Burying the Past
Rom. 6:1-13 I: Jesus said: “They that be whole need not a physician but that they are sick.” 1. “These people would not repent of their sins, they couldn’t even blush.” Jeremiah 8:5-7, 12. 2. Isaiah 1:1-6, 18 3. God has made a way to busy the past, the old life, the old desires. II: Blotting out our sins. 1. Have mercy upon me, O God according to thy loving kindness, according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Psalm 51:1 “Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine inquities.” Psalm 51:9 “Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me.” “I have blotted out as a thick cloud, thy transgressions and as a cloud thy sins return into me for I have...
“Blessed be the Name of the Lord.”
Job 1:13-22 I: Satan contended that Job served for wealth. 1. There was a hedge about all that he had. 2. There was a hedge about him. 3. There was a hedge about his cattle. 4. There was a hedge about his barns. 5. There was a hedge about his children. II: God removed the hedge a little. 1. Satan destroyed all that he had with joy. 2. He is truly named the destroyer. 3. He takes joy in afflicting the Christians. 4. At every opportunity he hinders the work of God. 5. He is a master at using what he has at hand, sinner, backslider, or circumstances. III: Job turns to the Lord. 1. In sorrow he rented his mantel, shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground. 2. “And worshiped.” Tim. 1 6:6-7 3. He acknowledged that he brought nothing into this world. 4....
Altars of God’s People
Gen. 8:20-22, 15:1-20, and Malachi 1:6-14 Altar means a place where sacrifices are offered. I: God’s people erected altars wherever they went. Noah erected an altar immediately after the flood. Abraham erected an altar as soon as he reached Canaan. 1. God’s people erected altars and sacrificed wherever they were. 2. Elijah erected the broken altar when he called fire from heaven. 3. Solomon made many sacrifices upon the altar of the great temple. Chron. 2 7:1-7 4. The New Testament Christians continued a spiritual altar where prayer and supplication were made. America could never have been blessed with the family altars of our forefathers. II: God’s blessings have been withdrawn when the altar had been abused. 1. Saul the 1st king of Israel made...
Adjustment to Hard Situations
I: “Behold I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.” 1. To stay meant death by sword, famine or pestilence. 2. To go meant life as a captive. II: Jeremiahs stand was not popular. 1. He made it clear that the one who marches when the bugal blew is not always the true patriot. 2. The true citizen is one who does what he thinks is best for his beloved country. 3. This kind of courage is not always popular. 4. The future showed that the nation would have been wise to have listened to Jeremiah. III: Jedikiah respected his preacher. Chpt. 37:3 1. He was not sure of his own ability to reach the ear of God. 2. He wanted Jeremiah to use his influence to get God to remove the Chaldeans. 3. Jedekiah and the people did not want to seek Gods will,...
A Soft Answer
Prov. 15:1, Sam. 1 25:1-37 The careless old hen accidentally stepped on a ducks foot; it didn’t hurt the duck, but the duck got peeved and said “I’ll pay you for that.” His wings struck an old goose that was standing by. The old goose became angry thinking it was done on purpose, said to the duck, “I’ll pay you for that.” The cat, ram, dog, cow, and horse were soon involved. Contention can most often be avoided by proper use of the tongue. Only when great principles and convictions are at stake should we contend. Paul urged us to contend for the faith. I: Contentious words: 1. The wasp may buzz around your head but the danger is increased when you try to swat him. 2. Often an ill spoken word is like hitting a hornets...
“A Reed Shaken with the Wind.”
Matthew 11:2-10 I: John was not shaken by divers winds. 1. He didn’t bow before the religious potentates. 2. He didn’t water down his message. 3. He was unmoved by the treats of an adulteress woman. II: God’s people are called upon for a stedfastness. Cor. 1 15:58 1. Caleb before doubting Israel. 2. Joshua: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” 3. Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego. 4. Daniel: “My God has sent his angels and has shut the lions’ mouths.” 5. Peter in prison. 6. Stephen died praying. 7. Paul and Silas sang in jail. III: Stedfastness brings Christian growth. 1. In our testimony before the world. 2. In our home among our friends. 3. In our prayer...