tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26801679789728247932024-03-17T20:02:51.145-07:00Meet Me At CalvaryMeet Me At
Calvary D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.comBlogger604125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-62808103719359067122024-03-11T08:18:00.000-07:002024-03-11T08:18:20.345-07:00Love The Lord With All - Deuteronomy 6:3-14<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJszdnJWDbG7AAPDpRH16sYHm_0BYCsuO47IyT19y4spVhAW_mbJwz_M28BaF2xkTiTSnhzMpGMQboJUri_hyixY2A3kS0DYXHGf9xP6DcHFO4GFuBg3SWGfy81xuN2BecX0Ol9pi6OjS7LbWijugR4EmKs5ApLUvvjaQLmUnrPv5ECeIvAJM_JACa1xQ/s1254/Love%20the%20Lord%20With%20All%20deuteronomy%206v5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="1254" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJszdnJWDbG7AAPDpRH16sYHm_0BYCsuO47IyT19y4spVhAW_mbJwz_M28BaF2xkTiTSnhzMpGMQboJUri_hyixY2A3kS0DYXHGf9xP6DcHFO4GFuBg3SWGfy81xuN2BecX0Ol9pi6OjS7LbWijugR4EmKs5ApLUvvjaQLmUnrPv5ECeIvAJM_JACa1xQ/w640-h362/Love%20the%20Lord%20With%20All%20deuteronomy%206v5.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Love The Lord With All <br />
Deuteronomy 6:3-14</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Name</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the Jewish Bible the name for the fifth book of Mose writings
is Haddebharim, which means, "the Words". It’s taken from the opening
verse of the book: "these be the words which Moses spake unto all
Israel" </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The title for "Deuteronomy," is taken from the Septuagint,
the Greek translation of the Old Testament. It comes from two Greek words
deuteros <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which means second and nomos which
means law. In Deuteronomy we have a retelling of the Law which needed because
the generation of Israelite he speaks to are those who have grown up in the
wilderness. There is a need for the Law to be reheard and reexplain to this new
generation before they cross the Jordan and enter into the Promised land. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Book Summary</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Deuteronomy consists of three discourse from Moses. The
first chapters 1-4:43 is history, 4:44-26:19 is an explanation of the Law, and
27-34 is about the future, both near and very far.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The book is a really 3 long lessons given by Moses to Israel
the nation. Moses is now 120 years old and has been told by God that he will
soon die. The book is his last and best attempt to exhort, warn and encourage
the Hebrews who have been wandering for 40 years. He reviews their journeys, their
time at Mt. Sinai, he repeats the law first given in Leviticus, and adds a warnings
about their commitment to God and to the covenant He forged with them at Sinai.
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Key Verses:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dt 6:5 -
"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your might."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Dt 7:9 - "Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is
God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a
thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Overview</b></p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td colspan="7" style="background: #DAE0EB; border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">THE
PENTATEUCH SUMMARIZED</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: #DAE0EB; border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 14.52%;" width="14%">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">BOOK</span></p>
</td>
<td style="background: #DAE0EB; border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 13.02%;" width="13%">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">KEY<br />
IDEA</span></p>
</td>
<td style="background: #DAE0EB; border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 13.02%;" width="13%">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">THE<br />
NATION</span></p>
</td>
<td style="background: #DAE0EB; border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 13.04%;" width="13%">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">THE<br />
PEOPLE</span></p>
</td>
<td style="background: #DAE0EB; border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 15.98%;" width="15%">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">GOD'S<br />
CHARACTER</span></p>
</td>
<td style="background: #DAE0EB; border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 14.02%;" width="14%">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">GOD'S<br />
ROLE</span></p>
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<td style="background: #DAE0EB; border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 14.02%;" width="14%">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">GOD'S<br />
COMMAND</span></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Genesis</span></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Beginnings<br />
Ruin</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Chosen</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Prepared</p>
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<td style="border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 15.98%;" width="15%">
<p class="MsoNormal">Powerful<br />
Sovereign</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Creator</p>
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<td style="border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 14.02%;" width="14%">
<p class="MsoNormal">"Let there be!"</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Exodus</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Redemption</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Delivered</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Redeemed</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Merciful</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Deliverer</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">"Let My people go!"</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Leviticus</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Worship</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Set Apart</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Taught</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Holy</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Sanctifier</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">"Be Holy!"</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Numbers</span></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Wandering</p>
</td>
<td style="border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 13.02%;" width="13%">
<p class="MsoNormal">Directed</p>
</td>
<td style="border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 13.04%;" width="13%">
<p class="MsoNormal">Tested</p>
</td>
<td style="border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 15.98%;" width="15%">
<p class="MsoNormal">Just</p>
</td>
<td style="border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 14.02%;" width="14%">
<p class="MsoNormal">Sustainer</p>
</td>
<td style="border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 14.02%;" width="14%">
<p class="MsoNormal">"Go in!"</p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Deuteronomy</span></p>
</td>
<td style="border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 13.02%;" width="13%">
<p class="MsoNormal">Renewed<br />
Covenant</p>
</td>
<td style="border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 13.02%;" width="13%">
<p class="MsoNormal">Made<br />
Ready</p>
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<td style="border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 13.04%;" width="13%">
<p class="MsoNormal">Retaught</p>
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<td style="border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 15.98%;" width="15%">
<p class="MsoNormal">Loving<br />
Lord</p>
</td>
<td style="border: solid silver 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid silver .75pt; padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt; width: 14.02%;" width="14%">
<p class="MsoNormal">Rewarder</p>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal">Obey</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Events and Time</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Deuteronomy takes place in one location over about one month
of time. Israel is camped in the central rift valley of the Promised Land to
the east of the Jordan River. The Bible refers to this area as “the plains of
Moab.” It had been almost 40 years since the Israelites had exited Egypt.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The book records the events that happen in the final weeks
of Moses’ life. Most important was the divine revelation from Moses to the
people of Israel. Also taking place during this month by the river were: 1)
Moses’ recording the law, 2) his commissioning of Joshua as the new leader 3)
His viewing of the land of Canaan from Mt. Nebo and this his death.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Transition</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our sermon today comes from the chapters that contain the
first key verse and probably the most important verse in the Bible to Judaism. Let’s
start at 6:3</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Live His Commandments
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Deuteronomy 6:1-3 Now these are the commandments, the
statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you,
that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: 2 That thou
mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments,
which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy
life; and that thy days may be prolonged. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and
observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase
mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that
floweth with milk and honey. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Living The Commandments of God</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In chapters 1-4 of the book Moses retells the journey of the
Hebrews from Mt. Sinai to where the stood that day on the far side of the
Jordan River. He gives a very detailed, turn my turn, camp by camp account of
their travels, battles and crises to where they stand today. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Chapter 4 is a challenge to the people to recognize the
great thing Jehovah has done for them. Deuteronomy 4:32-35 For ask now of the
days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man
upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether
there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?
33 Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire,
as thou hast heard, and live? 34 Or hath God assayed to go and take him a
nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by
wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by
great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt
before your eyes? 35 Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the
LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In chapter 5 he restates the 10 Commandments and the
Covenant that God entered into with the Israelites. Deuteronomy 5:1-3 Hear, O
Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye
may learn them, and keep, and do them. 2 The LORD our God made a covenant with
us in Horeb. 3 The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us,
even us, who are all of us here alive this day.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then we come to chapter 6 and Moses transitions from the 10
commandments and the Covenant to living these things out, doing them in their
daily life. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Deuteronomy 6:2-3 keep all his statutes and his
commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all
the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. <br />
3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And we all know what happened don’t we? They didn’t do it.
Oh they did pretty good for a while, Judges 2:7-11 And the people served the
LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived
Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel. 8
And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and
ten years old. … 10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their
fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the
LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of
Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a nation they obeyed it for two generation after Joshua
and the Bible tells us why. Judges 2:10 there arose another generation after
them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That third generation hadn’t seen the miracles, hadn’t
fought the battles, hadn’t known the Lord and they turned to idols. It only
took 2 generation and the grandchildren of Joshua’s generation were acting like
the Canaanites they had driven out. They no longer lived the commandments they
have been given by God. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Living Like The Lord Commands</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you read all the law given in Leviticus and then restated
in Deuteronomy, you won’t find any that aren’t good. Some are hard to figure
out without some study, some are harsh, even cruel and some seem odd. This is because
we are not a nation of 12 tribes who have never lived as our own nation before.
But the law makes sense and it is not impossible to live by.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That is, it is not hard if you know the Lord. If you don’t
then it the most important part of the law becomes impossible. The hardest laws
for the Israelites were those that honored God. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Back in Deuteronomy 5:6-7 I am the LORD thy God, which
brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 7 Thou shalt
have none other gods before me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you knew God, worshipped God and had a understood of your
relationship with Him through the sacrifices and the Tabernacle, the feasts,
then it was easy to “do” the law, but if you were only go through the motions,
like so many people do, then obeying God’s laws becomes impossible, because
without God they are impossible to keep.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">People like this, people who know what they are supposed to
do and even why they are supposed to do it, are like that 3rd generation in the
Promised Land. They don’t know God. They don’t have faith in Him and therefore
they can’t live as He would want them to live. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">James the brother of Jesus said it this way, James 2:18-20
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith
without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest
that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A fake faith cannot bring fruit. If you don’t know God, if
your family doesn’t know God, if your nation doesn’t know God then the results
is lawlessness. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is exactly what is happening today, in family after
family, community after community, church after church. We are seeing
generations “which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done.” And
our modern lawless, immoral, perverse culture is the result. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next verse in Deut 6 contained the truth that would have
kept Israel in their land and obedient to Him. The next verse tells us who God
is and how we are know Him. Look at vs. 4.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>Love Him With All</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou
shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and
with all thy might.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Know The Lord And Love The Lord </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After Moses give the law, He then tells the people who their
God is. The key to obeying was to know Him. This verse is called the Shema,
Hebrew word for “hear.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a key
verse for the religion of Judaism and it is tragic that they missed God because
they misinterpreted this verse. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yes, this verse clearly states that there is one God. That
Jehovah is above all. He alone is God This is the great declaration of monotheism,
the worship of One God) as opposed to polytheism, the worship of many gods). But
this verse does not deny the Trinity that is revealed fully in the New
Testament. This is what the Pharisees and others so fatally missed. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Hebrew word “echod” used here means a compound unity.
There is another Hebrew word which expresses exactly what the Jews, Unitarians
and Muslims believe that is the word “yochid”; it means a single one. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Knowing who God was, is and shall be makes all the
difference, but the people of Israel missed the truth and because they missed
the truth of God, therefore they could not keep the most important commandment
of all in verse 5.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with
all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is the one commandment above All. Love the Lord with all
you have. All your heart, all your soul, all your might. Moses is telling the
nation of Israel to love Jehovah with all their your emotions, their spirit and
theirs body. Love Him from deep in your heart, with all that makes you a living
soul and with all the physicall strength you have to serve Him. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was a reasonable commandment, an achievably commandment
if they truly knew Jehovah their God. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">If You Know Then You Know</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have you heard that saying on the internet, in your feeds
maybe in your conversations? If you know then you know. It is the idea of
insider knowledge. Most times when I see it I ignore whatever message or meme
is. But in this case it is true. If you know the Lord, then you know how
wonderful it is to love Him. In fact how easy it is to love Him. It hardly
seems a command at all. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You might ask as I did as a young Christian, how can I love
the Lord with all and still love my parents or family or friends. If it all
belongs to God, then how can there be anything left over. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I remember my sweet grandmother excusing my grandfather for
not attending church or living a “front street” Christianity by saying, “He
obeyed all the commandments but he just loved his kids to mush.” That kind of
messed me up for a while. It was an attempt to justify a lukewarm Christian and
it failed even at that. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So how can I love Him with all and still love others?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The truth is really simple and we as God’s children know it
even if we can’t always express it. The truth is that love is always multiplied,
never divided when it is given to God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The truth is right there in the words of Jesus, Matthew
22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 -- Jesus said
unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And
the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On
these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When you experience the love of the Lord, you must respond
with all your love back, what else can you do? But that does not mean you exhaust
a limited, finite quantity of love. Love that is limited is not love at all.
And God’s love flows from an endless, infinite supply because, God is love! He
is the source of love and in Him my love can only spring up ceaselessly. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 John 4:7-11 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is
of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that
loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love
of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world,
that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but
that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, give God all your love. Love Him emotionally,
spiritually and physically. If your feeling drained emotionally because this
world and its sin, its people, its hardness is draining you then come to church
and love the Lord. You’ll find emotionally love even for the dregs of this
world.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you’re soul is feeling weary, you can’t seem to even find
a flicker of hope or faith or charity, then touch God in prayer or through His
word and that spirit you thought was extinguished will flame back up into life
and warm your spirit. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you are physically worn out, and believe me this become
more and more a struggle with each passing year and each weakening illness, but
instead of giving up and no longer physically serving the Lord, trust him even
with your old tired, overweight, bald body and find one thing you can do to
show my love for the Lord. First of all come to church, yes every service, then
fold a tract, paint a wall, greet a visitor, or hand out a tract or a pen next
time your out eating. Invite someone to church next time you’re out walking. Show
your love for the Lord with your physical body no matter what shape it’s in and
the Lord will give you more strength to serve Him is some way, because
remember…</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When you give all your love to the Lord it is multiplied,
and you will have more love. And the converse of this is true as well, If you,
as a child of God, deny your love emotionally, spiritually or physically to Him,
then you won’t have any left to give to anyone.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What the Lord told Haggai when the people would not go, give
and serve in the rebuilt Temple, Haggai 1:5-6 Now therefore thus saith the LORD
of hosts; Consider your ways. 6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat,
but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe
you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it
into a bag with holes.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Illustration: Love To God means God’s love back to you and
that love is like the song chorus. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is a river<br />That flows from God above,<br />There is a fountain<br />That's filled with His great love,<br />Come to this water<br />There is a vast supply,<br />There is a river<br />That never shall run dry.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion - Learn His Words <span> </span>Deut 6:6-9</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be
in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and
shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by
the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt
bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between
thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy
gates. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Loving The Lord Means Keeping His Word Always Before Us</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In these verses Moses it telling his people hold on to these
truths, keep them in your heart, teach them to the next generation, talk about
them in your home, and when your walking, before you go to sleep and first then
when you get up. Keep them in the forefront of your mind, focus on them like a
target right between your eyes and yes write them down, hang them in your home,
put them on your computer screen, post them on the internet. Keep them, teach
them and pass them on to others. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And this truth above all others you must pass on. Love the
Lord with All. What a difference it would make in your life, your family and
our church. Love the Lord with All. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
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<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Look and Live - Numbers 21:4-9</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal">Background: From Potential Blessing To Present Balefulness</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last week the in our sermon the Israelites were in the
middle of their preparations for taking the Promised Land. They were counted,
which is where the book gets its name, they were given their law, their
tabernacle, their priesthood and they were given the precious promise of God’s
blessing. A blessing so important that the Lord had given directly to Aaron the
high priest. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Numbers 6:24-27 - The LORD bless thee and keep thee: The
LORD make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up
his countenance upon thee and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon
the children of Israel; and I will bless them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All that preparation, all that potential and then reality
sets in and for the Hebrews faith steps aside.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The journey, the sin and the punishment </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Chapter 11 they barely leave Mt. Sinai before they start
their complaining. Nu 11:1–3 And when the people complained, it displeased the
LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the
LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of
the camp. 2 And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the
LORD, the fire was quenched. 3 And he called the name of the place Taberah:
because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The fire had barely stopped falling before the rebellion
renews itself in vs. Nu 11:4–6 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell
a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give
us flesh to eat? 5 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the
cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: 6
But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna,
before our eyes. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then in Chapter 12 Aaron and Miriam add their jealousy to
the journey, Nu 12:1–2.1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of
the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken
also by us? And the LORD heard it. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then we come to the crisis of the entire book in chapter 13
when the spies are sent out and 10 spies come back as cowards of unbelief and
only Joshua and Caleb come back as heroes of faith. Nu 13:32–33.And they
brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children
of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land
that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it
are men of a great stature. 33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak,
which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so
we were in their sight. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Forty Days of Spying, One day of Denying, brings 40 years of
Dying. </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For each day they spied the Lord gives them a year for not
believing. The old generation will die and the new generation hardened by 40
years in the wilderness will conquer the promised land with God’s power. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Chapter 15 Korah, Dathan and Abiram rebelled against
Moses. The Lord opens the earth and swallows them their families and even their
tents down into the pit, along with 250 of their cloesest followers. The next
day the people accuse Moses of killing Korah and his followers and God strikes
them dead by a fast moving plague. 14,700 people die in a few hours. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After this things seem to settle down for awhile, the people
learn to fight while they wander the wilderness. Then in chapter 20, Miriam dies,
the sister who watched over Moses when he floated in the basket in the river
will watch no more. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the same chapter
once again the people complain and Mose in his anger disobeys God and strike
the rock, water gushes from the rock but Moses is denied the Promised Land for
his disobedience. Sin has consequences even when you are God’s leader and often
the consequence is worse. At the end of the chapter Aaron dies and Moses, alone
of the leaders of the Exodus is left. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then we come to chapter 21. Throughout this journey the
Israelites, the people of God, have rebelled and been punished, complained, and
been punished, sinned and been punished you would think, there would have been
a learning curve and things would have changed, but as the saying goes you
would be wrong. So, we come to chapter 21 and perhaps the worst punishment for
the people’s rebellion against God takes place. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is a terrible punishment from God, but it is also a
powerful foreshadowing of God’s son. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of the last things Jesus told the disciple before he
ascended to heaven is found in Luke 24:44-45 These are the words which I spake
unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which
were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms,
concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand
the scriptures.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus knew that the disciple couldn’t really know Him, unless
they also knew the Old Testament and His place in it. They had seen the
substance but to know Him more, they also <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>had to see the shadow that was cast through
the centuries. This is called foreshadowing. As a person approaches with the
light at their back they cast a shadow before them. That light is the word of
God and that person was Jesus the Messiah and Savior. The Old Testament is the
shadow cast before Him. Here are just a few. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Foreshadowing of Christ in the Torah.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Noah’s Ark, Jacob’s Ladder, The Passover, Manna from Heaven,
the Tabernacle, The Sacrifices, The Holy Days, The Bronze Serpent, The
Sacrificial Lamb, The Cities of Refuge, The Rock Struck for Water. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, lets spend the rest of our time on one of the strongest
clearest foreshadowing of the Old Testament in Numbers 21:4 </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rebellion Numbers 21:4-5</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea,
to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged
because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses,
Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for
there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light
bread.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Hebrews
Sin</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The are now marching in circles because of their lack of
faith in God's promises which resulted in the refusal to go into the Promised
Land and claim it</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On this part of the journey they have circled back to just
outside of Canaan but once again they are not allowed to go in. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They have just fought another battle, they have just
finished another hard journey. They know as they camp that day, that they are
close to the Promised Land and they also know they still will not be allowed to
enter. The Bible simply says the way was hard and they became much discouraged.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In their anger and frustration they speak against God and
against Moses. Not since the waters of Meribah have they done this but now it
is not just complaining, it is very close to another outright rebellion. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Numbers 21:5 Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die
in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this
worthless food.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was everything they hated from the beginning to the
present. It is an all-encompassing complaint and a declaration of a revolt that
is coming. And God responds appropriately with a harsh punishment. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our <span> </span>Sin</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I wonder if the Israelites thought they were sinning? They
weren’t rebelling they were just grumbling a little bit, but God did not see or
hear it that way. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In our own life, we may not think the sin I am committing is
a big deal But remember God doesn't see sin the way you and I do. What I think
may be no big deal, God may see what is happening and what will happen. I may
see sin as ignoring God but God sees sin as denying and rebelling again Him..</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To God, sin is sin and it has consequences and must be dealt
with. Either it is punished or it is forgiven but it is never ignored.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We see this clearly in Romans 3:10-26 As it is written,
There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth,
there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they
are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13
Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit;
the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and
bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery
are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no
fear of God before their eyes. …<br />
…21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being
witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which
is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there
is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his
blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his
righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth
in Jesus.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sin is deadly as a snake, ask my Uncle
the Marine. My Uncle Larry George was a Marine during the Vietnam war.
He once told me how his sergeant <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>instructed the men how to deal with snakes they
would find in the jungle of Vietnam. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“First you kill it any way you can. Then you cut if its head
and then you bury the head at least a foot underground.” One soldier asked, “Sergeant,
why do we have to bury the dead snakes head? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sergeant looked at the man like he was
dumb as a bag of hammers and said, “Cause you grunts are so stupid if you
didn’t bury the head one of you would sit on it and then die from by being
bitten by a dead headless snake.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And that is just as true for us when we think we can deal
with sin our own way instead of God’s way. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sin is deadly and God must deal with it. Let’s read on and
see how He dealt with here in vs. 6.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Retribution
- Numbers 21:6</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and
they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Punishment</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These are not mythical or imagined serpents but an actual
species of snake that still dwells in the Sinai. The description of fiery was
probably given because of the rust or copper color of the Saw Scaled Viper
which lives in the Sinai desert.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God dealt with their sin as He had in the past with
punishment, death in just a few minutes after they were bitten. And every
person knew why they were being punished, they had sinned, they had rebelled,
and God had punished sin . </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our
Punishment</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Real Consequences, Real Punishment. The fiery serpent was not
mythical or imaginary and the punishment of God is also neither mythical or
imaginary.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The world says Hell is not real, there is no literal place
of that God has prepared for those who continue to sin and rebel against God.
It is popular today for many to ignore Hell and for others to preach from their
pulpits that Hell is only a metaphor, only a imaginary thing or if it does
exits it is merely annihilation, you burn up and then no longer exist. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These deniers of God’s wrath ask, “Why must we believe in a
place as terrible as Hell? Wouldn’t be better to just preach the love of the Gospel?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you ever wonder why there is such rampant sin in today’s most
popular churches, one of the reasons is sin is not condemned and Hell is not
mentioned. These are forbidden subjects in the vast majority of today’s so-called
churches. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But Hell Is Real, and yet Jesus warned of hell often. If I
won’t believe in it then can I believe in Him?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 13:41-42 41 The Son of man shall send forth his
angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and
them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there
shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are many other times Jesus warns of the fire and
torment of Hell, but I only really need one, because this is Jesus and if the
Son of God said it then I must believe it, because He is the one I am believing
for the salvation of my soul. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God in his holiness must deal with sin. Hell one eternal way
God does so, but there is another, just as eternal but with God’s forgiveness
and not His wrath upon me. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is true for us and it was in this case true for the
rebels of Numbers 21. Go to vs 7. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Repentance - Numbers 21:7</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have
sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the
LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span>The Israelites Repent</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They realize they have sinned against God. It did not matter
what they thought was sin. It did not matter what they thought was
insignificant or inconsequential. God was the only judge of sin and they now
cried out, “We have sinned for we have spoken against the Lord.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They asked Moses to intercede for them and Moses prays for a
different outcome for these sinners. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our Repentance.
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The only way to avoid God’s punishment of sin is seek His
forgiveness and that begins with repentance. I must know I have sinned against
the Lord. Confess that I am a sinner and then be willing to turn from that sin and
turn to God. I must turn from my sin and myself and turn toward my Lord and my
Savior.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John the forerunner of Christ preached, Matthew 3:1-2 John
the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye:
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Later we read in, Matthew 4:17 Jesus began to preach, and to
say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are some who say they Gospel were for the Israelites,
they needed to repent but Paul is for the Gentiles and there is no need for us
to repent, just to believe. But listen to Pual in Romans 2:1-4 Therefore thou
art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou
judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same
things. 2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth
against them which commit such things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that
judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape
the judgment of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and
forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth
thee to repentance?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have a granddaughter was born with serious allergies.
Something as simple as a peanut could have killed her. So everywhere she went
she carried an epinephrine pen. Using it would save her life. But if she didn’t
open the little pouch she always wore and reached inside for the pen, the
medicine inside the pen couldn’t do its life-saving work. Repentance is like reaching
for the epinephrine pen because you know you will die if you don’t reach for it.
Repentance is reaching out to God because you know sin will eternally kill you
if grace is not given. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Repentance is the first step toward God and away from sin
and unless you take that step there can be no salvation. The Israelites reached
out, called out and God then did the saving. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Restoration - Numbers 21:8-9</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent,
and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is
bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. 9 And Moses made a serpent of
brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had
bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Deliverance
for Israel</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This was nothing like the other ways God had delivered
Israel. And there is a reason for that. God has two purpose in mind. One to
save those who repent but also to save those who will repent for centuries
after. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God tells Mose to construct a serpent of bronze and raise it
on a pole in the middle of the camp. Those who are bitten must look upon the uplifted
serpent and they would live.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God still loved them and in spite of their rebellion, and He
provided a way of salvation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The bronze serpent raised up by Moses was a picture of their
sin and its punishment. When they looked up see it, that was an act of their faith.
They were acknowledging their sin and trusting in God to deliver them its
consequence of torment and death. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Deliverance
for Us</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is one of the strongest, clearest foreshadowing of
Jesus Christ and our salvation through Him, given in the Old Testament. It is
so clear that when Nicodemos came to Jesua and asked Him who He was and how to
be saved Jesus took him back to Numbers 21. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He told Nicodemus, John 3:14-15 And as Moses lifted up the
serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus reveals why God didn’t just immediately stop the fiery
serpents, but instead had Moses make and then raise a brazen serpent in the middle
of the camp where all could seen it. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That bronze serpent was a picture of their sin and
punishment. It was a shadow of the true salvation that would take place when Jesus
would take our sin and punishment upon Himself. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Isaiah saw it in Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely he hath borne our
griefs, and carried our sorrows:<br />
yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was
wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace was upon him;<br />
and with his stripes we are healed. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus took on our sin, suffered in our place, died in our
stead and God accepted His sacrifice as ransom for our sin. His death paid the
price for my rebellion against God. The only one who never sinned had to pay
for me the one who never can stop sinning.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus said, in John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the
earth, will draw all men unto me. Every time the good news of the Gospel is
preached, Jesus is lifted up and all the world, no matter where they are can
see Him paying the price and then defeating death rising from the grave.
Proving He is the resurrection and the life. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Hebrews had to looked and live. Today whoever we are we
must also look and live. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>upon the
crucified Christ. They must see their sin and punishment being borne upon the
body of Jesus nailed to the cross. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Look and Lived</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The old hymn said it this way<br />
I’ve a message from the Lord, Hallelujah!<br />
The message unto you I’ll give.<br />
’Tis recorded in His Word, Hallelujah!<br />
It is only that you “look and live.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Look and live,” my brother, live.<br />
Look to Jesus now and live.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is story is the shadow but it is not the substance. The Bronze Serpent is not the Savior. In the same way, you hearing about the
story will not do anything except inform you unless you do what Moses told the
Hebrews to do and what the Jesus tells us to do. Look and Live! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have you? Will you? I can’t imagine anyone in that camp
being bitten by those deadly serpents not immediately looking for that raised standard
of salvation. Nor can I imagine anyone knowing that sin is deadly, and that hell
is real, not look to Jesus and live eternally in the grace He offers us.<br /></p>
D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-10661650417264997412024-02-26T11:35:00.000-08:002024-02-26T11:35:02.537-08:00The Blessing: Numbers 6:22-27 <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurMv5smRvIysfa904qYg6PV_a5Q3TXyZz6eJgHA25uaGzIeF36a51sEgsoXJrjAQnprdIqh6UPzy4kCYSpZMEWvqZpRMTdaeBkZVxOXlS7HaRA5kFeBNI3buQsoB54MPPj1DnNQEFtAfogyCvmKYfd1pb4aepDuRhTG8DDRprj0YYkgpB_CVgggT1AeE/s1254/The%20Blessing%20Numbers%206v24-26.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1254" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurMv5smRvIysfa904qYg6PV_a5Q3TXyZz6eJgHA25uaGzIeF36a51sEgsoXJrjAQnprdIqh6UPzy4kCYSpZMEWvqZpRMTdaeBkZVxOXlS7HaRA5kFeBNI3buQsoB54MPPj1DnNQEFtAfogyCvmKYfd1pb4aepDuRhTG8DDRprj0YYkgpB_CVgggT1AeE/w640-h362/The%20Blessing%20Numbers%206v24-26.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p></p><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">The Blessing: Numbers 6:22-27 </h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A young pastor agreed to perform the funeral of an indigent
transient who had no family or friends. The man was to be the first person
buried in the new potter's field deep in the back country. As misfortune would
have it, the pastor got lost and drove around until finally, more than an hour
late, the pastor spotted a backhoe and crew in the middle of a field. The
hearse was nowhere to be seen, the county officials were gone, but he drove up
to the site and peering into the grave. He realized how late he really was
because they had already put the concrete vault lid in place, capping the
grave.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Without delay the pastor went into his funeral service,
saying prayers and giving the backhoe crew an inspired talk about the fragility
of life and the power of the resurrection and then turning to the two men
standing by with shovels said, “Gentleman I want to say bless you for what you
do. I know you must not get recognized very often, but just know that God knows
what you are doing is important and a part of kingdom work.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the pastor was driving away, one of the workers turned
to the other and said, "Well, That was really nice.” The other man said,
“You know it really was. I’ve never felt so good about installing septic tanks
in 20 years on the job.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Outline</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Old Generation Set Aside (1–20)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Counted (1–4)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Counseled (5–10)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Chastised (11–12)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Condemned (13–20)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The New Generation Set Apart (21–36)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Their journeying (21–25, 33)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Their numbering (26–27)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Their offerings (28–30)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Their dividing of the inheritance (31–36) - Warren W.
Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Blessed by God</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We, as Christians, often talk about feeling blessed, we
speak of the blessings that come from God, like our family, our church,
certainly our salvation and eternal home. You can go to Hobby Lobby or even
Home Depot and buy a nice sign that say. “I am blessed.” And speaking for
myself, I have been and am truly blessed but what does the Bible mean when it
talks about a blessing? What exactly does it mean to me as God applies it to me
life, my family or my church today. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Look at our text Numbers 6:22-27 And the LORD spake unto
Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise
ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee,
and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto
thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless
them. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is the law of The blessing, instructions for the High
Priest to convey God’s blessing upon God’s People. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“The High Priest according to the Jewish writers would stand
upon a hill or a rise, raise his hands, spread his fingers and lift his voice
with the blessing of God.” – Gill</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The name of God, Jehovah, is three times repeated in this
blessing. The Jews believed this indicated something of the mystery of God. We
know that anytime something is repeated in the Bible it is saying, “this is
important, pay attention to what is being stated.” To be blessed by the high
priest, who was the voice of God, was to be thrice blessed, a triple touch of
God. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Isn’t this a beautiful blessing? I want us today to dig a
bit deeper and in that search, to learn more of God’s love and care. I want us
to learn not just what it is being so eloquently said but also to better know the
truth of the words and the promises they give to all those who know God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me begin with some scholars I found in my research. The
authors, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jamieson, Fawcett and Brown
state, “This passage records the solemn benediction which God appointed for
dismissing the people at the close of the daily service. The repetition of the
name "Lord" or "Jehovah" three times, expresses the great
mystery of the Godhead—three persons, and yet one God. – JFB</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The blessing with which this chapter ends gives a precious
revelation of the triune God. Three times the Name of Jehovah was put upon the
children of Israel; the Father-God, who keeps; Jehovah the Son, who is
gracious; Jehovah the Holy Spirit, who gives peace. - Arno C. Gaebelein, The
Annotated Bible.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">…the threefold repetition of a word or sentence serves to
express the thought as strongly as possible, the triple blessing expressed in
the most unconditional manner the thought, that God would bestow upon His
congregation the whole fulness of the blessing enfolded in His Divine Being
which was manifested as Jehovah. - Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Transition: So lets breakdown The Blessing into those three
repetitions of the Lord’s name. </p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blessed In His Protection - Numbers 6:24 </span></h2><p class="MsoNormal">
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lord’s Protection</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All the letters of the word LORD are all capitalized and of
course you know that means it is God’s personal name, the name He gave Moses at
the burning bush. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let’s sneak some theology in here. There is actually a word that
describes this use of the word Lord. It is labeled the sacred tetragrammaton. (I
know that sounds like something from a sci-fi novel) but it comes from the
Greek and it means four “tetra” and letter “grammaton”. These four Hebrew
consonants, יהוה YHWH stands as a symbol for the personal name of God because the
ancient Jews would not pronounce or even writing the full name that contained
both the vowels and the consonants. The vowels were removed to make it unpronounceable.
The actual pronunciation of the word has been lost. Over time the vowels from
the Hebrew word for Lord (Adonai) were place over the consonants to remind
people to say “the Lord” but to realize it was the personal name of God. We
really don’t know how it was originally pronounced but we say Jehovah, or more
and more Yahweh today. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sot this first of three uses of God’s personal name conveys
His power and protection. It is the Heavenly Father protecting His children. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His people, the Hebrews, the Israelites, were in the midst
of the wilderness, surrounded by harsh desert and even harsher enemies and they
needed to know they had the protection of God. Everything they had depended on
back in Egypt was gone, everything they now were experiencing was alien and
dangerous, everything they would face in the future was a risk.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Everything was uncertain, but this one thing, they could be
certain of the blessing of Jehovah. When they needed something to cling to,
something to believe in, someone to protect them, they would remember as Aaron
stood before them and raised his hands toward heaven and blessed them and they
could know, “Our Heavenly Father watches over us.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Still Needing God’s Protection</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nor are we in any less need of our Heavenly Father’s protection
today.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I think we can relate, as God’s people today, with God’s
people back then. Look what is going on around us. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today we also stand in the midst of enemies. We better
realize that we are fighting daily against ignorance, apathy, sinfulness and
hatred. We are being attacked by ridicule, lies, and outright violence.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Just this week I read a story in my newsfeeds, “Attacks on
churches have increased nearly 800 percent in less than six years, indicating
that “hostility against U.S. churches is not only on the rise but also
accelerating,” a Family Research Council (FRC) report found. Between 2018 and
2023, FRC identified 915 acts of hostility against churches in the United
States by analyzing open-source documents, reports, and media outlets. In just
the last year alone (between January and November of 2023), 436 acts of hostility
against churches occurred, according to the report.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whether it affects us directly or not we still need to realize
that each day brings more hostility and violence to our communities, to the
Lord’s churches, to families and possibly to ourselves. Beliefs, traditions and
practices we thought were solid ground are now just dust in the wind. From here
the future is dark and uncertain. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nor is it just the physical attacks that we need God’s
protection, but also the spiritual attacks that God’s word warns us of. Peter
warns us in 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the
devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What we need today, as God’s people needed then, is to
believe in our Heavenly Father’s power and protection.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus made this the central theme of his pray in the Garden.
<span> </span>John 17:15-23 </span><br />
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou
shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not
of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast
sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And
for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through
the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall
believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou,
Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the
world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest
me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in
them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world
may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This prayer is our blessing from the Great High Priest,
Jesus Christ. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Just look at what He prays and then place yourself under the
protection of that blessing. I need to know that I am in this world, but I am not
of this world. I need to know that by the word of the Son of God, I have been
sanctified, chosen by the word of truth for His purpose. I need to exult in the
reality of the glory of God which has been given to me at all times and in all
circumstances. I have eternal protection, protection of my soul by the power of
my Father in Heaven. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here it is again in <span> </span>John
10:27-29</span> <br />
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I
give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man
pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than
all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is the protection of God. Jesus says, “No man is able
to pluck them out of my father’s hands.” No man! I need to hear that, I need to
believe that and I need to act in that belief. I am a child of God, ransomed by
Jesus’ shed blood, protected by His sacred promise, kept eternally safe by His power,
and cradled in the palm His own hand! Could any place be safer? Could any
promise be more unbreakable? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Transition: Let’s look at the second time God’s name is used
in the blessing. Vs 25</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>Blessed In His Presence
- Numbers 6:25</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The LORD make his
face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lord’s Presence</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now we come to second time the name of God is used to bless
His people. There is a Hebrew saying, “When a man’s face shines it is filled
with happiness and joy.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This blessing states that God’s face, as it looks toward
Israel, will be filled with happiness and joy for them. This is a happiness
that flows from the face of God, the presence of God to the hearts of His
people. It is an outward expression of that inward grace that will be given to
them. It is a revealing of God’s true heart of love and grace toward the
Israelites people he had bought and kept by the promise of His covenant with
Abraham. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Psalm 80:1-7 </b>Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph
like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and
save us. Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall
be saved. O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer
of thy people? Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears
to drink in great measure. Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our
enemies laugh among themselves. Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause
thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Needing to See His Face </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moses pleaded to see the face of God, but God told him, “no
man can see my face and live.” Instead, God placed Moses in a cleft in the
rock, covered him with His hand and then passed before him. He then removed His
hand and Moses just glimpsed the back of God after he had passed by. So
powerful was even this glimpse that Moses face shone when He came back to camp.
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God’s face could not be seen in the Old Testament, but in
the New Testament His face was seen in the face of Jesus, God the Son. John the
last living apostle boldly declared this in his first epistle, <b>1 John 1:1-2</b>,
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen
with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the
Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear
witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and
was manifested unto us;)” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John and all the apostle and disciple who walked with Jesus,
saw the face of God. They knew the blessing of God’s face shining upon them.
And that blessing did not cease when Jesus ascended back to heaven. His face
still shines on us through His word and through the work of the Holy Spirit. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And yes, just as we need the Father’s protection, we need
the presence of the Son. We need to see the face of God shining on us in his
Son, Jesus Christ. We can only read of the glory Moses saw at Mt. Sinai, but we
can experience the glory that is ours at Mt. Calvary. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus has promised us His presence, <b>John 14:18-20</b> I will not
leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world
seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 28:20 I am with you always, even unto the end of the
world.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me share a hymn I found in my preparation, don’t know
how it sounds but thought the words captured the wonder of Jesus presence, of
His shining face. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’ve Seen The Face of Jesus by W. Spencer
Walton</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ve seen the face of Jesus—<br />
He smiled in love on me;<br />
It filled my heart with rapture,<br />
My soul with ecstasy.<br />
The scars of deepest anguish<br />
Were lost in glory bright;<br />
I’ve seen the face of Jesus—<br />
It was a wondrous sight!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And since I’ve seen His beauty<br />
All else I count but loss;<br />
The world, its fame and pleasure,<br />
Is now to me but dross;<br />
His light dispelled my darkness,<br />
His smile was, oh, so sweet!<br />
I’ve seen the face of Jesus—<br />
I can but fall at His feet. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Oh! glorious face of beauty,<br />
Oh, gentle touch of care;<br />
If here it is so blessed,<br />
What will it be up there?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Blessed In His Peace -
Numbers 6:26</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee
peace.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Lord’s Peace</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This third evocation of God’s name is used in the blessing
of God’s presence in the midst of His people. When the Hebrew Children were
wandering for those 40 years in the wilderness wherever they might be they
could look above the tabernacle where they would see the Shekinah Glory of God,
a cloud by day and a flame by night and they would know that God was with them.
In that knowledge of the protection and the presence of God, they would also
find the peace of God. If God was with them what had they to fear? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Centuries later when the God’s nation had forsaken him and
been driven into captivity, they were given a promise and an assurance that still
God had not abandoned them. The old Covenant of the law had failed because it depended
on them but God had is never unprepared, never surprised and He never can fail.
Already He had prophesied a new covenant dependent only upon Himself. It was prophesied
by God’s prophets during the exile in Babylon</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Jeremiah 31:31-34</b> Behold, the days come, saith the LORD,
that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of
Judah: … But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the
house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their
inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they
shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour,
and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me,
from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will
forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Ezekiel 36:27</b> And I will put my spirit within you, and
cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Joel 2:28 </b> And it shall come to pass afterward, that I
will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I
pour out my spirit. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The people of God no longer would need a tabernacle or a
temple with God’s presence dwelling between the cherubim of the mercy seat.
