The Backward Look
It is hard, if not impossible, to plow a straight furrow while looking back. Luke 9:57-62, Phil. 3:13 *Context: There were those that wanted to follow Jesus but:* I: Plowing is a Man Size Job. 1. Your mind must be on the job. 2. Not all soil will be loose and sandy. 3. The stumps, rocks, or sprouts are apt to discourage. 4. The backward look may let the plow slip out of the ground or run under a stump and hurt the power. II: The Backward Look is Dangerous. 1. The backward look of Israel caused them to murmur and complain. It stirred their appetite for fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic, but they failed to see the brick kelns. 2. The backward look turned Lots wife to a pillar of salt. 3. The backward look caused Mark to desert Barnabas and Paul. 4....
Synthetic Heroes
Our standards of real life are too often confused with the synthetic. Man has made many substitutes but he can never change the hearts of sin by robes of make-belief. Be not conformed. Rom. 12:1-21 I: The Family Mold is Changing. 1. Today’s marriage is based upon personal like, and dislikes rather than upon duties and responsibilities. 2. America is becoming less and less family-minded and more individual minded. 3. Rome was strong while she had the corporation spirit in family, community, and state. (40,000 – 37,000 = 3,000 Germans). 4. We need to put a higher price on a happy family and less on a better job or keeping up with Jonses. II: The New World “Models,” are Molding Our Children. 1. “A half-century ago a sociologist named...
“Stretch Forth the Curtains Of Your Habitations”
Isaiah 54: Israel was being urged to make room for the blessings God had for them. I: The Challenge To Grow In Service: 1. Christians grow under the pressure of responsibility (Take up thy cross). 2. Our own spiritual life is enlarged when we serve others (deny thyself). 3. “Enlarge the place of thy tent” make room for others. 4. “Spare not.” He that soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly. 5. “Lengthen thy cords.” Short ropes of selfishness will never rescue the perishing. Our Christian lives must reach beyond our own little group. 6. “Strengthen the stakes.” Prayer and spiritual preparation will fasten the stakes firmly to the rock. II: If We Fail To Make Room 1. Business is making room. 2. Places of pleasure...
Standards of the Doctorine of Christ
John 2: 1-13 I: The New Testament Church. 1. Ecclesia — called out. 2. “I will build my church.” Matt. 16:18 3. Jesus used the name twice, 113 times in the N.T. 96 times to the local church. 4. The Church & Kingdom not identical. a. “The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation; neither shall they say, Lo here, or lo there. For behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 19: b. The Church is the divine agency for promoting and extending the Kingdom. 5. Founded by Jesus and instructed to his followers. Bought by his blood. Acts 20:28. II: The Marks of the New Testament Church. 1. Called out people of God. 2. Only saved were accepted. 3. Immersion it’s way of baptism. 4. Empowered by Holy Spirit and fruitful. 5....
Short Beds and Scanty Covers
Have you ever tried to sleep on a bed that was too short? Have you ever tried to cover with a quilt that was too narrow? This is a picture of a man trying to hide his sin from God. Isiah 28:14-20 I: Man Has Always Tried to Cover Sin. 1. Adam and Eve tried to cover their sin with an apron of fig leaves, then both shifted the blame. 2. Cain tried to hide murder, he lied, he tried to shift his responsibility. 3. Achan tried to bury sin in his tent. 4. David tried to cover adultery with murder. 5. Arab tried to let his wife take the blame. 6. Ananias and Sapphira tried to cover covetousness with a lie. II: The Short Bed of Excuses. 1. “And they all with one consent began to make excuse.” Luke 14:18 2. But they made light of it. Matt. 22 3. Some try to...