God Knows Your Secret
Psalm 139:1-24 A secret is something that is not generally known. It is designed to escape observation. I: God knows the secrets of men. 1. Adam and Eve failed to cover their secret. 2. Cain tried to cover his sinful act. 3. The sons of Jacob thought their secret was safe. 4. Achan burried his secret in his tent. 5. David covered his by murder. 6. Ahabs secret found him on stolen property. 7. Jesus continually astonished men by reading their thoughts. II: God reveals the Secrets of man. “But there is a God in Heaven that revealeth Secrets.” Daniel 2:28. 1. Cains brothers blood called to God. 2. The sons of Jacob were afraid when their secret was known. 3. The King of Asyria found that Elisha knew everything he said in his bed chamber. 4. Daniel was...
Forgetting Those Things that are Behind
Philippians 3:1-14 There were many things in Pauls past that could have hindered his Christian walk. I: Some things Paul had to forget: 1. Confidence in the flesh. a. “Circumcised the 8th day,” not like a prosolite. b. “Of the stock of Israel, tribe of Benjamin.” c. “As touching the law, a Pharisee.” 2. “Concerning Zeal”: a. “Persecuting the Church.” Stoning of Stephen. b. “Righteousnes which is of the law, blameless, filthy rags.” c. “Those I counted loss for Christ.” II: “I have suffered the loss of all things.” 1. He was not complaining, only rejoicing. 2. His own righteousness was not enough. 3. Family ties were broken. 4. Old friends became new enemies. He gave...
Fellowship & Doctrine
Acts 2:40-42, Corinthians 1 13:14 2 Things were outstanding about the early Church; their doctrind and their fellowship. I: Doctrine of Apostles: Teachings. 1. Jesus the Son of God. 2. Death, burial, and resurrection. 3. Forgiveness of sin without works. 4. Baptism and Lords supper. II: Fellowship: 1. This word used in a marriage contract between husband and wife where they agree to a joint participation in the necessaries of life. 2. The key idea is “Partnership,” a possession of things in common. 3. The early churches had fellowship in: a. Contribution. Romans 15:26. b. Distribution. Corinthians 2 9:13. c. Communication. Phil 6. III: Essentials of Fellowship. 1. New Testament Truth or Teaching. 2. Size doesn’t make a Church. 3. Love essential....
Does Jesus Care?
Matthew 6:19-34 I: He is concerned about our hearts desire. 1. “Where your treasure is —” 2. Worldly desires crowd God out. 3. The divided heart is unstable. 4. No man can serve 2 masters. II: Anxiety can’t avoid tomorrows burdens. 1. Can worry lengthen your life? 2. Can worry add 18 inches to your height? 3. Does worry cloth us? 4. Does worry feed us? (It can take away the appitite). 5. A sleppless worried night makes for a dull work day and insufficient work. III: Does Jesus Care? 1. He is concerned about the fowls of the air. 2. He sees fit to clothe the lillies. 3. He provides for the fish of the sea and the beat of the field. (All these he spoke into existence). 4. How much more will he care for his blood bought children? “Seek...
“When I Saw Him”
Rev. 1:10-20 The Eternal Christ I: “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day.” 1. Many miss the miracles and blessings by not being in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. 2. The best place to be in the Spirit is to be where God wants you on the Lord’s Day! 3. “Heard.” vs. 11. Ears turned to Spiritual Sounds. 4. “I saw.” Eyes clear. II: “I Saw Him.” 1. “I fell at His feet as dead.” His glory blinded and paralized John. 2. John was overwhelmed, over-powered, and his very life seemed to ebb away. 3. Why was John so efffected? He had been very close to Jesus on Earth! a. He lay his head on his bosom at the Last Supper. b. He watched Jesus die on a cruel cross. 4. John saw more than a Godly Man could...
The Rock Foundation
Matt. 7:21-27 Christ warned of false prophets and false standards. I: Words must be coupled with action. 1. Many process to believe in God but refuse to submit to His will. 2. Many do what they think is the will of God but never stop to consult his word. 3. Jesus only will acknowledge those whom he has known personally. II: The wise man built upon the Rock. 1. He heard the word of God and obeyed. 2. “He digged deep,” but went all the way to the rock. 3. He went below all the trash and mud in his life. 4. He went below the membership of a chrch. 5. He went below predujice, party or creed. 6. He wanted his family to live in a house that would stand the storms of strife, sin, sorrow, and eternity. 7. When the storms came his fears were overcome by...