That glory, that peace they lost, but this future promise of God’s Spirit in them,
meant God would never forsake them. He would be with them, dwelling through His
Spirit in their heart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>promise. What an assurance of peace. But it
could not be fulfilled until Messiah had come, given His life and then ascended
back to the father. Once that happened then on the Day of Pentecost, 50 days
after Jesus was crucified and resurrected, the Holy Spirit came and indwelt the
people of God. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">His Presence in the Holy Spirit.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The fulfillment of the promise from Jeremiah, Ezekiel and
Joel was begun in </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Acts 2:1-4 </b>And when the day of Pentecost was fully come,
they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a
sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house
where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like
as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with
the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I believe this was the same Shekinah Glory that once filled
the sky over the tabernacle, the same Shekinah Glory that filled the Temple and
now filled God’s new house of witness, the church. But there is a difference,
for now it would fill the life of every individual believer, we as believers
were the new tabernacle for the presence of God in the person of the Holy
Spirit to dwell in. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus had promised the gift of the Holy Spirit the night
before He was taken and crucified</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>John 14:16-17</b> And I will pray the Father, and he shall
give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the
Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not,
neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in
you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now on the Day of Pentecost, that promise was fulfilled. The
Jewish people of Jesus time looked for this as a confirmation of the coming of
the Messiah, the New Covenant written in the heart of God’s people and the gift
of His Spirit to be with them. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Just as God gave a sign, a proof, of his presence to the
Israelites in the Shekinah Glory, He has also given a proof of His presence to
us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Just as the blessing in Numbers
6:26 states, The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. It
is His presence in the Holy Spirit that will give us peace.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The last half of Romans 8 is all about the gift and the power
of the Holy Spirit. Let me just read a few verses. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Romans 8:14-16</b> For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again
to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba,
Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the
children of God: Vss. 26-28 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:
for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself
maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that
searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh
intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that
all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the
called according to his purpose.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When Paul wrote Timothy he reminded him of God’s gift of the
spirit and what it meant in him. 2 <b>Timothy 1:6-7</b> Wherefore I put thee in
remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting
on of my hands. 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power,
and of love, and of a sound mind.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the undeniable,
unassailable peace, that comes from being blessed with the indwelling of the
Holy Spirit. We are His and He has bound us to him eternally by the anchor of
His Spirit in us. That no matter what may happen, that bond of adoption can
never be broken. We are His, blessed by the Father’s protection, bought by the blood
of Christ and bound by the gift of the Comforter. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have peace through the triple blessing of the Father the
Son and the Spirit. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Prayer
for a beet.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I heard a story about a man who was going through a tough
time. He couldn’t find a job and the last of his food had finally run out. He sat
down one day to a very meager meal. In fact, upon his plate was just one thing
a very small beet. Some might wonder how you can say be thankful to God when
there is so little to be thankful for, some might doubt God blessings, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but not this man. He bowed his head and
prayed, “Dear Lord… that beets all. Amen.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And what we have in The Blessings of God, really does Beat
All! Aren’t you glad? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His Name On His Children: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The blessing concludes with vs. 27 and it will be our
conclusion as well. Numbers 6: 27 And they shall put my name upon the children
of Israel; and I will bless them.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is saying that it is His name that would be put upon
them. The blessing was not a wish, but it was to be seen in the people
themselves. When others would see them, they would absolutely know, “They are
the people of God, because they are blessed by God.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I wonder if we also exhibit the name of God on us to the
world around us. Can they see the blessing of God through us? Aren’t we truly
blessed? Don’t we believe God’s watches over us, that Jesus is with us and that
the Holy Spirit gives us peace? Then shouldn’t is show. Shouldn’t the world
know, our lost friends, our lost family, even unsaved strangers once we meet
them, shouldn’t they all know that we are truly blessed because we belong to
God. </p>
D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-52828181983969877422024-02-22T06:20:00.000-08:002024-02-22T06:20:30.707-08:00The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail: Lesson 4 – A Short History of the Anabaptists<p> <br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
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</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8iYz9s7mJ6Cq3O-wgEKNT0YQs7wraAf6_X0L8UHFfqkiNN2LZzVcmQCJ8XfSNaOn4Y2E-3omSKrwAclpN6sP02yqb4YzCFDDxNNj3T1WRywb76NbMcRsmQUIjEHa4GHJAX_7qwSkIThnZPxtd_m6x5j7X6n-X4drB_n2EJbRHTxprxSzCeruRQSs0WU/s1255/The%20Gates%20of%20Hell%20Bible%20Study.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1255" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8iYz9s7mJ6Cq3O-wgEKNT0YQs7wraAf6_X0L8UHFfqkiNN2LZzVcmQCJ8XfSNaOn4Y2E-3omSKrwAclpN6sP02yqb4YzCFDDxNNj3T1WRywb76NbMcRsmQUIjEHa4GHJAX_7qwSkIThnZPxtd_m6x5j7X6n-X4drB_n2EJbRHTxprxSzCeruRQSs0WU/w640-h360/The%20Gates%20of%20Hell%20Bible%20Study.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail: Lesson 4 – A Short
History of the Anabaptists</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Review: The Major lines of Descent</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Paulicians: Sheltered in Armenian, then spread to Western
Europe.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Albigensians:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
the region of Albi in France.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sheltered
in Southern France and Northern Italy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Waldenses: Hidden in the valleys of the Alps and Piedmont
Valleys.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Anabaptist: A single name given to all the branches of the
true church due to their practice of insisting on Biblical baptism to all those
who became believers and joined their churches.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As we have seen the name Anabaptist was, at first, a generic
name given in derision to any group which rebaptized those who had improper
baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just before and especially at
the Reformation the name became specialized to those groups which were the
successors of the Paulician, Albigensian and Waldenses line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At the time of the reformation, they are seen in almost
every country, city and village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
and their leaders predate the reformation by decades and centuries.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">C. H. Spurgeon on Baptist perpetuity</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">"We believe that the Baptists are the original
Christians. We did not commence our existence at the reformation, we were
reformers before Luther or Calvin were born; we never came from the Church of
Rome, for we were never in it, but we have an unbroken line up to the apostles
themselves. We have always existed from the very days of Christ, and our
principles, sometimes veiled and forgotten, like a river which may travel
underground for a little season, have always had honest and holy adherents. Persecuted
alike by Romanists and Protestants of almost every sect, yet there has never
existed a Government holding Baptist principles which persecuted others; nor I
believe any body of Baptists ever held it to be right to put the consciences of
others under the control of man. We have ever been ready to suffer, as our
martyrologies will prove, but we are not ready to accept any help from the
State, to prostitute the purity of the Bride of Christ to any alliance with the
government, and we will never make the Church, although the Queen, the despot
over the consciences of men". (From The New Park Street Pulpit, Vol.VII,
Page 225).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Marks of the New Testament Church from “The Trail of Blood”
by JM Carroll</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">1. Its Head and Founder--CHRIST. He is the law-giver; the
Church is only the executive. (Matt. 16:18; Col. 1:18)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">2. Its only rule of faith and practice--THE BIBLE. (II Tim.
3:15-17)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">3. Its name--"CHURCH," "CHURCHES."
(Matt. 16:18; Rev. 22:16)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">4. Its polity--CONGREGATIONAL--all members equal. (Matt.
20:24-28; Matt. 23:5-12)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">5. Its members--only saved people. (Eph. 2:21; I Peter 2:5)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">6. Its ordinances--BELIEVERS' BAPTISM, FOLLOWED BY THE
LORD'S SUPPER. (Matt. 28:19-20)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">7. Its officers--PASTORS AND DEACONS. (I Tim. 3:1-16)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">8. Its work--getting folks saved, baptizing them (with a
baptism that meets all the requirements of God's Word), teaching them ("to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you"). (Matt. 28:16-20)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">9. Its financial plan--"Even so (TITHES and OFFERINGS)
hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the
gospel," (I Cor. 9:14)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">10. Its weapons of warfare--spiritual, not carnal. (II Cor.
10:4; Eph. 6:10-20)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">11. Its independence--separation of Church and State. (Matt.
22:21)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I want now to call your attention to some of the landmarks,
or ear-marks of this religion--the Christian Religion. If you and I are to
trace it down through 20 long centuries, and especially down through 1,200
years of midnight darkness, darkened by rivers and seas of martyr blood, then
we will need to know well these marks. They will be many times terribly
disfigured. But there will always be some indelible mark. But let us carefully
and prayerfully beware. We will encounter many shams and make-believes. If
possible, the very elect will be betrayed and deceived. We want, if possible,
to trace it down through credible history, but more especially through the
unerring, infallible, words and marks of Divine truth. - J. M. Carroll, “The
Trail Of Blood.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anabaptists </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Origin of name: The name Anabaptist was given to the
believers by the enemies of the true church, for the practice of rebaptizing
those who did not have proper baptism. Ana is Latin for again. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Beliefs: The Anabaptist were marked by the belief in the
Baptist distinctives, we know today. They also claimed an apostolic origin,
believed in religious freedom and the Bible as the only rule of faith and
practice,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Issues: Things that brought them to the attention of the
Catholic and later Anglican, Presbyterian and Lutheran leaders were religious
freedom, opposition to infant baptism, and opposition to "state
churches."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail:<span> </span>Anabaptist Leaders and Lands</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Baptists In Switzerland</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Leaders: Conrad Grebel, Elberle Polt, Felix Manz</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Prosecutors: Zwingli, founder of Presbyterianism in
Switzerland</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Baptist In Moravia</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Leaders: Hans Denck,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>pastored a church with 1000 members</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Melchoir Hofmann,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Believed himself a prophet at least according to his enemies. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Belthasar Hubmaier</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Points of interest</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Often baptized in houses using tubs in order to hide from
persecution. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Baptist in Netherlands</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Leaders</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Simon Menno, former priest, became a powerful Baptist
preacher.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Friends: William III, Prince of Orange, Grandson of James I, He and
Queen Mary II, withstood Spain and Spanish Inquisition. They founded the Dutch
Republic with religious freedom and later were made King and Queen of Great
Britain. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Baptist in Poland and Transylvania</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Leaders: Peter Gunesius, Gregory Paulus, Faustus Socinus</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Notable Achievement: Built a Seminary in Crocow. Converted
the Lord of Crocow, James Sienno</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail: Peasant Wars and the
Kingdom of Munster</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Peasant War was a political war and had little to do
with religion or the Bible. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first leaders of the rebellion were Bernhard Rothmann, a
Lutheran pastor, who hated Catholics, Jan Matthys, a baker from Haarlem, and
Jan Bockelson, a tailor from Leiden (John of Leiden) </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At first they appealed for human liberty, a freedom from
vassal service but they were willing to fight for their liberty.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Soon the “anabaptists” were using violence to drive out the
Catholic and any who opposed them. The stripped and destroyed the catholic
churches, elected a new mayor and city council, drove the Bishop out of town.
As they grew more powerful, they grew more radical forcing everyone in town to
be “rebaptized” and setting up a socialist utopian where all private property,
even clothes were gathered into warehouses and given out as needed by the
leaders of the rebellion. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When the former Bishop besieged the city, Matthys believed
that he called by God to be a new Gideon and rode out with only 12 men to
attack the besieging army of 1000s. He did not succeed. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After his death John of Leiden believed that God gave him a
vision to be the King of New Zion, the successor of King David and to institute
polygamy. He chose 15 wives, including the widow of Matthys. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On May 15, 1525, after almost a year siege,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Munster rebellion was put down. Over 5000
peasants lost their lives in the massacre that followed. Martin Luther wrote
the nobles, who led the slaughter, that it was not a sin if the peasants were
exterminated. Three leaders of the rebellion were captured and tortured for
several hours by the Bishop and after they were killed their bodies were
displayed in 3 iron cages from the steeple of the Catholic church. There the
bones stayed for over 50 years. The cages are still hanging on the steeple to
this day. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As can easily be seen, the Munster rebellion was not an
Anabaptist movement. It was a political movement that was overtaken by radical
charismatic leaders and turned into a socialist cult.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail: Baptists in England</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Earliest Baptist Churches</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are traditions of the gospel in Britain going back to
the Apostolic Age.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The legend is that Paul the apostle made it to Wales after
leaving Spain.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As early as 180 a Pagan King named Lucius was baptized and
there is clear records of believers being persecuted in Britain in 300 under
Roman Emperor Diocletian. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>St Patrick, a British missionary went to the Irish around
390. </b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Patrick<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was not a Roman Catholic. Patrick was born into a second-generation Christian home
around 373 AD. His father was a “deacon” in the Christian church. Patrick was
taken captive by Irish pirates and spent six years as a slave in Ireland
tending flocks. During this time Patrick began to reflect on what he had been
taught as a boy and trusted<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ as
his Lord and Savior. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I was taken captive before I knew what I should desire and
what I should shun. […] before I was humbled, I was like a stone lying in deep
mire, and He that is mighty came and, in His mercy, raised me up and, indeed,
lifted me high up and placed me on top of the wall. And from there I ought to
shout out in gratitude to the Lord for His great favours in this world and
forever, that the mind of man cannot measure.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is clear from his testimony Patrick did not trust in a
works-based salvation. It was God who showed him favor, gave him faith, and
freed him from sin. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After roughly six years of slave service Patrick escaped and
made the challenging journey home.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His Doctrine and Evangelism</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Patrick believed in salvation by grace alone. He understood
the depravity of man. The first words of his testimony read “I, Patrick, a
sinner, a most simple countryman, the least of all the faithful and most
contemptible to many… <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I am greatly God’s debtor, because he granted me so much
grace, that through me many people would be reborn in God, and soon after
confirmed, that clergy would be ordained everywhere for them, and the masses
lately come to belief, whom the Lord drew from the ends of the earth.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I, alone, can do nothing unless He Himself vouchsafes it to
me. But let Him search my heart and [my] nature, for I crave enough for it,
even too much, and I am ready for Him to grant me that I drink of His chalice,
as He has granted to others who love him. Therefore, may it never befall me to
be separated by my God from His people whom He has won in this most remote
land. I pray God that He gives me perseverance, and that He will deign
(condescend to give or grant) that I should be a faithful witness for His sake
right up to the time of my passing.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is clear through the gospel message he preached, his
ecclesiastical consistency with Scripture, his strict separation from the
Catholic Church, his utter dependence upon the Word and the Spirit of God, and
his evangelistic zeal and passion, Patrick was an ancestor of the Baptists, not
in name but certainly in practice. At this point in history there were but two
kinds of church; the true church, a local, visible called out assembly of born
again, baptized believers and then false Catholic Church, which was the
universal and visible, made up of mostly lost men, women, and children baptized
or sprinkled into a works based religion. Patrick was clearly Christian and by
today’s standards, Baptist. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a result of his submission to Christ, the Lord used
Patrick to evangelize the whole of Ireland and leave an impression on the
island that will forever be remembered. During his evangelistic endeavors
Patrick wrote of “baptizing many thousands of believers after they had
professed faith.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Over the course of 60 years, Patrick went the length and
breadth of Ireland preaching the Gospel ordaining elders and establishing
churches. It is thought that at the end of his life there were over 300
churches across the island. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The monasteries set up by Patrick, were not like the
monasteries that were established by the Church of Rome. These monasteries were
more like seminaries and schools where men came for training in God’s word.
These were not forsaking the world but preparing to be able to evangelize
others with the Gospel. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The work of the Gospel<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>preached by Patrick and those who worked with him went on through the
missionaries and churches. Such as Columba and his companions went to Scotland
in 563. Then there was Columbanus with his companions that went to France and
Germany in 612. Kilian and the brothers that accompanied him went as
missionaries to Franconia and Wurzburg in 680. Forannan and twelve brothers
with him set out to bring the Gospel to the Belgian frontier in 970. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“For more than six hundred years, Irish missionaries carried
the Gospel with the same truthfulness as Patrick’s to Britain, Germany, France,
Switzerland, Italy and beyond.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>History of Baptists In England </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In 597 Gregory the Great sent Austin to convert the Saxons
who had invaded from Germany and who had driven many of the native Celtic
Britons to Wales and Scotland.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Austin baptized the Saxons but allowed them to retain their
former pagan practices. He tried to incorporate the existing British Christians
into the Catholic Church but was they refused to be assimilated into the
Catholic Church. After his failure the Pope and Catholic church declared war on
the original British Christians. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Around 1000 AD the Paulicians began to appear in England.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Lollards</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Walther Lollard, a Waldensian Dutchman, had great success in
England. His followers were called Lollards. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Walter Lollard came to England during sometime after 1350.
He was an eloquent and persuasive speaker. One Roman Catholic historian said
that more than half of the people of England became Lollards in a few years.
The term Lollard was used for anyone who opposed the Catholic Church but those
Lollards who were Baptistic believed that faith ought to precede baptism and
denied infant baptism. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Erasmus, the linguist, philosopher and original translator
of the Greek texts that became the Textus Receptus, in 1519 gave this
description of the Lollards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“they own
no other authority than the scripture of the Old and New Testament, they
believe or own little or nothing of the sacraments of the church, such as come
out to their sect must everyone be baptized anew in mere water. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Noted leaders; John Burdon of Bristol 1442 was accused of
heresies teaching it was not necessarily the child of Christians to be
baptized. John Dance a Carpenter of Roode, denied that children need to be
baptized. James Willis was burned at the stake in 1462. Thomas Taylor, a
clothes washer, of Newberry arrested in 1491 was charged with denying that
baptism was necessary for children. The 23 Lollards who were condemned in
Hampshire in 1440, denied the need of baptism for the children of Christian
parents, holding the infant baptism was retained because of priestly greed, and
held that a man in mortal sin need not confess to a priest. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>John Wycliffe, 1330-1384 "The Morning Star of the
Reformation"</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is believed that Wycliffe, was influenced by the Lollards
who he encountered. He was a Catholic priest but held Anabaptist beliefs. He was
a pre-reformation reformer, who preached against infant baptism, the pope and
feudalism. He was also the first to dare to translate the scriptures
into English.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>William Tyndale, 1484-1536</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Had every appearance of being a Baptist. He held to a local
conception of the church. Believed in immersion. Dreamed that "every
ploughboy might read the New Testament in English." <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He translated New Testament at Wittenburg, then smuggled it
into England. He later translated the Old Testament in Antwerp. He was betrayed
in Antwerp and condemned to death in 1535. His translation set the tone and
stage for the KJV 1611 with as much as 80% of the KJV New Testament being the
work of Tyndale. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tyndale was tied to a
stake, strangled and then burned. His last words were, "Lord! Open the
King of England's eyes.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Baptist Churches during the Reformation in England</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">England's reformation started in 1530 under Henry VIII. Henry desired an annulment from his marriage to Catherine of
Spain in order to have a male heir. He broke with the Catholic church when his
request was denied. His “reform” was only in replacing the People in Rome as
the head of the church to himself. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Laws were on the books which made it illegal to be a member
of any church except the Church of England, the Anglican Church.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The same practice was enforced through Edward the VI and
Mary of Tudor (Bloody Mary) who as a Catholic sought revenge upon the Church of
England.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Elizabeth, the next Queen, still persecuted Baptists but
many flocked to England during her reign due to protection for refugees and a
somewhat less degree of persecution than in the Netherlands and Spain.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">During the reign of James I the Baptist petitioned for
liberty of conscience to the House of Lords in 1610.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was rejected. They petitioned the King
directly in 1615 for freedom of conscience, again in 1620 and 1622.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These petitions for religious freedom mark the Anabaptist
movement as the first to seek such liberty for all men. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In 1614, Mark Leonard Busher, a Baptist, wrote a book which
advocated liberty of conscience for all even including the Catholics, the first
to do so.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Particular and General Baptists</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The General Baptists were free will in their view of
salvation. The Particular Baptist were influenced by Calvin were sovereign
grace in their view on salvation. The Particular Baptist wrote a Confession of
Faith in 1643 the first of any such writing. The General Baptist organized into
Associations first. The Particulars organized later and were more loosely
formed into conventions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail: Notable English
Baptists or Non-conformists</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>John Milton (1608 – 1674)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He is considered the greatest poet of the English language.
The author of Paradise Lost (1667) the longest epic poem in the English
language. He served under Cromwell's government after the English Civil War
that overthrew the King of England. He wrote his greatest works after going
blind and only by quoting it to his daughters. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I consider
how my light is spent<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ere half my days
in this dark world and wide,<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that one
talent which is death to hide<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lodg'd with me
useless, though my soul more bent<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To serve therewith
my Maker, and present<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My true account,
lest he returning chide;<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Doth God
exact day-labour, light denied?"<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fondly ask. But
Patience to prevent<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That murmur, soon
replies: "God doth not need<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either man's work
or his own gifts; who best<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bear his mild
yoke, they serve him best. His state<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is kingly.
Thousands at his bidding speed<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And post o'er land
and ocean without rest:<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also serve
who only stand and wait."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>John Bunyan (1628 – 1688)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bunyan was a Baptist preacher who refused to be licensed by the Church
of England. After he was arrested by the Church of England, he spent 12
years in prison for his beliefs. He left behind his church, his wife, his
daughters one of which was blind. In prison he wrote Pilgrims Progress, it was
published 6 years after he was released in 1678.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the allegorical story of "Pilgrim”
who became “Christian" and his journey and adventures to the Celestial
City.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pilgrims Progress by Bill Federer</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John Bunyan was a poor, unskilled tinker by trade. In 1657,
at age 29, Bunyan became a Baptist minister and was arrested for having an
illegal religious meetings, preaching without a license from the government. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John Bunyan wrote in “A Relation of My Imprisonment”: “Upon
the 12th of … November 1660 … the justice … issued out his warrant to take me …
as if we that were to meet together … to do some fearful business, to the
destruction of the country; when alas! the constable, when he came in, found us
only with our Bibles in our hands, ready to speak and hear the word of God. …
So I was taken and forced to depart. … But before I went away, I spake some few
words of counsel and encouragement to the people, declaring to them … that they
would not be discouraged, for it was a mercy to suffer upon so good account. …
We suffer as Christians. … Better be the persecuted, than the persecutors.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John Bunyan was imprisoned for 12 years, during which time
he tried to support his family by making shoelaces.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While in prison, John Bunyan wrote “The Pilgrim’s Progress,”
published Feb. 18, 1678. It was an allegory of a pilgrim, named Christian, who
fled from the City of Destruction and was directed by Evangelist to follow the
narrow path, overcoming “vanity fair” temptations, depressions, deceptions and
persecutions till he reached the Celestial City of Zion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Pilgrim’s Progress” was translated into over 100 languages
and, after the Bible, was the world’s best-seller for hundreds of years. It was
found in nearly every colonial New England home, along with the Bible and Fox’s
“Book of Martyrs.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Benjamin Franklin wrote in his “Autobiography”: “My old
favorite author, Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress … has been translated into most of
the languages of Europe, and suppose it has been more generally read than any
other book, except perhaps the Bible.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">President Franklin Roosevelt referred to John Bunyan’s
“Pilgrim’s Progress” on Jan. 19, 1936: “When Theodore Roosevelt died, the
Secretary of his class at Harvard, in sending classmates a notice of his
passing, added this quotation from ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’: ‘My sword I give to
him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him
that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me
that I have fought His battles who now will be my rewarder.’”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once after being offered his freedom is he would just sign a
paper stating he would not preach, he replied, I cannot do what you ask of me,
M'lord. I cannot place my signature upon any document in which I promise
henceforth unto to preach. My calling to preach the Gospel is from God, and He
alone can make me discontinue what He has appointed me to do. As I have had no
word from Him to that effect, I must continue to preach, and I shall continue
to preach. - John Bunyan</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>William Kiffin (1606-1701)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Influential Baptist preacher in commerce and government.
Used his wealth to promote the cause of Baptists and religious freedom. Was
arrested for preaching and refused to pay bail and imprisoned in the notorious
White Lion prison. He was hated by the Church of England and political foes and
was arrested numerous times, often using forgeries and rumors of his plotting
against the King Charles II. He wrote numerous pamphlets and petitions for
religious freedom. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>John Gill (1697- 1771)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A well know, very educated Bible scholar, and theologian,
who strongly held to the Calvinistic view of salvation. He wrote a classic
commentary on the Bible which is still widely used today. He pastored the
Strict Baptist church for 51 years. Later this congregation became the
Metropolitan Tabernacle pastored by Spurgeon. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>William Carey (1761-1834)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Known as the father of modern missions. He was a renowned
Baptist missionary to India and Burma. Before salvation he was an illiterate
cobbler. He taught himself to read English and then Hebrew and Greek. By the
end of his life he had translated the scriptures into 40 different languages.
The first to put the Bible into all these native tongues. He founded the first
universities in India. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Against great opposition, his books and sermons finally led
to the founding of the Baptist Missionary Society. It was founded in October
1792, including Carey, Andrew Fuller, John Ryland, and John Sutcliff as charter
members. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">William Carey most famous quote was, “Expect great things
from God; do great things for God.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Pastors Thomas Charles & Joseph Hughes</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They founded the British and Foreign Bible Society. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>William Fox (1736-1826)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He was a deacon in the Prescott Street Baptist Church. He
took Robert Raike's Sunday school for poor children and put it into the church.
The Sunday School Society was formed in the Prescott St. Baptist Church and
from it all modern Sunday Schools have grown. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Known then and now as “The Prince of Preachers.” He was much
gifted and popular preacher who begin preaching at only 16. He pastored a
Metropolitan Tabernacle for 38 years, with over 6000 members and 10,000 seating
in 1860 and 70's. By his death in 1892, he had preached nearly 3,600 sermons
and published 49 volumes of commentaries, sayings, anecdotes, illustrations and
devotions.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I have never preached to you that you may live in sin if
you only believe in Jesus: I have never preached that you shall be saved
without being purified in heart. No, the salvation which this pulpit has
proclaimed is not salvation in sin but salvation from sin, not a license to
evil but a deliverance from evil.” - Charles Spurgeon</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Alexander Maclaren (1826-1910)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pastored in Manchester England from 1858 to 1910. He was
famous for expository sermons and Biblical interpretation and wrote a
commentary of the entire Bible that is considered a classic. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Men come and go; leaders, teachers, thinkers speak and work
for a season, and then fall silent and impotent. He abides. They die, but He
lives. They are lights kindled, and, therefore, sooner or later quenched; but
He is the true light from which they draw all their brightness, and He shines
for evermore."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Alexander MacLaren</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">"History has hitherto been written by our enemies, who
never would have kept a single fact about us upon the record if they could have
helped it, and yet it leaks out every now and then that certain poor people
called Anabaptists were brought up for condemnation. From the days of Henry II
to those of Elizabeth we hear of certain unhappy heretics who were hated of all
men for the truth's sake which was in them. We read of poor men and women, with
their garments cut short, turned out into the fields to perish in the cold, and
anon of others who were burnt at Newington for the crime of Anabaptism. Long
before your Protestants were known of, these horrible Anabaptists, as they were
unjustly called, were protesting for the 'one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.'
No sooner did the visible church begin to depart from the gospel than these men
arose to keep fast by the good old way. The priests and monks wished for peace
and slumber, but there was always a Baptist or a Lollard tickling men's ears
with holy Scriptures and calling their attention to the errors of the times.
They were a poor persecuted tribe. The halter was thought to be too good for
them. At times ill-written history would have us think that they died out, so
well had the wolf done his work on the sheep. Yet here we are, blessed and
multiplied… - Charles Spurgeon, (From the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, 1881,
Vol. 27, page 249.)</p>
D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-34338701286610427512024-02-19T07:49:00.000-08:002024-02-19T07:49:00.639-08:00Leviticus Law: Be Ye Holy For I Am Holy - Leviticus 11:45<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiWN7jeXHW74SX8s2yTXSvjBMp0CUQ05Y4vg663F1iVQAlQd4ZUMw1kp_hVTQVWK7bFP0ak4m7S3tze9X5PdbTQasjLYc1NV8_DxH4MNbpwb3gTy0fa3fFbs7rhzak9xZLKejiAoZ5GG01uWQTNLbcgLPMwQa1rpvXOmgGIkPTfL3W9Ckjlww3z1MDjs/s1253/Leviticus%20law%2011v45.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1253" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiWN7jeXHW74SX8s2yTXSvjBMp0CUQ05Y4vg663F1iVQAlQd4ZUMw1kp_hVTQVWK7bFP0ak4m7S3tze9X5PdbTQasjLYc1NV8_DxH4MNbpwb3gTy0fa3fFbs7rhzak9xZLKejiAoZ5GG01uWQTNLbcgLPMwQa1rpvXOmgGIkPTfL3W9Ckjlww3z1MDjs/w640-h362/Leviticus%20law%2011v45.png" width="640" /></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Leviticus Law: Be Ye Holy For I Am Holy - Leviticus 11:45 </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our key verse is Leviticus 11:45 For I am the LORD that
bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be
holy, for I am holy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is repeated in
Leviticus 19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and
say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy. This is the
theme of the book of Leviticus and of course it is directly applied to the New
Testament people of God in 1 Peter 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is
holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye
holy; for I am holy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is not fit, as Paul would say, for people who call
themselves believers and Christians to mimic and merge themselves with the
world on the day and in the place that is meant to be set aside for God. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A Little Background </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Date of the Book</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Observe that God spoke the words of Leviticus during the
first month of the second year after the Exodus. The Israelites were encamped
on Mount Sinai (Lev 7:38; 27:34). Just when Moses wrote down the words we
cannot be sure, but he may have done so before the wilderness journey of
Numbers began, around the middle of the fifteenth century B.C. (based on the
1445 B.C. date for the Exodus from Egypt). - Irving L. Jensen, Jensen’s Survey
of the Old Testament: Search and Discover, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1978), 103.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are reading a history that is over 3000 years old. It is
historically, geographically and spiritually accurate and true. And it still
has application to our live in 2024.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Outlines of the Book </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Warren Wiersbe Outline</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1–10 Justification for His People</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">11–15 and 17–22, Separation Of His People </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Distinction of the Priests Chapters 21–22 </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Irving Jensen Outline</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1-17 The Way To God</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1-7 Laws of Offering</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>8-10 Laws of Priestly
Consecration</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>11-15 Laws of Purity</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>16-17 Laws for Atonement
Day</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">18-27 The Walk With God</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>18-20 Holy People</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>21-22 Holy Priests</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>23-25 Holy Times</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>26-27 Holy Vows</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As you can see the theme of the book of Leviticus is Holiness. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Leviticus Dietary Laws – <a name="_Hlk158898103">Leviticus
11:</a>1–23</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Leviticus 11:1-23 And the LORD spake unto Moses and to
Aaron, saying unto them, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are
the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">God’s Dietary Guideline – The Good</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We won’t spend much time here, just a quick run down of what
the Lord said and a guess or two about why He said it. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some commentators believe that God gave these laws for
health reasons. “God was concerned about the health of His people and wanted
them to avoid certain contagion and parasitic diseases, so He laid down some
guidelines perfectly in accord with modern science. The other cultures of that
day based such classifications on magical formulas, while God simply indicated
which animals were good to eat and which were not.” - Edward E. Hindson and
Woodrow Michael Kroll, Eds., KJV Bible Commentary, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson,
1994), 211.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Others believe it had nothing to do with health but was only
God’s way of making His people separate from the other people which were around
them. “Whether a creature was “clean” or “unclean” had nothing to do with the
quality of the beast; it all depended on what God said about the animal.” - Warren
Wiersbe, Exodus Commentary</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Though I can’t always see a strong reason for some of these
animals it seems that the idea of clean and unclean points to healthy and
unhealthy but more importantly the distinction between them is about being
distinct, separated as God’s people.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here is what Charles Pfieffer said in the Wycliffe Bible
Commentary, “Although one important result of all these regulations may have
been the preservation of health, this is not the same as stating that
preservation of health was the motivation. … they can be read with interest and
can be recognized as regulations which both helped to maintain Israel’s
physical health and, at the same time, set her apart as a nation distinct from
the idolatrous nations about her.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Clean Foods - So, let’s summarize the foods that the
Lord said were clean.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of animals that lived on the earth you could eat those that chewed
the cud and had a dived hoof. If it didn’t do these two things it was
forbidden. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Examples are giving in Deuteronomy 14:4-5 These are the
beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat, 5 The hart, and the
roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild
ox, and the chamois. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here is an update on some of those names from the ESV,
4 These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat,
5 the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck, the wild goat, the ibex, the
antelope, and the mountain sheep.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The animals which live in the sea or in the river you can
eat only those which have both fins and scales. So you could not have eels,
oysters, shellfish, shrimp, lobsters or even catfish. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What about fowls or birds. Here there is no set rule about
how it appears but by the examples given its appears that the only birds you
could eat were those which ate plants and seeds. You could not eat any bird
that ate other animals. Birds of prey, or scavengers were unclean and
forbidden. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now I know all of you are really anxious about this next category
of clean animals. The KJV calls them fowls that creep on all fours, but we
would understand them as insects that fly also "whatsoever hath many
feet," or "goeth upon the belly," as worms, snakes etc., these are
unclean (Leviticus 11:42). Of the insects, only one class was clean. It was described
as those "which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the
earth," in other words the cricket, the grasshopper, and the migratory
locust; all of which, it may be noted. These again are clean feeders, eating
only plants and seeds. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is also interesting that these laws only applied to the
animal kingdom, not to the vegetable kingdom. Other nations, like the Egyptians
did make such distinctions but God did not. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After God tells the people what animals they can and cannot
eat, He then goes on to give the law of defilement. Not what they can or can’t
eat but what they can’t touch. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Leviticus Defilement Law - Leviticus 11:24–40</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Leviticus 11:24-43 24 And for these ye shall be unclean:
whosoever toucheth the carcase of them shall be unclean until the even. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">God’s Defilement Guideline </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The second section of the Leviticus 11contains laws relating
to people being defiled by coming into contact with or eating the carcass of
any animal, clean or unclean. If you touched the dead body of animals or humans
you were defiled. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The only exception to touching a dead body and not being
defiled was if a clean animal had been prepared according to the Levitical
method, what we now call Kosher. Leviticus 17:10-16. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Also, even if you touched an unclean animal that was alive
it did not defile you. You could ride a camel, or pet a dog, only the dead things,
clean or unclean brought defilement. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you touched the carcass, though, you were unclean and if a
tool or a utensil come into contact then it was unclean. If a dead animal,
snake, insect fell into your food or drink it was defiled and you couldn’t eat
it. There was no 5 second rule under the Levitical dietary law. Leviticus
11:32-35. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">God’s People and Physical Health</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I think we can understand the restrictions that God gave here.
Yes, God wanted his people to avoid contagions and infections. God knew about
germs long before anyone ever invented a microscope and he warned his people, That
is truly incredibly.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These laws were unique among ancient peoples. To the Canaanites,
the Egyptians, the Philistines, eating an animal they found dead was no big
deal. They just thought they got lucky. I know we kid about roadkill but in all
honestly don’t eat anything you found dead on the side of the road. Do I really
need to say this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me tell you a story told me by my country Brother-in-law.
At least I think it was him, if not then it sounds like a story he would tell. This
is the story of the “Dead fox, the station wagon, and the fearful fleas.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dietary laws today? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The New Testament is pretty clear that these no longer apply
in the same way. Jesus said in Matthew 15:10-11 “Hear, and understand: Not that
which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the
mouth, this defileth a man.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Peter received a vision from the Lord in <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Acts 10:10-15 “And he became very hungry, and
would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw
heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great
sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all
manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things,
and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and
eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is
common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God
hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Both of these make it pretty clear that New Testament
Believers are not required to keep the dietary laws. That doesn’t mean you
should pick up roadkill though. Some of these rules were related to health and
that still makes sense. It’s best not to eat wild hogs or rabbits out of
season. Don’t go rubbing up on dead bodies and don’t drink out of your coffee
cup if a lizard falls in it. There is a physical reason why it’s a bad idea. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But back in Leviticus 11, God doesn’t stop with the physical
reasons. The next few verses give us the greater purpose of the dietary laws
and if fact most of the reason for the Leviticus laws. It is found here at the
end of this chapter. Look at vss. 44-47</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Leviticus Dedication Law - Leviticus 11:44–47</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify
yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile
yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 45 For
I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye
shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. 46 This is the law of the beasts, and
of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of
every creature that creepeth upon the earth: 47 To make a difference between
the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the
beast that may not be eaten.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">God’s Dedication Bottomline</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here is the bottom-line reason for the dietary laws. Verse 44
begin with “For” this is the reason, this is the purpose behind all that we
just read. And that reason is as compelling as creation and life. “For I am the
LORD (Jehovah) your God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why should
God’s people here keep these commandments? Because God is God. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He adds to this “Ye shall be holy, for I am holy.” The word
is the Hebrew word qadosh; and it means sacred, a saint, a sanctuary: It comes
from another Hebrew word qâḏaš; to sanctify, to dedicate, to consecrate, to
be separate, to be set apart. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God goes on in verse 45. Once again, He gives the reason. For
I am the LORD that brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. Ye
shall therefor be holy for I am holy.” God tells his people I brought you out,
I separated you from Egypt, no be separated to me. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be ye holy for I am holy. 9 times in the book of Leviticus this
command is given in one form or another. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The theme of the book of Leviticus isn’t what
to eat, or wear or what day to work, or what day to worship. All those laws are
there of course but their purpose was to make His people understand holiness.
His holiness and in Him their own holiness, Jehovah’s sanctification and their
own, the Lord’s separation from this world and their own. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the last verse, vs 47. God reemphasized His purpose, Leviticus
11:47 To make a difference between the unclean and the clean,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You see, the nation of Israel was to make a difference.
Abraham the father of the nation had to make a difference and so he was
separated from the pagan nation of Ur to search for the city of God. Moses had
to make a difference and he was separated from Egypt to Midian. David had to
make a difference and God separated him from the flock and from his family to
the throne of Jerusalem. Before any of God’s people can make a difference, they
must be separated unto God and away from this world. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That separation <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and
the way God defines it, is the core of holiness. And it didn’t stop with the
Old Testament.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Be Ye Holy Today</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Twice in the New Testament the phase or the idea of holiness
from Leviticus is directly applied to God’s New Covenant people. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Peter quotes it directly, 1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up
the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to
be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children,
not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15
But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Peter tells the early believers who were coming out of the
worst forms of paganism, gird up the loins of you mind, prepare for action, be
serious, be determined, set your hope completely on the grace you’ve found in
Jesus Christ, be obedient, don’t conform to your past sins but Jesus is holy,
then you be holy. Then he quotes from Leviticus, “as it is written, ‘Be ye
holy, for I am holy.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is the same command as was given thousands of years
before at Mt. Sinai. God is holy. You belong to God because he has brought you
out through His grace, therefore be holy because He is holy. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Holiness doesn’t mean sinless perfection. There are people
who teach this or even teach that God has made them gods in their own right.
That is the worst for of heresy and exactly what Satan told Eve in the garden,
“Ye shall be gods knowing good from evil.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This command has nothing to do with sinlessness. You can’t
reach a place in your walk with God while on this earth where you are no longer
sinning. You can through God’s grace and power overcome sin and it no longer
controls or dominates you, but sin can and will still affect you. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul expands on the idea of holiness and separation in 2
Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for
what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion
hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what
part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple
of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I
will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall
be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the
Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a
Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord
Almighty. 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in
the fear of God. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is a whole month’s worth of sermons here that we don’t
have time for this morning, but the overall idea is clear. God is holy, and we
are in fellowship with God, so we can’t also be in the same kind of fellowship
or relationship with this world and its darkness. “come out from among them and
be ye separate, saith the Lord.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Holiness is separation to the Lord and away from this world.
