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...