Rich Young Ruler
Matthew 11:28-30, Mark 10:17-21 When one meets Jesus he must make the most important decision of his life. I: The rich young ruler: 1. “There came one running.” 2. “And kneeled to him.” 3. “And asked him, Good master.” 4. “What shall I do?” 5. “That I may inherit eternal life?” 6. He came in haste, he took a humble posture, he asked what he could do, he wanted eternal life. II: “And Jesus said unto him.” 1. Are you addressing me as God? What do you mean by what you have said? (Adam, Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, Peter, and Paul). 2. Are you practicing what you know is right? a. You know right, are you living right? b. Adultery can be in looks and thought. c. Lies can be told by half truths. d. There...
Peace
Luke 1:9, 2:14, John 1:10-13, and Isaiah 9:5-7 Peace: concord, harmony, friendliness, calmness, quiet, unperturbed, reconciliation. Discord or Discension: war, disagreement, dispute, disharmony, jangle. I: The world to which He came. Greater temple than Solomon built. 1. The Roman soldiers were in control of the Holy Land. 2. The pagan gods were prevelent. 3. People were weary of war and strife. 4. Taxes were heavy and poverty was prevelent. 5. Spies prevaded Jerusalem. 6. A wicked ruler held life and death. II: The world in which we live. 1. War, strife, unrest, apeasement, and suspecion. 2. American boys are policing the world that doesn’t want them. “Go home Yankee.” 3. Our financing of foreign aid puts the tax load at an all time high. 4. We...
If This were My Last Year
James 4:13-17, Phil. 3:13-14 “One thing I know.” John 9:25 “One thing have I discussed.” Psalms 27:4 I: “This one thing I do.” 1. Many things will call for our attention. a. The past will say, “We have always done it this way.” b. Procrastination will say: “Don’t be in such a hurry there is plenty of time.” c. Memory will call for us to live in the past. 2. But vital faith will call us to the need of the present hour and move us to prepare for the future. 3. If this were my last year, I’d try to finish at least 1 good job instead of starting many and finishing none. II: I would think more in the realm of eternity. 1. I would prepare for eternity. 2. I would acquire assets that would last thru...
From Here to the World
“What we need is not bigger and longer cars, more of material goods, but a spiritual awakening.” Matt. 28:16-20 I: One world and one gospel: 1. 2,500,000,000 people. 2. Hiroshima made us to realize that we live in one world. 3. Christ included the whole world in the Christian witnessing. Acts 1:8 II: Organized for the job. 1. The local church and local field. 2. The associations and Judea. 3. The state convention and Samaria. 4. The convention and the whole world. III: Cooperating through the organization. 1. 23 State conventions cooperating. 2. Carrying out the great commission through: 30 hospitals, 6,000 beds, 2,000,000 patient days per yr. training over 3,000 nurses. a. 30 senior colleges and universities enrolling 33,000 students; 30 Jr. colleges...
Forgiveness
Matt. 18:125-17, 21-35 I: Jesus teaches forgiveness. 1. “But if your brother wrongs you.” 2. “Go and have it out with him at once” 3. “Just between the 2 of you.” 4. “If he will listen to you, you have won him back as your breother.” 5. “But if he will not listen to you.” 6. “Take 1 or 2 others.” 7. “If he still won’t pay any attention, tell the church.” II: Never forget to forgive: 1. Would 7 times be enough? 2. “The kingdom of heaven is life.” a. A king settling accounts. b. 1 owed thousands of dollars. c. 1 owed $20. d. But both begging to have mercy. e. One received but refused to remember. III: “For if you forgive other people.” Matt. 6 1....
Excuses
Luke 14:15-24, Isaiah 55:1-3 Context: This parable was spoken in the house of a wealthy man. It was an occasion of hospitality but they were watching him. I: Jesus watched and observed them. 1. He saw the man with dropsy. He knew why the man was there. 2. He was how pride made them seek the best seats. 3. He saw that the host had invited a choice crowd. 4. Then he healed the sick man, shamed the guest and criticized the host. 5. Some one saw in the words he spoke a picture of the Kingdom of God. II: Then Jesus told of a great supper. 1. Many were invited. 2. All the guests declined. 3. None said no, but all gave excuses. 4. What was the real reason? a. They didn’t like the host. b. They didn’t like the guest he might have. c. They were contented to go...