Simple enough. What is not always simple is how we show that separation. How do
we show that we are the people of God by the way we live, dress and act today? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of course, in today’s world you could argue that just being
normal sets you apart. And there is a lot of truth in that. But God is seeking
more from his people, than just being normal.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I do think it is important for God’s people to be different
enough to make a difference. Some groups dress in dark clothes, long dresses
and head coverings to be different. Some don’t use any kind of machinery. Some
say you have to wear a tie and coat when you go to church. Others go to greater
or lesser extremes</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Personally, I think being bald is the true mark of holiness,
because there is nothing between the top of my head and God. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul writing to Titus
gave a list of qualities that should be in the members of the churches that
Titus was training pastor to lead. I think if we can seek after these
qualities, then we will be well on our way to “Be Ye Holy.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and
our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us
from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good
works.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How is your holiness today?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our holiness, is measured by two things and neither of them
is how perfect a saint you are. First how close are you to the Lord? If you are
keeping yourself close to Him, then you will be drawn toward Him and away from
the world. That is the second measure.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How far away are you from the world? I can’t set some
arbitrary standards here. It is not just how we dress or what we do, but if
your holiness doesn’t have an influence on those things then something is off,
isn’t it. Holiness is a lot like repentance, you turn toward God and his grace
and you turn away from this world and its sin. You turn toward His love and
away from the world’s hate. You turn toward His eternity and away from the
world’s terminality. You turn toward God’s great calling and away from this
world’s shallow distractions. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As it is written, “Be ye holy, for I am holy.</p>
D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-90205633875254231232024-02-12T07:29:00.000-08:002024-02-13T08:37:08.894-08:00The Tabernacle Living With The Lord Exodus 25-27; 30:1-31:18; 35:1-40:38<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhui2r8IfMkzVSlSacKRG2IfC6IXLO2J7r2tC86Pn_xJxciE0iJ8uphd41ituPrTWOy7I_sEeZIMo4zT-Jf0MMXlHhcOnBjstQF0OEmInsq9WVDEWknnwSLgBIvuCXjIkYyd583zFLU5DISCc9i-gjOnLonmTiWNJ1i4ZRv55uXh4nPgmXV95I8VtbEtpc/s1256/the%20tabernacle%20Living%20With%20the%20Lord%20Exodus%2029v45.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="1256" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhui2r8IfMkzVSlSacKRG2IfC6IXLO2J7r2tC86Pn_xJxciE0iJ8uphd41ituPrTWOy7I_sEeZIMo4zT-Jf0MMXlHhcOnBjstQF0OEmInsq9WVDEWknnwSLgBIvuCXjIkYyd583zFLU5DISCc9i-gjOnLonmTiWNJ1i4ZRv55uXh4nPgmXV95I8VtbEtpc/w640-h362/the%20tabernacle%20Living%20With%20the%20Lord%20Exodus%2029v45.png" width="640" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Tabernacle Living With The Lord</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Exodus 25-27; 30:1-31:18; 35:1-40:38</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let’s begin by comparing some passages of scripture. <b><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Genesis 1:26-28</b> And God said, Let us make man in our
image, after our likeness: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Exodus 25:8-9</b> <sup>8</sup> And let them make me a
sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. <sup>9</sup> According to all that I
shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the
instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.<b> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>1 Kings 6:11-14</b> And the word of the LORD came to
Solomon, saying, <sup>12</sup> Concerning this house which thou art in
building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep
all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee,
which I spake unto David thy father: <sup>13</sup> And I will dwell among the
children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel. <sup>14</sup> So
Solomon built the house, and finished it.<b> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>John 14:16-17</b> And I will pray the Father, and he
shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; <sup>17</sup>
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him
not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall
be in you.<b> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Revelation 21:2-4</b> And I John saw the holy city, new
Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for
her husband. <sup>3</sup> And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and
they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
<sup>4</sup> And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall
be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more
pain: for the former things are passed away. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What do all these verses have in common? They all reveal the
purpose, the reason that God created mankind. It is the same reason that God
called Abraham from his home in Mesopotamia. Why He sent Jesus to redeem man
when he fell, and why will God build a new Jerusalem when eternity begins. The
answer to all these questions, is the same and it should leave us astounded or
as the KJV says astonied. The reason is that God wants us to live with Him, now
and forever. What He began in the Garden of Eden, continued through the descendants
of Abraham and then through the grace of the Gospel will conclude one day in
eternity and the New Jerusalem. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The desire of God to be with us is clearly seen in Exodus
29:45, the verse on our bulletin, “I will dwell among the children of Israel,
and will be their God.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Tabernacle,
its design, materials, and building is an analog, 3 dimensional model, of how God’s
purpose works. It shows how we enter in, live and grow in our relationship with
our Creator and Redeemer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Living Begins</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Exodus 25:8-9</b> And
let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all
that I shew thee, <i>after</i> the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern
of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make <i>it</i>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Salvation </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> The Wall</b> - Exodus 27:9-18 </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Surrounding the tabernacle on all sides was a wall made of
fine woven linen. It stood on posts made of acacia wood with bases of bronze
and capitals of silver. The tabernacle courtyard was 100 x 50 cubits or 150 x
75 ft. On the east side of the tabernacle was the gate, 20 cubits wide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Gate: The fabric of the gate was different than that of
the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was four different colored
threads embroidered together to make one cloth. The colors used in the gate
were blue, purple, scarlet and bright white. The gate was the only entrance
into the courtyard, and it faced East.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Altar - Exodus
27:1-8</b> As you approach the tabernacle armed guards stand with orders to kill
anyone who tries to enter anywhere but the gate and none were allowed to enter
without the proper sacrifice. They must come to the sacrifice with a lamb, a
dove or an ox in order to enter the court.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Standing just behind the entrance, imposing itself in the
courtyard, would be the Brazen Altar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The altar measured 5 x 5 x 3 cubits (7.5 ft. around by 4.5 ft
high.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was constructed out of acacia
wood overlaid with bronze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
hollow box, with a solid bronze grate mounted halfway up on the inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon this altar sacrifices would be offered
to God. These sacrifices must be without spot or blemish and would be offered
as a way of confessing sin or giving thanksgiving.<b> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Laver</b> - Exodus 30:17-18 <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This was a large bronze basin filled with water. There are
no dimensions given for the laver, though it would be quite large and probably about
the size of the altar. The laver was used by the priests who would wash
themselves before they served God inside the tabernacle.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If the tabernacle is a model of living with God then the
outer courtyard is a model of entering into that life. For us this is
salvation. Let’s make some applications. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The Saved Life</span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Spiritual Wall: The wall around the Tabernacle was a symbol
of the separation that exists between all of mankind and God. A separation caused
by sin. <span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">First the sin of mankind
through Adam. </span><b>Romans 5:12</b> Wherefore, as by one man sin entered
into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that
all have sinned:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">But also our own sin,
Romans 3:23</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For all have sinned, and
come short of the glory of God;<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sin has separated us
from living the Lord and we have no way to break down that wall of separation,
because it is caused by sin and we can’t stop sinning nor do anything about our
past sin. We are outside the Tabernacle, where God dwells, and unless God opens
a way, we will never get inside. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Spiritual Gate: Praise God, He did make one way to enter
in. In the Tabernacle model, entrance was through the single gate that faced
the rising sun and woven in the colors, blue, purple, white and red. Those
colors were chosen to represent the Lord Jesus. Blue for heaven, Purple for His
throne, White for his sinless life and Red for His shed blood. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One Way: You could only enter the Tabernacle through the
Gate, any other attempt was met with death. Jesus is the only way to enter into
life with God, death awaits those who try any other way. <span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus himself declared
this in <b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">John 10:9, “</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he
shall be saved…” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In <b>John 14:6</b> Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the
truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today there are many who will tell those on the outside,
separated by sin from God that there are many ways to enter but all that awaits
them is death, eternal and terrible. Jesus is the only way. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Spiritual Altar: Jesus is the way in, but what about our
sin. How has that been dealt with? <span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the courtyard of the tabernacle, Once a person entered, that
would be confronted with the bronze altar. There they would bring a lamb, bull,
or dove as a sacrifice for their sin. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In our dwelling with God, we also needed a sacrifice to pay
for our sin. Not a bull or a lamb of the flock but the Jesus the Lamb of God
Jesus Christ. He is the sacrifice that God. He <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gave his life for our sin and we must put our
faith in His sacrifice as the payment for our sin. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John the Baptist pointed to Jesus in <b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">John 1:29 </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> and cried out “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin
of the world.”</span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In John’s book of Revelation, he saw a vision in the
throneroom of God. A cry goes out for someone worthy to open the sealed book
and then a lamb stands appearing as if it had been slain. We read in <b>Revelation
5:8-9</b> <sup>8</sup> And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four
and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps,
and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. <sup>9</sup>
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open
the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy
blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus was our sacrifice, the only sacrifice able to save all
of mankind from sin. Living with the Lord means we have made the Lamb of God as
our own sacrifice for sin.<b> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Spiritual Laver:</b> One more thing still must be
done before our sin is fully dealt with and we can live with the Lord. Jesus
opens the way, His death pays the price and His blood washes away our sin. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the courtyard next to the Bronze Alter stood the laver, a
huge basin filled with clear, clean water. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That basin represents the cleansing of our sin through Jesus’
shed blood. There we are washed clean, white as snow in the crimson flood. <b>1
John 1:7</b> … the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all
sin.<b> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Ephesians 1:7</b> In whom we have redemption through his
blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Outer Court shows salvation, forgiveness and cleansing through
Jesus. Outside the Courtyard we cut off from God, we are helpless in our sin,
we are under judgment. But inside, inside, the Courtyard we are safe
and saved, we now dwell with God and live with the Lord! We are forgiven, we
are cleansed and we have fellowship! <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I and most of you grew up singing a song that to someone
outside the church must have pretty macabre, and beyond comprehension. But to
those who have been washed in the blood it is not just understandable, it is a praise
of our entering in. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Vs. 2 I think of my blessed Redeemer,<br />
I think of Him all the day long;<br />
I sing, for I cannot be silent;<br />
His love is the theme of my song. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Redeemed, redeemed, <br />
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;<br />
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!<br />
His child, and forever, I am. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The song means nothing to the lost, just as the interior of
the tabernacle was unknowable until the Hebrews went through the gate. But once
inside you understand. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">@e are “Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.” We are saved and
yet there are two more rooms inside the tabernacle itself. What did God intend
for them to teach us about “Living with the Lord?” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Living Closer</span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sanctification in Holy Place <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you were a priest in the time of the Old Testament, after
you left the courtyard, you would next enter the Tabernacle itself and passing
through another door made with the same four colors as the gate you would come
to the Holy Place. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Inside the Holy Place are three pieces of furniture, for
lack of a better term. And as all the things in the tabernacle, from the
smallest hook to the room itself, all represent the coming Messiah, Jesus our
Savior. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We see the Table of Shew or Presence bread - Exodus 25:25-30 <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The table of shewbread was gold covered and measured 3 feet
long by 1 1/2 feet wide by 2' 3" high. Along the edge of the table top
were two rims, the top one designed as a crown. Upon the table would be two
rows or stacks of bread, six in each stack, 12 total representing the tribes of
Israel and they were kept in the presence of God from one Sabbath until the
next. At the time the old bread was removed, and fresh loaves placed on the
table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Upon each row of bread frankincense was to be placed
probably in one of the golden vessels which were used in the carrying and
handling of the bread and incense. The frankincense was burnt upon the altar of
incense when the bread was changed. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Shew/ Presence Bread told the tribes of Israel that they
were always in Jehovah’s presence. Always under His care and protection. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Golden Lampstand Exodus 25:31-34 </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> If we looked
directly across the room from the table of shewbread to the south side of the
Holy Place we would see the Golden Lampstand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The lampstand stood 2 ft 6 in high, 3ft 6 in wide and was made from 94
pounds of pure gold. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It was hammered and
formed into the shape of almond branches from a single piece of solid gold. There
was a central stem with 6 branches growing out from the center. At the end of
each branch there was a gold cup in the shape of an almond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This cup held the oil which was made from
freshly pressed olives. The oil was supplied directly from the people and was
to be fresh, from the first pressing of the olive. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The lampstand was
the light for the Holy Place. It allowed the priest to be able to do the work
which he had been appointed by God to do. To the nation of Israel it was also a
reminder that God would lead them and guide them through the darkness of the
wilderness.</span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Altar of Incense - Exodus 30:1-8</b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">At the end of the
Holy Place directly before the Veil that separated the Holy Place from the
Holiest of Holies, stood the altar of incense. It was 1 1/2 feet square and 3
feet high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had a rim all around the
top edge and at each corner there was a horn. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The fire for the
altar of incense was taken from the burning embers of the Brazen Altar outside in
the courtyard. The incense, which was burned here, was exclusively for the Altar
of Incense. It could not be used anywhere else, nor could the formula of
ingredients be used for any other incense. Nowhere else in all the camp of
Israel could it be burned, except on the altar of incense in the Holy Place. The
Bible says the odor of the incense filled the Tabernacle and was "well
pleasing to God."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On the High Day of
Atonement, Yom Kippor, blood from the sacrifice made for the nation, was placed
upon the horns of the altar of incense by the priest on His way into the Most
Holy Place.</span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The Sanctified Life</span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After we enter salvation through Jesus Christ and our life begins
through Him, then just like a newborn we are meant to grow as a child of God. These
steps toward maturity, toward a closer living with the Lord, are seen through the
articles of furniture in the Holy Place.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Spiritual Table:</b>
As we think about the table of presence bread, we are reminded that living more
closely with the Lord means understanding the importance of the presence of the
Lord. It was a symbol in the Tabernacle but it is a reality in us through the
indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God keeps us and intercedes for us. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This reality should make us strong and bold as we grow
closer to the Lord.<b> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Romans 8:26-28</b> Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our
infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the
Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered. <sup>27</sup> And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the
mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to
the will of God. <sup>28</sup> And we know that all things work together for
good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his
purpose. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Living closer to the Lord through the indwelling of the Holy
Spirit means my weaknesses are taken to the throne of Grace. It means I can
know “all things works together for good.<b> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>2 Timothy 1:7-9</b> For God hath not given us the spirit
of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Living closer through the power of the Holy Spirit’s
indwelling means I have the Lord’s spirit in me. And like the Holy Spirit I
will have power, love and a sound mind.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Spiritual
Lampstand</b>: In the Lampstand we grow by increasing our knowledge of Jesus
Christ. Just as the oil provided light to the tabernacle so also Jesus provides
light in our life. Through Him we see what we are, where we are and where we
are going.<b> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>John 8:12</b> <sup>12</sup> Then spake Jesus again unto
them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk
in darkness, but shall have the light of life. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The more we live in the light of Jesus, through the light of
His Word, the more “light of life” we will have. The darkness is driven further
away, and I will see even more blessings living with the Lord.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Spiritual Altar
of Incense:</b> In the altar of incense, we see the importance of prayer in our
closer relationship with Christ. You can’t be saved without the intercession of
Christ, and you can’t grow without prayer be a priority in your life daily.<b> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>1 Thessalonians 5:16-18</b> Rejoice evermore. <sup>17</sup>
Pray without ceasing. <sup>18</sup> In every thing give thanks:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Philippians 4:6</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto
God. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Prayer is the mark of living closer to the Lord each day.
Pray is the also a means of living closer. Prayer draws us closer to our Lord. <b>That
is what sanctification is, closer to Him and further from the darkness of this
world.</b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You know what we see in the Holy Place really comes down to
the same tried and true message that any good preacher will exhort his church
to do Sunday after Sunday. Are you ready? Here it is, Walk with Jesus, learn of
Him in your Bible and pray to Him always. You might hear it as, “Go to church,
read the Bible and pray, but what it comes down to is what we see in the Holy
Place, growing in the grace that began in the outer court and is now applied to
every aspect of our lives in a growing closer relationship to Jesus our Savior. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One final place is left to us in the Tabernacle, the Holiest
of Holies, The most Holy Place. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Living Consecrated</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> Surrender Sustained In the Most Holy Place<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Veil </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Exodus 26:31-33</b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you were the High Priest of Israel, once a year you would
enter into the Holiest of Holies. This, the smallest room, was just past the Altar
of Incense and behind a thick veil that divided the two rooms. The veil
stretched from wall to wall and floor to ceiling. It contained the same colors
as the gate, the red, blue, white and gold that once again point to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Different from the outer gate though was the embroidery work
of the veil, for woven into the fabric were intricate, and cunning embroidery
of cherubim, angels that stood at the entrance of the Garden of Eden and in the
Throne Room of God in heaven. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Room: The Holiest of Holies</b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Most Holy Place measured 15' by 15' by 15'. The boards which
made up its walls were acacia wood covered over in gold. They were fastened
together with rings and rods to form a solid wall. The pillars of the most holy
were also covered with solid gold. Entering into the Most Holy Place would be
like walking into a room with walls of gold and a ceiling filled with angels. The
tabernacle and later the temple were meant to be representations of heaven, and
this room was the picture of the throne room of God. Gold which was a symbol of
God’s Glory and the weaving of angels completed the picture. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Ark - Exodus 25:1-22<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Ark of the Covenant stood in the center of the Most Holy
Place. It was the most important piece of furniture in all the tabernacle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It measured 2 1/2 cubits long, 1 1/2 cubits
wide and deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a box constructed
from acacia wood overlaid inside and outside with pure gold. Along the top edge
of the ark a crown would go around the box forming a raised rim. A gold ring
was fastened to each corner of the ark and a gold overlaid pole would be
inserted there for carrying the ark. On top of the ark the mercy seat was
placed. This would be the exact dimensions to form a lid upon the top of the
ark and it was constructed of solid gold not wood overlaid with gold. Two
figures of cherubim, or archangels, one on each end, knelt on top of the mercy
seat. They faced each other with their wings spreading up and over the mercy
seat itself. Inside the ark, God instructed Moses to place three items, the ten
commandments, Aaron's rod and a pot of manna. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Censor<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leviticus
16:12</b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In addition to the things that stayed inside the Most Holy Place,
there was an article that entered into the room with the High Priest on the Day
of Atonement. This was a censer used to carry live embers from the Brazen Altar
into the Most Holy Place, once inside the high priest would pour finely ground
incense upon the embers in the censer. This was to fill the Most Holy Place
with smoke, that the mercy seat, where God’s presence dwelt would be hidden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The High Priest would then sprinkle the blood
from the offering of atonement upon the mercy seat. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The Surrendered Life</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> To enter into this stage of maturity and to walk with God at
this level, there are 5 aspects of God and my relationship with Him, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that I must be aware of.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">First, God's Person.</b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the Ark of the Covenant, God told Moses to place the
tablets of stone that contained the Ten Commandments of God toward His people.
These were not the entire code of law, but a compacted, intensified summary of
what the full law would spell out in detail. They also were a revelation of
God's attributes and character to the Israelites. Through the Ten Commandments
they would begin to see who God was. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If I am to ever walk closely with God, I must also know who the
character and attributes of God. This knowledge is first glimpsed through the
law where I see the holiness and righteousness of God. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When Peter wrote to the early churches he reminded them of
God’s holiness and how it must change them. <b>1 Peter 1:15-16</b> <sup>15</sup>
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation; <sup>16</sup> Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Second, God's Providence.</b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God's providence, His sovereign will put into practice, was symbolized
in the ark by the pot of manna. His providence sent the provided, protected and
empowered his people then and that same providence provides, protects and
empowers His people today. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Notice how Paul revels God’s providence in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Philippians 4:11-13</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that I speak in respect of want: for I
have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both
how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am
instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That is truly knowing and trusting in the Providence of God.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thirdly, God's Priest.</b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Aaron's rod was also kept inside the Ark. This rod was a
proof that Aaron and his sons were the family through which God would establish
His priests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rod was an undeniable
token of God's will for Aaron to be the mediator of the tabernacle sacrifices. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high
priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast
our profession. <sup>15</sup> For we have not an high priest which cannot be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like
as we are, yet without sin. <sup>16</sup> Let us therefore come boldly unto the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of
need. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To us as Christians who would enter into the Most Holy Room in
our relationship with God, there must be a preeminent concept of Jesus as our
High Priest, the mediator of the New Covenant written not on stone this time
but upon our hearts. This reality is vital for it brings us to a total
dependence upon Jesus as our only means of approaching, dwelling<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and growing with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This first occurs at salvation but continues
with each day of life, finding through Christ more and more of God's love,
grace and peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not have more of
God through any of my own abilities, but only as I trust more, learn more, and hold
more to Jesus. He is our great high priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fourthly, God's
Pardon.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One cannot come to the Most Holy Place without touching on
the action that took place here once a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was upon the Day of Atonement that Aaron would come with the censor
and the blood from the altar of sacrifice. As the smoke of the incense filled
the room he would sprinkle blood from the Brazen Altar upon the mercy seat and
then upon the ground before the mercy seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is the graphic picture of Jesus pouring out His own
life's blood upon the cross before God, that we might receive His righteousness
and be reconciled to God. At Calvary was our place of mercy. There we found forgiveness,
which by its very nature and cost is so powerful and so complete that it could
never be undone nor redone. Once you have found the grace of God you can never
lose it any more than Jesus would once again be put to shame on the Cross.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hebrews 7:25</b>
says, "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come
unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the Most Holy Place a Christian knows that He does not and
cannot lose the forgiveness and mercy given him at terrible cost of the life of
the Son of God. The Christian, at this level of living with the Lord, has no
more doubts about their salvation, but can now go from strength to strength,
from faith to faith because as <b>Psalms 37:23-24</b> tells us, “The steps of a
good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. <sup>24</sup>
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him
with his hand.”<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God's Presence</b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The most outstanding characteristic of the Most Holy Place
was not the gold, the intricate workmanship of the furniture nor the vail and
its embroidered angels. No, it was none of those, it was the presence of God,
which dwelt above the mercy seat and between the cherubim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was God's presence in the room that made
it the Most Holy Place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By Him the
tabernacle was changed from a tent into a temple. It was made a place of
reverence, a place of power and a place of wonder of the majesty of the most
high God. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> If we are to live in the application of the Most Holy Place,
then you have come to a place in your relationship with God, where you can
grasp the miracle of the presence of God in your daily living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not a manifestation of the Shekinah
glory, nor is it a mystical experience or vision, it is the simple acceptance
of God's presence in us and the change that must make in us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David reflects on this in <b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Psalm 139:1-6, 23-24 </span></b><sup><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">1</span></sup><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> O
<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>, thou hast searched me, and
known <i>me</i>. <sup><span style="color: black;">2 </span></sup> Thou
knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar
off. <sup><span style="color: black;">3 </span></sup> Thou compassest my
path and my lying down, and art acquainted <i>with</i> all my ways. <sup><span style="color: black;">4 </span></sup> For <i>there is</i> not a word in my
tongue, <i>but</i>, lo, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">LORD</span>,
thou knowest it altogether. <sup><span style="color: black;">5 </span></sup> Thou
hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. <sup><span style="color: black;">6 </span></sup> <i>Such</i> knowledge <i>is</i> too
wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot <i>attain</i> unto it. <sup><span style="color: black;">…</span></sup> <sup><span style="color: black;">23 </span></sup> Search
me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: <sup><span style="color: black;">24 </span></sup> And see if <i>there be any</i> wicked
way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.</span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is the powerful presence of God and it is a hallmark of
living in the truth of the Most Holy Place. Realize that the presence of God
was not left in a tent in the wilderness but through the grace of God, the
sacrifice of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, that presence is with us
at all times. We walk, live and exist with God in everything we do, everywhere
we go, everything we think. That is what living with the Lord really means and
how it really can change us. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Until we sit in the real throne room of Heaven with the
Father, Son and Spirit the ideal of living at this level, the Most Holy Place
level, must remain like the High Priests a time-to-time occurrence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet we should long for it, this closer living
with and for the Lord. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I can’t help but think of Moses as he stood on top of the Mountain
of God once more he asked God, in Exodus 33:18, “I beseech thee, shew me thy
glory.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And the Lord responded as we read in <b>Exodus 33:21-23</b>
And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a
rock: <sup>22</sup> And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that
I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while
I pass by: <sup>23</sup> And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my
back: but my face shall not be seen.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moses saw the actual glory of God as He passed by and when
he returned to the camp, the Bible says, his face glowed. <b>Exodus 34:29-30</b>
And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables
of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist
not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. <sup>30</sup> And
when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his
face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moses longed to see God’s glory, to experience more of His
presence, and it altered him, the people did not even want to see even the effect
of God’s glory. They were afraid to come close and asked Moses to put a vail over
his face. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I wonder which people we would be? Would we be as Moses
calling out, Oh God, show my they glory! Or would we be with Aaron and the
people asking Moses, “Please cover your face because we can’t bear to see what
God can do.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conclusion: <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me ask you, “Where are you today in your life with the
Lord?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do you stand outside the courtyard, outside of a
relationship with Jesus Christ? Then look up for the gate is open. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do you stand in the outer court, a child of God saved by
Jesus our savior and washed in the Blood? Then rejoice in your salvation,
praise God for his grace and set your eyes upon entering into the Tabernacle of
God. Come in and truly live with the Lord. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Will you enter the Tabernacle and be led in His light,
touched by His presence and kept by his intercession for you? <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Would you dare to stand in the most Holy Place? Would you
seek a relationship with God that goes beyond the minimal Sunday to Sunday Christian
life? Then you must come to full surrender and experience the deep, deep love and
overwhelming presence of the Lord in your life.</p>
D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-35503250673844762412024-02-05T08:04:00.000-08:002024-02-05T08:04:10.859-08:00Moses: The Power and Peace of Providence: Exodus 2:1-10<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWBkD2hyphenhyphenLBbwRXjA1YTMqSWhmb0AAJ_tSZdm0Jy1BGy4y-mp1pJpFCoyuaWQ-oy_jv12xvjcbGJlkEOxnoaMyn6fhnE8JCX1ezXtqVInI-_rgVhFFeTmyw9xZTKbkHyD7YYmYSilENgOwgN0_RpgcfFCbfXKcqhXLh7Rxi4FjIJBZQ3PIg1_5GBaTwws/s1255/Moses%20Exodus%202v3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="1255" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWBkD2hyphenhyphenLBbwRXjA1YTMqSWhmb0AAJ_tSZdm0Jy1BGy4y-mp1pJpFCoyuaWQ-oy_jv12xvjcbGJlkEOxnoaMyn6fhnE8JCX1ezXtqVInI-_rgVhFFeTmyw9xZTKbkHyD7YYmYSilENgOwgN0_RpgcfFCbfXKcqhXLh7Rxi4FjIJBZQ3PIg1_5GBaTwws/w640-h358/Moses%20Exodus%202v3.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Moses: The Power and Peace of Providence: Exodus 2:1-10</span><br /></p><p>The story of Moses and the Exodus is one filled with some of the greatest miracles recorded in the Bible, but it doesn’t begin that way. Instead, it begins in the same way most of life begins, God’s people faithfully believing, working and hoping not for a miracle from God but still looking for help from God. What they and we are hoping for and praying for is God’s help through His Providence. <br /><br />The providence of God is a doctrine that modern Christians simply don’t appreciate or fully understand, and we desperately need to because it is through the providence that we find the peace of God and can appropriate the power of God. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Providence And An Inconvenient Infant - Exodus 2:1-4</span><br /><br />And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. And when she could no longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink. And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">God’s Providence Shown in Moses<br /></span><br />To the world Moses was just an insignificant, inconvenient child of a slave. To the Egyptians, all the children of the Hebrew people were a political problem that they dealt with severely by throwing the male babies into the Nile River. There they would drown or to be eaten by the crocodiles that waited there. <br /> </p><p>To the family of Moses, his birth was a crisis. How do they protect their child? To save the child meant disobeying the law of the land, it meant becoming an outlaw family and risking all their lives. <br /><br />But to God Moses was to be an answer to 100s of years of prayer and His agent of providence. Here was the infant who would by God’s will and plan become the leader who would deliver Israel from Egypt. <br /></p><p>It is no exaggeration to say that Moses was the most important person in God’s plans since Abraham. To the world he was a inconvenient problem, but God would make him one of history’s greatest hero. It is a story that is filled with miracles but it begins with providence. <br /><br />Let me give you some definitions.<br /><br />The word providence comes from two Latin words, pro means before and video which means to see. Providence literally means “to see before” This means that God sees all things, events and possibilities before they happen and makes his plans and provisions accordingly. <br /><br />(Here is your bonus for coming to church today. You now know you are speaking Latin every time you say “video.” See what you might have missed if you hadn’t come today, you’d be speaking Latin in total ignorance.) <br /><br />I like this quote according to on Biblical scholar, Walter Brueggemann. He said, “Providence is "the hidden, patient, sovereign enactment of God’s overriding purpose beyond the will and choice of human agents."<br /><br />Here is a Theological Definition from Henry Thiessen’s “Lectures in Systematic Theology <br />The Doctrine of Providence is, “The Christian view that affirms that God has not merely created the universe, together with all its properties and powers, and that he is preserving all that he has created, but that as a holy, benevolent, wise and omnipotent being, he also exercises sovereign control over it. This sovereign control is called providence.”<br /><br />Providence literally means foresight, but theologically and practically it is used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes. Not direct miracles from God but all events directed by God. <br /><br />We see providence in the story of Moses, but God’s providence doesn’t apply just to Bible heroes, it also is in effect in your life everyday.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">God’s Providence Seen in Us</span><br /><br />You see to the world we, like Moses are also insignificant. To the world we just don’t count for much. The world sees all of us, all of humankind as less than specks of random evolutionary chance. We exist by nothing more than the random toss of the evolutionary dice or the spin of a chemical, biological roulette wheel. All of mankind, all of the universe was just really, really lucky. <br /><br />And because we are so insignificant to the scope of the universe and chance, then what happens to us is also insignificant. You really don’t matter and your problems, dreams, life, hope and even existence? Well they don’t matter any more than the a pet cat or dog, maybe if you a member of Peta, even less that a dog. <br /><br />This is why in the world if a child is a going to be problem, do just what Pharaoh did, kill it. The only difference is that Pharaoh couldn’t kill them in the womb and so he drowned them by the thousands only moments after taking their first breaths. What did it matter they were only insignificant slaves? <br /><br />What does it matter today? They are only meaningless blobs of human DNA? If a child is a problem, or you can’t afford a child, or if the child will be autistic or have Downs Syndrome then get rid of it. Aren’t we so much more civilized because we don’t throw babies to crocodiles anymore? It doesn’t matter because they are only here by chance anyway. They aren’t special, they aren’t important, they are just a product of random chance. <br /><br />That is what the world says, but God’s word says something much different.<br />Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. <br /><br />We can see this in the life of an unborn child, but understand, to God, nothing in all of His creation is by chance. We are all a part of the providence of an all knowing, all powerful, all loving God! None of us are here by random chance but by the sovereign plan of God. <br /><br />Neither are the events in our lives haphazard or by chance, God is aware of what is happening in our lives and if we but trust Him, God can use us and those events as His agents of providence.<br /><br />Roman 8:28-31 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?<br /><br />This is the clearest verse on providence in the Bible. God foreknew those who would accept Christ as their savior, those were then predestined to be conformed to the image of the savior. When we heard the Gospel we were called and when we answered that call, as God had foreseen, we were then justified and though we are not yet in heaven we are in that same foreknowledge of God already glorified. <br /><br />Paul then gives the “Challenge of Faith” “If God be for us, who can be against us!” God has already taken all things into account and nothing, nothing can happen that He has not planned for. <br />He works out that plan through providence. <br /><br />Oswald Chambers was a Baptist Pastor who died at 35 ministering to the soldier of WW1 but God’s providence saw his work continuing on to this day. His wife was a stenographer and took notes of all of his sermons, lectures and talks. After he was died she moved back to England and ran a boarding house to try and provide a living for her family. Many nights she would sit by a typewriter, pore over her notes and to restore the words of her husband. God used these events and brought into existence one of the most widely distributed devotional books ever written, “My Upmost for His Highest.”<br /><br />This is what Chambers said about providence in the life of God’s people. <br /><br />“The circumstances of a saint’s life are ordained of God. In the life of a saint there is no such thing as chance. God by His providence brings you into circumstances that you can’t understand at all, but the Spirit of God understands. God brings you to places, among people, and into certain conditions to accomplish a definite purpose through the intercession of the Spirit in you. All your circumstances are in the hand of God … Your part in intercessory prayer is not to agonize over how to intercede, but to use the everyday circumstances and people God puts around you by His providence to bring them before His throne, and to allow the Spirit in you the opportunity to intercede for them. In this way God is going to touch the whole world with His saints.” <br /><br />Oswald Chambers could never have known when he died so young, leaving a wife and child behind that God would use him and his wife to “touch the whole world with his words.” He couldn’t understand how but he never doubted the providence of his benevolent, gracious God.<br /><br />Let me draw another example of providence from the life of Moses.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Providence And A Pitying Princess - Exodus 2:5-6</span><br /><br />And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">God’s Providence Seen in Moses’ Saviour</span><br /><br />What the world sees in the story of Moses. <br /><br />A rich young woman comes to the river to bath. She is the daughter of a King, a king who has ordered the death of the very child that now hides in a basket floating in the river. To the world this is the worst thing that could have happened. Just when it seems that it can’t get any worse the princess spies the ark, has it brought to her and then the daughter of the man who is attempting genocide on the Hebrews recognizes the child. “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” <br /><br />Everything has gone wrong. All the risk by the midwives, the prayers and sacrifice of the parents and the watchcare of his sister was for nothing. The baby Moses has just been delivered into the very teeth of the beast. Moses is lost even before he was given that name. <br /><br />This is what the world sees in this situation, but that is not what God foresees. Amazingly, incredibly but most of all providentially, when God needed a savior for the savior of His people, he sent an Egyptian princess, the daughter of the Pharoah who ordered the death of the very child, she is now looking at. God knew that the safest place to protect the babe was in the palace of Pharaoh, as a prince of Egypt. <br /><br />Was it just chance? Was it just a very fortunate accident? No, it was God. It was His sovereignty put into practice at that time and place in Moses’ life, that is the power and peace of providence. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">God’s Providence Seen in Our Saviour</span><br /><br />Now, let me tell you how Go’s providence also saved us. <br /><br />Many centuries later another savior was born, from the very people that Moses saved from Egypt. This savior was also born to oppressed Israelite parents. To the world they were unimportant, poor people, living in an obscure land, during an unremarkable time of human history. <br /><br />This savior is not educated by the great minds of his day. He does not grow up in a palace. He is not trained to be a great soldier, scholar, or sovereign. Instead, he is trained by his earthly father to work with his hands, to be a maker of furniture or farm implements. The greatest thing the world would expect from Him would be a well-made table or chair.<br /><br />But “in the fullness of time” this carpenter’s son the world sees, would truly be seen as the Son of God and savior of all mankind. He was not insignificant in the eyes of God. <br /><br />He is the greatest example in all of eternity of God’s providence for us. This child was name Jesus and He is God in the flesh, God the Son. The Creator entered into his own creation and come forth not to be a simple carpenter but to be the Savior King. <br /><br />In God’s providence this child was brought from the stable in Bethlehem to the Sermon On The Mount, from a carpenter’s shop to Calvary’s hill, and finally from a rocky grave to resurrection glory!<br /><br />1 Timothy 1:9-10 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel!<br /><br />God’s providence saw Jesus born as a child to Mary and Joseph, in a stable over 2000 years ago and providence still brings His salvation today. <br /><br />Almighty God is On the Line probably an urban myth but a good illustration. On one Saturday night, the pastor of Almighty God Tabernacle was working late, and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn't answer the phone. The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again, she answered right away. He said, “I tried calling earlier but you didn’t answer.” She said, “I sure didn’t hear anything.” <br /><br />The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night. The man on the other end wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night. The pastor was dumbfounded and couldn't figure out what the guy was talking about. Then the caller said, "It rang and rang, but I didn't answer."<br /><br /> The pastor remembered the apparently misdirected call and apologized for disturbing the gentleman, explaining that he'd intended to call his wife. The man called said, "Well, let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God if you're there, and you don't want me to do this, give me a sign now.' At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, 'Almighty God'. It kept ringing and ringing but I was too afraid to answer!"<br />Transition: The providential Gospel.<br /><br />Now that might be a good story but the reality of God’s providence bringing salvation to your own life is more improbable that a misplaced phone call at just the right time. <br /><br />Think about this for a moment. Your eternal salvation depends on a child born more than 2000 years ago. Somehow the story of that Jesus’ life, death and resurrection must remain intact and unaltered and somehow reach you thousands of year later and thousands of miles from where it occurred. And you live in a world that didn’t even exist to the people of that time. In spite of attempts to destroy it, deny it and change it by kings, governments and false religions of the world, somehow the Gospel found you. Now, think of the all the ways and all the paths that brought that story to you personally. Every ancestor, pastor and missionary, and church that was a link in a chain that begins way back at the creation of the world, extends through the Old Testament, though 400 years of silence between the testaments, through the birth of Jesus, the birth of the church, the persecution, torture and death of millions believers who protected and passed on the Gospel. Now realize that just one person missing from that link or one change of one location or one event could spell the difference between Hell and Heaven. Yet amazingly, miraculously, providentially…. it came all the way to you and to me. We heard and we believed. <br /><br />Was it was random chance, was some kind of coincidence? No, it was God!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Providence And A Gracious Guide - Exodus 2: 7-10</span><br /><br />Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother. And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">God’s Providence Seen In Moses’ Mother</span><br /><br />Miriam goes to the princess and tells her she knows a nurse for the child. Don’t you think the princess knew that the nurse must be the mother of the baby she is now holding. Sure she did, Yet in the providence of God she allows Miriam to bring Moses’ mother. She tells the mother to take the child, and nurse him. Not only does Moses get his start in life from his own mother and among his own people, but the princess pays her to care, love and teach her own son! <br /><br />During that time Moses learned who he was and who his people really were. God saw to it that he received the training and the character that would make him the future leader of the greatest march to freedom every recorded.<br /><br />All because God provided his own mother as a guide and that action of providence shaped the rest of Moses life. That world says it was just a coincidence, just a lucky chance. But it was not luck, it was not chance, or coincidence. It was providence. It was God!<br /><br />Paul speaks of this in Hebrews 11:23-27 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.<br /><br />Moses made that choice because of the guidance and teaching of his mother, she was God’s providential guide. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">God’s Providence Seen In Our Guides</span><br /><br />God is still providentially guiding us today and then making us his agents of providence in other people’s lives. <br /><br />His Spirit - John 16:13-14 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. <br /><br />His Word - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.<br /><br />His Gifts in Us - Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.<br /><br />Even the Events and Circumstance of Life God providentially uses to guide us and prepare us for service. 