensuality: leud, unchaste, uncontrolled appetites. 4. Worship of false gods; anything we allow to come between us and service to God. 5. Witchcraft: Practice of magic. 6. Hatred: quarreling, jealousy, factions, party spirit. 7. Anything in our lives that contributes to this fruit is sin. III: The...
A Prophet Prepares for A Revival
Kings 1 18:25-41 Gods servant had spent 3 years and 6 months in a drought sustained by birds and a widow. I: “Go show thyself unto Ahab.” 18:1-2 1. The time had come for him to face the wicked King again. 2. The King was searching thru the land for Elijah. 3. This could be a dangerous mission. 4. Gods promise was rain after Elijah faced Ahab. II: Elijah got the Bible wide open in his 1st Message. 1. “Ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and thou hast followed Baalim.” 2. Sin was not softpetaled nor was the King given comfort. 3. The old man challenged Ahab to gather the people for a show down. 4. He invited the false prophets to the meeting. III: His 2nd Message: “How long halt ye between 2 opionions.” undecided 1....
In the Balance of Eternity
Corinthians 2 :8-10, 5:1-4 Paul had learned to weigh the cares of time in the scales of eternity and keep look for eternal things. I: The Constant battles of the present. 1. He had learned the weakness of the flesh and the power of the spirit. 2. Troubled but not distressed, perplexed but not in dispair, persecuted but not forsaken. 3. In danger of death every day but giving life to others. 4. The outward man decayed but the inward man was renewed day by day. 5. This clay house will dissolve but God has a better house ready. II: Things that are seen: 1. His birthright, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a highly educated religious man. 2. Here are some things that were temporal: of the Jews 5 times received, I 40 stripes save 1. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I...
Where is Your Faith?
Heb. 12:1-2, Luke 8:14-21 I: A Great “Cloud of Witnesses.” 1. The entire 11th Chapter tells of men and women of faith. 2. Thru faith subdues Kingdoms. 3. Obtained promises and stopped the mouths of lions. 4. Waxed violence in fight. 5. Received their dead to life. 6. Tortured, stoned, mocked, sawn asunder, slain with the sword, afflicted and tormented. 7. These set the pace and proved the race worth running. II: America has so Much to Remember. 1. America was opened up by men and women of faith. 2. Winter of 1621: Mayflower Pilgrims, 100 reduced to 50. Spring of 1623, Elder Brester gave thanks that they were “allowed to suck of the abundance of the seas and treasures of the sand, (boiled clams, their only food).” 3. When our freedom as a...
The Eternal Refuge
Sam. 2 22:1-19 A refuge is a place of safety, it is a protection against danger. Our nation seeks for refuge. I: God is our eternal refuge. 1. Adam and Eve were provided a refuge. 2. Jacob found God was his refuge. 3. Moses recommended God: “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27. 4. Cities of refuge were provided in the promised land. 5. God is a refuge for time and eternity. II: David sang a song of his refuge. 1. A rock, a fortress, and a deliverer. vs. 2 2. A shield, horn of salvation, high tower, a refuge. 3. The refuge of God is safety against: a. Enemies. b. The waves of death. c. The sorrows of hell. III: The False Refuges of Men. 1. The refuge of the works. 2. The refuge of false religion....
It Bites Like an Adder
Proverbs 20:1, 23:29-31 I: Nations poisoned by its bite: 1. Ancient Egypt (600). 2. Persia and Cyrus – wine as a weapon – Babylon. 3. Grace and her great men. 4. Israel’s failure. 5. The Roman Empire – Herod and John the Baptist. 6. France – milk or wine. II: The family and the individual: 1. Noah and his boys. 2. The sons and daughters of Job. 3. Eli and his sons. III: The Finished Product: No respect for rich or poor, male or female, young or old. 1. The broken home – children pay. 2. The lost job and ability. 3. The death of the innocent. 4. The crowded Hospitals and Institutions. 5. The early grave the Paupers widow. It is not smart, social, or wise to defy God’s...
O Lord God, Remember Me
Judges 16:21-31, Luke 23:39-45 Context: Samson played with sin until it became his Master. I: Three things sin did to Samson. 1. Sin blinded him. a. His eyes were burned out. b. Physical darkness came after spiritual darkness. c. “If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out.” 2. Sin “bound him with fetters of brass.” a. Sin binds men stronger than chains. b. The demon possessed man could brake the chains of men, but it took Jesus to break the chains of sin. c. For 18 yrs. a woman was bound by sin, but Jesus set her free. 3. Sin made him a slave and a prisoner. a. “He did grind in the prison house.” b. He made money for his captors. c. Sin will demand that men become its slave. (Somber shadows). II: “Howbeit the hair of his...
How Long Halt Ye?
Kings 1 18:, Joshua 24:14-15 I: There are times when we can no longer go undecided: 1. Joshua in his old age challenged Israel to a definite stand. 2. Gedions army was not ready to do Gods will until those that were afraid were sent home. 3. Elijah called for the people to serve one or the other. 4. Jesus saw many turn away and then asked the apostles if they too would do. 5. John spoke of some: a. “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made minifest that they were not all of us.” John 1 2:19. b. “I beseech you, Brethern, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which we have learned; and avoid...
If Jesus should Come
Matthew 24:42-51 I: He comes when not expected. 1. He came to Abraham in the heat of the day. 2. He came to Jacob in a dream. 3. He appeared to Moses in a burning bush. 4. He called David to account at a time he didn’t expect it. 5. He caught Ahab in a stolen vineyard. 6. He broke up the drunken party of King Belshazzar. 7. He came to the rich fool as he lay in bed making plans for new barns. 8. He struck Herod with worms at the close of a great speech. II: He may call you when you don’t expect him. 1. He may find you in a place you ought not to be. 2. He may find you in a mood you ought not to be in. 3. He may find you talking things you ought not. 4. He may find you with things that are not yours. 5. He may find you with a cold heart and a lazy...
Immortal Man, His Sense & Instinct
Corinthians 3:16, 21:18, Hebrews 5:14, and Psalm 139:14 I: The marvels of mans senses: 1. The 5 senses are marvelous. a. Eye. b. Ear. c. Taste. d. Smell. e. Touch. 2. There is an intinate connection between the sensusous system and the soul. a. The bodily senses are organic. b. The mind the central control station. c. Attention necessary to sensation. d. The mind interprets the impressions and the inner man makes the decision, (Artificial flowers or fruit). II: Instinct and its Marvelous function. 1. Instinct proceeds experience and reasoning. a. Hunger of the newborn. b. A brood of ducklings hatched by a hen. c. The sea turtle lays her eggs in the sand. d. The new born alligator. e. Cow receives 276 rejects. Goat receives 449 rejects Sheep receives 387 rejects....
If Thou Turn Away Thy Foot
Isaiah 58:13-14 “Ponder the path of thy feet … remove thy foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:26-27 “Make straight paths for your feet.” Hebrews 12:13. I: Where does our feet go on Sunday? 1. “No Lords day means no church, no church, no worship.” 2. Feet walking on jobs that are not necessary. 3. Feet pounding to the time of $$. 4. Little neglected feeting finding paths of sin. 5. Feet in rivers, lakes, or ocean. 6. Feet on the throttle. 7. Feet tramping on others right to attend church. II: Our Feet and Our Church. 1. Too often walk in places of shame. 2. Foot to visit the sick. 3. Feet that run errands of mercy. 4. Feet that walk to homes of lost. III: Feet Dedicated to God or Satan. 1. Dedicated to evil: a. Atlanta and...
