Wheat and Tares in the Churches
Matthew 13:24-30, Revelation 2:4 The 7 Churches of Asia represents the churches of all the Church Age. As Christ judges these churches, they were a mixed society of good and evil. 6 out of 7 He severely condemned. 1 out of 7 He finds no fault. 1 He finds nothing right. Some Churches had lost their 1st love, some were false in their professions. We find that among the finest of Christians, there are those who love and act like the World. I: The 1st Churches had real opportunity. 1. The leaders had been with Jesus. 2. The mighty acts of the Son of God was fresh in their minds. 3. He preached a 1st hand experience. 4. These men were well prepared to get a Church on the right road! 5. But even these churches were beset with problems of Doctorine, Fellowship, Morals,...
“So Built we the Walls”
Nehemiah 1:1-4, 2:12-20 Stewardship under Adversity I: A Man with a Burden: 1. “I ask them concerning the Jews … and concerning Jerusalem.” 1:2. 2. “I sat down and wept, and mourned.” Vs. 4. 3. “I fasted and prayed.” Vs. 4. 4. “We have sinned against thee.” Included himself. Vs. 6. “So I came to Jerusalem.” 2:11. II: He saw the need and accepted the Challenge. 1. “I arose in the night.” Vs. 12. No fan fare of trumpets. 2. “and viewed the walls of Jerusalem.” Vs. 13. 3. “Then said I unto them,” Presented the challenge to the leaders. 4. “Ye see the distress that we are in.” He shared the entire responsibility. 5. “Let us build up the wall of...
Stewards of Good News
John 3:16, 4:7-12 Books have been known to start wars, (Uncle Tom’s Cabin). A few written words may mean peace or trouble, (Declaration of Independence). Take a long look child! I: “For God so loved.” 1. “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3. “Love is strong as death.” Songs of Soloman 8:6. 2. The love of man: a. A love for country and liberty. b. Love for their loved ones, (King of England). 3. The Greatest Lover, King of England. a. Everlasting love. b. Love stronger than death. c. Love that loves the unlovely. d. Love that triumphs in face of hatred. II: He loved the whole world. 1. Every man that hears the invitation welcome, (pg. 952). 2. “Why will ye die?” 3. “No pleasure in...
Stewardship of Life
Corinthians 1 6:19-20, Jeremiah 18:1-6, and Romans 12:1-2 “Webster when secretary of State in President Fillmores cabinet was dining one night with 20 others at Astor House in New York. He was asked a question: “Mr. Webster, will you tell me the most important thought that ever occupied your mind?”” Webster passed his hand over his broad forehead and said in a low tone to the one next to him, “Is there anyone here that doesn’t know me?” “No.” The man answered. “They are all your friends.” Then Webster lifted his head and answered: “The most important thought that ever occupied my mind was that of my individual responsibility to God.” Paul the Apostle tells how one is enabled to live up...
Gods Financial Plan for the Church
Malachi 3:8-17 “The silver is mine and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of Host.” Haggai 2:8. “For all the Earth is mine.” Exodus 19:5. “The Earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof; the World and they that dwell therein.” Psalms 24:1. God owns all, man merely possesses it. I: The law of the tithe is as old as the human race. 1. The tithe recognizes that God owns everything. 2. The tithe is God’s rent and man is the renter. 3. Abraham was a tither. 4. Jacob made a pledge to God that he would pay the tithe. 5. “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of the seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.” Dueteronomy 14:22. 6. God closed the windows of Heaven when Israel robbed Him of the tithe. Malachi...