1 Samuel 2:7-8 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Stephan Saint Find His Faith Through God’s Providence</span><br /><br />Background: Stephan Saint was only a child when his father piloted a small bush plane into the jungles of Ecuador along with four friends. They went to make contact with a tribe of Indians called the Auca. The missionary friends never returned and were found murdered by the very people they went to share the gospel with. Their story was recorded by the wife of one of the men, Elizebeth Elliot who wrote about her husband Jim. But this story is about the Stephen who over the years struggled with a God who would allow his father to be murdered. He had almost lost his faith when he went on a trip and met a young man in Africa tens of thousands of miles away from the jungles of Ecuador. <br /><br /> His name was Nouh Ag Infa Yatara; that much I understood. Nouh signaled he knew someone who could translate for us. He led me to a compound on the edge of town where an American missionary lived. I was glad to meet the missionary, but from the moment I'd seen Nouh I'd had the feeling that we shared something in common.<br /><br /> "How did you come to have faith?" I asked him. The missionary translated as Nouh answered. "This compound has always had a beautiful garden. One day when I was a small boy, a friend and I decided to steal some carrots. It was a dangerous task: We'd been told that Toubabs [white men] eat children. Despite our agility and considerable experience, I was caught by the former missionary here. Mr. Marshall didn't eat me; instead he gave me the carrots and some cards that had God's promises from the Bible written on them. He said if I learned them, he'd give me an ink pen!"<br /><br /> "You learned them?" I asked. "Oh, yes! Only government men and the headmaster of the school had a Bic pen! But when I showed off my pen at school, the teacher knew I must have spoken with a Toubab, which is strictly forbidden. He severely beat me." When Nouh's parents found out he had portions of such a despised book defiling their house, they threw him out and forbade anyone to take him in; nor was he allowed in school. But something had happened, Nouh had come to believe that what the Bible said was true.<br /><br /> After sitting a moment, I asked Nouh the question that only hours earlier I'd wanted to ask my father: "Why is your faith so important to you that you're willing to give up everything, perhaps even your life?"<br /> "I know God loves me and I'll live with Him forever. I know it! Now I have peace where I used to be full of fear and uncertainty. Who wouldn't want to give up everything for this peace and security?"<br /> "It couldn't have been easy for you as a teenager to take a stand that made you despised by the whole community," I said. "Where did your courage come from?"<br /><br /> "Mr. Marshall couldn't take me in without putting my life in jeopardy. So he gave me some books about other Christians who'd suffered for their faith. My favorite was about five young men who willingly risked their lives to take God's good news to stone age Indians in the jungles of South America." His eyes widened. "I've lived all my life in the desert. How frightening the jungle must be! The book said these men let themselves be speared to death, even though they had guns and could have killed their attackers!"<br /> The missionary translator said, "I remember the story. As a matter of fact, one of those men had your last name."<br /><br /> "Yes," I said quietly, "the pilot was my father." <br /><br />"Your father?" Nouh cried. "The story is true?” <br /><br /> Yes," I said, "it's true." The missionary and Nouh and I talked through the afternoon, then they accompanied me back to the airfield that night. As Nouh and I hugged each other, it seemed incredible that God loved us so much that He'd arranged for us to meet "at the ends of the earth."<br /><br /> Nouh and I had gifts for each other that no one else could give. I gave him the assurance that the story which had given him courage was true. He, in turn, gave me the assurance that God had used Dad's death for good. Dad, by dying, had helped give Nouh a faith worth dying for. And Nouh, in return, had helped give Dad's faith back to me. (Submitted by Stephen Saint)<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Conclusion: What about you? <br /></span><br />Do you trust in the providence of God? Providence is not a stale theological definition. It is not just a label we use for the unexplained good things that might happen in our life. Providence is the path that I take in life, trusting that it leads me to God’s peace and power.<br /><br />This is what David was believing when he wrote in Psalms 139:3-5 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.<br /><br />Do you trust that God has a plan? Do you believe He will provide? Do you understand He has a purpose? God even had a reason for you to be here today, why you have heard this sermon or been in this service. Perhaps it was to hear the Gospel and be saved. Perhaps you need encouragement or hope. Perhaps its time for a recommitment or even your life given in His service. Whatever it might be, it was not chance that led you here today, it was God’s providence. Don’t you want the peace and the power that comes by experiencing His providence? Then why not start right now by trusting Him. <br /></p>D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-52603285515459005152024-02-02T06:42:00.000-08:002024-02-02T06:42:31.963-08:00The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail: Lesson 3 - First Purist Protests<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWxCr7E4D1hRRJNv9TTHK-W5xu_ciJrRl1nmHXXzhGTu6fxDyXorznKjmehh_9tYKe9eLGBl1E9V1QYJ1qv7kd7Z1Az_oIz5XFqfqtrE-UTmgQgoALmGKMrJj-weq52obXSecn0axAYTg1LQQQ3dFh-ENBiztxjn2EbyayVsGa_862geBRQikx8a96Zk/s1010/Gates%20of%20Hell%20Lesson%203%20First%20Purists.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1010" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWxCr7E4D1hRRJNv9TTHK-W5xu_ciJrRl1nmHXXzhGTu6fxDyXorznKjmehh_9tYKe9eLGBl1E9V1QYJ1qv7kd7Z1Az_oIz5XFqfqtrE-UTmgQgoALmGKMrJj-weq52obXSecn0axAYTg1LQQQ3dFh-ENBiztxjn2EbyayVsGa_862geBRQikx8a96Zk/w640-h446/Gates%20of%20Hell%20Lesson%203%20First%20Purists.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail: Lesson 3 - First Purist Protests</span><br /><br />It should be noted that during the post-apostolic time a slow but sure separation was taking place. The name Christian would now have to be qualified by the particular beliefs of individual pastors and churches.<br /> </p><p>We must look back to this time to find our ancestors but should realize that much is muddied by time and the writings of those who opposed the true church and the doctrine it stood and died for. Also bear in mind that some of these forebearers would shock us with their strictness and practices, though not their doctrine. On the other hand, we would, I’m sure, appear worldly and compromising to them. <br /> </p><p>We are looking for "threads of gold" woven through the torn and soiled fabric of history which at times is almost impossible to clearly follow. However, we are not dependent upon a clear history or the men who recorded and sometimes distorted it, instead our faith is in the promises of Jesus Christ. He promised that the church He founded would stand against the gates of hell, therefore we know that the true church did not die out and did not need to be reformed nor will it ever cease until He comes to take her home. <br /> </p><p>The threads of gold or trail of blood that we search for are the true church or Baptist distinctives that mark the church that Jesus promised would continue until he comes back and claims it for His bride. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Death of Ignatius, pastor of Antioch</span><br /></p><p>Ignatius was arrested and transported to Rome where he was killed in the arena by wild beasts around 140 AD. As he was transported by ten soldiers who bulled and mistreated him, he wrote letters to the church along the way and to his friend Polycarp. When he was condemned and waiting for his death it is said that his guards could hear him repeating the name Jesus (Jesu in Latin) over and over again. <br />When they asked him why we answered, “My dear Jesus, my Saviour, is so deeply written in my heart, that I feel confident, that if my heart were to be cut open and chopped to pieces, the name of Jesus would be found written on every piece.” <br /> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The True Churches Resist: Early Ancestors and Lines of Descent</span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The Paulicians: 100 AD - 1000 AD</b> </span><br /></p><p> In “The Key of Truth,” the Paulicians claimed a direct lineage from the apostles. The name Paulicians though, began with Constantine in 650 AD. Constantine obtained a copy of the New Testament and became to strive zealously for “faith once delivered to the saints.” The Bible was the sole authority of the church and therefore he preached against the Catholic teachings that the Church and tradition had the same authority as the Word of God. Because of his love for the writings of the apostle Paul, he and his followers were labeled Paulicians. They also renamed themselves with name from the Bible to replace their pagan names. In addition, they named their churches after the names of the churches in the New Testament. <br /></p><p>“The Paulician preachers were known by their humility, holy lives, great zeal, knowledge of the Bible, and the refusal to gather riches after the fashion of the Catholics.” – David Cloud<br />They were often called other names through history. Names like the Albigensians from the name of the town in France, Paterian, an Italian term for illiterate or low bred because they were chiefly of the lower order of the men. The Cathari which means the pure and Bogamils probably from the name of a leader in the 10th century. <br /></p><p>Their doctrine. They accepted the scripture as the sole authority for faith and practice and rejected man-made traditions and heresies. They held to sound doctrine including the Trinity, the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, and the sufficiency of the Lord's atonement. They believed in regenerate church membership. Before baptism the candidates were scrutinized to try to certain if they had been born again. They rejected infant baptism and rebaptized those who came from unscriptural churches. They believe in holy, separated living. The aforementioned pastor stated that the Christian life consists in separating from the evil things of the world, in bridling carnal lust, and living by the labor of their hands, and hurting nobody, and in being charitable and kind. They believed in the autonomy the church and rejected a Catholic hierarchy. Each church had its own leaders. There were no bishops ruling over all the churches in a territory. There were no popes. Their church leaders were humble men who did not exalt themselves as Lords. <br /></p><p>They believed in liberty of conscience and freedom of religion. <br /></p><p>The Paulician were missionary sending churches. The persecutions that were poured out upon them beginning in the 7th century caused them to be scattered throughout Europe, everywhere carrying a new testament faith. The Lutheran historian motion says from Italy the pollution sent colonies into almost all the other provinces of Europe, and gradually formed a considerable number of religious assemblies, who adhered to their doctrine and who realized every opposition and indignity from the popes.<br />From temperance, they sent out missionaries 2 by 2 to the various tribes of the Slavonic people in Bulgaria, Bosnia, and Serbia, rocket says, the free city of Trepice was the center and seat of a missionary enterprise which has had no parallel since the time of the apostles. The missionary elders sent forth two and two sustained by their brethren at home, throughout Bulgaria Bosnia and Serbia, preaching the word and the Pagan Bulgarians and Bosnics were converted in such numbers that the enemies of the Greek church began to add to their other previous names which they gave to the pollutions out of Bulgers, which after a time was corrupted into board race by which term among other there was known for centuries.<br /> </p><p>Their persecutions. Because they were trying to follow the Bible alone and rejected man-made traditions, they were bitterly persecuted Constantine later named Silvanius, was stoned to death in 690 for his love of the word of God. The Greek officer who oversaw the stoning of Constantine, was named Simeon. He lined up the followers of Constantine and promised them liberty if they would stone their leader. One man justice came forth and he subsequently betrayed many others of this former comrades. The cruel Simeon, convicted by the calm martyrdom of the believers, was later converted. He left his position of worldly honor and fortune and became the leader of the spice people in the place of Constantine. In his turn Simeon was burned to death. Another leader of the politicians Sergius was cut into two pieces with an axe. In those days an entire group of politicians was burned to death in one enormous funeral pyre. Theodora ( 815 to 867, Mother of emperor Michael the third of the Byzantine Empire, vowed to exterminate all Paulicians in her Kingdom, and is estimated that 100,000 were put to death and all their property and lands were confiscated. <br /></p><p>Origin of the name: it was given to them by their enemies because of their attachment to the writings of Paul. Many true churches branched from the Paulicians. <br /> </p><p>Beliefs: Orthodox view of Trinity, baptism of believers by immersion, separation from the world.</p><p>Questions: <br /></p><p>Issues: They opposed infant baptism, orders in the clergy, and opposed image worship. <br /></p><p>Leaders: Constantine 660 AD renamed himself Silvanus and called churches he founded after congregations in Acts. <br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Monatists (159-722?)</b></span> <br /></p><p>Beliefs: True Baptism, strict separation from world, leadership of Holy Spirit. Rebaptism of those coming into the true faith from Catholicism. <br /></p><p>Issues: Separation from the state and worldliness of the church at large.</p><p>Questions: Divine revelation, strenuous asceticism. “Montanus and his followers spoke in tongues, had visions, and claimed to be the direct mouthpieces of the Holy Spirit; they demanded celibacy, asceticism, and all sorts of unscriptural things.” – David Cloud. <br /></p><p>Leaders: Montanaus (156 AD) and Tertullian (197 AD) later broke with the Montanists. <br /></p><p><b>Novatians also called the Cathari (the pure) (250 AD - 1500's )</b></p><p>The Novatian churches started in Italy and spread from there. These churches were founded during the conflict over the purity of the church. Novatian, an elder in the church at Rome, was grieved of the lack of holiness in the churches. There was no spiritual requirement for church membership, and members would renounce Christ in times of persecution and return to their idols, but when the persecution ceased they would again seek church membership with no evidence of repentance and salvation. <br /></p><p>They maintained Apostolic doctrine, including the doctrine of the Trinity and Jesus Christ as the eternal son of God. They believed in the autonomy and independence of the church. They rejected the Roman Catholic heresy that the assemblies are ruled by territorial bishops.</p><p>Novatian churches rebaptized those who joined from the Roman churches because they did not accept their baptism in the Roman churches as scriptural since those churches allowed people to join who were not born again. <br /></p><p>Beliefs: Independence of the churches, equality of pastors, rebaptism of those coming from worldly churches. Separation from the world. <br /></p><p>Questions: Novatian was baptized by affusion while on his sick bed, though he was later immersed. Some say that later he declared himself a rival to a rival to Pope Cornelius. <br /></p><p>Issues: Worldliness of the Roman Church and clerics. <br /></p><p>Leaders: Novatian (martyred about 290 AD) <br /></p><p><b>Donatists (311 AD - 1000 AD)</b> <br /></p><p>Donatist arose in the Numidia, in the year 311 and soon extended over many parts of Africa. They were sound and doctrine accepting the deity of Jesus Christ and the Trinity. They believed in the autonomy and independence of the church. They rejected the heresy of hierarchalism which set up bishops and patriarchs and popes over the churches. <br /></p><p>They rejected infant baptism. Augustine one of the Catholic Church fathers hated them for this because infant baptism was one of the heresies that he loved. They rebaptized those who came from unscriptural churches. They believed in liberty of conscience and rejected the Augustinian doctrine of persecution. </p><p>“The Donatist stood for liberty of conscience and they were opposed to the state church which was already beginning to persecute those who refused to submit to its authority and doctrine. The Donatist pastor, Petillion said, “Think you to serve God by killing us with your hand? Ye, err, if ye, poor mortals, think this; God has not hangmen for pastors. Christ teaches us to bear wrong, not to revenge it.” <br /></p><p>Beliefs: Separation of Church and State, baptism by immersion of believers, independence of the church. <br /></p><p>Questions: Donatus subject to Constantine until he split over ordination. <br /></p><p>Issues: Faithfulness of Christians and infant baptism. <br /></p><p>Leaders: Donatus bishop of Carthage in North Africa. <br /></p><p><b>The Bogomils: a branch of Paulicians in Thrace<br /> </b><br />Origin of name: from one of their leaders or the word which means "Beloved of God." <br /></p><p>Beliefs: Baptism of believers by immersion, symbolic Lord's supper <br /></p><p>Questions: <br /></p><p>Issues: Opposition to Pedobaptism, church hierarchy, Mariolatry, saint worship, and a belief in church </p><p>independency. <br /></p><p>Leaders: <br /></p><p><b>The Albigensians: probably descended from Paulicians </b> <br /></p><p>Origin of name: from city of Albi and region of Albigeiois in Southern France. <br /></p><p>Beliefs: Church should consist of good people, with no power to frame any constitutions, they could not take oaths, it was not lawful to kill, not right to persecute. They also believe that the law of Moses was not for Christians. No need of priests. They practiced baptism by immersion.<br /><br />Questions: Late in their history, some labeled the Albigensians as Gnostics. The Catholic church led a crusade against the Cathars, as they were now called and wiped them out completely. <br /></p><p>Issues: Opposition to infant baptism, superstition and Catholic church hierarchy. <br /></p><p>Leaders: <br /></p><p><b>The Cathar Genocide </b><br /></p><p>The Catholic Church under Pope Innocent III, called for a crusade against the Abigensians in Southern France. Any nobleman who killed the Cathars could have their land and possessions and like all crusades under the popes. All sin was forgiven even before they were committed. This led to the slaughter of entire cities and villages. <br /></p><p>One contemporary chronicler wrote, “They hurried into the town, waving sharp swords, and it was now that the massacre and fearful butchery began. Men and women, barons, ladies, babes in arms, were all stripped and despoiled and put to the sword. The ground was littered with blood, brains, fragments of flesh, limbless trunks, hacked-off arms and legs, bodies ripped up or stove in …. [I]t was as if they had rained down from the sky. The whole place ran with blood — streets, fields, river-bank. Neither man nor woman, young or old, survived; not a single person escaped unless they remained in hiding.” <br /></p><p>When a representative of the Catholic church was asked how to identify the good town-dwellers from the bad, he responded, "Kill them All! God will know his own!”<br /> </p><p><b>The Petrobursians:</b></p><p>Origin of name: named for Peter of Bruys, preacher in France about 1100 AD.<br />Beliefs: That the Gospel was literal, Scripture was the only accepted truth. In baptism of believers by immersion and that the Lord's supper was not sacramental. <br /></p><p>Questions: <br /></p><p>Issues: They stood against infant baptism, and the universal (catholic) church <br /></p><p>Leaders: Peter of Bruys, burned in St. Gilles 1126.<br /><br /><b>The Henricians: sprung from Petrobrussians.</b> <br /></p><p>Origin of name: Followers of Henry of Lausanne. <br /></p><p>Beliefs: Baptism of believers by immersion, <br /></p><p>Questions: <br /></p><p>Issues: Rejected infant baptism, <br /></p><p>Leaders: Henry of Lausanne 1116- 1148 AD a disciple of Peter of Bruys. Died in prison after being hunted down by Bernard of Clairvaux, a famous and ruthless inquisitor, on orders from Pope Eugene III. <br /></p><p><b>The Arnoldists:</b> <br /></p><p>Origin of name: from Arnold of Brescia, 1100 AD to 1148 AD. He was taken prisoner in a rebellion against the pope in Rome. He was then hanged, his body burned and ashes thrown into Tiber River. <br /></p><p>Beliefs: Mostly historical first church doctrine <br /></p><p>Questions: Led a rebellion against the Pope in Rome. <br /></p><p>Issues: rejected infant baptism, <br /></p><p>Leaders: Arnold of Bresicia 1100 AD to 1148 AD. <br /></p><p><b>The Berengarians:</b> <br /></p><p>Origin of name: from Berengarius <br /></p><p>Beliefs: Baptistic <br /></p><p>Questions: Berengarious taught in Catholic school until he was condemned by a Catholic council. <br /></p><p>Issues: Spiritual independence and opposition to Rome. No infant baptism.<br /><br />Leaders: Berengarius.<br /><br /><b>The Waldensian Churches</b><br /></p><p>The Waldensians were churches of the mountains of northern Italy and France. They were descended from the early movements of the Albigensians, Arnoldists and Paulicians. <br /></p><p>They survived in the Alps and Piedmont Mountains for centuries while persecuted as heretics.<br />Origin of name: from the Italian word "Valdese or Waldesi” which means a valley. These were people who lived in mountain valleys. <br /></p><p>Beliefs: Baptist beliefs, strong evangelism, spreading of Bible in native language, no taking of oaths.<br />Leaders: Peter Waldo, a rich merchant of Lyon, France. Who upon conversion, sold his possessions and believed that all should hear the word of God. He published the Bible in the native French tongue and sent out itinerant preachers two by two to preach in houses and on street corners. They were known as the "Poor men of Lyons." <br /></p><p>Questions: Peter Waldo was a Roman Catholic for many years even after his conversion. He also sent his daughters to a convent. In modern times women were ordained pastors. After the reformation the Waldensians willingly joined the "Reformed" church and began to baptize infants. <br /></p><p>Issues: Obedience to God rather than man, the Bible as only rule of faith and practice, and the importance of preaching. <br /></p><p>Leaders: Peter Waldo, a rich citizen of Lyon, France. Who upon conversion, believed that all should hear the word of God. He published the Bible in the native French tongue and sent out itinerant preachers two by two to preach in houses and on street corners. The were know as the "Poor-men-of- Lyons." <br /></p><p><b>Major Lines of Descent: The Anabaptists (rebaptizers)</b> <br /></p><p>Paulicians: Sheltered in Armenian, then spread to Western Europe. <br /></p><p>Albigensians: From the region of Albi in France. Sheltered in Southern France and Northern Italy. <br /></p><p>Waldenses: Hidden in the valleys of the Alps and Piedmont Valleys. <br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion: </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">Baptist churches are the churches of Christ, and ...thye alone hold, and have alone ever held, and preserved the doctrine of the Godpel in all ages since the ascension of Christ. - J.R. Graves. </span><br /><br /></p>D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-36993139882596080892024-01-29T12:58:00.000-08:002024-01-29T12:58:45.825-08:00Jacob: From Selfish Supplanter to Surrendered Servant: Genesis 32<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhHFCrSYkbIzH2BxmQXDRKn1GHyPXj9i4_sNu2tsJEcOuvEMUFhNlQoWB-pEhku2cdQmmG8NFCUoA48R4rPhvxnSofFkzBU5W95X80n1GpU2IGKrB3takF65TMvECKT_l492WgGjD9qFali8N8CK46OJDPdlwK_a5z7gWYZZpdRbI3eHgyrXQtknv6Dw/s1255/Jacob%20Supplanter%20to%20Servant%20Genesis%2032v24.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1255" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhHFCrSYkbIzH2BxmQXDRKn1GHyPXj9i4_sNu2tsJEcOuvEMUFhNlQoWB-pEhku2cdQmmG8NFCUoA48R4rPhvxnSofFkzBU5W95X80n1GpU2IGKrB3takF65TMvECKT_l492WgGjD9qFali8N8CK46OJDPdlwK_a5z7gWYZZpdRbI3eHgyrXQtknv6Dw/w640-h360/Jacob%20Supplanter%20to%20Servant%20Genesis%2032v24.png" width="640" /></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a name="OLE_LINK19"><span style="font-size: large;">Jacob: From Selfish Supplanter to Surrendered
Servant: Genesis 32</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">What can you say of
someone who lived most of his life, up to our chapter of Genesis today, as what
we would call a weasel. The Bible calls him supplanter and if he had lived by
power and truth, that name would mean hero, but instead he lives his life by scheming
and lying. So, in an ultra modern translation, instead of Jacob we would read
about Esau and his brother weasel. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">But that all changes
in chapter 32, the weasel Jacob, becomes Israel the prince with God. That is a
big change and the way it is achieved is a path of life that all of God’s
people must walk. So all of us weasels can be winners. That is what I should
have titled this sermon. Jacob from weasel to winner. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: large;">Jacob Draws Nearer To
God – Genesis 32:1-2</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">And Jacob went on his
way, and the angels of God met him. 2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is
God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. (Two Camps)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">Two Camps</span> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Up to this point Jacob
has lived his life as he now expresses in by naming this place where he meets
with God’s angels, two camps. In his mind and as seen in his life, he sees two
camps, one where God is and the other where he, Jacob is. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">God’s camp was over
there. Real but separate and distant from Jacob’s camp. God was in visions and
dreams. He dwelt atop the ladder that the angels ascended at Bethel. He was
real, He was absolutely and fully God, but He was not in Jabob’s camp because
Jacob wanted it that way. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Jacob throughout his
life has kept God over there while he did things his own way in his life. With
his mother, Rebekah, he schemed and stole his older brother, Esau’s, blessing.
To accomplish that he deceived his aged, blind father by telling a lie to his
father’s direct question and then giving the lie assurance with a kiss. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>Genesis 27:21-27 </b>And
Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son,
whether thou be my very son Esau or not. 22 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his
father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands
are the hands of Esau. 23 And he discerned him not, because his hands were
hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him. 24 And he said, Art thou
my very son Esau? And he said, I am. 25 And he said, Bring it near to me, and I
will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it
near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank. 26 And his
father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son. 27 And he came
near, and kissed him:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Jacob couldn’t wait
for God to fulfill His promise giving to Rebekah and instead He lives up to his
name and nature, Jacob, the supplanter. He steals from Esau. After all he could
justify the action because God was in His camp and Jacob, in his, had to get
things moving. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">The Bible doesn’t give
us a lot of detail on why Jacob such a sneak and schemer or why Esau was such so
uncaring, and irresponsible when it came to his birthright. The Bible doesn’t
tell us if Isaac tried to take Jacob hunting, to install a bit more manliness
into him, to temper his mother’s influence. Or if Rebekah tried to not show so
much favoritism to Jacob but also tried to care and love Esau. We can only
guess at those things. We only know what the Bible tells us and we can see the
outcome of the favoritism of the two parents. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">I will say this much
though. Parents and grandparents don’t show favoritism, ever. Love your
children and grandchildren equally. Each of them must have you full time, must
have your full attention, and your full devotion when they are with you. You
may not think a young child can tell that you prefer one over the other but
believe me they can, and it will hurt them. It will affect them; it will often twist
their emotions and make them resentful and rebellious. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">I think the Bible
makes that very clear. believe it is the reason for the dysfunction and hate in
the family of Isaac. <b>Genesis 25:27-28 </b>And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning
hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. 28
And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved
Jacob. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">After the deception
and theft, Jacob flees from Esau’s rage and his broken-hearted father. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then as he sleeps God speaks to him as part in
the vision of the Angels climbing a ladder into heaven. After the vision he
asks God to bless him as he travels to Laban, but it is a very quid pro quo
kind of prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Genesis 28:20-21 20 And
Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way
that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I
come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">If God will do what I
want him to do then I will let Him be by God. Really? Jacob. Really? Talk about
keeping God in his camp and Jacob in his own. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Once he gets to his
uncle Laban’s land, everything he has does is for himself, God’s plans don’t
enter into Jacobs plans. He supplants his Uncles wealth and flees again now
away from Padanaram back to Canaan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
his birth to his marriages everything Jacob did had one goal, to supplant
someone else. To take birthrights and blessings, camels and cattle from someone
else and make it his own. But now, in chapter 32, things have changed. He has
fled the camp of Laban but now he must confront both the coming of Esau and the
Camp of God. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Taking God For Granted <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Are we sometimes
guilty of the same attitude as Jacob? Do we want to keep God in his own camp,
while we take care of things in ours? <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Do we like the idea of
having the blessings of God but not the burden of God, His care but not His
commandments. His salvation but not submission. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">There is an old Blue
Grass song that says, “Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to
die.” It’s kind of the same thing. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Of course, the Bible
plainly tells us it didn’t work that way for Jacob, and it won’t work that way
for us. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>Jesus said you must
count the cost. <br /></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Luke 14:26-35 If any
man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children,
and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my
disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot
be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not
down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? ...
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he
cannot be my disciple. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">The Rich Young Ruler -
When the rich young man came and asked Christ how to earn eternal life. Do you
remember how Jesus answered him? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">It’s in<b> Mark 10:17-22
</b>And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to
him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal
life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good
but one, that is, God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit
adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not,
Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all
these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and
said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast,
and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up
the cross, and follow me. 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away
grieved: for he had great possessions. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Jesus wasn’t telling
the man you can be saved if you sell your possessions, He was proving to the
man, that he hadn’t kept the law for he loved his possession more than his
neighbors and he didn’t love the Lord his God because he wouldn’t follow Jesus
who was his God standing right before Him. The man wanted eternal life in one
camp but his life and his wealth in another camp. Instead of repenting and
trusting in the Lord, he walked away broken-hearted. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">That is the same way
any of us will walk away if we like Jacob or the rich young man try to compartmentalize
the Lord in our life instead of giving him all our life. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">What is the catalyst
that bring the change to Jacob? It is facing the brother who he cheated and
stole from. The brother who has promised to kill him. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Jacob Despairs Of Esau
– Genesis 32:6-8</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"> And the messengers
returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to
meet thee, and four hundred men with him. Then Jacob was greatly afraid and
distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and
herds, and the camels, into two bands; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And said, If Esau come to the one company, and
smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>The Catalyst of Jacobs
Change</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Jacob is afraid, he is
very afraid. In the grip of that fear he schemes and does everything in his own
power to protect himself and in all his plans you see the same selfish
supplanter. He sends the servants and the flocks first. He tries to appease
Esau with gifts. Finally, he sends his family over the brook and he is left
alone. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">When he fled from home,
he was alone and God visited him at Bethel (house of God), now he has given up
everything, he is alone and once again God will visit him, this time at Penuel
(facing God). <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">Jacob’s Prayer</span> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Listen to Jacob’s prayer
here at Penuel and compare it to his prayer at Bethel. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Genesis 32:10 I am not
worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast
shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I
am become two bands. 11 Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother,
from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the
mother with the children. 12 And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and
make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Jacob isn’t bargaining
with God anymore. He has nothing to bargain with. His life may end tomorrow
when he meets Esau. Now in his emptiness, at the very dregs of his strength, all
he asks for is deliverance and he knows that can only come from God. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">Cataclysm to Catalysts</span> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">God often uses hard,
hopeless situations in life to bring us to a place where we, like Jacob, must come
face to face with God rather than keeping Him in a separate camp. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">We see it all through
the Bible. Joshua is facing the battle of Jericho, when the Lord appears as the
captain of the Lord’s army. Samson keeps God in a camp very far away, until he
is captured, blinded and tortured by the Philistines. Paul is blinded by a
light from heaven while riding on the Damacus Road. Even Peter had to trying
walking on the water without keeping his eyes on Christ. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">They all came to a
place where at the end of their own resources, strength, and plans, they all called
out and surrendered to God. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">David when he was
running from Saul, an outcast and an outlaw from his own people wrote about this
kind of experience in Psalm 18:4-6 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the
floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about:
the snares of death prevented (preceded) me. 6 In my distress I called upon the
LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry
came before him, even into his ears.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">“Don’t be overwhelmed
by the cataclysms of life, because God often uses them to be the catalysts of change
for Him in my life.” <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Jacob’s catalyst of
change brings him to not make a conditional deal with God, but to now desire
God without conditions. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: large;">Jacob Depends Only On
God – Genesis 32:24-32</span> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">And Jacob was left
alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And
when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his
thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with
him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let
thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he
said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel:
for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And
Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said,
Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And
Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face,
and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him,
and he halted upon his thigh. Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the
sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day:
because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.</span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Selfish Supplanter To Surrendered Servant </span><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jacob prayed and God answers his prayer, but the answer was
not in the way that Jacob could have expected. It may have begun as Jacob
expected for we read in 32:24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a
man with him until the breaking of the day. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jacob stands alone <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and he wrestles with a man, an angel. He may
have begun in his strength, but the prayer isn’t answered by Jacob be made
stronger. The deliverance, God’s salvation comes when Jacob is weakened to the
point he can barely walk afterward. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jacob wrestles with this “man.” The word means to grapple
with, literally to get dusty by rolling in the dirt wrestling. Jacob in his
physical strength grapples with the Angel of the Lord and will not let go. The
Angel allows this last attempt of the supplanter to force his will, to take by
force or cunning something that he desperately wants. He seeks to seize God’s
blessing. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jacob, alone on that mountain, is struggling with God, we
know that this is God the Son. He is not yet unnamed, because that name will
not be uttered until the angel tells the name to Mary. This is Jesus in a
pre-incarnate, (before coming in human flesh), before his birth appearing to
Jacob as the Angel, the messenger of God. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God is no longer in that other camp, no longer even at arm’s
length from his life, but right there in the very center of Jacob’s life. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jacob saw the face of God that night and it changed him to the
core of his soul. Jacob knows who this is just as Moses knew who speaks from
the burning bush, just as Gideon knew who ordered him to fight the Midianites
or Samson’s parents knew who had told them of the birth of Samson. They all
come to the same knowledge that Jacob does. We know this because in Genesis
32:30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel (which means facing God) He
says, “for I have seen God face to face.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jacob Is Broken - In the fight Jacob holds on, refusing to
give up and let go. Finally, the Lord touches his thigh and cripples him for
life. If Jacob had been standing in his own strength up to this point, he is not
standing now. The sinews of his thigh are shrunk. His thigh is now disjointed,
Jacob can no longer stand. All he can do is fall to his knees. And in that
utterly broken state, he just clings the Lord. He just holds on to Jesus. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now the Lord says, Genesis 32:26 “Let me go, for the day
breaketh.” Now listen closely to the answer of Jacob, “I will not let thee go,
except thou bless me.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is not a man who has any power, plots or plans left. This
is a broken man unable to do anything but hold on to the Lord, his God. Jacob now
knows that only God can<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bless him, only
God can save him. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord speaks in Genesis 32:27-28 And he said unto him,
What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no
more Jacob (the supplanter,) but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with
God and with men, and hast prevailed. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord didn’t ask the question in order to get
information, He knew Jacob’s name. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
asks “What is your name?” as a challenge.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wiersbe says of the Lord’s question to Jacob, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you going to continue living up to your
name, deceiving yourself and others; or will you admit what you are and let Me
change you?” - Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Authentic, “Be” Commentary Series,
(Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub., 1997), 59.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jacob Is Blessed - We usually translate the name Israel as A
prince with God, a ruler with God, but its literal translation is “God
prevails.” Yes, Jacob, now Israel, had prevailed and found God’s blessing but
it wasn’t through his strength it was through his surrender. It wasn’t by his brazenness
but through his brokenness. God had prevailed, Jacob had surrendered and that
was where the blessing was found. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Brokenness to Blessedness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me now state the most important part of this message. What
happened to Jacob in finding the blessing of God is a struggle that all of us
must undergo. God’s blessings begin with my brokenness. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">First, my brokenness over the sin that God’s blessing of
salvation may begin.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then the brokenness of my own strength, my own will, my own plans
for my life that God’s blessings for my life may begin. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And one day the final brokenness of this physical body at
death so that God’s blessing of eternal life and heaven may begin. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">None of us seek brokenness, it is always painful, always
more than we can deal with in our strength. Only God knows where that breakpoint
is. The place where that last store of my strength is drained away and all we
have left is God. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Bible shows this truth in book after book, life after
life. We see it in Moses, as he flees Egypt, we see it Samson, standing blind
between the pillars and calling out to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We see it in Peter after denying the Lord, bitterly weeping when the
Lord coming from the Hall of Judgment, looks directly at him. And Paul tells us
of his own brokenness in 2 Corinthians.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Apostle’s Broken Blessedness.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul who was blinded, stoned, imprisoned and ship wrecked.
This great Apostle to the Gentiles was used mightily by God because he was so
utterly broken in his service to God. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2 Corinthians 12:5-10 I will not glory, but in mine
infirmities. ... vs 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the
abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the
messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For
this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he
said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect
in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that
the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities,
in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's
sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul understood God’s blessing are brought by brokenness. The
greatest servants of the Lord both in the history of the Bible, in the history
since the Bible was completed and in our own personal history of those we have known,
the greatest servants are those who have suffered brokenness but, in that
brokenness, found the great blessings of God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Conclusion: Fanny J. Crosby’s blindness</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I just want to give you one more illustration of this truth
in the life of Fanny J. Crosby. She was blinded at an very early age by a well
meaning doctor or nurse who put the wrong medicine in her eye and took away her
sight. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once Fanny J. Crosby was talking to a well meaning preacher
who said, “Oh if only the Lord would have let you have your sight.” She
replied, “Oh I would not want my sight back now.” The preacher was shocked and
asked her how she could say such a thing. She told him, “Because one day when I
die and go to heaven, Jesus’ face will the first face I will have ever seen.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She wrote this poem and called it her “Soul’s Poem” she
recited it a Bible conference once and brought the audience to tears. ‘Someday
the silver cord will break, and I no more as now shall sing; but O the joy when
I shall wake within the palace of the King! And I shall see Him face to face,
and tell the story—saved by grace!’ - Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 15,000
Illustrations: Signs of the Times, (WORDsearch, 2004).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you are here this morning and you are broken, broken in
spirit, broken in hope, broken in health, broken in strength, then understand
God wants to turn your brokenness into His blessedness. He can take what has
defeated us and change it to joy and hope. He can take those broken pieces of
your life and put them together in His power and you will find His blessings
now and forever.</p>
D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-60169369296601998442024-01-26T07:17:00.000-08:002024-01-26T07:17:48.871-08:00The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail: Lesson 2 - Founding and Corruption <p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MUW3QxTrqdfE78xKU37Vw5Xxqu7ujlklxjNp_088KJ-CE_JKTelffuYLyNWQ4BC1CNDtCd1_HlOkWgk473E0yWF1YR9J1RFPOHUy2Fusw1RgCMdNEo_Xw6WIbupeQ_kd3qVoiLgOZkCau3gPMVEsZKku499mXOnnQfHrV1hLvrv2AU0hYWwl6obJUgQ/s1255/The%20Gates%20of%20Hell%20Bible%20Study.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1255" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MUW3QxTrqdfE78xKU37Vw5Xxqu7ujlklxjNp_088KJ-CE_JKTelffuYLyNWQ4BC1CNDtCd1_HlOkWgk473E0yWF1YR9J1RFPOHUy2Fusw1RgCMdNEo_Xw6WIbupeQ_kd3qVoiLgOZkCau3gPMVEsZKku499mXOnnQfHrV1hLvrv2AU0hYWwl6obJUgQ/w640-h360/The%20Gates%20of%20Hell%20Bible%20Study.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">The Gates of Hell
Shall Not Prevail: <br />
Lesson 2 - Founding and Corruption </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><b>The Founding of the
Church</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">The first use of the work ecclesia
in the New Testament is found in Matthew 16:18, however this is not the
founding of the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The founding of
the church took place much earlier in Mark 3:13, Luke 6:13 and Matthew
5:1</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though the word is not used, the
action Jesus is taking fits the definition of an ecclesia, a local
called out assembly.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Mark 3:13 And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth [unto him]
whom he would: and they came unto him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>14<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he ordained twelve, that
they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Jesus called and they came, these first twelve were a called-out
assembly.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Not only can we see this forming of the church in Mark 3:13 and Luke
6:13, but we also have the Lord's word that he would build his church during
his ministry in Matthew 16:18</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon
this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Jesus personally would build His church during his earthly ministry
according to this verse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To wait until
after His ascension would be to leave the founding of the church to another.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><b>The First Church Was
a Fully Functioning Church</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">We also can see that this assembly, though perhaps an infant church was
nevertheless, a complete, functioning church.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">The church, founded
by Jesus during his ministry on earth, had preachers. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Mark 3:14 And he
ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them
forth to preach<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">The first church
had a commission. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Mark 3:15 And to
have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Luke 10:1 After
these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two
before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">The first church
had offices.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Joh 13:29 For some
of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy
those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give
something to the poor. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">The first church
had the ordinances. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">John 4:1-2 When
therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and
baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his
disciples,) <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Matthew 26:26-27
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and
gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and
gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">The first church
had the Holy Spirit. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">John 20:21-22 Then
said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so
send I you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when he had said this,
he breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">The first church
had missions. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">John 4:39 And many
of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman,
which testified, He told me all that ever I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Matthew 8:13 And
Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, [so] be
it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Mark 7:26 The woman
was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast
forth the devil out of her daughter. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="Lesson02Ancient"></a><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><b> <span style="font-size: medium;">First Corruptions (100 -325)</span></b> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><b>Early Growth and
Attraction</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">The post-apostolic churches, though persecuted, were often admired by some
for their faithfulness. Even being willing to die for their beliefs and their
way of life. Many became Christians and then met secretly for fear of their
lives, first from the Jews and then the pagan Romans.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="Corruption"></a><span style="color: #181818; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">“It is a bad world,
Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a
quiet and good people who have learned the great secret of life. They have
found a joy and wisdom which is a thousand times better than any of the
pleasures of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care
not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These
people, Donatus, are Christians. . . and I am one of them.” -</span><span style="background: white; color: #181818; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Cyprian</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><b>Early Corruption of
Lifestyle</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Unfortunately, as more of the world become Christian, more of the
Christians become worldly. The pursuit of gaiety, entertainment and recreation
were viewed as improper in the life of the early "sober" saints. But
before too long there was more emphasis on the trappings and symbolism of
Christianity than on the truths and simplicity of Christianity.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><b>Early Corruption of
Salvation</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Before too long a sharp division arouse between those who understood that
salvation was purely of grace through faith and those who believed that some
external rite, like baptism, was also necessary. These first divisions were
over what is called Baptismal Regeneration.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">This deadly heresy teaches that you must be baptized in order to be saved.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><b>What the Bible
teaches about Salvation</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
of works, lest any man should boast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath
before ordained that we should walk in them.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according
to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Ghost;</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that
believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and
believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><b>Early Corruption of
Baptism as a Memorial</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">What the Bible teaches about Baptism</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Romans 6:3-5 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus
Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by
baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the
glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For if we have been planted together in the
likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us
(not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good
conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">1 Corinthians 1:17</span><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"> For
Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of
words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><b>The Corruption of Believers
Baptism</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">The doctrinal error of baptismal regeneration opens the door to more
corruption making works a necessary part of salvation. Forms and rituals, many which
were found in paganism were now being incorporated into a hybrid Christianity.
