“Things He Must Suffer”
Acts 9:16, Cor. 2 11:23-29 If Christians would learn to be content in serving God even in the difficult times, the World would be compelled to hear us. More people would be compelled to investigate what makes us tick. It is the human thing to grumble and complain; it is divine to “Rejoice in times of testing.” I: Paul’s 1st Instructions Were: 1. He was a chosen vessel — set aside. 2. “To bear my name before the Gentiles.” 3. “And Kings.” 4. “And the children of Israel.” II: “Great Things He Must Suffer.” 1. He was to be a Soldier at War, not on parade. 2. He was to be a Boxer fighting for his life. 3. “We have this treasure in earthen vessels…” Cor. 2 4:7-8 a. We are...
The Spirit of Power, Love, and Self-Control
Timothy 2 1:1-15 I: The Spirit of Fearfulness. 1. The fear of Man brings a snare. 2. The fear of Insecurity can wreck ones life. 3. The fear of Poverty can make money our God. 4. The fear of Failure can keep us from attempting greater things. 5. The fear what others may do or think may cause us to conform to the crowd. 6. Fear can rob us of faith, make us timid spineless complaining. 7. It is fear that sings the Blues and Beats. 8. Is such a spirit from God? II: The Spirit of Failure. 1. It is not always the Servant that makes the least mistakes that is the most useful. 2. Faint-heartedness can’t be strong. 3. The faint-hearted mistrust themselves and others. 4. They anticipate dangers and failures and sometimes create them. III: The Spirit of Power. 1....
Come over and Help Us
“The steps of a righteous man are ordered by God.” Acts 16:1-10 I: Closed Doors Disciplines the Man of God. 1. “Be still and know that I am God.” Psa. 46:10 2. Paul wanted to go to Northern Asia Minor. 3. Gods does not discipline his Servants. 4. The journey began under a cloud and new God said NO!!! 5. At the borders of Bethina, God said no. 6. Sickness drove him to a different field of service. 7. In his restlessness, Paul turned in humble obedience. 8. Paul learned that disappointment can reveal the Will of God. II: Closed Doors Promotes the Plan of God. 1. God had brought him to Troas, Timothy, Silas and Luke. 2. Before Him was Athens, the Citadel of Pagan Culture. Rome the seat of Imperial Power, Spain the limit of the Mediterranean...
Learn of Me
Matthew 11:28-30 In the Foyer of John Hopkins University, facing the entrance, stands a marble statue of Jesus. It portrays him leaning forward, arms outstretched as though he were reaching for some wounded, staggering suffer. On the base of the statue is Matthew 11:28-30. I: The Divine Invitation to Rest: 1. “I know people that are tired of sickness and pain.” Dr. Dodd 2. Our world is sick and weary. 3. Habits that enslave. 4. We all need Spiritual rest from the burdens of life. “My burden is heavier than I can bear.” (The young woman that was afraid to live in Grover City). II: “There are required courses in the school of Life.” 1. We have to live! No choice of arrival, no way of escape. 2. Death is a required course. Fight...
Buzzards or Bees
God is the woodlands two went for a walk. They were not of one mind on what they should talk. With the beauties of Nature one was on fire, While the other saw briars and thistles and mire. One found fault with the clouds and the showers, the other rejoiced in the Crops and the flowers. The other saw honey and sipped like the bee. Into Church Sabbath morning, these two people went. They differed on what the Church Service meant. One joined in the Worship in the Spirit of prayer, which the other one somehow seemed not to share. One sought the truth in which to delight, the other sought errors against which to fight. One found meat to strengthen his life. The other found bones for contention and strife. Let’s talk of the noble, the good and the pure. Never...