Faith and repentance were being replaced or augmented with a physical rite or a
work of faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">The Baptismal regenerationalist believed that since baptism was necessary
for salvation then of course infants, who might die before they were old
enough to understand faith, must be baptized. This heresy in turn led to the conclusion that anyone who would deny
baptism to infants had to be stopped in order to assure infants would be saved
by baptism.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Many of the so-called “Church Fathers” (really Catholic church fathers)
taught error upon error and then began to call for harsh punishment on the
“heretics” who didn’t agree with them. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Irenaeus (125-202 AD) promoted the office of a bishop as a ruler over
many churches. He also taught that church traditions had authority equal to
Scripture. (David Cloud, pg.69 History of the Churches)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Clement of Alexandria (150-230 AD) mixed Greek philosophy with
Christianity and taught that there was a purgatory, a place of purging sin, and
that most men would eventually be saved. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Tertullian (155-255 AD) taught church authority was greater than
scriptural authority and that the bread of the Lord’s supper actually was the
body of Christ. He believed that baptism was necessary for the forgiveness of
sin. Sins were in three categories and that they should be confessed to a
bishop. (David Cloud, pg.70 History of the Churches)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Cyprian (258 AD) taught infant baptism, the power of bishops over local
churches and that it was not necessary for converts to show repentance and
faith as long as they conformed to the rites of the church. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Jerome (340-420 AD) believed in the veneration of holy relics and the
bones of dead Christians. Taught that Mary was the counterpart of Eve as Christ
was the counterpart of Adam and Mary instrumental in helping to redeem the
human race. Taught that she was perpetual virgin. He justified the death
penalty for heretics.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Ambrose 33 to 3097 AD taught that Christians should be devoted to Mary,
believed in praying to Saints, only the church could forgive sins. He taught
the Lord's supper as a sacrifice of Christ he offered prayers for the dead. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Augustine 354 to 430 AD Augustine persecuted and believed in persecution
for heretics. He taught that the sacraments on the means of saving grace. He
was one of the fathers of infant baptism. And called on any who rejected him to
the baptism to be killed. Believed in purgatory. Taught that Mary was sinless, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that she should be worshipped, the doctrine of
celibacy for priests taught, that only the church could interpret scripture and
that God had preordained some for salvation and others for damnation and that
the grace of God is irresistible for the elect.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">The elevation of Baptism from an ordinance to a sacrament meant that any
who denied this error had to be stopped. Ultimately, this led to the so called
heretics being persecuted, tortured in order to force them to recant and
finally if they would not then death, often by burning in order to prevent the
body from being resurrected. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">These lies and errors became so widespread that Charlemagne, the king who
ruled all of Europe during his lifetime, gave an edict in 789 AD that
all in Europe would be baptized along with their children. - Christian pg. 33 A History Of The Baptists</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><b>The Corruption of Baptism
by Immersion</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Again, due to the lie
that baptism was necessary to salvation it also became imperative to be able to
administer it to any that were sick and might die before receiving the
sacrament by immersion. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Those too sick to
be moved to a place of "much water" were allowed to have water poured
upon them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was called affusion. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">The first such
recorded case was Novatian in 250 AD. (see page 37 in AHOTB) <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Later affusion gave
way to sprinkling for infants as it was more convenient. Though in the Greek
Orthodox Catholic church infants are still immersed. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"><b>Early Corruption of
Polity (Authority)</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">A slow steady erosion of local church authority.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Individual pastors (bishops) assumed rights and authority not granted to
them by Scripture over other churches. We see this starting even before the New
Testament closes. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">John and Diotrephes,
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">3 John 1:9-11 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have
the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating
against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he
himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them
out of the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beloved, follow not
that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but
he that doeth evil hath not seen God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">The Nicolaitans</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Revelation 2:6<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this thou hast,
that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, (ruling over) which I also hate.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Revelation 2:15-16 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the
Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Repent;
or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the
sword of my mouth.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Smaller struggling churches sought help and protection from larger
churches and gave up their autonomy in exchange. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">There was now a constant tendency toward centralization, until
Rome, the political center of the world, becomes the religious center as
well. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Constantine</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Constantine</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"> is called the first “Christian” emperor. He by imperial command wedded the
Christian church to the Roman government and made the growing Christian sect
legal and powerful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Constantine I or Constantine the Great,</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"> 288?–337 (r.310–337), was born at Naissus
(now Niš, Yugoslavia), the son of Constantius I and Helena. When Constantius
died at York in 306, his soldiers proclaimed Constantine emperor, but much
rivalry for the vacated office ensued. Before the battle at the Milvian or
Mulvian Bridge near Rome in 312, Constantine, who was already sympathetic
toward Christianity, is said to have seen in the sky a flaming cross as the
sign by which he would conquer. He adopted the cross and was victorious. (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Concise Columbia Encyclopedia</i>)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Constantine in 312 AD claims to have seen a vision in the sky of a
luminous cross bearing the words <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In hoc
signo vinces</i> (By this sign thou shalt conquer). He will adopt the words as
a motto. (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The American Heritage®
Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition</i> copyright)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">It would now be a crime against the state to dissent with the
"Christian religion." A.T. Christian says the first blood of heretics
shed by a Christian ruler was by Maximus in 385 AD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This murder was approved by the “bishops” in
Rome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The real Christian churches would never
condone any murder, much less fellow Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(AHOTB pg. 41)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">Gregory the Great</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"> 590-604 AD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
is considered the first of the proper popes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">There were others who
claimed the title of Pope before him, but Gregory begins the line of absolute
Mediaeval popes. All churches now must swear allegiance and submit to the head
of the Church at Rome or face persecution, torture and death. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">It was only a matter of a few decades before Satan began to corrupt the early
church. His greatest tools then and now were those who claimed to be Christians
but disregarded the plain teaching of scripture, especially the doctrines of
salvation by grace and baptism of believers by immersion only. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-language: HI; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-language: ZH-CN;">These two essential beliefs would form the battle ground for the true
church and ultimately would cost millions and millions of true disciples of
Christ their lives, families and peace. This persecution would be carried out in
the name of a Christ who was not the Christ at all, but actually Satan, in the
guise of an Angel of Light, deceiving the weak, greedy and ambitious religious
leader of the Roman Empire.</span></p>
D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-24460943816372738462024-01-22T11:41:00.000-08:002024-01-22T11:41:06.195-08:00Abraham: Friend of God - Genesis 12-22<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeT8RtRuL-muItisHduzmkS-WkKFR7VDdMEPfNS0CRCoDTR6zOqBube30_j5xu0cE9tREyVItN9HN2XKNm0DdSMsPIKQ3J9eUzvJMng3vl0yAMShrcxGj9tdwIW-1re-dtk7SSmpXe1hEUcR1WfFpt8RPOSloNGVydKaZOKXT-Yj53MzckhSTMJMzTtQ/s1255/Abraham%20Friend%20of%20God%20Genesis%2012_22.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1255" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeT8RtRuL-muItisHduzmkS-WkKFR7VDdMEPfNS0CRCoDTR6zOqBube30_j5xu0cE9tREyVItN9HN2XKNm0DdSMsPIKQ3J9eUzvJMng3vl0yAMShrcxGj9tdwIW-1re-dtk7SSmpXe1hEUcR1WfFpt8RPOSloNGVydKaZOKXT-Yj53MzckhSTMJMzTtQ/w640-h360/Abraham%20Friend%20of%20God%20Genesis%2012_22.png" width="640" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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</p><h1 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a name="OLE_LINK19">Abraham: Friend of God - Genesis 12-22</a></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">As we read and preach
through the Bible chronologically this year, we are in the book of Genesis
where we read the story of Abraham. His story runs from Genesis 12 to 25. Abraham’s
story is a journey of faith. In fact, during Abraham’s life he never settled. He
began because of faith, he traveled in faith, and He finished in faith. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Abraham’s faith and
obedience to God’s calling made him God’s friend. Twice in the Bible Abraham is
specifically pointed out as being God’s friend. First in Isaiah, where God
tells the nation of Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Isaiah 41:8
But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham
my friend. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">The in the New
Testament James writes in his epistle 2:23 “ And the scripture was fulfilled
which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for
righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">There are 14 chapters
in the Old Testament on the life of Abraham. He is by far one of the most
important foundational followers of God. We trace our physical ancestry back to
Adam, but we trace our faith ancestry back to Abraham. This morning <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to think about that phrase “the friend
of God.” And upon the faith that made that title true. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Let’s begin in our
journey with Abraham in Genesis 12. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: large;">Abraham Believes When
God Calls – Genesis 12:1-4</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Now the LORD had said
unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy
father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a
great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be
a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth
thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. So Abram
departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was
seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God Calls Abraham <br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Abraham's journey of
faith begins when he takes his first steps of obedience to God's calling, this showed
his faith in the word of the One who had called him. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>Faith’s Calling.</b> The
Calling of God to Abaham had three parts. A command to go, a blessing to
Abraham and his future descendants, and finally a blessing to all the families
of the earth, through Abraham. The NT book of Hebrews gives us greater insight
into Abraham. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Hebrews 11:8-10 By
faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after
receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he
went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country,
dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same
promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and
maker is God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">But to answer that
call and be blessed by God, there was a cost. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>Faith’s Cost:</b> Abraham was
to “get thee out of thy country, leave your family, leave your father’s house.
He was to leave his country, leave family and friends and leave his father’s
house. He left behind his culture, his comfort and his commitments. Stepping
out to follow God’s calling was the beginning of everything with Abraham, the
past and its hold on him was gone. From this day forward he would journey by faith
alone. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">But it was not cost without
blessing. In fact, the blessings of God are far greater than anything we may
give up. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>Faith’s Comfort: </b>Abraham’s
faith in God’s word brought the blessings of God to him and then through him
would come the blessing to others. First, to the future nation of Israel and ultimately
to all the families of the earth. Abraham’s blessings of faith continue till
today to all of faith’s family. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Why did God choose
Abraham? Not because he wouldn’t make mistakes or sin but because God knew
Abraham had faith. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Yes, Abraham’s obedience
cost him but it could not compare to the blessing that would come from God. He
gave up a land, a people and his future, but he gained the promised land, the heritage
of the people of God and a sure eternal home. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">It was these first
steps of faith that also began Abraham's journey and he walked as a friend of
God. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">God Calls Us </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">The Bible tells us
that like Abraham we are also called. All of us are called. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">1 Corinthians 1:9 God
is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ
our Lord. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Ephesians 4:4 There is
one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">1 Thessalonians 2:12
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and
glory. 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">2 Thessalonians 2:14
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our
Lord Jesus Christ. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">1 Peter 2:9 But ye are
a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvellous light: <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">When we hear the
Gospel, we are called. Our response to that call must be like Abraham’s. We
must trust in the Word of God and leave behind our old self, our old life, our
old sin. We must step out in faith and begin our journey, “looking for that
city whose builder and maker is God.” <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">Faith in God’s Word
Bring’s His Blessings </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"> Abraham believed God’s
promises that his faith and obedience would bring blessings. God’s word today promises
us the blessings when we “trust and obey.” <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Blessing of Salvation
and Eternal Life - John 3:16-17 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the
world; but that the world through him might be saved. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>Blessing of Reaping </b>- Galatians
6:9-10 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall
reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto
all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>Blessing of Giving - 2
Corinthians 9:6-8</b> But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also
sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every
man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or
of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all
grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things,
may abound to every good work: <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>Blessing of Prayer </b>- James
5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>Blessing of God’s Family
</b>- Galatians 3:6-9 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him
for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same
are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would
justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham,
saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith
are blessed with faithful Abraham. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Abraham was called and
his faith could be measured by the steps he took as he journeyed toward the
city of God. His faith was based upon God’s word given in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>covenant. Let’s look at the Abrahamic
covenant in Genesis 15 <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: large;">Abraham Believes When God’s
Promises – Genesis 15:1-6</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"> After these things the
word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy
shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt
thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer
of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo,
one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto
him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of
thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and
said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number
them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD;
and he counted it to him for righteousness. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">God Promises Abraham</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">In chapter 15 God
speaks to Abraham and the covenant, begun in chapter 12, is more fully
explained, expanded and entered into formally. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Vs. 6 says, that
Abraham believed in Jehovah and He counted it to Abraham for righteousness. The
Hebrew word translated “believed” means “to lean your whole weight upon.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Abraham leaned wholly
on the promise of God and the God of the promise. We are not saved by making
promises to God but by believing the promises of God. - Warren W. Wiersbe, Be
Obedient, “Be” Commentary Series, (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1991), 48. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">This is what Abraham
did, believed the promises of God. This is what faith is. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">The rest of the
details of the covenant are in vss. 7-18 <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>Genesis 15:7-18</b> And he
said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to
give thee this land to inherit it. And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know
that I shall inherit it? And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years
old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a
turtledove, and a young pigeon. And he took unto him all these, and divided
them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds
divided he not. And when the fowls came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove
them away. And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and,
lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. … 17 And it came to pass, that,
when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a
burning lamp that passed between those pieces. In the same day the LORD made a
covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the
river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">You can see the
importance of this covenant by what is described here. What takes place is what
was called “cutting a covenant.” I think you can figure out why. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Abraham kills and prepares
these clean animals for the covenant by splitting the carcasses in half. What
normally happened next was that the two parties of the covenant would walk
through the halved animal carcasses. This signified the absolute binding power
of the covenant. If it should be broken then the person breaking the covenant
deserved the same fate as the animals that had been slain. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">There is a huge
difference between our modern idea of a contract and the ancient idea of a
covenant. To them it was much more solemn, much more binding than just signing
a piece of paper. As you can tell from this cutting of a covenant. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">But now, here in the
Abrahamic covenant, the cutting covenant is altered because when it was time
for the two parties to pass through the split carcasses, God put Abraham to sleep
and then God alone passed between the pieces. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">The burning oven or
flaming torch symbolizes God. It reminds us of the Shekinah Glory that
descended upon the tabernacle, filled the temple and the church in the upper
room on the day of Pentecost. It is the presence of God in a form that man
could behold. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">By putting Abram to
sleep and not allowing him to pass through the animals, this covenant become an
unconditional, unilateral covenant meaning that only God would be responsible
for keeping it. Fallible Abraham was covered by the covenant, and entered into it
by faith, but this covenant could not fail because it would be kept by infallible
God. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Though Abraham did
nothing to keep this covenant, his faith in God’s promises entered him in the
covenant, a covenant made with a friend. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">God’s Covenant For Us</span> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">God works with mankind
through covenants. There was a covenant with Adam which Adam broke. A covenant
that covered Noah and all those who came after him, that can’t be broken for
God gave it and sealed it with His rainbow. There was a covenant with Israel
given at Mt. Sinai, which was broken even before Moses came down from the
Mountain. In fact, every covenant that depended on man has failed. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Now, today, we are under
the New Covenant. The covenant that covers us is as New Testament believers is,
like the Abrahamic and Noahic, an unconditional, infallible covenant because it
does not depend upon us but upon God. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">This is our covenant,
the covenant of grace and like Abraham we enter it by faith, but we do not keep
it. It is kept by God’s power and not our own. We enter into the blessings of
the New Covenant, but we are not the parties who agreed upon its points and
provisions. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">The New Covenant is
between God the Father , God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are blessed through the New Covenant of
Grace but we didn’t sign on the bottom line when this covenant was arranged.
Like Abraham our faith brings us into the Covenant of Grace, but it is kept by
the power of God alone. It is unbreakable, unending, and unchangeable. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">God oversaw this
covenant; Jesus fulfilled it, and the Holy Spirit conveys its blessing to us.
Faith places me under the covenant’s blessings and promises. I believe Jesus
died for me and took my sins upon himself. That faith is my own departing from Haran
and God sees that step of faith and covers me in the forgiveness, grace and
promises of the New Covenant. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>Hebrews 9:14-15 </b>How
much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered
himself without spot to God, (these are the parties of the covenant) purge your
conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is
the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption
of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are
called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">What does that sound
like? It sounds like what Abraham did. Under the Abrahamic covenant those who
believed like Abraham were blessed, though they had no part in keeping the
covenant. The same is true of the new Covenant we are blessed under it but it
is kept not by us but by the power of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">This is why we cannot
lose it because we do not keep it. This is why we can’t ever be lost because God’s
grace has found and will not let us go. This is one of the reasons we know that
it is Once Saved Always Saved. It is eternal salvation or else there is no
salvation.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Promises of the New
Covenant:</span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b> John 6:37</b> All that the
Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise
cast out. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>John 10:27-3</b>0 My sheep
hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them
eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out
of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is
able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>1 Peter 1:3-5</b> Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant
mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth
not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through
faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">There is no sacrifice
of animals, no passing through their spilt blood but something much greater that
binds the New Covenant. Jesus shed his own blood, paying the price for the
covenant of grace and you and I by faith are cleansed in that precious flow. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Also, like Abraham,
our faith puts us in a special relationship with God. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>John 15:11-15</b> 11 These
things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your
joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I
have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his
life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord
doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my
Father I have made known unto you. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">What Jesus said to the
disciples is directly applicable to us. He laid down his life for us and as we
obey and follow Him, then we are to be called the Friends of God though Jesus
Christ. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">If it sounded
incredible about Abraham, it sounds even more so talking about us. But there it
is, Jesus said, “I have called you friends.” Entered by faith, Saved by faith
and made friends by faith. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">I’ve
Found a Friend by James G. Small <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">I’ve found a Friend,
oh, such a friend!<br />
He loved me ere I knew Him;<br />
He drew me with the cords of love,<br />
And thus He bound me to Him.<br />
And round my heart still closely twine<br />
Those ties which naught can sever,<br />
For I am His, and He is mine,<br />
Forever and forever. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">There is one more
great act of faith, showing the unshakeable belief that Abraham, the Friend of
God, had in the unbreakable promises of God. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: large;">Abraham Believes When God
Tests - Genesis 22:1-14</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"> And it came to pass
after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and
he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son
Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him
there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">God Tests Abraham</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">Now this is familiar
territory, as is most of the story of Father Abraham. Though it is familiar it
is also far-reaching in its illustration of Abraham’s faith in God’s covenant. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;">I want you to notice the
progression of faith in the narrative. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>The Test of Faith Vs.
1 </b>God did tempt (test, try, prove) Abraham. God in His infinite wisdom and, at
this point, unknowable purpose puts Abraham’s faith to the test. Like Job that
test has more to do with those who would in the future come after Abraham than
with Abraham and Isaac in the present. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>The Crisis of Faith Vs.
7 </b>“And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said,
Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the
lamb for a burnt offering? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>The Foundation of Faith
8</b> And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt
offering: so they went both of them together.” This is an incredible example of
the power of faith working in Abraham. We don’t know exactly what he is
thinking but we know what he says and what he says to Isaac is a statement that
is made based up the experiences of a man who has walked with God throughout
his life. “God will provide.” He doesn’t know how, he doesn’t know when but he does
know that whatever may happen God has already made provision. He told the men
with him, “I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” I
and the lad will come back. How could he know that? Only by faith. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>The Act of Faith Vs.
10</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Abraham stretched forth his hand,
and took the knife to slay his son.11 And the angel of the Lord called unto him
out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he
said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for
now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine
only son from me. 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold
behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took
the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK19;"><b>The Statement of Faith
14</b> And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah Jireh: as it is said to
this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. The phrase Jehovah Jireh means
Jehovah will see (to it).</span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Abrham’s statement of faith was in the name he gave to this
place of testing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jehovah – Jireh, Adoni
– Yireh, God will see to it. God will take care of it. God will provide. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">God’s Test Is Met By Faith</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God’s test of Abraham showed that only by faith could he
pass. All of God’s tests can only by passed by faith. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Faith like Abraham’s. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Hebrews we are given insight into just how
great Abraham’s faith was. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Hebrews 11:17-19</b> By faith Abraham, when he was tried,
offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only
begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence
also he received him in a figure. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul uses Abraham’s faith as an illustration to the
Christians in Rome to prove that justification is through faith in God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Romans 4:20-21 He staggered not at the promise
of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And
being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is the test of God and it can only by met by faith. Can
we believe in such a sacrifice, such a God, such a Savior? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And when we believe we can only step back say, Isn’t it
amazing? Amazing the faith that Abraham showed? Amazing this picture of
salvation? Amazing this test of faith. But most of all, isn’t the love of God
amazing? Charles Wesley wrote of this amazement in the song, “And Can It Be?”
we often retitle it “Amazing Love.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>And Can it Be? (Amazing Love) – by Charles Wesley</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> And can it be that I should gain<br />
An int'rest in the Savior's blood?<br />
Died He for me, who caused His pain?<br />
For me, who Him to death pursued?<br />
Amazing love! how can it be<br />
That Thou, my God, should die for me? <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Conclusion</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> How can it be? How can it be for me, my family, our futures?
The answer is even older than the story of Abraham. The answer is it can only
be by faith. Faith starts us on this journey, faith keeps on this journey,
faith makes us friends with the One who called us upon this journey and faith sees
us through the tests and trails and faith will see us home to that city built
by God. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Hebrews 11:16</b> But now they desire a better country, that is,
an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath
prepared for them a city. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To end your journey there in that city, it must begin here
in faith, you must through faith be a friend of God. You must though faith be
in the family of God. You must believe in God’s promise, believe in God’s
provision, and believe God’s power to save to the uttermost those who come to Him
through faith in Jesus, His son. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-84403408076576026462024-01-19T10:18:00.000-08:002024-01-19T10:18:54.633-08:00Six Reasons You May Not Be In a Biblical Church<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cTvTy-oaNzVcs5Hy33Vav6X9sqkAPLDUFqAuzLkOZCHs4I7HeQ7weNyCqg45Ps-cuJrJxtWMry3IIfiZPb8qAu4sxY8dpqQBoZaAdliNajrh0ury7W5M2GJ3Go5eS6b3afEwjLrj40S7gxq8QqzVvJirMNNYLjdmMuvw0qHh_lPUZlsE3Ac6bbRRgdg/s746/Reasons%20Bible%20Study%20Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="746" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0cTvTy-oaNzVcs5Hy33Vav6X9sqkAPLDUFqAuzLkOZCHs4I7HeQ7weNyCqg45Ps-cuJrJxtWMry3IIfiZPb8qAu4sxY8dpqQBoZaAdliNajrh0ury7W5M2GJ3Go5eS6b3afEwjLrj40S7gxq8QqzVvJirMNNYLjdmMuvw0qHh_lPUZlsE3Ac6bbRRgdg/w640-h520/Reasons%20Bible%20Study%20Untitled.png" width="640" /></a></p><h1 style="text-align: center;">Six Reasons You May Not <br />Be In a Biblical Church</h1><h2 style="text-align: left;">1: The Bible Must Be The Only Source of Faith and Practice</h2><p></p><p>If your “church” accepts anything, and I do mean anything, other than the Bible as the Word of God and rule for the Christian life, you are not in a Biblical Church. </p><p>Here are some examples, If the pastor, founder or leader is called a prophet, or an apostle and claims to receive direct revelation from God outside of or in contradiction to the Bible, then that is not Biblical. <br />People like, Ellen G. White who founded the 7th Day Adventists, claimed to have received over 2,000 visions and dreams from God. <br /></p><p>The founder of the Church of Latter Day Saints, Joseph Smith said he saw Jesus, or an angel, or Jesu and God, in a vision and was given a Golden Book, containing the Book of Mormon. <br />Mary Baker Eddy the founder of Christian Science published "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" She claimed it was the final revelation of God to mankind and asserted that her work was inspired of God. <br /></p><p>You must also understand that the tongues, Pentecostal, and Charismatic movements all fall into this category and in fact are the most successful and flagrant disregarders of God’s word. <br /></p><p>When, the church practices tongues, signs, prophetic utterances, etc. that are all extra-Biblical. This “personal revelation” from God can and often does supersede and ignore the teaching of the Word.<br />Instead of one founder or leader thinking they are hearing directly from God now an entire “church” believes they have a direct pipeline of pure revelation. Accordingly there is no longer a need to study the Bible according to the principles of hermeneutics or even read the Bible since tongues, visions, feelings and prophecies are a much faster, fresher and direct channel to God. <br /></p><p><b>Rule: The Bible Must Be The Only Authority For A Believer</b> <br /></p><p>The Bible is the final authority in all matters of belief and practice because the Bible is God's very word and carries the absolute authority of God Himself. Where the Bible speaks we must speak and where it is silent we should be silent. What it commands we must do. What it prohibits we must avoid. There is no authority equal to the Bible and no person or group may change, add to, override or contradict that authority. It was completed with the book of Revelation and is true in every word and thought. <br /></p><p>2 Timothy 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. <br /></p><p>1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. <br /></p><p>2 Peter 1:20, 21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. <br /></p><p>Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. <br /></p><p>Matthew 5:17-19 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. <br /></p><p>Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. <br /></p><p>Proverbs 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. <br /></p><p>Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: <br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Reason 2: Local Church Authority</h2><p></p><p>If your “church” is not a Holy Spirit led democracy but instead the pastor, elders or a board govern the church, over and above the members of the church, you aren’t in a Biblical church. <br /></p><p>Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Catholics all believe that the local church has no authority and that all local churches are under the power of the “Church Hierarchy.” A Pope, or Bishops, or Elders or Presbytery control and dictate to the local churches. In addition any pastor within a local church who usurps the authority of that body is no longer leading a Biblical church. <br /></p><p><b>Rule: The Local Church Is Independent and Autonomous </b><br /></p><p>A true, Biblical church is an independent body accountable only to the Lord Jesus Christ, who founded it and is its head. All authority for governing the local church resides within the local church itself. The church is autonomous, or self-governing. No religious power or hierarchy outside the local church may dictate a church's beliefs or practices. A true church may and should fellowship with other churches around mutual interests, but that church cannot be a "member" of any other body nor under the authority of any organization outside the church in matters of the Gospel and Great Commission.<br />Acts 5:29 - Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.<br /> </p><p>Colossians 1:18 - And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.<br /> </p><p>2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 19, 23 - Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.<br />And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:<br />Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. <br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Reason 3: A Direct Personal Relationship With God</h2><p>If a “church” uses an intermediary between the believer and God, either in prayers or instruction then that is not a Biblical church. </p><p>In the Catholic church, priests take confession from members of the church and absolve them of their sin, rather than the individual going directly to God for forgiveness. It does not have to be as formal as a confessional booth however, In some “churches” a prophet, or pastor acts as God’s intermediary without ever donning a robe or lighting a candle. When any person stand between you and your direct relationship and prayers to God, you are not in a Biblical church. <br /> </p><p><b>Rule: Every Believer Is His Own Priest</b><br /></p><p>Every true believer is a priest of God and may enter into His presence directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No other mediator is needed between God and His people. As priests, we can study God's Word, pray for others, and offer spiritual worship to God. We all have equal access to God because each of us is indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God.<br /> </p><p>1 Peter 2:5, 9 - Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.<br /> </p><p>But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:<br /> </p><p>Revelation 5:9-10 - And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.<br /> </p><p>Hebrews 4:14-16 - Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.<br /> </p><p>Romans 8:26-27 - Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. <br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Reason 4: Church Ordinances and Offices Not In The Bible</h2><p></p><p>If you are a member of a group of people who call themselves a church but who have rituals, practices, offices or ordinances that were not in the first church founded by Jesus Christ, then you are probably not a member of a Biblical Church.<br /> </p><p>The examples of these extra-biblical false practices are everywhere among religious people. Practices such as the Catholic Mass and their Seven Sacraments, the Mormon church’s Baptism for the dead, even the infant baptism of the Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians is not found in scripture and has been added by the wisdom of men rather than the revelation of God in His word. <br /> </p><p><b>Rule: There Are Only Two Ordinances<br /></b></p><p>The local church should practice two and only two ordinances, the baptism of believers by immersion in water, identifying the individual with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and The Lord’s Supper, a memorial of His death upon the cross for us. These ordinances are purely symbolic and have no saving or sustaining merit in themselves. <br /> </p><p>Definition: ordinance - 1. An authoritative command or order. 2. A custom or practice established by long usage. 3. A Christian rite.<br /> </p><p>Matthew 28:19 – 20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you I, even unto the end of the world. Amen.<br /> </p><p>1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.<br /> </p><p><b>Rule: There Are Only Two Offices In The Church</b><br /> </p><p>The Bible mandates only two offices in the church--pastor and deacon. The terms pastor, elder, bishop, or overseer all refer to the same office. The two offices of pastor and deacon exist within the local church, and are elected or removed by the authority of the local church and only the local church.<br />1 Timothy 3:1,8 - This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work..<br />Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; <br /> </p><p>Acts 20:17, 28 - And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. <br />Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood<br />Philippians 1:1-2 - Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.<br /><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Reason 5 Freedom of Conscience aka Liberty of the Soul</h2><p></p><p>If the organization you belong to has ever held the same power as the civil government or state and if that power was used to dictate what anyone should or must believe, then you are not in a Biblical church. If your “church” is or ever was a “state” church, it is not a Bible based church. <br /> </p><p>The historic examples like the Holy Roman Empire, the Lutheran Church of German, the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, the Anglican Church of England all show us historically the danger of such organizations and the Bible shows us doctrinally the error. <br /></p><p><b>Rule: Individual Soul Liberty</b> <br /></p><p>Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the liberty to choose what he believes is right in their own heart as regards spiritual truth. No one should be forced to profess a belief against his own convictions or will. <br /></p><p>Romans 14:5, 12-13 - One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.<br />So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. <br /></p><p>2 Corinthians 4:2 - But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. <br /></p><p>Titus 1:9 - Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.</p><p><br /><b>Rule: Separation of Church and State</b><br /> </p><p>God established both the church and the civil government, and He gave each its own distinct sphere of operation. The government's purposes are outlined in Romans 13:1-7 and the church's purposes in </p><p>Matthew 28:19 and 20. Neither should control the other, nor should there be an alliance between the two. Christian influence should be exerted through opinion and the election of moral leaders by involved Christians as well as praying for our leaders but the line between influence and control must be clearly understood. <br /> </p><p>Romans 13:1-7 - Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.<br /> </p><p>Matthew 22:15-22 - Then went the Pharisees and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.<br /> </p><p>Matthew 28:19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.<br /> </p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Reason 6 Salvation is a Prerequisite to Church Membership </h2><p> </p><p>If a “church” makes a person a member by any other means than by a profession of faith and voluntary submission to baptism and the church, then that church is not a Biblical church.<br /> </p><p>Example: Infant baptism makes a baby a member of the church even before it can talk. A person is considered a member of a church because of their parents, nationality or background. <br />Rule: Only The Saved and Scripturally Baptized Can Be Church Members<br /> </p><p>Local church membership is restricted to individuals who give a believable testimony of personal faith in Christ and have publicly identified themselves with Him in believer's baptism. Salvation is by grace through faith and is once for all. Salvation cannot be earned but only received as a gift of God through faith. Once a person truly believes, they can never be lost again, they are eternally secure by the power of God. Membership in the church is based upon baptism by immersion of an individual old enough to understand the consequences of sin and the choice they must make in Christ.<br /> </p><p>Acts 2:41-47 - Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.<br /> </p><p>2 Corinthians 6:14 - Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? <br /> </p><p>Ephesians 4:3-4 - Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;<br /> </p><p>Matthew 3:13-16 - Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: <br /></p><p>Acts 8:36-39 - And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. <br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Conclusion</h2><p></p><p>There are millions and millions of good people and good Christians in organization that do lots of good things and yet they are not members of a church according to the rules and examples we see in scripture. You don’t have to be a member of a Biblical church to be saved, but the odds of knowing how to be saved in a counterfeit church will not in your favor. If they are so wrong about so much, then they are probably also wrong on so vital a truth as how to be saved by grace through faith. <br />If you are saved, then find a church that meets the Bible standards we studied. If you are depending on your church and your connection to it, to save you, then you really are not in a true church and a lot more is at stake than just these teaching points. <br /></p><p>Accept Jesus as your personal savior, and by faith accept His death upon the cross as God’s gift of grace. This is salvation and when salvation is real, then finding the real church will be a lot easier with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and God’s word. <br /><br /></p>D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-56063587107892911002024-01-15T09:00:00.000-08:002024-01-15T09:00:05.955-08:00The Believer’s Marathon - Hebrews 11:33- 12:1-3<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0siyNiHnppTTSZIo5DrQF82xp3MgD-Te5m-vzOosBKrSKYoaYkCjEjZmmZ2mRvoA7aonEfUAObcYAswrcessfsNoiUGUh7ZPOldxlUU-RTuFcar2X_-8aMnZuBJz-UHhH5KwWRhWT_szZDIvpthFvRi-w6-2KSlwWbNjDugQCm3sLNyNLKwAqFJHxOig/s1158/Believers%20Marathon%20Hebrews%2012v1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1158" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0siyNiHnppTTSZIo5DrQF82xp3MgD-Te5m-vzOosBKrSKYoaYkCjEjZmmZ2mRvoA7aonEfUAObcYAswrcessfsNoiUGUh7ZPOldxlUU-RTuFcar2X_-8aMnZuBJz-UHhH5KwWRhWT_szZDIvpthFvRi-w6-2KSlwWbNjDugQCm3sLNyNLKwAqFJHxOig/w640-h360/Believers%20Marathon%20Hebrews%2012v1.png" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Believer’s Marathon - Hebrews 11:33- 12:1-3</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> The student of this epistle must understand its uniqueness.
It is like no other New Testament epistle, and it poses problems that are
peculiar to itself. In form of construction, in style, in argument, and in
relation to other books of the Bible, Hebrews stands apart. - The Wycliffe
Bible Commentary. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yes, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it truly does
and at times it may be a difficult book to understand because it is dealing
with a very difficult problem, believers were giving up their faith, giving up
on the Lord. Some of its passages are hard to grasp but then some, like our
passage today, sound as clear as the Athen’s Tornado Siren every first
Wednesday of the month. We have one of those towers near our home and when it
sounds everyone hears it, especially all the crazy dogs my neighbors own. Our
passage today sounds loud and strong and nobody is barking except the big dog
in the pulpit. Turn to Hebrews 11. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul, who I believe wrote the book of Hebrews, was writing
to Jewish Christians, they were struggling, they were hurting, they were being
persecuted by the own people, shunned by their own families, made outcasts in their
society. They had put their faith in Jesus as their Messiah and more than just
Messiah, they had trusted Him as Savior of their soul and most notoriously to
their Jewish society they believed Jesus was the Son of God. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For this they were harshly persecuted, and some were turning
back to Judaism and turning away from Jesus. Pual then uses the Old Testament
scriptures, the Jewish scriptures to show Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old
Testament promises and better than the Judaism they had left. Jesus was a
better mediator, a better high priest, a better rest, a better sacrifice, a
better salvation. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul climbs upward ever higher speaking over and over of
Jesus Christ, but in chapter 11 he redirects our eyes for a moment to those who
had faithfully followed Him. Before we can see the peak of the book, which is Jesus,
we must travel through the valley of heroes in chapter 11. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hebrews 11:33-38 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought
righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the
violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made
strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women
received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not
accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others
had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and
imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were
slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being
destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they
wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And
these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the
promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us
should not be made perfect. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The heroes in chapter 11 suffered and sacrificed in their
service to God. And Paul tells the Hebrews and us, “Look at those who have gone
before you. They made it. They were faithful. They refused to turn back. If
they could run the race God gave them, then you can run the race God has given
you.” He is motivating the faith runners by telling them look who has run this
same path before you. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, let’s look at our motivation to run the race. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Our Motivation - Hebrews 12:1 </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a
cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so
easily beset us… </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Surrounded By </span>Witnesses</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Chapter 11 surrounds us <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with a “cloud of witnesses.” The word here is
the word μάρτυς where our word martyrs comes from. It may sound like these
heroes of heaven are up there right now looking down on us and I admit that
would be motivating. But the word isn’t used that way. These weren’t witnessing
us, Paul is saying they are a witness to us. Their lives, their service, and
many times their deaths bore testimony to the Hebrew Christians. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These heroes, having left behind stories of faith and of
sacrifice. And in those reports, is the Hebrews motivation to not give up. Paul
tells the Hebrews, “Faithfully run your own race for the Lord by keeping in
mind this great cloud of witnesses. Let their lives and deaths motivate and
move you to run the marathon of faith.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He tells them also that this race requires more than just mental
motivation, it also requires specific acts of sanctification, the setting aside
of things so that they may stay in the race. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul tells them to lay aside two things. </span><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">First, every weight. This means to shed themselves of the burdens
of this world. Just as an athlete removes any extra weight before they run, so
also must the believer get rid of that which would burden and hinder them as
they run. This is not really sin but anything which would slow them down or sap
their stamina. Anything that would steal their strength and keep them from
having enough to run the entire race. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Secondly, they must also strip themselves of the sin which
doth so easily beset. The word here is εὐπερίστατος (euperistatos). It has the
idea of something that is all around. Any direction they would turn in this
world, its sin would beset them, become attached to them. They can’t help but bump
into it. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This word is the contrast between being “surrounded by
heaven’s cloud of witnesses” Here they are encircled by the world’s sin. But if
they would look heavenward to the surrounding cloud of witnesses, then they could
escape this world’s encircling sin. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This then gives us three actions to take in order to run our
own faith’s marathon. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">See, Shed and Strip</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today we are the believers being exhorted and encouraged by
God’s Word to keep running the race. So here are the three things we must do to
keep running. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">See the Saints - First we are to see those who have run
before us. We are to keep in mind those who have gone before us. Paul, through
the Holy Spirit inspired scriptures, is encouraging us to see them, to always
keep their testimony, their witness before our eyes. Find our spiritual
motivation though the documentation and illustration of the manifestation of
their submission to the Lord. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should
live, work, serve and sacrifice motivated by the lives of who have gone before. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me share with you some of my family heroes that motivate
my life’s run. I had a great-grandfather, William Minefee, who lived in West
Texas. He was a Baptist preacher, I met him only once as a young boy, but I remember
his prayer for his family to serve the Lord. I expect him to welcome me to
heaven when the time comes. And I’ll tell him, thank you for that prayer. I never
forgot that pray. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I don’t write a sermon, preach a message or teach a lesson
without thinking of my Granddaddy Van George.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Before I could read, he told me the stories of the Bible. He prayed with
his grandkids, kneeling all around the living room and giving each one of us a
chance to join in a time of approaching the throne room of heaven. Most times when
I begin my prayers I say, Precious Heavenly Father, because that’s how he began
his prayers. My grandma Buna George sang children’s songs about Jesus loving me
and of this little light of mine. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My Papa and Grandma Minefee helped build the church where I
was saved and gave me my first Bible. They all are still witnesses to me. The
testimony still rings in my heart. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never
want to let them down. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My Mom, sacrificed so much of her pride, her health and her
future to provide for my brothers and sisters. When my Dad’s alcoholism meant
no one would hire him. She worked any job she could to make enough to put food
on our table. She was one of the lunch ladies at our High School cafeteria
while I was in school and I was never embarrassed, because I knew she worked there
for us. She made sure we were at church, every Sunday, every Wednesday, every
Revival, every workday, every outreach day. Our family cleaned the church even when
the mop handle was still taller than I was. The church helped Mom by giving her
$50 dollars a week. She split it evenly between us 5 kids, even though I was
thought I did most of the real work. Actually, Mom did the real work and gave
real love to a bunch of poor kids growing up with a drunk Daddy. Many times as
a teenager when I was tempted to go out partying with my High School friends or
try marijuana or harder drugs, it was her sacrifice and love that kept me back
because I knew how badly it would hurt her. This was her witness to me. And even
today I still see that witness. How can I give up, how can I quit when she
never did. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These are mine, but all of us have the great cloud of
witnesses of Hebrews Hall of Fame in Chapter 11. They are our great cloud of
witnesses, from Adam, to David, to Isaiah, to Jeremiah, to Peter and John. From
the first saint who died to the latest saint who has just passed into the
presence of the Lord, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all those who have
served and sacrificed await us and their witness, their testimony must be our
motivation. Motivation to live in such a way that I can joyfully enter heaven, feel
their embrace and know they are saying, Welcome, your ran the race faithfully
for your Lord.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Shed The Stuff - I must see the witnesses and I must lay aside
the weights, shed and cast off the things that keep me from fully serving the
Lord. I must throw off that which hinders me as I serve Him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This Greek word is ὄγκος ogkos; it means a mass, something that
cause a bending or bulging by its load. a burden which hinders. This is burdens
of this world that have no place in the life of one trying to run a believer’s marathon.
There will be relationships I must give up. Friendships I must forsake. Jobs I
cannot work. Recreation I cannot participate in. Not because they are wrong,
but because I have a purpose. I have a heaven given goal. Yes, We are on a
mission from God. I’m in a life-long marathon, I’m running for the Lord. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As my old coach used to say, run with them or run over them
but don’t you dare stop running. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nehemiah’s response to Sanballat when he tried to distract
him from building the wall. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nehemiah 6:3
I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot
come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It wasn’t sin that Sanballat wanted to get Nehemiah to
engage in, it was simple a distraction. But Nehemiah, was on a mission from
God, “Nehemiah, Build that Wall!” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Strip The Sin - Not only must I throw off the burdens of
this world, but I must also strip my life of besetting sin. Paul is describing a
sin that is like a walk through a field full of burs. They seem to be
everywhere and they attach themselves to you so easily and they are hard to get
rid of you. These sins are a symptom of my human weaknesses, my fatally flawed
nature. I will not be rid of them completely until heaven, they easily beset me,
so I must be careful of the places I go and the things I give my mind to so
that my life does not become plagued with them. They are easy to pick up and so
hard to get rid of. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How differently we would run our marathon if we could keep in
our minds eye the spiritual grandstands of heaven. We are surrounded by the witnesses
and histories of those who have gone before us. How much of this life’s burdens
and sin would we shed if we could just see heaven’s heroes waiting to welcome
us home. How faithfully I would then run right into <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>eternity. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul goes on in the second part of verse 1, talking about
the race we are to run. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Our Dedication - Hebrews 12:1b </span><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">…and let us run with patience the race that is set before us<a name="RunningWithPatience"> <br /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">Running with
Patience</span></span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The word in the Greek language here for patience literally
means “in persevering endurance.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, the race that Paul is describing is not a sprint but a marathon,
we probably should call it an ultra-marathon. It is a race we run throughout
life. There are many miles, many years and multiple obstacles to overcome
before this race will be finished. The believer’s marathon requires not quick
exploding power from the starting line but long-lasting patience, perseverance,
and persistence. It is not about beating a deadline but about dedication to a
lifeline. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Notice also Paul says, “run the race that is set before us.”
This not a race you just happened to stumble into and thought, “Well why not it
might be fun to run for a while.” Christians are not like Forest Gump who just
decided to start running one day and then one day suddenly decided to stop.
This is the race that is set before us. God has called the runners to the
starting line. He has prepared the course. He knows every step I will run along
that course and He has appointed the prizes that each of us will receive if we
run as He directs. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We must run as Paul told the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians
9:24-27 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth
the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the
mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible
crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so
fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and
bring it into subjection... <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul ran faithfully and at the end of his race, he wrote
Timothy, his son in the faith in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I
have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up
for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall
give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his
appearing. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Running Is Your Life </span><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Christian race is our life and run in answer to God’s call
to serve Him. This race is not a short-term commitment, it is not a intermittent
sprint for run from time to time. It is a lifelong marathon and it requires the
commitment of your life to run it. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Throughout God’s word we find time and time again the
exhortation to run with patience, endurance, commitment. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in
due season we shall reap, if we faint not. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be
ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as
ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Philippians 3:12-14 Not as though I had already attained,
either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that
for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brethren, I count not myself to have
apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.<a name="IllJeremiah"> <br /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">Churchill’s last
address</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: IllJeremiah;">In June l955, Winston
Churchill, who was then near the end of his life, was asked to give a
commencement address at a British University.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At this time, he was physically weak; he even had to be helped to the
podium. He removed his trademark hat and cigar and hung his umbrella on the
podium and then he held on to the podium for what seemed a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was barely able to stand. Again and
again throughout Churchill's his career, he had known setbacks. Three times,
his career apparently was over, he was sent off to oblivion but he came back. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: IllJeremiah;">This man who had held
Britian together during its darkest days. This man who had almost by the fierceness
of his spirit had defied the might of the unstoppable Nazi war machine, now he
stood with his head bowed down but then finally he raised his head, and the
voice that years before had called Britain back from the brink of destruction
sounded publicly for the last time in history. He looked out upon his audience
and called out three short sentences, "Never give up. Never give up. Never
give up."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And with that, Churchill put
on his hat, put his cigar back in his mouth picked up his umbrella and turned
and went back to his seat. There was utter silence, and then, as one, the whole
audience rose to give a standing ovation that shook the building and made the
window rattle. They honored the man who lived the words he had just uttered. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: IllJeremiah;">And from the halls of
heaven that is our call today, “Never give up! Keep running the race.”</span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So where does that endurance come from? What will inspire us
to keep to finish the race that the saints before us motivated us to start? The
answer is in verses 2-3. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Our Inspiration - <span> </span>Hebrews 12:2-3 </span><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who
for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and
is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.<a name="LookingToJesus"> <br /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: LookingToJesus;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Look To Jesus <br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: LookingToJesus;">Now we come to the
peak of the book of Hebrews. Paul has been climbing higher and higher each step
built up the truth of “Jesus is better.” But now Paul tells these Jewish Christians
who are beaten, and battered from persecution, he tells them quit looking at
who Jesus was and instead, “Look to Jesus now. See him face to face.” They are
ready to turn back under the terrible pressure that the world was bringing against
them, but instead Paul says, Look into the face of One who is the author and
finisher of our faith. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: LookingToJesus;">Jesus, the better
high priest. Jesus who gives a better rest. Jesus who was the better sacrifice
for sin. Jesus the one who was the object of a better faith. If they would look
to Jesus they would find the hope and the help they needed to stay the course
and finish the race set before them. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: LookingToJesus;">Jesus was their
inspiration. He looked past the agony and suffering of the cross to the joy
that was awaiting him on the other side. Jesus was able to overcome the shame
and is now honored and glorified at the right hand of God’s throne. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: LookingToJesus;">Look, Paul tells
them, to Jesus who endured the confrontations and lies of sinner against him.
Look to Jesus and you will not fail, you will not fall, you will not faint you
will be faithful in the race that God has set before you. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size: medium;">Keep Looking to
Jesus</span></span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The same truth is for us as well. Look to Jesus when you are
ready to quit, and near collapse from the hardships and struggles of this
world. Look to Jesus, that you can keep going when the obstacles are too high
and the race seems too long. Look to Jesus, when all you can hear is the
overwhelming noise of this cancel culture and sin filled society. Look to
Jesus, when you feel you are too tired, too old or too broken hearted. Look to
Jesus, even when have gotten off the course and lost sight of your calling to
run the race. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Look To Jesus. </span><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Look there in the distance at the finish line at heaven’s
welcoming shore, stands our Savior. He is the One who began this race of faith
and He is the One who finished this race before us and now, now, He waits for
us. He calls to us, He stand with his arms outstretched, a smile of welcome on
his lips and his eyes filled with joy because you are coming home to receive
your reward. Keep your eyes on Him. He is our inspiration. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yes, there is a crown of gold. Yes, there will be the
glories of heaven. Yes, our loved ones in the Lord will be there. These and
more than we can image all wait for us, but the power that will keep us
faithful and running this spiritual marathon of life, is seeing Jesus at the
finish line. He is why we ran. He is why we didn’t give up. He is why we
endured. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listen to the words of Paul as he thought about going home
to Jesus in Philippians 3:7-14 But what things were gain to me, those I counted
loss for Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yea doubtless, and I
count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus
my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but
dung, that I may win Christ,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And be
found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that
which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by
faith:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That I may know him, and the
power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made
conformable unto his death;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If by any
means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not as though I had already attained, either
were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for
which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I
do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I press toward
the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul ran for Christ, he ran to gain Christ, he ran to be
like Christ and finally, when he had run his course, he ran to Christ. We must run the same race, for the same reason and to the same finish. <br /></p>
D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-40718569169012136462024-01-12T10:35:00.000-08:002024-01-12T10:35:55.716-08:00The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail A Baptist History Study - Lesson 01<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GrhVB95GSd5Hq3soYG72Z1OUT5UvEK93OvKc3S99f_n0Vhqbr7tIwceffS_xZF7ktvHg5TunT0IAohVhzMlVVQErUbz1An9_LUKvg8MmBtVSb85i0xP-Yxiyt6HSXkQM-ewBLNvHxZdbrZ3hNppbGwtlWCaLJvS8Czh9Xl2GKg2ZD3waSjBG9LmNuU4/s1920/Matthew%2016v18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GrhVB95GSd5Hq3soYG72Z1OUT5UvEK93OvKc3S99f_n0Vhqbr7tIwceffS_xZF7ktvHg5TunT0IAohVhzMlVVQErUbz1An9_LUKvg8MmBtVSb85i0xP-Yxiyt6HSXkQM-ewBLNvHxZdbrZ3hNppbGwtlWCaLJvS8Czh9Xl2GKg2ZD3waSjBG9LmNuU4/w640-h360/Matthew%2016v18.png" width="640" /></a></div><!--[if !mso]>
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<p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">Baptist History: Tracing the Church</span></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormalIndent"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalIndent"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Matthew 16:18 </span></b><span class="jesuswords"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">…upon this rock I will build my
church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalIndent"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalIndent"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It is our belief that
the church was founded by Jesus during his earthly ministry and is still in the
world today just as He promised. Satan, in order to prevent as many as possible
from finding the "pillar and ground of the truth" has produced myriad
counterfeits. His plan has been not to hide the church as a "needle in a
haystack" but as a "needle in a needle-stack” by creating thousands
of false “churches.” The only way to find the real church is to know the marks
of distinction which characterized the first church Jesus founded during His
earthly ministry and then compare it with the doctrines and distinctives of churches
of today. Once these are understood they can be used to trace the true church
through the centuries of persecution, hiding, obscurity and blood to today.
Jesus’ promise has not and will not fail. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalIndent"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Listen to the words of
John T. Christian, from “A History of the Baptists.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"They (Baptists) are like the river
Rhone, which sometimes flows as a river broad and deep, but at other times is
hidden in the sands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It, however, never
loses its continuity or existence. It is simply hidden for a period. Baptist
churches may disappear and reappear in the most unaccountable manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Persecuted everywhere by sword and by fire,
their principles would appear to be almost extinct, when in a most wondrous way
God would raise up some man, or some company of martyrs, to proclaim the truth.
The footsteps of the Baptist of the ages can more easily be traced by blood
than by baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a lineage of
suffering rather than a succession of bishops; a martyrdom of principle, rather
than a dogmatic decree of councils; a golden chord of love, rather than an iron
chain of succession, ...."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalIndent"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Theilman J Van Brought,
in Martyrs Mirror wrote, “We have chosen holy baptism in preference to any
other article of the Christian and evangelical religion. Because it is the only
sign and proof of incorporation into the visible Christian church, without
which no one, whoever he be, or whatever he may profess, or how separated and pious
a life he may lead, can be recognized as a true member of the Christian church.
This is fully, yet without controversy, shown and confirmed in the following
history.” <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalIndent"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">J. M. Carroll, in The
Trail of Blood, “I want now to call your attention to some of the landmarks, or
ear-marks of this religion — the Christian Religion. If you and I are
to trace it down through 20 long centuries, and especially down through 1,200
years of midnight darkness, darkened by rivers and seas of martyr blood, then
we will need to know well these marks. They will be many times terribly
disfigured. But there will always be some indelible mark. But let us carefully
and prayerfully beware. We will encounter many shams and make-believes. If
possible, the very elect will be betrayed and deceived. We want, if possible,
to trace it down through credible history, but more especially through the
unerring, infallible, words and marks of Divine truth.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalIndent" style="margin-left: 0in; page-break-before: always;"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Character of the Church</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <br />
Using the chart below, list the characteristics of the first church. These
characteristics should still be seen in the Lord’s true church today. <br /></span></p>
<div align="center">
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>1<sup>st</sup>
Characteristic</span></b></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Mark 3:13; </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Matt. 16:18; </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Col. 1:18; </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Eph. 1:22, 4:15, 5:23; </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Acts 5:26-29; </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Luke 6:13;</span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Christ only is the head and founder
of the church. The church is subject only to Him and therefore independent of
all other authorities in spiritual matters.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 53.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1; page-break-inside: avoid;">
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>2<sup>nd</sup><span> </span>Characteristic</span></b></span></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Matt 3:13-17; </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Mark 1:4; </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>John 3:26, 4:1-2;<span> </span></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>John the Baptist and the early church
practiced baptism by immersion.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 44.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2; page-break-inside: avoid;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; height: 44.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in .5pt 0in .5pt; width: 92.55pt;" valign="top" width="123">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>3<sup>rd</sup><span> </span>Characteristic</span></b></span></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Acts 2:41, 8:36-37, 18:8</span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Only those who were saved and
baptized could be members of the church.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 44.95pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3; page-break-inside: avoid;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; height: 44.95pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in .5pt 0in .5pt; width: 92.55pt;" valign="top" width="123">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>4<sup>th</sup><span> </span>Characteristic</span></b></span></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Matt 18:15-20; </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Acts 1:21-26, 6:1-7;<span> </span></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>The early church was congregational
in its government.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 41.35pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4; page-break-inside: avoid;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; height: 41.35pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in .5pt 0in .5pt; width: 92.55pt;" valign="top" width="123">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>5<sup>th</sup><span> </span>Characteristic</span></b></span></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Matt. 5:17-19; Rom 15:4; </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb 4:12</span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>The scriptures only as guide to
proper conduct and life for the church.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 91.3pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5; page-break-inside: avoid;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; height: 91.3pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in .5pt 0in .5pt; width: 92.55pt;" valign="top" width="123">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>6<sup>th</sup><span> </span>Characteristic</span></b></span></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Matt. 7:7-8; </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Luke 11:1-4;<span> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Rom 8:15-17; </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Eph 2:18; </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Heb. 4:14-16, </span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>The early church believed that all
could pray directly to God.</span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 44.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6; page-break-inside: avoid;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; height: 44.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in .5pt 0in .5pt; width: 92.55pt;" valign="top" width="123">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>7<sup>th</sup><span> </span>Characteristic</span></b></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; height: 44.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 174.95pt;" valign="top" width="233">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>1 Timothy 1:1, 8</span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>The early had only two offices in the
church, pastor (bishop) and deacon</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 72.4pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes; page-break-inside: avoid;">
<td style="border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; border-left: solid black 1.0pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; height: 72.4pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid black 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid black .5pt; padding: 0in .5pt 0in .5pt; width: 92.55pt;" valign="top" width="123">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>8<sup>th</sup><span> </span>Characteristic</span></b></span></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Matthew 26:26-29<br />
Mark 14:22<br />
Luke 22:19<br />
1 Corinthians 11:23</span></span></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>The early church kept the Lord’s
supper by His command as a symbolic memorial of His death. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<p class="Standard"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></p><h2><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Baptist Distinctives</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormalIndent" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalIndent" style="margin-left: .3in;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">These
characteristics have been labeled as the <u>Baptist</u> <u>Distinctives</u>.
They are listed below.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-left: .8in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>1<span style="font-weight: normal;">.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span>The Bible as the <u>only rule of faith and practice</u>.</span></span></span></h3>
<h3><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-left: .8in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span><span>2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span>A <u>regenerated</u> church membership.</span></span></h3>
<h3><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span></span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-left: .8in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span><span>3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span>Baptism of the <u>saved</u> by <u>immersion</u>.</span></span></h3>
<h3><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><u><span><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></span></u></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-left: .8in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span><span>4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><u><span>Congregational</span></u><span>
form of government.</span></span></h3>
<h3><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><u><span><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></span></u></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-left: .8in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span><span>5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><u><span>Priesthood</span></u><span>
of the believer.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-left: .8in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span>6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><u><span>Two Offices, (Pastor,
Deacon) Two Ordinances (Baptism, Lord’s Supper)</span></u></span></h3>
<h3><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><u><span><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></span></u></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-left: .8in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span><span>7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><u><span>Eternal security</span></u><span> of the believer.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-left: .8in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span><span>8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span>Ordinances are <u>symbolic</u> not <u>sacramental</u>.</span></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-left: .8in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span>9<span style="font-weight: normal;">.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span>The church is<u> independent</u> from all authority
except Christ's.</span></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormalIndent"></p>
<h2><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Distinctives Acrostic</span></h2>
<p class="Standard" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Elephant",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">B</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">iblical
Authority</span></p><p class="Standard" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Elephant",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">A</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">utonomy of the Local Church</span></p><p class="Standard" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Elephant",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">P</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">riesthood
of the Believer</span></p><p class="Standard" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Elephant",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">T</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">wo
Ordinances</span></p><p class="Standard" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Elephant",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">ndividual
Soul Liberty</span></p><p class="Standard" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Elephant",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">S</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">aved,
baptized church membership</span></p><p class="Standard" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Elephant",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">T</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">wo Offices</span></p><p class="Standard" style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Elephant",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">S</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">eparation
of Church and State</span></p>
<h2 style="margin-left: .55in; text-indent: -.25in;"><a name="DefinitionofChurch"></a><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Defining the Church</span><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; font-weight: normal;"></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormalIndent"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The general definition of the
church is, “A company of baptized believers voluntarily associated together for
the maintenance of the ordinances and the spread of the gospel." </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">, -John Christian </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">pg. 13,
A History of the Baptist Church</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The Independent Baptist
definition of a church is "a local, called-out, visible, assembly of
baptized believers covenanted together for the carrying out of the Great
Commission."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Characteristics of the New
Testament Faith from History of the Churches by David W. Cloud <br /></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">1. The Scriptures are the sole authority for faith and
practice 2 Timothy 3:16-17. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">2.<span> </span>Salvation is by
grace alone through faith alone by the work of Christ alone. Acts 16:30-31; Romans
<span> </span>4:1-6; 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-10. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">3.<span> </span>A born again
church membership. Acts 2:41; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus1:16; 1 John 2:3-5</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">4.<span> </span>The eternal
security of the believer. </span></p>
<h4><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">The term "eternal security" is not used in Scripture, but the terms
"eternal life" Joh. 3:16 and "everlasting consolation" 2 Thessalonians
2:16 are used. The believer has eternal life, which means it has no end.</span></h4>
<h4><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">The doctrine of gift Ephesians. 2:8-10. Salvation is a free gift that was
purchased in its entirety by the Son of God on Calvary. By its very nature, a
gift is free and without obligation. To lose one's salvation would mean that it
was partly earned.</span></h4>
<h4><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">The doctrine of evidence John 10:27-28; 1 Jo. 3:1-3. The doctrine of
evidence teaches us that eternal security is for the true believer, for the one
who is born again, the one who gives evidence of his salvation. </span></h4>
<h4><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">The doctrine of chastisement (Heb. 12:4-10). The true believer is the one
who is chastened when he sins. Christ keeps His own and chastens them when they
go astray. The one who professes Christ and turns away and is not chastened is
not a true believer.</span></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">5.<span> </span>The church has
two ordinances: believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper.</span></p>
<h4><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Scriptural baptism is for believers and is by immersion in water because it
depicts the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ Romans 6:3-4.</span></h4>
<h4><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">The Lord's Supper is a simple memorial meal 1 Corinthians. 11:24-26. </span></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">6.<span> </span>The independence
and autonomy of the church. The apostles established autonomous churches that
fellowshipped with likeminded churches but were not under the authority of
other churches or of some ecclesiastical headquarters. Acts 13-14; Revelation
2-3. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">7.<span> </span>The priesthood of
the believers. The New Testament knows of only one priesthood and that is the
general priesthood of all believers 1 Pe. 2:5, 9 and Jesus Christ as the great
High Priest, Hebrew 3:1. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">8.<span> </span>Separation of
church and state. God has given different spheres of authority to the
government and to the church. <span> </span>The
government is the keeper of law and order in society Romans 3:1-7. The church
is the pillar and ground of the truth I Timothy 3:15. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">9. Liberty of conscience. The first churches did not
persecute<span> </span>anyone or try to force anyone
to submit to their teaching Mark 9:38-40; Luke 9:54-56. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">10. Separation from false teaching and apostasy. One of the
themes of the New Testament epistles is the danger of false teaching and the
necessity of separating from it Romans 16:17; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Timothy
6:3-5; 2 Timothy 3:5; 2 John 7-9. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Paul called the church, “the
pillar and ground of the truth” yet many today regard faithful attendance,
membership, giving or submitting to the local church as optional and even in
many cases wrong. This is not only show apathy, it also dishonors and distances
the Lord Jesus Christ because the church is His body. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The lack of teaching upon the
church and the truth it protects has led to a terrible backsliding among
Christians today. Heresy, doctrinal error, immorality and apathy are all
connected to the truth of the Lord’s church and to our close relationship with
it. </span></p>
D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-84427652640835960782024-01-08T08:36:00.000-08:002024-01-08T08:36:35.962-08:00From Hurt To Healing: The Message of Job<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeGPg3Be78elXAcXTDJN27ex6Bh3cjy0D3iBVlYL4-RwO1A2_2vH9a-IrEK0qQ9xwa1BsbFmEodWKSWfQmicMx1DosygtLtwXXduS73ZjS7vMOJtJxxN8FKrhiBt5EoQ6EUsqkAm3uzTvEM__H8QkKAgCJ_iEScu0swnjfkBvSpV35KYC0W6VZNfL_4Q/s1252/Hurt%20to%20Healing%20Job%2033v12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1252" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeGPg3Be78elXAcXTDJN27ex6Bh3cjy0D3iBVlYL4-RwO1A2_2vH9a-IrEK0qQ9xwa1BsbFmEodWKSWfQmicMx1DosygtLtwXXduS73ZjS7vMOJtJxxN8FKrhiBt5EoQ6EUsqkAm3uzTvEM__H8QkKAgCJ_iEScu0swnjfkBvSpV35KYC0W6VZNfL_4Q/w640-h358/Hurt%20to%20Healing%20Job%2033v12.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">From Hurt To Healing: The Message of Job</span><br /> <p></p><p>To any of God’s children who go through hurt, sorrow and pain, the story of Job is a book of consolation and hope. A message that can move us from the hurt of this world to the healing of the Lord. <br /></p><p>Job is believed to be the oldest book of the Bible. The events recorded in it are presented as poetry or a play. Though plays as such didn’t exist in that time. It is a true account of real people but told in an epic, poetical manner. It is one of the reasons it is considered one of the greatest writings in all of human history. The oldest book in the Bible, one of the greatest writings in human history is about one of the oldest question humans seek an answer for. Why do bad things happen to good people? <br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Horrific Hurt </span><br /></p><p>Job’s Story: His name means: one who turns back to God or assailed persecuted one. And his name certainly fits. The story begins with a simple introduction, and we are dropped right into the life of Job which reveals much of his character and sets the premise of the book. <br /></p><p><b>Character</b> Job 1:1-3 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. 2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.</p><p>The Bible tells us that he was perfect and upright, he was blameless, lacking nothing in his service and worship of God. He was a good and just man. He is wealthy and that wealth is measured in possessions, in this case livestock. This helps us date the book to aout Abraham's time as this is how Abraham, Isaac and Jacob measured their wealth. We also think that Job is the first of all the books because it does not mention or refer to any other Bible books or characters, though both the books of Ezekiel and James refer back to the book of Job. </p><p>Job’s is also a man who loved his family, which is shown by the sacrifices and prayers he offers on their behalf, continually, the Bible says. <br /></p><p><b>Challenge:</b> After, we are introduced to Job, a challenge is given to the Lord, this sets the stage for the great question of why God allows bad things to happen to good people, even His people. </p><p>We are told of events taking place in heaven, these things are never revealed to Job. After the Lord, brings up Job and states that he is a good, moral, upright man, who honors God. Satan then challenges the Lord. Job 1:9-11 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. <br />The Lord then allows Satan to run Job through the hurt of trial and tribulation. <br /></p><p><b>Catastrophe</b>: Then after this discussion in heaven, we read exactly what Satan did. <br />Job 1:13-19 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: 15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. <br />This pattern of catastrophe continues until Job has lost his wealth, his household, and even all of his children. Finally God allows Satan to attack Job’s body and destroy his health. <br /></p><p>Job 2:7-9 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. 9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. </p><p>He lost his children. He lost his wealth, his servants, his health and finally, even the support and encouragement of his wife. <br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our Story </span><br /></p><p>Hurt People and Hard Times - We used to say, “pick up the paper and read”, but now we say check out your internet feed or if you don’t mind being lied to, listen to the mainstream media, Facebook or Google. But wherever you get your news, not a day will go by that you won’t read about horrible things happening to people who don’t deserve it. Churches are hit by tornadoes. People are shot by those who hate them and their God. Or so many times today for no reason at all. Schools children are being killed by those under the influence of Satan and sin. Pastors and their families experience car wrecks, heart attacks, bankruptcy. Faithful, loving Christians know the tragedy of suicides, drug addictions, alcoholism, divorce and violence. We relate to the story of Job because his story is our story. <br /></p><p>How much of this universal story of hurt has been seen and experienced right here in our church in just the past few years? Job’s story of hurt is our story of hurt. His experience of tragedy is ours and if we can learn what Job learned then his healing will also be ours. <br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">World’s Story </span><br /></p><p>There is Evil In this World - Why do these things happen? From a Biblical point of view, its not hard to understand. Yes, it is hard to experience but not hard to find the reason. The reason is that there is evil and sin in this world, and it doesn’t care if you are a good person. In fact being a good person, a child of God may make you a target just as it did Job. <br /> </p><p>Why, started way back in Genesis 3:4-6 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. <br /></p><p>Evil, pain, suffering and sorrow are in this world because man let it in. Adam and Eve opened the door to the knowledge of sin and with the knowledge of sin came the reality of sin’s consequences; pain, suffering and sorrow. <br /></p><p>And in case we want to blame Adam for the consequence we need to read, Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, (Why? Because) for that all have sinned. <br /></p><p>Adam may have sinned first but you and I have followed right in his path. Adam’s sin may explain my inclination to sin but it does not excuse my own acts of sin. Those sins and their consequences are mine and I have to answer for them. </p><p>We need to understand that sin always has consequences. It may be indirectly because of the world we live in or it might be directly because of a sin I’ve committed, but we need to know that sin always brings pain, sorrow and suffering, as happened in the Garden it is still happening today.<br /><br />But if I dwell to long on the why of hurt in this world, I could wind up like the friends of Job who were convinced they knew the answer and almost ruined what hope Job had left. <br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Hopeless Help </span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Faithless Friends Story </span><br /></p><p>These are the original, "With friends like this who needs enemies." Over the next few chapters, we are introduced to Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophor. After a week of silent consolation, Job speaks and then the friends begin their lectures explaining why bad things happen to good people, but they would phrase it more like, “If something bad has happened, you deserved it. Now, accept your guilt and get on with your life.” <br /></p><p>We could go through the arguments of the friends one by one as Bro. Chuck did so well last year in our Adult SS class, but let’s just summarize their brand of “help” by saying, they all felt the reason Job was hurt and had suffered such loss was that he was being punished for a hidden or unconfessed sin. To them nothing else made sense. </p><p>But to Job their sermonizing, simplistic, unsympathetic answers were no help but just added to the hurt. Before they came we Job in Job 1:20-21 Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb,<br />and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. <br /></p><p>After they came and offer their band of help and encouragement we hear Job say, “Job 30:19-21 He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes. 20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not. 21 Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me.” </p><p>Job’s so-called friends and their so-called help deepened Job’s hurt and made him question God’s fairness and love. He sinks deeper into despair and he argues with God about His actions and feels so alone that he pleads for the compassion of a true friend in his time of need. </p><p>Job 6:14-17 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. 15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away; 16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid: 17 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.</p><p>Job cries out, “Friends should offer encouragement, like a drink from a cool stream on a hot day, but instead you deceive and when I come to the stream to find encouragement, it is frozen over or dried up.” <br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Fatally Flawed Philosophy </span><br /></p><p>We often make the fatal mistake of thinking just like Job’s friends, "All tragedy or suffering is punishment, or there must be a reason I can see, a plan which I can understand that will make all this hurting be worthwhile.” <br /></p><p>It can be fatalistic because in its final conclusion it comes down to this, "Since God caused it, then I must blame God." That is fatally flawed reasoning coming from a child of God. And it can ruin your walk with the Lord, as Job’s friend almost ruined his walk with God. <br /></p><p>We must be especially careful that we don’t hurt the hurting more with this way of thinking. <br />What Paul looked for, Galatians 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. <br /></p><p>What John looked for, 1 John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. <br /></p><p>What Jude looked for, Jude 1:21-23 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.<br />Restoration, intercession, compassion, and intervention is what God’s word instructs us to do when we confront the hurt in others or in ourselves. Retribution or the reason why is up to God. <br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> Flaw Exposed By Jesus</span><br /></p><p>Jesus exposed the fatal flaw of this black and white reasoning about suffering when the apostles asked Him about the man born blind. In John 9:1-7. <br /></p><p>You remember the question? John 9:1-7 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6 </p><p>When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. <br /></p><p>The hurt and the pain of this man was not God’s punishment but instead an opportunity to show His power and love. The cause, well that was none of their business, but seeing and securing the glory of God in that hurt was their business. <br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The Healing Honesty </span><br /></p><p><b>Elihu’s Story.</b> Elihu is the last orator in this poem. He is the youngest of those assembled and he seems to come from out of nowhere. He speaks and he acts as a spokesman for the truth. I believe that his six chapter speech holds the key to finding healing after the hurt of this world’s sin and evil. <br />I believe this because when Elihu finishes speaking neither God nor Job contradicts or rebukes him. The lectures of the three friends are rebuked by both Job and God, but not the words of Elihu. <br />Elihu states his purpose in Job 33:6-7 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay. 7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee. <br /></p><p>He says, My aim is to fulfil your desire when you asked for someone to speak the truth about you and God. He tells Job, “I am a man, made from clay just like you and unlike these false friends, you have no need to fear my words, they will l not add more hurt to your heart. <br /></p><p>So, what did Elihu say, that is the key to Job’s healing? His words are hard but honest. <br /></p><p>First, he says that Job had justified himself rather than God in Job 32:2. <br /></p><p>Secondly, he said the friends of Job had accused Job without any knowledge in Job 32:3. <br /></p><p>Thirdly, Elihu says that Job had begun to blame and contend with God as though he was an equal, Job 33:8-11 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. <br /></p><p>The core of the lesson from the book of Job is found in Job 33:12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. <br /></p><p>Elihu speaks until chapter 37 and then God speaks and he rebukes the friends and he rebukes Job but not Elihu. God’s rebuke of Job seems to prove Elihu’s overall conclusion, that God is greater than man. <br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Hurt To Healing</span> (is through God’s Word and Character) <br /></p><p>In order for us to move from hurt to healing, we must know what scripture teaches and what scripture does not teach. Lets begin with what it doesn’t teach. <br /></p><p>What scripture does not teach. That all problems, pain and tragedies are caused by God for a special reason or punishment. <br /></p><p>Scripture doesn’t teach that I will always be able to see God's purpose in my hurt or a tragedy. <br /></p><p>Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.<br />Neither does God’s word teach that all tragedies for Christians have "happy endings" as the world counts happy endings. <br /></p><p>It also doesn’t teach that Christians are immune to hurt, pain or loss. In fact the opposite is usually true because we are Christians we feel these things more. <br /></p><p>We need to know what scripture honestly says and teaches, because that is the key to finding healing after hurt. <br /></p><p>Scripture tells us the Lord is with us in all circumstances. John 14:18-19 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. <br /></p><p>It tells us that God is greater than anything or anyone in this world. 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. <br /></p><p>God through His word tells us that He can bring good out of the worst sorrow. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. <br /></p><p>And scripture also tells us that God can use suffering to make us stronger. <br /></p><p>1Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: <br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion: A Believer’s Perspective on Pain and Sorrow</span></p><p>Remember that bad things sometimes happen so that good people, by God’s grace, can become better people, but sometimes bad things happen simply because we live in fallen, sinful world.</p><p>Don’t neglect God’s warning, that if there is unrepentant, habitual sin in my life, our Heavenly Father will chastise us, to bring us back to Him.<br /></p><p>Learn to change our way of questioning of God. Instead of, "God, why is this happening to me?" we need to ask, "God, as we walk together, what comes next?"</p><p> And never forget that God is greater. Greater than man, greater than Satan, greater, sorrow, greater than pain. If I trust and follow Him, He will bring good out of evil every time.<br /><br />Let me close with another poem by Annie Johnson Flint. She wrote it to a friend who was going through hard times and wondering like Job, why God was allowing such trials. The poem is called, “What God Hath Promised”<br /><br />WHAT GOD HATH PROMISED<br /><br />God hath not promised skies always blue,<br />Flower strewn pathways all our lives through;<br />God hath not promised sun without rain,<br />Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.<br /><br />God hath not promised we shall not know<br />Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;<br />He hath not told us we shall not bear<br />Many a burden, many a care.<br /><br />God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,<br />Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;<br />Never a mountain rocky and steep,<br />Never a river turbid and deep.<br /><br />But God hath promised strength for the day,<br />Rest for the labor, light for the way,<br />Grace for the trials, help from above,<br />Unfailing sympathy, undying love.<br /><br /><br /></p>D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-51931033194853773772024-01-02T07:15:00.000-08:002024-01-02T07:16:26.018-08:00Get Ready for Christ’s New - Luke 5:29-39<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnNwj3n64m63ipC9lZomD62QCY1QtbajTsza0mFED6x8vQ8PXo0w6QWFaVAVCACQbOYP_5DJSeLPky6sRmztyH19tT1X7ftzskBMGcx_WH1143lOlIqeuuMafjHmMwhdXGmNNo263b8mthgaPA3TCDpqQCr4Q5JlECvT-sjp09nX46QIys9lvlYqvCuo/s1245/Get%20Ready%20for%20Christ's%20New%20Luke%205v38.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1245" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnNwj3n64m63ipC9lZomD62QCY1QtbajTsza0mFED6x8vQ8PXo0w6QWFaVAVCACQbOYP_5DJSeLPky6sRmztyH19tT1X7ftzskBMGcx_WH1143lOlIqeuuMafjHmMwhdXGmNNo263b8mthgaPA3TCDpqQCr4Q5JlECvT-sjp09nX46QIys9lvlYqvCuo/w640-h358/Get%20Ready%20for%20Christ's%20New%20Luke%205v38.png" width="640" /></a></p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
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<p></p><p align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: center;"><b>Get
Ready for Christ’s New</b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">Text:
Luke 5:29-39</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;"> </span>Introduction</b>: It’s the New Year 2024
and with the promise of the new year also comes the challenge. The New Year can
mean new opportunities, new paths, new places, new ideas, and new hope. It can
also mean new difficulties, new problems, new hurts. With the potential of the
new also comes the problems, with the change of the new also comes the challenge.
If we are not prepared for the problems, then we miss the potential.<b> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">The newness of life in Christ does not
erase the difficulties of the old life. Oh yes, praise the Lord, that new life
means new birth, it gives us a new name, it gives us a new heart, but it does
not give us new flesh, nor does it erase our memories of our old life, or past
sins. This problem of living the new Christian life was something that Paul,
Peter, James, Jude dealt with in many times in the New Testament, but the most striking
teaching about the new life is taught by Jesus himself in Luke 5:29-39. <b>Get
ready for Christ’s New clothes, new wine and a truly new life.</b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b>New Friends - Luke 5:29-35</b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">29 And Levi made him a great feast in his
own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat
down with them. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b>Messiah Meets Matthew’s Motley Mates. <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b>Background</b>:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This lesson from Jesus was given because the Pharisees were
criticizing Jesus and his disciples. Levi, who is Matthew, had accepted Christ
as his Savior, he now had a new heart and a new birth. He was called then to
follow Jesus into a new life as an apostle. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So naturally, he threw a party. The Greek word
here is a reception. He invited all his publican (tax collector), societal
outcast, sinner friends to meet Jesus. The Bible says, in vs. 29, “and there
was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them.” It was
a big party and in the area it was a big deal. This happened right after Jesus
had healed the man let down through the roof. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">At this “super supper for sinners” (Maybe
that should have been my title.) sat Jesus, the guest of honor and the other disciples.
The Pharisees, the moral watchdogs of Jewish society and self-appointed judges
of who was going to be the Messiah, showed up and stood outside of Matthew’s
home to check out Jesus and his behavior. They began to murmur. This word
originally meant the sound made when doves gather together and begin to coo.
They whispered and talked, and the sound made a noise heard even in this great
reception. Finally, Jesus either because He had to deal with the noise or
perhaps as he left at the end of the feast, tried to reach out to the Pharisees,
just as he had been reaching out to Matthew’s lost friends. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">the Pharisees started asking some critical
questions not because they wanted an answer but because they wanted to
influence and direct Jesus and his disciples. They asked, “Why do ye eat and
drink with publicans and sinners?” Jesus answered them, “They that are well
don’t need a physician; but they that are sick do. I come to call sinners not
the righteous to repent.” This was Jesus saying, “You aren’t here seeking help
and therefore I can’t help you.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Then they asked, “Why do John’s disciples
fast often, and pray, just like the disciples of the Pharisees; but yours eat
and drink and don’t fast?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He answered,
“Can you make the guests at a wedding fast, even as they celebrate while the
bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be
taken away. When those days come, then they will fast.”</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Then Jesus explained to the Pharisees why
they were having such a hard time with Him and His way of teaching and living. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">The parable he gives in verse 36 is a sharp
reminder of something that is sometimes very difficult for us. We have been
giving a new life, but we must understand that this new life can’t be assimilated
or made to agree with the old life. The two are no longer compatible. The
harder we try to make our new life get along with our old ways, the more
difficult it’s going to be to live that new life. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Jesus goes on in vs 36 to more deeply explain
the radical change that is made by a knowing Him. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b>New Ways - Luke 5:36-38</b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a
new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the
piece that was <i>taken</i> out of the new agreeth not with the old. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">And no man putteth new wine into old bottles;
else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall
perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.</span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">New Garments and New Wine </p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Jesus starts with common, everyday things
and then takes the people from the everyday truths they easily understand to
eternal truths the need to understand, from a physical reality to the spiritual
lesson. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">This is how a parable works. It takes an
earthly story and then teaches a heavenly truth. And no one was better at it
than Jesus. Parables weren’t new, the Greek philosophers used them all the
time, but no one remembers any of their parable and most of forgotten the names
of the philosophers, but even in our neo-pagan world people still know the
parable of the prodigal son or the good Samaritan. They parables are part of
the foundation of our society, or at least they used to be and should still be.
So let us take some time and examine this story. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b>1<sup>st</sup> Parable - New Patches
Don’t work on Old Clothes</b>. Jesus says you can’t take a piece of new cloth
and sew it on an old garment because you would ruin both. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Now this takes place in the times before
pre-washed jeans and synthetic cloth that doesn’t shrink. But in Jesus’ day
when cloth was made by hand from wool or linen. If you had an old piece of
clothing and it torn you wouldn’t patch it with new cloth because the new cloth
would draw up and shrink when it was washed while the old would not. This could
tear the cloth and make the original tear even worse. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Jesus is telling the Pharisees, “You can’t
take what I am giving and use it to try and repair what you have. The new will only
tear up the old leaving both the new and the old useless.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b>2<sup>nd</sup> Parable New Wine Doesn’t
Go in Old Wineskins</b> - Next Jesus says, “No man puts new wine into old
bottles, because the new wine would burst the bottles and everything both wine
and bottles would be lost.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">The bottles Jesus is talking about were
goatskins. The goat skin was cleaned and tanned, then the leg tied off and a
spout put in the neck forming a bottle. Back then though, these bottles,
goatskins used for transporting wine, especially new wine, which is unfermented
wine, in other words grape juice. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">If you had to carry new wine, which was any
less than 40 days old, you had to use a new wine skin. The new wine if put in
an old goatskin would come in contact with residue of the yeast of the old wine
left in the goatskin and begin to ferment. The old skin would then burst. New
wine was carried in new wineskins, new bottles so it would not ferment, burst
the skin and destroy the shipment. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Jesus was trying to tell the Pharisees you
can’t take the New of who I am, and what I teach and put it in with the old of
Judaism and the Law. The new life of Christ will not work with the old life of
sin. The new way of Christ will not work with the old ways of tradition. The
new relationship in Jesus will not work with the old rituals. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b>Are You Really Ready of Jesus’ New Life?</b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">When you read scripture, do you place
yourself in the story? You should, of course, because no other book is like the
Bible. No other book is supernatural, and no other book was written by God’s
direction specifically to you. So, If you placed yourself in this story would
you be at the feast with a bunch of sinners and thieves or would you be on the
street outside the home whispering about a preacher being in there with all
those sinners? <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">We can see that Jesus didn’t fit the old
perceptions and the old ways of the Pharisees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">We understand that but our problem is that
we too often think He does fit into our perceptions and ways. What Jesus does
in us and to us through salvation is shocking, overpowering and incomprehensible.
It is anything but understandable to our human minds, possible to our human
hearts or doable in our human strength. Yet that is what we often what we try
and make it into.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">We try to take who Jesus is and what Jesus
does and make it all fit into our old life and our old way of thinking. But, it
can’t be done. Jesus just told us so. Just like the old garment and the old
wineskins it will tear us up. Jesus didn’t come to repair Judaism, he came to
replace it. Jesus didn’t come to patch up your past, He came to give you a new
future. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">At the end of the Bible in Revelation 21:5,
Jesus sums up what he did in time, history, the new creation and in new lives.
He says, “Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these
words are true and faithful.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Jesus brings the new to all of my life. He
brings it at salvation, and he brings it to us every time we need it. Our challenge
is to learn and walk in this truth and then find the power and the hope of the declaration
of Jesus, “Behold, I make all things new!” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">But many lives are ruined because they want
the power and hope of the new life, but they want to put it in the wineskin of
their old life, and it can’t be done. They want the love of Christ to just put
a patch on the gaping holes of their old life instead of putting on the new
garment of His righteousness. Such attempts can only result in empty lives and
broken hearts. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">It’s true of our lives and its true of our
families. The attempt to protect your family with a little inoculation of
church once a week won’t work. In fact, and you know this it will only ruin
your family and ruin the church for your family. Both will be ruined, just as
Jesus said.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Many churches are also trying to fit new
patches to old garments or new wine in old wine skins. It won’t work. You can’t
take the Gospel and put it into a Star Wars or Indiana Jones presentation for
lost people and then expect them to be changed from by that watered down,
worldly, wasted word. Nor can you expect a church to seek the power of Jesus’
new hope but bury it in our old traditions and expectations.<b> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b>The Experience of Useless Garments –
Oswald Chambers</b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">The Holy Spirit does not patch up our
natural virtues, for the simple reason that no natural virtue can come anywhere
near Jesus Christ’s demands. God does not build up our natural virtues and
transfigure them, He totally recreates us on the inside.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">True of our lives, true of our families,
true of our churches. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b>New Kidney for an ungrateful old church
member. </b><br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">I heard a story of a pastor who urged his
church to help a fellow member who needed a kidney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The church members were tested and the pastor
was the best match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave his kidney
to a dying church member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a gift! You
know how grateful that church member was?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A few months later he left the membership in anger and quit attending,
but he did come back just in time to join in a vote to kick the pastor out of
the pulpit. How could he do such a thing? I think he was a modern-day Pharisee.
He has been taking God’s gifts, putting them into his old life and then turning
on the giver for years. So, this was nothing. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">If you think that is a rare story among the
Lord’s churches, well you need to think again. Many Christians have tried to
relate to God through their old way of living only to have their life turn to
bitter. Once that happens it is easy to spread that bitterness to others. You
can’t put new wine into old wineskins. You can’t put the new love and power of
Jesus into your old life, the first loses its power and the second turns
rancid. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Why do we do this ? Jesus has the answer in
vs. 39 <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b>New Desire Luke 5:39</b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;"> <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">39 </span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">No
man also having drunk old <i>wine</i> straightway desireth new: for he saith,
The old is better.</span> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b>People Prefer The Past</b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Jesus says man likes the old better. No man
having drunk the new wine right away wants it because he says the old is
better.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">The new can be shocking, it tastes sharp
and makes you take notice. While, the old is mellow and comfortable. It is
pleasant because it is what we are familiar with, what we’ve come to expect. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">The Pharisees didn’t want to lose what they
were comfortable with.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">They were the leaders of religion, not
Jesus. They didn’t have sinners at their supper tables, just pious,
self-righteous saints. There were no surprises or shocks in their way of doing
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was what they expected and
what they wanted. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b>Pass the Past To Negotiate The New</b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Now, none of us want to be Pharisees, the
villains of the New Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet I can
still act like a Pharisees if I hold on to my old ways and reject the new way
of Jesus. If I refuse to release the old ways of legalism, of pride, of
tradition, or worldliness and replace those things with the new man in Christ,
then at least in my actions I am more a Pharisee than a child of God and
disciple of Christ. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">We mentioned at the beginning of the sermon
how many times this is taught in the New Testament. Look at<b> Ephesian 4:17-24
</b>This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not
as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding
darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in
them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have
given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with
greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him,
and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That ye put off concerning the former
conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And
be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which
after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">That sounds great, I want to do that. So, why
wouldn’t I put on the new man? Its because of the comfortable old shirts, and familiar
old pews. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">You know I have some shirts in my closet
that are years old. They are faded, stained and may have a few holes in them
but if it wasn’t for my wife I’d probably wear them in the pulpit. (A good
broad tie from the 1970s will cover that any salsa stain.) Why would I do that,
because they are comfortable, familiar, easy to put on. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">We are the same way at church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nothing better than coming to church
and seeing old friends. Friends you’ve grown up with, friends you’ve shared
sorrow and laughter with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is
nothing better than coming to where your friends are and sitting in your own
favorite place on a comfortable pew or chair and enjoying a comfortable Sunday.
Do you know what can ruin your comfortable Sunday? Coming to church and seeing
a stranger, especially one sitting in your place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s my place! Why didn’t they wait, like
good visitors, until I came in and sat down first.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Does this seem exaggerated? Let me tell you
a true story about my first Sunday at Bayshore Baptist Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came that Sunday early, since as a
candidate for Pastor I wanted to make a good impression. After we had set down
an older gentleman, walked up to us and without even introducing himself told
us we were sitting in his pew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laughed
and apologized thinking he was kidding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He told me it was his pew because he had marked the end of it with his
pocket knife and sure enough there was a notch in the pew nearest the aisle. He
decided to let us stay there this week but next week, if we came back, not to
sit in his pew. That man was so comfortable with the old he was willing to
offend a visiting preacher or guest of the church. </p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">What we can joke and laugh about when it
comes to old shirts and pews is heartbreaking when it comes to our relationship
with Christ and the need for the new in our lives and in our church. </p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">You see, Christ is always pushing us to new
things, always challenging us to new heights, always forcing us to reevaluate
everything we thought was fine. That’s Jesus and that’s not easy or
comfortable, but if I am to really discover the power of a new life in Christ,
I better getting used to “New clothes and New Wine.”<b> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Continuous
Conversion – Oswald Chambers</span></b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">These words of Our Lord are true of our
initial conversion, but we have to be continuously converted all the days of
our lives, continually to turn to God as children. If we trust to our wits
instead of to God, we produce consequences for which God will hold us
responsible. Immediately our bodies are brought into new conditions by the
providence of God, we have to see our natural life obeys the dictates of the
Spirit of God. Because we have done it once is no proof that we shall do it
again. The relation of the natural to the spiritual is one of continuous
conversion, and it is the one thing we object to. In every setting in which we
are put, the Spirit of God remains unchanged and His salvation unaltered, but
we have to “put on the new man.” … Our natural life must not rule, God must
rule in us. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b>Conclusion:</b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">One of the saddest aspects of my Christian
life is that I’m no longer shocked by Christ.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">I’m not shocked because I’ve made Him fit
my old way of thinking and doing. He fits in nicely with my traditions and my
routines. I’ve made him into a comfortable shirt and He sits beside me in my comfortable
pew and I make sure he never, ever surprises me. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">I don’t know how to tell you this but
that’s not Jesus. That’s a cardboard cutout of the Lord and there is no life,
no challenge and ultimately no joy in that kind of relationship. Yet many are
willing to accept it because it’s what we are used to, what we are comfortable
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Old wine tastes better to the old
man.<b> <br /></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><b>The Legacy of Oswald Chambers</b> <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Despite a successful Bible School and
respect as a much sought-after Baptist Preacher and evangelist he gave it up to
face the challenge of the Jesus’ new by serving as a chaplain in Egypt to the British
soldiers of WWI. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">There at only 43 years old, he died from a
ruptured appendix after suffering for three days, leaving behind his wife and
young daughter. He probably could have been saved if he had gone to the
hospital, but he refused to take a bed when wounded soldiers needed them. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Such a death is shocking in anyone but to
someone so used by the Lord as Oswald Chambers it seems incomprehensible. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Oswald died leaving behind his wife
Gertrude (Biddy) and a very young daughter Kathleen, they traveled back to
England and scraped by the rest of her life by running a boarding house. And
every night when everyone else was asleep she would pull out an old typewriter
and reading notes she had taken in shorthand from her husband’s lectures and
sermons she would type. Those notes were transformed into several books the
most famous of which is the devotional book “My Utmost For His Highest” which
was first printed in 1935, is now in 39 languages with over 13 million copies
and has never been out of print since it was first published. It is considered
the most popular and influential devotional book ever written.</p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">Now that is pretty surprising, shocking and
it happened because Oswald Chambers didn’t make Jesus fit into his old life,
but let Jesus have and do with his new life as Jesus would use him. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">So, what has Jesus surprised you with lately?
What has shocked you in His challenge to your life? If it has been a while
perhaps its time you took a look at where you are and where He is in your life.
As we start a new year, let’s all be willing to taste the new wine and put on
the new man every day.</p>
D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-12477308338270710382023-12-25T14:37:00.000-08:002023-12-25T14:37:19.789-08:00Christ Is Coming 3: The Watchers Rejoice For Him Luke 2:25-35<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAI7fKxDa6kOnwJ4q55GGAyV6kYbY6WF2nc-ZZMbOU6mJgT6utBSDGo0faRyERiw8XBYBXxG0YX7Ie23iYEXBwMw0FgVTg6annCPmZTOaLJbSNHdtfGJAOw4qR5gr4h3AAudhbHuq-RorQmZHyv8XkmpG5Wxlnw0ZyTkE4pe69k_q2gjno7giojBTkkck/s1261/The%20Watchers%20Rejoice%20Luke%202v25.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="1261" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAI7fKxDa6kOnwJ4q55GGAyV6kYbY6WF2nc-ZZMbOU6mJgT6utBSDGo0faRyERiw8XBYBXxG0YX7Ie23iYEXBwMw0FgVTg6annCPmZTOaLJbSNHdtfGJAOw4qR5gr4h3AAudhbHuq-RorQmZHyv8XkmpG5Wxlnw0ZyTkE4pe69k_q2gjno7giojBTkkck/w640-h358/The%20Watchers%20Rejoice%20Luke%202v25.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christ Is Coming 3: The Watchers Rejoice For Him<br />Luke 2:25-35</span><br /></p><p><br />Today we celebrate the first coming of Christ into this world. When He came in the flesh on that night in Bethlehem, everything from then to now was sovereignly, and supernaturally altered. No other event in all of the great events of the world since creation changed the world as much as that night’s events. Such a powerful change did not happen without planning, without power or without prophecy. It also did not happen without people who were watchers waiting with hope to experience or to see the one who would not only begin the change, but would bring the change and be the change. Our sermon this morning is about the birth of Jesus but it is also about those faithful people who believe in the promises of Jehovah and watched for those promises to become reality. <br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Faithful Promise - Luke 2:1-14 </span><br /><br />And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">God’s Plan in Prophecy</span><br /><br />The Messiah Comes. God had promised His people, Israel, a Messiah (which means an anointed one, in Greek a Christ), he would also be their King from the bloodline of David. A King who would rule Israel and free His people. Nor was the promise given only once or twice, but in the Old Testament it was given in details over 300 times. <br />Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.<br /><br />Isaiah 9:6-7 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.<br /><br />Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.<br />God’s plan didn’t stop at just written prophecy, nor did it stop at just the people of Israel. God, because He is God, wrote His sovereign plan in the events of history. <br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />God’s Plan In History<br /></span><br />When Jesus was born it was exactly the right time and place because God had prepared the world to be ready for Messiah to come. Israel at this time a nation that is in turmoil, balanced upon a precipice. Less than 200 years before this time, Israel had been a free and independent nation. Ruled by the Maccabees family after a bloody war against the Greek tyrant Antiochus Epiphanes. But now Israel is no longer free, it has submitted to the power of Rome. Rome has filled their nation with thousands of foreign, pagan soldiers. Taken their land for fortresses and even appointed an Edomite King, called Herod the Great to his face but Herod the cruel behind his back. They people were harshly taxed for the privilege of being Rome’s great Empire. <br /><br />The talk and hope of the promised Messiah was everywhere during these harsh times. Secret organizations like the zealots were planning assassinations and a war for freedom. Finally, in 70 AD they got their war and it destroyed Israel. They lost their nation, their Temple and their hope of freedom. During these days, many false Messiahs had rose to prominence and some had raised hundreds of followers, who they led to their deaths.<br />Into this turbulent, dangerous time the real Messiah, Jesus was born as we read in Luke 2. This hated empire that ruled over them, ordered a registration, in order then to tax the nation, And God used this registration to move Jospeh and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem where He had promised the Messiah was to be born. <br /><br />All of these events, nations and people, God was using according to His plan, moving them like pieces on a chess board, putting them in the right place at the right time. God used history, events, nations and kings to set the stage for His Son to come and show Himself as the Messiah. <br /><br />God, because He is God, can and does use nations, kings, heroes, villains and unknown common people to do His will and carry out His plan for mankind. All these have been moved, controlled, influenced, directed or redirected by the Sovereign Creator to do as He pleases. <br /><br />Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.<br /><br />Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.<br /><br />Daniel 4:35 Nebuchadnezzar, “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?<br /><br />Quote – “Though all human acts are free in the sense of being self-determined, none are free from God’s control according to his eternal purpose and foreordination.” - J. I. Packer, Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1993), 39.<br /><br />And especially is God’s sovereignty and plan seen in His preparing the world for the coming of the Messiah. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">God’s Plan In the Present</span><br /><br />Nor has God quit working. He has not wound up the universe and left it to run down on its own. He is still working His plan through prophecy, history, nations and individual people, even people like you and me. <br /><br />We will not have a place in that plan like Mary, Joseph or the leaders of the nations, but you would be foolish to think that God in his omnipotence and omniscience has not made plans for all his people, even the people of Calvary Baptist Church on a rainy Christmas Eve Day in 2023. <br /><br />What did Jesus teach? Matthew 10:29–31 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.<br /><br />Yes, He watches me and though I may not fully understand it, He also moves me. Just as he moved all those others when Jesus was born. <br /><br />God was faithful keeping his promises and the couple that God chose to raise His son, were faithful in their obedience and walk with God. Look at vs. 21<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Faithful Parents – Luke 2:21-24</span><br /><br />21And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, (Joshua, Yeshua, which means Jehovah is salvation) which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Joseph, Mary Obey God’s Law</span><br /><br />According to the Law, a male child born to a Jewish couple was sanctified, set apart to the Lord and that child had to be redeemed by an offering given at the Temple. So, after Jesus was circumcised at 8 days old, and after Mary’s time of purification was past they set out for Jerusalem about 7 miles south of Bethlehem. <br /><br />According to the Law, a woman, after giving birth, was to be in seclusion for 30 days if she had a boy and for 80 days if she had a girl. (When you get to heaven you can ask God why 80 days for a girl.) The, after that time, she would sacrifice to at the Temple. This is what Mary was doing in Luke 2:22 and together she and Joseph would present Jesus before the Lord. Their offering was a pair of turtledoves or pigeons which the law said could be given if you could not afford a lamb. <br /><br />This story in the life of Joseph and Mary is the only insight we have about the early life of Jesus. Luke is the only author of the Gospel accounts that tells us anything about the young child except for Matthew statement that after the visit of the Magi the fled to Egypt for safety. There are legends and fictitious stories about Jesus as a young child, but they are not just foolish they are dangerous and most turn him into a wizard or a Buddha like teacher. All we need to know about Jesus’ childhood is what we are told in this chapter. And what we are told is that they were a devout family that were faithful in following the Word of God and at that v52, “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Faithful Families Obey God</span><br /><br />I just want to make one quick application here to the parents, You should be also stive to be like Mary and Joseph, faithful in the following God as a family. Love them, protect them, be an faithful example to them and never neglect to take them to the Lord’s house. <br />Paul says it pretty plainly in Ephesians 6:4 ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.<br />Genesis 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment...<br />God put Jesus into a faithful, God-fearing family, that was not an accident. Nor is it an accident that God has chosen you, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles to be the most important examples of faithfulness to young children in your family. <br />Take that responsibility joyfully and seriously. Pray the wisdom, strength and love to fulfill the most important task you have while on this earth. <br /><br />Now let’s get to the two people who are at the heart of this message, Simeon and Anna. Two people of Faithful Patience and God blessed them for that faithfulness.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Faithful Patience - Luke 2:25-27 </span><br /><br />And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Simeon and Anna’s Faithful Watch and Wait for God’s Promise</span><br /><br />Simeon and Anna, like Zacharias and Elizabeth were God’s people who were faithful to God’s word and hopeful of God’s promises. They so fit the description that God gave to Malachi in Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. <br /><br />I have to read you part of the next verse. Malachi 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; What a beautiful promise, they shall be mine when I make up my jewels. <br /><br />The faithful, expectant people, who were living at the end of the Old Testament, were those that God took note of. We read of them here, but there is a much bigger book in heaven, that is being written for all the faithful of all time, to be called Jehovah’s jewels one day. <br /><br />Simeon and Anna, in a sense are representative of all the Old Testament saints who had lived their lives in faith and repentance looking for the One who would come and deliver them. In Simeon and Anna, we can see and hear all who waited and watched throughout the centuries. <br /><br />Simeon, whose name means “harkening or listening” is usually thought of as a very old man, perhaps he was though we are not told this in scripture. There is a tradition that says he was 113 years old, but that is all it is, a tradition.<br /><br />Anna’s name means “grace” and the Bible tells us that she was at least 84 years old and possibly, depending on how you interpret Luke’s description of her, well over 100. Both were waiting, watching, praying for God to fulfill His greatest promise to Israel and through Israel to the world. <br /><br />They knew the Old Testament prophecies and so, they knew that when Messiah came he would be a male and his parents would come and present him before the Lord. So, day by day, year by year, they watched, as the people came to the Temple. I imagine they approached every mother with a male child, looked into innocent faces and waiting to see if the God would reveal to them, this is the one, this is Messiah. <br /><br />And one day, the day Luke records, that is exactly what happened. The Holy Spirit revealed the child who would be the Savior, Redeemer and King. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Simeon’s Character<br /></span><br />The Bible says of Simeon, Luke 2:25-27 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,<br /><br />He was just, this describes his relationship and attitude toward others. He was devout, this described his relationship and attitude toward God. He was led by the Holy Spirit, this describes his attitude toward following and obeying God. <br /><br />The Bible says that Simeon was told by the Spirit that he would not die until he saw, “the consolation of Israel.” This must have become a lifelong mission, a divine quest to spend his life looking for the consolation of Israel. <br /><br />So just and devout was Simeon that on this day the Holy Spirit got his attention and led him into the Temple. We don’t exactly how this was done, just that God directed him to the right place at the right time because he was the right man. <br /><br />Now in vss. 28–32 we find Simeon’s response to the fulfillment of his life’s mission. He praises, he prays, and he prophesies while he holds this little month-old child in his arms. <br /><br />Simeon’s words give us the fifth song that Luke records in these opening chapters, we have heard the songs of Elizabeth in 1:42–45; Mary in 1:46–56; Zacharias in 1:67–79; the angels in 2:13–14 and now Simeon adds his praise to these the first Christmas Carols. <br />Simeon’s Song - Luke 2:28-32 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.<br />It is a song of thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness, “Lord let your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen they salvation.” He blesses God for keeping His promise and sending the Messiah. He joyfully praises God that he has been privileged to see the Lord’s salvation in the face of this child.<br /><br />It is a song of fulfillment and contentment. Now he is content to die, ready to go home, knowing that he has seen the One who will save Isael.<br /><br />It is also a song of salvation for all. “You have prepared salvation for all the people. Then he expands that by saying, “A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.” <br /><br />This child would be the fulfillment of promises like Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. Isaiah 42:6-7 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles. <br /><br />It is also a Song of Prophecy Luke 2:34-35 Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.<br /><br />Simeon stopped praising and started prophesying, and in his message, he used three images: a stone, a sign, and a sword.<br /><br />Jesus would be the stone upon which many would stumble and fall in judgement and others would fall in repentance but rise in salvation. <br /><br />Again, the Holy Spirit is leading Simeon to remember the old prophecies. Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. <br /><br />Peter commenting on this verse says in 1 Peter 2:6-8 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.<br /><br />The Messiah child that Simeon held would also be a sign, The world means “a miracle,” not a miracle of power but a miracle of revelation, of God’s truth. Just as the angel told the shepherds about the sign they would recognize the newborn, Jesus himself is the sign by which we can recognize the love of God.<br /><br />Romans 5:8 But God commendeth (proved) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God proved His love for us through the sign of Jesus birth, and yet just as Simeon prophesied, “he would be a sign which shall be spoken against.” Jesus was denied in His time on earth, and He is still being denied today. People call out for a sign and when God gives that sign by the birth, life, death and resurrection of His own son, they still deny the sign. And in denying His sign, they also deny His love. <br /><br />Simeon also said that the Messiah would be a sword. This sword would be a two-edged. One edge would pierce the heart of Mary with terrible sorrow and the other edge would sever all earth’s relationships and reshape them according to heaven’s relationships. <br /><br />Matthew 10:34-39 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.<br /><br />Jesus would be the sword that severs all other relationships and breaks all previous bonds. His coming is the dividing line of history, of families, and of eternity. <br />Simeon was there that day and led by the Holy Spirit he saw it. And he was not alone, as he praised God, someone came close, listened and then added her praise to his. <br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Anna’s Character – Luke 2:36-38 <br /></span><br />And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.<br /><br />Now we come to Anna’s part in this story. Her name means “grace.” She was an aged widow. She was also a prophetess. This doesn’t me she told the future but that she was one who spoke of God’s words. <br /><br />She departed not, literally this means, she kept on not leaving. She kept on keeping on in the Lord’s House. The House of God was her anchor, her landmark, her calling. She had to be there. <br /><br />She served God with prayers and fasting night and day. This doesn’t mean that she lived on the Temple grounds but that anytime there were times of worship, times of prayer and fasting, she was there. She never missed a service in the temple. She never missed an opportunity to serve the Lord by being in the House of God. By simply being there she honored her God. <br /><br />Her faithfulness to the Lord’s House made her stand out from all others and God rewarded that faithfulness on this day. Wouldn’t it have been a shame to miss going to <br />The Lord’s House on the day the Messiah came through the gates. But Anna, the Bible proudly notes, Anna never missed a service. <br /><br />Luke in vs. 38 says Anna “coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord.” Just as Simeon finished his praise, she jumps in. We aren’t told the exact words, only she “gave thanks likewise unto the Lord.” But we do see something that we didn’t see before. <br /><br />She gives thanks and then she goes a step further “she spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” We get the impression that Simeon and Anna weren’t the only ones who went to the Temple and looked at the parents as they brought in their sons. It seems there were others who had patiently and faithfully waited for God’s promises to be proven true. Anna made sure that others knew, she had found Christ in the Temple that day. <br /><br />She, Simeon and the other faithful ones saw so much, endured so much, suffered so much but above all these they hoped for much more. And that hope was fulfilled that day. The greatest thing that ever could happen, happened when the Messiah came. They experienced the climax of life, they saw the summit of history. Everything else was secondary, unimportant now because they had found the consolation of Israel, and the redemption of Jerusalem. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Have you Found Him?</span><br /><br />Have we all found Him? Have we found the One who was born to be our consolation and our redemption? <br /><br />Paul talking to the Athens spoke of seeking the Lord. In Acts 17:27-28 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being.<br /><br />If we seek him the Bible says we will find Him because Jesus is not hidden but is here. Here in this story, here in this Book, here in this house of God. He is here and in all other places. He is not far from every one of us, because just like Simeon and Anna believed, God is faithful, His word is true and His Spirit is leading. <br /><br />If we are lost in sin, then the Spirit led you on this rainy Christmas Day here to the Lord’s house to find Jesus. If you have already found him and He is your savior, the Holy Spirit still leads you to discover and know Him more. <br /><br />After Paul found Jesus on the Damascus road, everything changed. That sign from heaven, showed him the rejected cornerstone and the sword was Jesus. He crushed and cut Paul into a different man. After finding Jesus everything in his past life meant nothing and to know more of Christ meant everything. <br /><br />Philippians 3:7-10 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. Yes, he was more than willing even to die for Jesus because knowing Him was worth dying for him and living for Him. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Faithful Finish</span><br /><br />The climax of Simeon and Anna’s lives was finding Jesus the Messiah.<br />And for every person that has truly found Jesus it is the same. All other relationships are secondary. All goals become subservient to knowing him. All other wealth, knowledge, power, or glory becomes insignificant when I find the Savior. <br /><br />What can be a greater day than the day I find eternal life? What can be a great accomplishment than my soul being cleansed by the blood of Jesus? What can be more fulfilling than realizing that my life now has purpose in God’s plan of eternity?</p>D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-44340030096388630272023-12-18T10:04:00.000-08:002023-12-18T10:04:36.233-08:00Christ's Coming 2: The Wise Men Seek Him<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmt_qZNFe7fiVsj4U8A1zgXErhNS7hIQGq9YIiCwoH24SQHUGhprvJpH6k-k6UC_Q5Gpgkqv7V_IvxtwIx984D997N7PVhlEjhtX-8n57dIlM-8r0hJa4kB43eSoD19XiByNjM2-NK8tDxgoTwQPU-VQLrtFM4j4_EYWs_t74exMskApuKQHaAYN2sL_s/s1253/Christ%20coming%202%20Luke1v17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="1253" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmt_qZNFe7fiVsj4U8A1zgXErhNS7hIQGq9YIiCwoH24SQHUGhprvJpH6k-k6UC_Q5Gpgkqv7V_IvxtwIx984D997N7PVhlEjhtX-8n57dIlM-8r0hJa4kB43eSoD19XiByNjM2-NK8tDxgoTwQPU-VQLrtFM4j4_EYWs_t74exMskApuKQHaAYN2sL_s/w640-h362/Christ%20coming%202%20Luke1v17.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Seeing the Star Matthew 2:1-3</span><br /><br />Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Wise Because They Searched</span><br /><br />The word for wise here in the KJV is the Greek word Magi. It is the same word we get magic and magician from. In ancient times a magi was any person who was dedicated to learning, to discover, ultimately they became our scientist and our scholar. The magi or wise men had different specialties or division as we can see from Daniel 2:10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.<br /><br />The magi that come seeking the newborn king were astrologers, who looked to the heavens for signs. One day as they looked they saw a new star something that had not been there before.<br /><br />Some believe it was a nova, a sun that suddenly burns brightening as it dies and then disappears. Others believe it was a comet with its tail pointing toward the west and indeed both the Chinese and other ancient people who watched the skies did see a comet, that they called a “broom star” right about the date that Jesus would have been born. <br /><br />Whatever they saw, they took it as a sign, of a momentous, even history changing event. Something had happened and they needed to know what it was. <br /><br />Now this is my thought, because we are not told, but I believe these magi were from the old Babylonian empire, they resided in Persia and when they saw this sign in the heavens, they went to their library of writings by other wise men and they found a scroll written by a very famous magi named Belteshazzar, aka as the Jewish prophet Daniel. They may have been familiar with Daniel’s writing as he had served as a wise man and counselor for both Babylon and for Persia. <br /><br />And if my theory is right they found this prophecy written in Daniel 9:21-24 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, (the same angel that came to Elizebeth and Mary) whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. 22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. …24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.<br /><br />Daniel was given a specific length of time when the Messiah would be born, if you go through the prophecy, then you will find that it would have been within the time that coincided with this star. They didn’t know his name, but they knew they had to search for the anointed most Holy one, which is what the “Messiah” means.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Are You Wise enough To Seek?<br /></span><br />You know this world today could use a lot more wise, searching, seeking people. I read a book recently called “Bible, the story of the King James Version.” Great book, btw. The author was talking about the wise men who translated the KJV and he made a statement, “The population from which scholars can now be drawn is much larger than that of the seventeenth century, but it would be difficult now to bring together a group of more than fifty scholars with the range of languages and knowledge of other disciplines that characterized the KJV translators. “We may live in a world with more knowledge, but it is populated by people with less knowledge.” – Gordon Cambell And that is the truth.<br />Today we know a little about lots of unimportant things, but we know almost nothing of anything important. And the reason is because we no longer are willing to search for the important things. <br /><br />Let’s clearly state that the most important thing those wise man could ever find was the Messiah, the Christ. And likewise, today, the most important thing you can ever find is still Jesus Christ. <br /><br />And yes, like the magi, we are surrounded with signs, that God is using to get our attention and make us think seeking important things, eternal things. Let me give you some signs from God, no not a comet in the heavens but events in your life today. <br /><br />Events like Marriage. The blending of two lives into one. The realization of our total need upon something greater than ourselves to make these two lives worth living. What an event, what a time to begin seeking God.<br /><br />Or, the birth of a child. Parents and grandparents is there any greater miracle of God's creative power that you can actually hold in your hands. What could be more life changing? What could be a more momentous time to seek Jesus.<br /><br />Or when we experience the death of a family member or friend. That painful, sorrowful departure of a life from us and this world. That feeling of loss when someone has stepped through that door that separates life from death. What a sobering time to seek God.<br /><br />And by far the most important sign or event in your life is the hearing of the Gospel. To hear that God sent His son to seek and save me. To realize that He has not left me to grope in the dark but has provided guideposts and landmarks through His word that I might come to salvation. What a joyous time to come to Jesus.<br /><br />As Paul told the Romans in Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?<br /><br />All the good things in your life, from marriage to the Gospel are God’s signs to lead thee to salvation, to eternal life, to the most important discovery ever made, but are you willing to take search? Many are not, many are despising the riches of his goodness and longsuffering, turning their back on One who is seeking them. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Searching the Scriptures - Matthew 2:4-6</span><br /><br />And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule (shepherd) my people Israel.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Wise Because of Where They Searched</span><br /><br />They came from the east and I believe using Daniels prophecy they went to Jerusalem and there the asked, where the Christ should be born. Daniel told them when but not where. <br /><br />They had to turn to the Old Testament prophecies of the birth of the Messiah, the had to search the Word of God and there they found in Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.<br /><br />They searched the scriptures and in the Word of God they found the answer they were looking for. No surprise because the OT was filled with prophecies that foretold the birth, life and death of the Messiah. Signs that God had given to point the way to the Savior.<br /><br />His coming at a set time. Ge 49:10 Da 9:24,25<br />His resurrection. Ps 16:10 Isa 26:19<br />His being forsaken by God Ps 22:1<br />His being mocked Ps 22:7,8<br />His hands and feet being nailed to the cross Ps 22:16<br />The intensity of his sufferings Ps 22:14,15<br />His garments being parted, and lots cast for his vesture Ps 22:18<br />His being betrayed by a friend Ps 41:9 55:12-14<br />Gall and vinegar being given him to drink Ps 69:21<br />His being born a virgin, His being called Immanuel. Isa 7:14<br />His being preceded by John the Baptist. Isa 40:3 Mal 3:1<br />His being numbered with the transgressors, intercession for His murderers, Death Isa 53:12<br />His being buried with the rich. Isa 53:9<br />His entering publicly into Jerusalem. Zec 9:9<br />His being sold for thirty pieces silver Zec 11:12<br />His price being given for the potter's field Zec 11:13<br /><br />All these and over 300 more all to make sure that man would know the Messiah when he came. So, they would know Him. So, they would have the chance of a lifetime, the chance of eternity, the chance to know Jesus Christ.<br /><br />Jesus himself taught his disciples exactly this truth, Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. It is wisdom is to realize that to find the Christ of God, you have to search the Word of God.<br /> </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Have You Searched the scriptures?</span><br /><br />One day, there will be many who will say, "God why didn't you tell me? Why didn’t you show us, Jesus. Why did you not give us a sign? But God, will say, “You had my very words in your hands. You had my house. You had my children. Why didn't you seek there for the evidence, the truth I left for you? <br /><br />Why did you not read John 3:16-19 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.<br />In God’s word are the truths we should be seeking. <br /><br />The truth of Jesus coming back. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. <br /><br />In the scriptures are signs and answers about salvation, about the second coming, about raising your family, about loving your spouse, about succeeding in this world as God counts you a success. But if you aren’t reading it, if you aren’t seeking for answers in its pages, then you are not wise. You are ignoring the most important knowledge that has ever been given to mankind. Here in God’s word is where your knowledge should run deep and wide. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Titanic ignores warnings.<br /></span><br />When the unsinkable cruise ship Titanic sank, warning after warning had been sent to tell them they were speeding into an ice-field. But the messages were ignored. In fact, when a nearby ship sent an urgent warning, the Titanic was talking to Cape Race about the time chauffeurs were to meet arriving passengers at the dock, and what menus were to be ready. <br /><br />Preoccupied with trivia, the Titanic responded to the warning: "Shut up. I am talking to Cape Race. You are jamming my signals."<br /><br />That is what too many today are saying when it comes to God’s revelation to this world, “Shut up God, I’m on Facebook.” The tragedy of the Titanic will be trivial compared to the tragedy of those who ignored God’s word. <br /><br />One last thing makes these men, wise. Look at vss. 7-12 <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Seeking the Savior - Matthew 2:9-11</span><br /><br />When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.<br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Wise Men They Worshipped The King</span><br /><br />Notice some things about the wise men. <br />First, we don’t know how many there were. Three is traditional because of the three gifts, but we don’t know. Nor do we know their name, though that hasn’t stopped some from giving them names. Nor were they kings, as far as we know. Though I love the carol, “We three Kings of Orient Are.”<br /><br />There are things we don’t know, but these things in God’s word we do know. We know that the star “went before them.” The star reappeared to them and this time I believe it was not a comet but was an angel, shining brightly, leading them just like glory of God led the Israelites in the wilderness. But this time the glory of God was the one they were being led to, and so the messenger, the star was another angel going before them and stopping right above the house where Jospeh, Mary and Jesus lived.<br /><br />Notice also they came into “the house.” It was not a stable, but a house and notice it wasn’t a babe in a manger but a young child. The words in the Greek are different, The word here for young child is the word we would translate toddler and could have been up to 2 year old, though probably this is no more than a few months, depending on how far they had to travel from the East to Bethlehem. <br /><br />Notice also how they reacted upon seeing the Christ. They fell down and worshipped Him. What else could you do before a king born under the sign of a star? Before one whose coming had been foretold over a thousand years ago. Who had been looked for, hoped for and prayed for by a hundred generations of people. Whose life would be the price paid through sacrifice to bring us back to God.<br /><br />They gave him proper and perhaps prophetic gifts. Gold, a gift for a king. Frankincense, an incense prophetic of a priest and Myrrh, a perfume used in preparing the body for death.<br /><br />In the gifts we see Jesus, King, Priest and Sacrifice <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The Wise Still Come To where Jesus Is. </span><br /><br />If we would be wise, then we like the magi, must come into the house where Jesus is worshipped. Do I have to tell you where that is? No, or course not this is the House of the Lord, His church and if we would honor Him then we must come to this house. <br /></p><p>Am I wise in my worship? What is my attitude when I come before the King? The magi fell down and worshipped. But what do I do when I come into the Lord’s house? Do I take for granted the one who died for me? Do I ignore the one who will return at the head of a great heavenly army to claim this universe? Do I settle for commonplace Jesus who will make a new heaven and a new earth and rule for all eternity? Am I really worshipping Jesus Christ, the King of Glory? Or am I just going through the motions, the rituals, the ruts and the traditions of my religion? <br /><br />When I come into His house, I should bring gifts, fitting my King. What is the fitting to give to Jesus, to the one who gave his life for me? What else is worthy of Him but my life, my heart and my soul. My life given in serving him now on this earth. My heart given to love him forever. My soul given for salvation for all eternity. <br /><br />Matthew 22:37 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Three gifts, the only ones I can offer, the only ones befitting this King.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion: "I gave my life for thee. What hast thou given for me?</span> <br /></p><p>This was Frances Havergal's first hymn, she wrote it at a young age in 1858. She wrote it as a poem after seeing Sternberg's painting Ecce Homo in Düsseldorf, Germany. A caption on the painting read, "This have I done for thee; what has thou done for Me?" She came across the poem some years later, and thinking poorly of it, threw it into a stove. Unbeknownst to her, it did not burn, but was found later by her father, who persuaded her to publish it.<br /><br />I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed,<br />That thou might ransomed be, and raised up from the dead<br />I gave, I gave My life for thee, what hast thou given for Me?<br />I gave, I gave My life for thee, what hast thou given for Me? <br /><br />My Father's house of light, My glory circled throne<br />I left for earthly night, for wanderings sad and lone;<br />I left, I left it all for thee, hast thou left aught for Me?<br />I left, I left it all for thee, hast thou left aught for Me? <br /><br />I suffered much for thee, more than thy tongue can tell,<br />Of bitterest agony, to rescue thee from hell.<br />I've borne, I've borne it all for thee, what hast thou borne for Me?<br />I've borne, I've borne it all for thee, what hast thou borne for Me? <br /><br />And I have brought to thee, down from My home above,<br />Salvation full and free, My pardon and My love;<br />I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee, what hast thou brought to Me?<br />I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee, what hast thou brought to Me? <br /></p>D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-71445246420725403792023-12-11T08:31:00.000-08:002023-12-11T08:31:14.471-08:00The Christ Is Coming #1: Preparation Proclamation - Luke 1:1-25, 39-45<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTRrPxG8dHNVU_ED6zQk_H6QG3QhIQQVcOIsGQiPoI1EfSsJ-rWwq4PRC8RgNxNekOalGEim7nmmpxvMiE33SYtkysh9M1pP8IMGZZWe5C3Wt6wv5BJ7QGVw8tiZ-OJkHhP61js7yBFSLM07QvV85KfaTuvpUS4_H6d4UOeNc_GQP0FAz-jbB2l6H1dk/s1105/The%20Christ%20Is%20Coming%201%20Luke%201v17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="1105" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTRrPxG8dHNVU_ED6zQk_H6QG3QhIQQVcOIsGQiPoI1EfSsJ-rWwq4PRC8RgNxNekOalGEim7nmmpxvMiE33SYtkysh9M1pP8IMGZZWe5C3Wt6wv5BJ7QGVw8tiZ-OJkHhP61js7yBFSLM07QvV85KfaTuvpUS4_H6d4UOeNc_GQP0FAz-jbB2l6H1dk/w640-h408/The%20Christ%20Is%20Coming%201%20Luke%201v17.png" width="640" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /> The Christ Is Coming #1: Preparation Proclamation</b></span><br /><p></p><p>Text: Luke 1:5-25, 39-45<br /><br />William Carey, Prepared By God to Inspire World Missions<br />The modern mission movement of which we are still a part today, began in the late 1700 and early 1800’s and on man in particular is credited with its beginning. His name was William Carey, He is called, “The father of modern missions.” <br /><br />Carey was an unlikely person for God to use in such a great way. Until about 14 years old, he was a lukewarm Anglican, who said of himself, “I was addicted to swearing, lying, and unchaste conversation; which was heightened by the company of ringers, foot-ball players, the society of a blacksmiths shop…. <br /><br />Carey was apprenticed to a shoe maker at 15 where he and another apprentice would make repairs on old shoes. The other boy, John Warr was a Baptist and as they worked together, they would discuss the Bible. Carey always had the last word, but Warr’s sincerity began to have an affect on young Carey. Finally, at 17 after a national day of prayer and church service, Carey made the decision to follow Christ and he later he became a Baptist. <br /><br />As he toiled at the cobbler’s bench, Carey with his heart now on fire for the Lord taught himself, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Dutch, and French. Soon he was the village schoolmaster and then he began to pastor a local Baptist church. His heart began to be burdened about the lost around the world when he read a biography of David Brainerd, the missionary to the American Indians. In 1792 Carey wrote a book called, “An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens.” That book and sermons he preached led to the first Baptist Missions Society and became the inspiration for almost all modern missionaries. <br /><br />William Carey went to Calcutta, India where his wife Dorthy died after slipping into insanity. He married twice more, losing his second wife to death as well as several children including his first-born son. <br /><br />Despite the problems he founded the first, degree granting college in India, translated the Bible into Bengali, Oriya, Marathi, Hindi, Assamese, and Sanskrit. He helped launch the American Mission movement through Adoniram Judson, wrote many books and translated many Indian books into English. He established the first Indian public school and using the Bible he taught all children, boys, girls and even the untouchables. He changed missions in England and America, and he changed India through those missions. He died in 1834. <br /><br />Now who would have ever thought that God could have used a cobbler to inspire missions around the world. But God had made preparation for William Carey long before William Carey thought anything about God. That is what I want us to think about this morning the God’s Preparation in the lives of His children. God in his omniscience and omnipotence leaves nothing to chance when it comes to His plans and the people he uses in those plans. As we can see in the story of John the Baptist and his parents <br />Zacharias and Elizebeth in Luke chapter 1. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The Prepared Gospel - Luke 1:1-4</span><br />1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 2 even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word: 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4that thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Outline of Luke 1: </span><br />Luke begins the narrative of Jesus’ birth and life in four visits. Those visits give us an outline of chapter 1. <br />I. Gabriel Visits Zacharias (1:1–25)<br />II. Gabriel Visits Mary (1:26–38)<br />III. Mary Visits Elizabeth (1:39–56)<br />IV. God Visits His People (1:57–80)<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">A Prepared Book: </span><br /><br />Luke is the only Gentile author of any portion of the Bible. Other Gentiles are recorded in the Bible but only one was chosen by God to write, Luke the physician. Luke in fact wrote more words in the New Testament than any of the other authors of scripture. <br />Luke wrote both his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles as a record of the life of Christ and the early church. He made this inspired record for a man named Theophilus. Now if you know anything from being in church for any length of time you know that Theo is the Greek word for God and Phileo is the word for love, Theophilus’ name then means “a lover of God.” He may have been born with that name, he may have changed his name after he was saved to reflect his new faith, or it may have been a codename to protect him if he was in a position where his faith would have brought him under persecution. <br /><br />We know nothing about Theophilus but what we read here. He may have been Luke’s patron who helped him financially as Luke traveled and gathered material for his Gospel. He may also have been an official or minor ruler because Luke calls him “most excellent, Theophilus” a title like your excellency. But we really don’t know. <br />We know more about Luke. He was a trained physician, who joined Paul’s missionary work during the second missionary journey probably in Macedonia or Greece in Acts chapter 20. Of all the writers of the Gospel he was the most detail oriented and the most precise in place names and dates. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Prepared For Us</span><br /><br />When you consider Luke and his writings you can’t help but realize that God prepared and used Luke to write a Gospel account that was specially prepared for us as Gentiles. Luke’s perspective wasn’t Jewish. He saw things from a former pagan background, a Gentiles background. <br /><br />Today more than at any time since Paul and Luke traveled the Roman world, we need a Book prepared by God to reach a neo-pagan, godless society. We need to see this world of ours today as more like the world of Paul and Luke. We are a civilization that was built upon the precepts for God’s word. And because of that we were a civilization that was more beneficent, had more freedom, was more tolerant and opened more opportunities for more people of all classes than any other civilization in all of history. <br />But no longer, we have turned away from those foundational principles that made us blessed and free. Today we are much closer to the world of Luke, a world ruled by the rich, the elite and governed not by principles based up the Judeo-Christian Bible but by neo-paganism, socialism, Marxism and humanism. <br /><br />If this seems dire and dangerous, well it is but understand this, never forget this, God has prepared a book, a people and a Savior that changed the world once and still can change hearts and lives today. God’s Word is still the only way to break through the chains of ignorance and free people that they might come to God. <br /><br />God prepared a book and in that book is the story of the coming of the Christ, the anointed one of God, the chosen one to save mankind. And in bringing Christ, God also prepared and chose people like Zacharias and Elizebeth and their son, John who would in turn prepare the way of the long-promised Messiah. <br /><br />Go to verse 5 and look how God prepared these parents for the birth of John. <br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The Prepared Parents – Luke 1:5-10</span><br /><br />5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia, and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7And they had no child, because that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 8And it came to pass that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, 9according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Parents Prepared By God</span><br /><br />Prepared by Faithfulness. In Luke 1v5 we meet Zacharias and Elizabeth. Now I love seeing the meaning of people’s names in the Old and New Testament, very often they give us insight into the background of the people that God chooses. Zacharias name means “Jehovah has remembered” while Elizabeth’s name means “God is my oath.” The Bible tells us that were both righteous before God. They were a godly couple, both of which had a linage from the Levitical line of priests. Zachariah’s line was from of Abia and even more prestigiously for Elizebeth she was a daughter of Aaron, the first high priest of Israel. The priests during this time were divided into twenty-four courses (1 Chron. 24), and each priest served in the temple two weeks out of the year.<br /><br />Prepared by Providence. Zechariah was only one of eighteen thousand priests and so with that many priest they would draw lots to see what service they would perform. Luke tells us that the lot for Zacharias was to burn incense when he went into the temple. Of all the ministries a man could serve at the Temple this was considered the greatest, other than the work of the High Priest on the Day of Atonement. To light the altar of incense was to symbolically show the prayers of the nation to Jehovah God. Prayers for forgiveness, prayers for the nation during the occupation by Rome and the evil King Herod and prayers for the Christ, the Messiah to come. With that many priests, the offering of incense would take place only once in a priest’s life, so this was a very special day for Zechariah and Elizebeth, what must have seemed the climax of both their lives and heritage. <br /><br />Prepared by Sorrow. This great honor would be seen as the pinnacle of their lives for another reason, they were old and they had never been blessed with a child. There was a void, a vast emptiness in their lives because they had no family of their own and now were past the time when a prayer for a child could possibly be answered. According to the custom of the times a person was not considered old until they were past 60. (I guess that means I am officially old. So very, very, very old.) So that means they were probably past 60 and some put their age at 80 years old. <br />God, though, is at work in this old couple’s life. He has worked in the past through their family line, their heritage and He worked even through the casting of the lot to put Zacharias in the Holy place at the time of the lighting of the incense, and He even worked through their sorrow to prepare them for the part they would play in the coming of the Christ. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">People Prepared By God </span><br /><br />Over and over in the Bible we see God working this way don’t we. Over and over, we see God preparing prophets, parents, and people just like us. And those that He has prepared don’t see it coming. They can’t see it coming. Zacharias and Elizebeth sure didn’t see themselves being prepared by God to be the parent of the greatest Prophet since Elijah. A prophet who would himself prepare the way for the Lord to come. <br />I believe God is always preparing His people to be used in small and sometime big ways in His service and for His kingdom. And just like the Ezekiels, Daniels, Jeremiahs, Ruths and Esthers of the past, we can’t see that preparation until we hear the voice of the Lord ask us as Mordecai asked Esther, Esther 4:14 who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?<br /><br />We can’t see the work of preparation, but we can put our faith in the God who makes those preparations. We believe in the preparation He has made for us in salvation, in forgiveness, in preservation, in our home in heaven. As Jesus said, “I go and prepare a place for you.” He was talking about all those things. <br /><br />We also believe that when it comes to being used of God for work in the church and in the Kingdom of God, He has made the necessary preparations in our past, our present and in our future. <br /><br />Remember how Paul put it in Romans 8:28-31 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?<br /><br />We are the people of God, made to serve God by the providence and preparation of God. We can’t always see the preparation, but we believe God has already accomplished it. <br /><br />In vss.11-14 we see that God’s preparation continues with a Prepared Proclaimer, the angel Gabriel.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The Prepared Angel – Luke 1:11-14</span><br /><br />And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, ‘Fear not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth:. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Prepared to Proclaim<br /></span><br />Of all the angels that the Bible tells us about, there are only three that are named. Two that were faithful to God and one that rebelled against God and became Satan, the Devil. The two faithful angels named in the Bible are Gabriel and Michael. I know you want to hear what their names mean. These may be of special interest to members of our church since some of them share these same names. <br /><br />Gabriel means “man of God” now that’s a big name to live up to. Michael means “Who is like God?” also a big name to carry around once you know its meaning. The angel who fell, as you know was not name Satan which means opposer or Devil which means accuser, but he was name Lucifer, which mean light bearer. Michael and Lucifer were archangels of God’s throne, when Lucifer fell many believe Gabriel took his place because only these three angels in all the thousands and thousands of angels are named in God’s word. BTW the word angel just means messenger. So when we see an angel appear in the Bible it is usually accompanied with a message from the Lord. Such is the case here with Zachariah. Look at the message Gabriel brought to Zachariah and through him to Elizebeth. <br /><br />Let’s set the stage for this scene. According to the Jewish guidelines for the priests during this time, Zacharias after winning the cast lot, would choose two friends or relatives to help him in his sacred duty. One friend or relative would clean the altar from the previous evening’s offering. Then he would worship as he walked backwards out of the Holy Place. Then the second person would come forward and spread live coals from the altar of sacrifice on the outer edges of the altar of incense. He then would exit as he worshipped without turning his back upon the Holy Place. <br /><br />Zacharias would now spread the incense upon the altar, making a sweet savor that symbolized the prayers of the nation of Israel to God. Outside there would be a very large crowd in the outer courtyard waiting to see that sacred smoke rise. Nor would the priest tarry long in the Holy Place, for they had a great respect of their God. But on this day, the smoke ascended but Zechariah, did not come out immediately.<br /><br />The Bible tells us, that an angel of the Lord was suddenly standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Likely Gabriel waited till Zechariah was alone and concentrating on his once in a lifetime honor. Then as he backed away from the altar of incense, there He stood. <br /><br />When Zacharias saw him, the Bible says, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. Remember this was the Temple of the God of Israel. In times past His presence had dwelt above the mercy seat. Aaron’s sons who offered strange fire upon the altar of incense had been struck dead by God. Zacharias had just made that offering and now suddenly there was an angel looking at him. Yeah, I’d be pretty shook up as well. <br /> </p><p>But the angel said, ‘Fear not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth. We aren’t told what Zacharias was praying about but considering his and Elizabeth’s age he probably wasn’t praying for a child to come into their life now, but the prayers that they had both prayed in the past were not in vain. God had been storing them up till this special time and place. They would have a child, and not just any child but a child named by God. His name would be John and his name means “Jehovah is a gracious giver.” Now that is fitting isn’t it, since John would be a gift to his parents and he in turn would prepare the way for the greatest gift of all time, the Messiah, Jesus Christ.<br /><br />Prepared for God’s Preparation<br /><br />I just want to make a quick application here. The best way to be prepared for God’s preparation is to be faithful in service to God. That is what Zacharia and Elizebeth were doing. Just be faithful serving their God. <br /><br />Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.<br /><br />You will be ready for the God’s preparation, if you live faithfully. You will be ready, to be used of God, if you live faithfully as God has commanded. This is when God will use you and probably is using you right now, while you are serving and living faithfully in the everyday challenges, the common tasks and daily callings of life as a child of God, you are being used of God and fulfilling the preparations He has made even if you are not aware of it. <br /><br />Moses and David were working as a shepherd when God called, Joseph as a carpenter, Amos was a herdsman and a gatherer of sycamore fruit, Nehemiah was the kings cupbearer. All were faithfully doing their jobs when God’s preparation come to a point of personal application in their lives and they were ready. Be faithful and God’s preparation will come to fruition in your own life. <br /><br />One last act of preparation by God and this the most important to our story today, the preparation of a Prophet. <br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The Prepared Prophet – Luke 1:15-17</span><br /><br />15 for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink, and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. 16And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’<br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">The Preparation of the Preparer of the Way</span><br /><br />His Character. Gabriel tells Zacharias about the character of his coming son. <br />Your son, Zacharias, shall be great in the sight of the Lord, <br /><br />He shall not drink wine nor strong drink. He would be a Nazarite, a separated one for God’s service. <br /><br />Zachariah your son will be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. Isn’t that amazing? This prophecy says that the Holy Spirit will fill John even before his birth. We see this demonstrated when Mary pregnant with Jesus the Messiah comes to visit her cousin Elizebeth and the unborn John still in Elizabeth’s womb leaps for joy. <br />Remember the story? Luke 1:41-44 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. <br /><br />How can anyone not believe that a child in the womb is not a child? This child was named by God, filled with the Holy Spirit and used by God to identify the Messiah all before He was born. The babe leaped for joy! Well, of course he did, he just met the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of all mankind. <br /><br />The Calling of John: Gabriel then tells Zachariah what John would accomplish. He says in vs. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias (Elijah). This is not just a prophecy of the great ministry of John but also a revelation of who the Messiah would truly be. Gabriel says, He would turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God and then he says that John would go before Him. Before who? Before the Lord their God in the power of Elijah who was prophesied in the OT to come before the Messiah. In one statement Gabriel tells us that the Messiah would not only be the son of David but would also be the son of God. <br /><br />He also says that as John goes before Jesus, the Son of God, in the power and spirit of Elijah he would “turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just,” John’s preaching would heal divided families and divided Israel as they all turned to look upon the anointed One of God. His preaching would also turn the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of justice, to God’s righteousness, to God justice, to God’s wisdom. John’s ministry would see many turn from their wickedness and show their repentance by submitting to John’s baptism of repentance. <br /><br />Matthew 3:1-6 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. … 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.<br /><br />As families were reconciled and as sinners repented, God was using John “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” We don’t know how long John preached before Jesus come to the Jordan to be baptized by this same John. However long it was, his preaching was powerfully effective. Multitudes of people poured out of the cities and towns to hear his message, hundreds, perhaps thousands believed his message, “Repent, for the Kingdome of Heaven is come.” They believed that the Messiah was coming and from that pool of believers Jesus showed himself and then chose his apostles, his first disciples and his church. John laid the groundwork, prepared the way and Jesus stepped onto that prepared stage and presented himself as the Messiah and Savior. And John withdrew having fulfilled his calling. What a great prophet, what a humble servant, what a man of God. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Are you Prepared to Prepare The Way?</span><br /><br />There will never be another man or prophet like John. He stood with one foot in the Old Testament and another in the New. He has been called the last prophet of the Old and the first prophet of the New. No one can ever be another John the Baptist, but in our own way we are called to have a ministry like his, a ministry of preparing the way of the Lord. Not for an entire nation of course but for those who God has placed in our life. <br />We as the people of the New Testament, as the church of the Lord are commanded, chosen and prepared by God to prepare the way of the Lord. <br /><br />We are to share the Gospel, Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.<br /><br />We are to share our testimony, Acts 1:8 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.<br /><br />We have been prepared by the Lord to reproduce in others what has been produced in us. Matthew 28:18-20 All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.<br /><br />How can you do this? How can you be a preparer of the way into the hearts of those who don’t know the Lord? I think it will be the same as it was for Zacharias and Elizebeth. Be faithful, be believing and just be ready. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion</span><br /><br />We began the sermon with an introduction to William Carey, the father of modern missions. Carey once preached a sermon that helped launch the Mission Society that changed modern missions. In that sermon he gave this very famous quote. <br />“Expect great things from God; Attempt great things for God.” – William Carey. <br /><br />Can you think of a better way to wrap up 2023 and step into 2024? God has made the preparations for us now all we need do is serve faithfully, trusting in all that He has prepared and provided and when we have the opportunity or can make the opportunity let us seize it with the same zeal of a William Carey. <br /><br />“I will in 2024 expect great things from God and I will attempt great things for God.”</p>D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-67328359292059549592023-12-04T08:11:00.000-08:002023-12-04T08:11:29.186-08:00The Promised Messiah Isaiah 7:14 <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKW7_APk806MByoQwcIEhRb_L-crR2UDs8kn4LLDmCoza_xL3pxkWPwHvlFmKQpGW8pnmBMVrCmSQIT740xDxEn9cABKRndlkHEeb1dGa8jqw_ZdGv3KUKYj4IVujLbxXHf3SSEAdPysOVTfeRF5J5fUoS7AIRo_CkfsDD88hMTp4qoUzpYnYC2C_UHQ/s1126/Isaiah%207v14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="1126" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKW7_APk806MByoQwcIEhRb_L-crR2UDs8kn4LLDmCoza_xL3pxkWPwHvlFmKQpGW8pnmBMVrCmSQIT740xDxEn9cABKRndlkHEeb1dGa8jqw_ZdGv3KUKYj4IVujLbxXHf3SSEAdPysOVTfeRF5J5fUoS7AIRo_CkfsDD88hMTp4qoUzpYnYC2C_UHQ/w640-h406/Isaiah%207v14.png" width="640" /></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Promised Messiah Isaiah 7:14 </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is a real old and not very good joke, that still works
as an introduction to our sermon today. So even thought it is old and not that
good, I’m going to tell it anyway. After all those reasons haven’t stopped me
in the past so why should I worry about them today. The joke goes, a man was
pulled over by a police officer. The cop walks up to the door and tells the
driver, “Sir, I pulled you over because you ran that stop sign back there?
Didn’t you see the sign?” The man honestly replied, “Yes, officer. I saw the
sign but I didn’t see you.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And that brings us to our text Isaiah 7:14 where God gives a
sign, to the whole world and the whole world sees the sign, every year that
sign is celebrated, but though they see the sign, the don’t see God. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>The Storm - Isaiah
7:1-2 </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham,
the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the
son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it,
but could not prevail against it. And it was told the house of David, saying,
Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of
his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Storm of Syria</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The raider nation of Assyria was growing stronger and stronger,
threatening the security and peace of all the other surrounding nations. To
counter this threat, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Israel and Syria,
formed and alliance. When they approached Judah, the southern Kingdom to join
them, Judah refused. This may sound like an action of faith but in reality, the
scornful King of Judah, Ahaz was secretly negotiated with Assyria for his own protection,
as we read in 2 Kings 16:1–9. He wasn’t looking to God for help, he was looking
to the enemies of God. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So Syria and Israel, the northern kingdom, went up to make
war against Jerusalem. The Bible says that this threat of defeat made the king
and the people’s heart to move like the trees of the wood are moved with the
wind. A terrible storm was blowing, and the King and people of Jerusalem were
directly in the path of the storm. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Storms of Satan</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God’s people, whether they be in the Old Testament or the
New Testament, are always in the path of Satan’s storms, the world’s whirlwinds
and hate’s hurricanes. It was true for Jerusalem in the days of Ahaz and its
true today. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus warned us so that we would understand why and when it
happens. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John 15:18-25 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated
me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own:
but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world,
therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The
servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will
also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But
all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know
not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had
sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my
Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did,
they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my
Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is
written in their law, They hated me without a cause.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The reason the lost world hates us is because they hated
Jesus and the reason, they hate Jesus is because He tore away their covering
cloak and their sin is exposed. Jesus words and works exposed their sin and
they hate Him. They hate Him and because we belong to him and serve Him then
they hate us. It cannot be any other way. If we are truly God’s people then our
words, reflect His words and expose their sin. Our works, as we serve the Lord,
uncover their corruption and they stand guilty with no way to hide their
iniquity. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me give you some examples of Satan stirring up storms
against God’s people. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From 1989 – 2017 in the United states there were over 20
violent attacks against churches by homosexuals, LGBTQ activists. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Churches are being bombed, burnt to the ground and
Christians around the world are being beaten by mobs, jailed by governments and
ridiculed and hated by Muslims, Hindus, communists, socialists, atheists,
leftists and liberals. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you do an internet search on the most persecuted religion
you will find, year after year, that Christianity is number one and Judaism is
number two. If you internet search all the way back to the time of the Roman
empire, you will still find the same. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I never thought I would see in our nation, Christian churches
and businesses being shut down, bakers, florists, wedding planners and churches
being sued by LGBTQ, homosexual activists try to sue in order to shut them down
or bankrupt them. Orthodox Jews are being beaten in broad daylight on the
sidewalks of New York city. And in almost all these cases the city, state and
federal government tends to be on the side of the persecutors and the media
refused to report or acknowledge it. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We may not be facing an invading Syrian army, but we are
facing an invading army of the worst kind of sinful perversion and hate. The
storm is blowing and I can identify with the people of Jerusalem. Our nation,
our families, our children our churches are in the path of Satan’s storms and
we always have been.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That’s enough depressing illustrations, I’m not even going
to talk about Covid-19 or all the other personal storms of Satan that we face.
This is a Christmas message so lets get to some hope. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What are God’s people to do during such anxious, stressful,
fearful times? Old Testament or New, the answer is the same. Look to the Lord
and listen to His word. He always has a message of hope. This is even the case
with King Ahaz. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The Surety Isaiah
7:3-9</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz,
thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in
the highway of the fuller's field; And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear
not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for
the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah. Because
Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee,
saying, Let us go up against Judah, and vex it,and let us make a breach therein
for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeal: Thus saith
the Lord GOD,<br />
It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass. For the head of Syria is
Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin;and within threescore and five
years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people. And the head of Ephraim
is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe,
surely ye shall not be established.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Syria Shall not Stand</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God sent Isaiah and his son to meet King Ahaz while the
ruler was inspecting the Jerusalem water supply probably in preparation for an
upcoming war. God gave Isaiah a message of hope, of deliverance from the
present oppression. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He tells him not to be afraid, for within sixty-five years the
two nations outside Jerusalem would be broken and no longer a threat. This was
fulfilled when Assyria defeated Syria (Damascus) in 732, and then Israel (aka Ephraim,
Samaria) in 721, both within the allotted time given.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now in vs. 9 is the phrase that we need to key in this section.
Isaiah 7:9 If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Believe it, God’s prophecy was going to happen, no matter
what Ahaz did or what he believed, but he and the nation would not be
established unless they did believe it. One commentary says this phrase is a
play on the word fast and would read it like this, “If Judah did not hold fast
to its God, it would lose its fast hold by losing its country, - Keil and
Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1996),
7:138.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Standing On the Promises</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The application of this verse to our lives is the basic
tenet of the Bible and of our relationship to God. It all comes down to faith.
It is expressed here in the negative, “If you will not believe, you will not be
established.” If you will not stand on God’s promises, you will not be able to
stand at all.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Your faith or lack of faith does not hinder God’s sovereign
will, but if you are to share in the blessings of God’s then you must enter
into God’s will and stay in God’s will through faith. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Faith in God’s word, His promises is the only sure way to
find peace in the midst of the raging storm and the attacks of Satan and this
world. Later in the book Isaiah writes, Isaiah 26:3-4 Thou wilt keep him in
perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust
ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The principle of faith is given throughout the Bible and we
hear its message distinctly in the pages of the New Testament. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the
world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who
is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of
God?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The most quoted verse in the New Testament from the Old
Testament is Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in
him: but the just shall live by his faith. It’s quoted in Romans 1:17,
Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38. The just shall live by faith. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Faith in God, faith in the promises of God, are the only way
we can stand when the storms of life and the attacks of this world begin. Have
faith and you will stand. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hymns always come to mind when I’m preparing my sermons and
when I did a search for hymns about faith, well you can imagine, the number was
more than I could have read in a week. One online source the I use frequently
came up with around 5000 hymn that were about faith. You could fill about 5 big
hymnals with just songs about faith. That is indicative of how vital faith is
to our life and our walk with God. In the past few years one of those hymns has
really been close to my heart. I heard it first during the start of the Covid
pandemic and we’ve sung it dozens of times since then. It was written around 1750
by a woman in German named Kathrina Von Schlegel of whom we know almost
nothing. It was translated a hundred years later in 1855 by a Scots woman named
Jane Borthwick. The music was composed in 1900 as part of a symphony by a
Finish composer named Jean Sibelius. All of that had to come together to give
us the beautiful hymn, “Be Still My Soul.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be Still My Soul </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be still, my soul; the Lord is on your side;<br />
bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;<br />
leave to your God to order and provide;<br />
in ev'ry change he faithful will remain.<br />
Be still, my soul; your best, your heav’nly friend<br />
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be still, my soul; your God will undertake<br />
to guide the future as he has the past;<br />
your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake;<br />
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.<br />
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know<br />
his voice who ruled them while he lived below.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be still, my soul; when dearest friends depart<br />
and all is darkened in the vale of tears,<br />
then you will better know his love, his heart,<br />
who comes to soothe your sorrows and your fears.<br />
Be still, my soul; your Jesus can repay<br />
from his own fullness all he takes away.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Be still, my soul; the hour is hast'ning on<br />
when we shall be forever with the Lord,<br />
when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,<br />
sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.<br />
Be still my soul; when change and tears are past,<br />
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now we come to the final verses of our sermon today and the
heart of the Coming Messiah prophecies from Isaiah. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The Sign Isaiah 7:10-16</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, Ask thee a
sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. And he said, Hear
ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye
weary my God also? <br />
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall
conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey
shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. For
before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land
that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A Son called Immanuel</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When Isaiah asks King Ahaz to ask God for a sign, the King tries
to act pious, very humble and he refuses. Isaiah just told him, “Ask a sign from
the Lord your God, ask it from the depths of Sheol or the heights of Heaven.
Ask it and the Lord will show you.” But Ahaz refused not because he did not
want to test the Lord, but because he really didn’t believe the Lord and did
not want to deal with the Lord. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ahaz refuses a sign, but Hezekiah requests one - The son of
Ahaz was one of the great Kings of Judah, Hezekiah who all his life had ot
stand against the storm of Assyrian invasion. When he got sick with a deadly
disease, Isiah come and told him, “The Lord has said this sickness will be your
death.” Isaiah response was what a child of God does during times like this, he
prayed and put his trust in God. God heard his pray, turned Isaiah around and then
told Hezekiah, “The Lord has added 15 years to your life.” Do you know what Hezekiah
did then? He asked for a sign! Perhaps because he remembered when Isaiah had
offered his father a sign and his wicked father had refused. In 2 Kings 20:8-11
And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal
me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day? And Isaiah
said, This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing
that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten
degrees? And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down
ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees. And Isaiah
the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees
backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Did you catch all that? He was given a sign from heaven and
it was confirmed on the sundial of his father who refused a sign. The shadow of
the sun dial built by his father went backward 10 degrees or 10 minutes. Did
the Lord stop the earth and turn it backwards 10 degrees? I don’t know, he
could have but he also could have bent the light of the sun and made the
sundial go back 10 minutes. Perhaps an angel stood in the son with a giant
mirror, doesn’t matter how God did it. The point is Hezekiah believed the
promise and God confirmed that faith with a sign. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ahaz is too good, to ask for a sign and Isaiah’s response is
harsh, “Isaiah 7:13 Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you
to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, then the Lord turned from Ahaz and instead of giving him
a sign, he gives it to the entire house of David and through the house of David
the sign is given to us. Isaiah 7:14 “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear
a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">See the Sign, See the Savior</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This sign may have had a first fulfillment in Isaiah and a
yet new wife and unborn son, and it is not uncommon for God to give a prophecy
that has a double fulfillment. Scripture is full of such prophecies. But the ultimate
fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 as we all know so well, was in the birth of Jesus
Christ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Matthew 1:22-23 Now all this was done, that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin
shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name
Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus, whose name was given by the Angel, was born of the
Virgin Mary, conceived by the miracle of the Holy Spirit so that the creator of
all, became a creature of that creation. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Luke 1:31-35 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb,
and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great and
shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him
the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for
ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel,
How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said
unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest
shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of
thee shall be called the Son of God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This ultimate sign from God, the sign of Immanuel meant that
God would be with us. Jesus whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” was God
come in human flesh, living on this earth without sin and then dying for us on
the cross of Calvary and taking on our sin, to pay the price for justification
and redemption. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Hymn “One Day” isn’t a carol, but it tells this story,
it tells the Gospel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One day when heaven was filled with His praises,<br />
One day when sin was as black as could be,<br />
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,<br />
Dwelt among men, my example is He!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Refrain - Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;<br />
Buried, He carried my sins far away;<br />
Rising, He justified freely, forever;<br />
One day He’s coming: O glorious day!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain,<br />
One day they nailed Him to die on the tree;<br />
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected,<br />
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He! [Refrain]</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One day they left Him alone in the garden,<br />
One day He rested, from suffering free;<br />
Angels came down o’er His tomb to keep vigil;<br />
Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He! [Refrain]</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,<br />
One day the stone rolled away from the door;<br />
Then He arose, over death He had conquered,<br />
Now is ascended, my Lord ever more! [Refrain]</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,<br />
One day the skies with His glory will shine;<br />
Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;<br />
Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine! [Refrain]</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That is the Gospel, that is the Sign of Immanuel, and yes, God
is still with us. God bent all of time and history to focus on the fulfillment
of that sign on the day Jesus was born. Israel for hundreds of years prayed and
waited for Immanuel, their Messiah to come. And when He came all of time and
history was altered. The world could no longer be the same for Immanuel changed
everything. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He is still changing everything.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do you realize that messiah’s coming is still changing
everything? It is still changing everything because it is not yet over. There
is still more of Isaiah prophecy to see fulfillment. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus came as a babe on that long ago night and the first
coming of Messiah was fulfilled. That was the First Advent. Still to come is
the final coming of Messiah as King who will rule the whole earth from the
throne of David. That will be the Second Advent. And yet there is one more
coming of the Messiah and without that advent, the first and second mean
nothing. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus must come, this time to you, not in a manger and not
in the clouds but into your heart. You must believe. Your eternity depends on
this personal coming of Jesus. You must believe the sign, not a star in the
heaven, not the heaven’s rolled back like a scroll but the sign of heaven given
in God’s word. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;
but that the world through him might be saved.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Does that sound a lot like Isaiah 7:9 If ye will not
believe, surely ye shall not be established.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Do you need to stand when the woe of this world, the sin of
this world, the pain and sorrow of this world is trying to knock you down? Then
believe, put your faith in the word and promises of God. Immanuel truly is with
us and we need faith. God has given us the sign now it is up to us to see the
Messiah beyond the sign, believe and stand fast.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-22918744393458696922023-11-27T07:58:00.000-08:002023-11-27T07:58:56.251-08:00Thanksgiving Living: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-23<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyrteXIwS0FcW_9v3MLgT0q1acmhPbvckfaIJ62-jRdg91bod0yko4p2Z9ZyVOh8pDFC0VaZuhLFLbqN7uA_5mV76fQWQrL2Gnnjgql2CtZon8kwJ9ds1DBqJZNDoNlp6MPay6eRzJdBWvkDiuqrc30xcsvBC1c3mKUgdqt9PZ7_SinkBbrMRL1KMLuE/s1181/1%20Thessalonians%205v18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="1181" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyrteXIwS0FcW_9v3MLgT0q1acmhPbvckfaIJ62-jRdg91bod0yko4p2Z9ZyVOh8pDFC0VaZuhLFLbqN7uA_5mV76fQWQrL2Gnnjgql2CtZon8kwJ9ds1DBqJZNDoNlp6MPay6eRzJdBWvkDiuqrc30xcsvBC1c3mKUgdqt9PZ7_SinkBbrMRL1KMLuE/w640-h412/1%20Thessalonians%205v18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanksgiving Living </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1 Thessalonians 5:16-23</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This Thursday is the time we celebrate Thanksgiving. A time
to gather with family and friends in thankfulness to God for His blessing in
our life. A time to share food, family stories, blessing snd yes, of course Turkey
jokes. It is my solemn pledge to you as your pastor to share these classic
turkey jokes with you and to add at least 2 every year. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Turkey Jokes </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What do you get when you cross a turkey With a centipede? A
thanksgiving with no arguments over who gets the drumstick. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What do you get when you cross a turkey with an ostrich? A
turkey that sticks its head in the mashed potatoes. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What do you get when you cross a turkey with a bell, a banjo
and an electric eel? A turkey that rings its own neck, plucks its own feathers
And then cooks itself. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What do you get when you cross a turkey with a chameleon? A
turkey that changes itself </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">when you get tired of leftovers. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What do you get when you cross a turkey with a ghost? A
poultrygeist! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What do You get when you cross a turkey with a member of
congress? Another stupid turkey. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What do you get when you cross a turkey with ballroom
dancing? The turkey trot</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What do you get when you cross a turkey with a large
drinking glass? A goblet.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What do you get when you cross a turkey with desert? Peach
gobbler.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What do you get when you cross a turkey with a baseball batter?
A foul ball.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What do you get when you cross a turkey with a motion
picture? A movie with a R rating for foul language.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What do you get when you cross a turkey with a mathematician?
Turkey pot pi.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And finally, what do you Get when you cross a turkey with a
Baptist preacher? Dangerous inbreeding.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The 1st epistle of Paul, 1st Thessalonians.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The church at Thessalonica was started during Paul’s second
missionary journey recorded in Acts 17. After the imprisonment and miracle with
the jail and jailer, , Paul and his missions team traveled south and then west
along the great Roman highway in this region to the Macedonian capital and
commercial center, Thessalonica. Here they started the second church in Europe
and were so successful they were driven from the city after a major riot. Paul
fled down to Athens then sent Timothy back to encourage and strengthen the young
church. Later, Timothy rejoined Paul at Corinth with a good report of the
church. Paul wrote the epistle to the church in 50 AD, to encourage them more
and to give guidelines how to live their new Christian life. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the closing verses of the practical section of the book
of 1st Thessalonians, Paul gives a very quick, rapid description of actions
that should mark the life of a child of God. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If a modern preacher was writing this, we might expect statements
like tithe, go witness or attend church every time the doors are open, but Paul
knows that the true Christian life is from the heart and so he gives commands
from his heart. In quick, rapid fire statements Paul drives home his final
exhortations on thanksgiving living. We are going to just look at three. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Live Joyfully – 1 Thessalonians 5:16 </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rejoice evermore.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>First Act of Thanksgiving Living </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rejoice evermore means that my joy should be without limit.
It cannot be defined by my circumstances, it cannot be stopped by my problems,
it cannot be overcome by this world and its adversity. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is the Joy of the Lord. It is not a pseudo-emotion I
prop in front of my very real sorrows in order to keep up a good face. Joy is
the undeniable reality of my relationship with God. I may not always be stress
free in the circumstances of life I find myself in, but I can always know joy in
Jesus, even in the worst circumstances of life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Joy is a gift from the Lord, that flows with and from the
gift of salvation. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane in John 17:13 And
now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have
my joy fulfilled in themselves.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul spoke of the fruit of the spirit, Galatians 5:22-23 But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Way back in the book of Nehemiah when the wall of Jerusalem
was finished, Ezra and Nehemiah called for a day of thanksgiving and
celebration and they told the people in Nehemiah 8:9-10 “this day is holy unto
the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they
heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat,
and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared:
for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the
LORD is your strength.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we are told to “rejoice evermore” it is not a demand for
pretense, ther is no place for the façade of Christian perfection we sometimes
hold up as mask before the world. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is not a command to be something you are not, or feel
something that is not real. It is an exhortation, a reminder to let the Lord’s gift
of joy show through. We are to uncover the wonderful, undeniable strength of
God's joy in us and let it shine, like a beacon on a dark night. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What Jesus said about our light, could be also said about
our joy and it would accomplish the same purpose, Matthew 5:16 Let your light
so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">100-year-old celebrating birthday</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Passing by a table in a local restaurant, I saw a man I knew
that was 99 years old and would be 100 in just a week. The restaurant had given
him a small birthday cake, complete with candles and a fancy birthday hat.
After they sang happy 100th birthday to him. I stopped and said to him, "Well,
it seems you're out celebrating a little early, aren't you?" He looked at
me and asserted, "You know, at my age, son, every day is a
celebration!" - Dan Soman, Livingston, WI. Christian Reader, "Lite
Fare."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And that is what we as Christians should say, “You know for
me as a child of God, everyday is a celebration, every day is a joy.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here’s a little song I wrote, you might like to sing it note
for note. Don’t worry, be happy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul would agree, rejoice evermore he told the church at Thessalonica,
then in this quick one after the other encouragement he tells them in vs 17 to…
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Live Prayerfully - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pray without ceasing.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Second Act of Thanksgiving Living</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul is telling the church, that they should always have an
attitude of constant<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>prayer and a heart
of instantaneous prayer. That communing with God should be uppermost in their
minds even if couldn’t always be on their lips.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pray without ceasing means I live my life in a constant
attitude of prayer. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My pastor friend David Stone said, “ (Prayer) should be the
first thing we do in the morning, the last thing we do at night, and the spirit
in which we live throughout the day.” – David Stone</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is much more about the way I approach life than it is
about the specific actions of my life. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From the Gospels to the Epistles the command to pray is
often accompanied by this qualification of always. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that
men ought always to pray, and not to faint;</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Luke 21:36<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watch ye
therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these
things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Romans 12:12<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ephesians 6:18<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto
with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We pray because we have the full assurance of God’s word
that it is effective. James the brother of Jesus wrote in his epistle, James
5:16 “…the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are to pray like a soldier fighting a battle, never surrendering
but praying until the victory. We are to pray like a watchman guarding the precious
treasures of our heart, our family or our church. Pray like a gunfighter, quick
to draw prayer, your weapon of choice. Pray like a faithful steward, committed
and loyal to your work for the master in faithfully praying.. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are called to an attitude of prayerfulness, of a life
shaped and formed by prayer, of being able to go to God at all times, of living
our life as though God was always walking beside us and we keep a running
conversation with Him about everything. Pray without ceasing mean you
understand your life, your family, your church, your job everything that is a
part of you is affected by the power of prayer. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the movie Shadowlands, C S Lewis is with his friends when
he gets news that his wife’s cancer has gone into remission. As he gets his
coat to leave one of the friends, he is with says, “Thank God he has heard your
prayers.” Lewis portrayed by the Anthony Hopkins looks puzzled and then replies,
“That is not why I pray. I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m
helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and
sleeping. It does not change God, it changes me.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The prayer that is an aspect of our Thanksgiving Living is
not the running of prayer beads through my fingers or tying prayer clothes to a
tree so as the wind blows it carries my prayers to Buddah. Prayer is life to us
as the children of God. A life I live in a close, intimate relationship with Jesus
Christ, my Lord. It permeates my life and maintains an always open attitude of communication,
conversation and contact with God. Pray without ceasing. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next attitude of Christian living that Paul give is
thankfulness. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Live Thankfully - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus concerning you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Third Act of Thanksgiving Living</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thankfulness reflects the attitude of our hearts, but it
cannot fully be expressed <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or seen without
an outward action. My joy may be quiet and hidden and often is seen by nothing
more startling than a secret smile. My prayer can be uttered from my heart and
none hear but my Lord. Thanksgiving, however, cannot be silent or hidden and
still truly be thanksgiving.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanksgiving is seen by the way in our acts of worship and
our acts toward others; it is heard in the words that come from my lips and it
is seen by what, how and when I give thanks. You can't hide thanksgiving, nor
can you hide the unthankfulness that often replaces it. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Paul began his epistle to the church at Thessalonica by
telling them in 1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all,
making mention of you in our prayers.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now Paul ends the epistle and tells them to give thanks in
everything, every situation no matter how dire, every condition no matter how
hopeless, every circumstance no matter how uncertain. In everything, everything
give thanks. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Just as the exhortation to constant prayer is found
throughout the scriptures so is the exhortation to the giving of thanks to God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the Old Testament one of the offerings you brought to the
Tabernacle or Temple as a part of the Peace offering was a Thanksgiving
offering, a visible act of worship presented to the Lord. Leviticus 22:29-30
And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at
your own will. On the same day it shall be eaten up; ye shall leave none of it
until the morrow: I am the LORD.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Psalms 107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of
thanksgiving,<br />
and declare his works with rejoicing.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Coming into the Temple grounds was to be accompanied with
thanksgiving. Psalms 100:4-5 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into
his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the LORD is good; his mercy is
everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the Christian, whose life and body is now the temple of
the Lord, our thanksgiving, like our prayers are to be a constant and
consistent attitude of our life. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Peter in his epistle says, in 1 Peter 2:5 “Ye also, as
lively (living) stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to
offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” Giving
thanks is one of our most vital spiritual sacrifices, an action I do for the
Lord, because of what the Lord has done for me. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanksgiving is still seen in the throne room of heaven by
those who were killed for the Lord’s name. As the world tilts on the edge of
the apocalypse and God’s people are being systematically hunted down and murdered,
heaven is filled with this sound in Revelation 7:9-14 After this I beheld, and,
lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds,
and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed
with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice,
saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the
four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour,
and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the
elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white
robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he
said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed
their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Slain for the lamb, their robes washed white in the blood of
the Lamb and heaven gives thanks. That is the epitome of what Paul is telling
the very young church, in everything give thanks this is the will of God in
Jesus Christ for you. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pastor Martin
Rinkert</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In 1636 during the Thirty Years War--one of the worst wars
in the history of mankind in terms of the sheer number of deaths, epidemics,
the economic results--there was a godly pastor whose name was Martin Rinkert.
In a single year, this pastor buried 5,000 people in his parish--about fifteen
a day. He lived with the worst that life could do. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But if you look in your hymnal, you'll find that in the
middle of that time, he wrote a table grace for his children, our thanksgiving
hymn: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">"Now thank we all our God <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With hearts and hands and voices, <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who wondrous things has done, <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In whom his world rejoices." </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I'd spent the
year holding 5,000 funerals of the people I served, could I write for my
children a song of thanksgiving? It's an unusual thing that in history many who
have the least to thank God about thank him the most. - Joel Gregory, "The
Unlikely Thanker," Preaching Today, Tape No. 110. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanksgiving living is rejoicing evermore, praying without
ceasing and giving thanks in everything. There it is the will of God for
you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanksgiving living requires that you uncover the gift of joy
that God has given us. Thanksgiving living means prayer is your life, not just
a ritual. Finally, is it knowing God's will for us is to give thanks in
everything. Right in the middle of the problems the hurts and the sorrow,
express it, show it and let others experience it through you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-44139888927540154052023-11-13T04:49:00.000-08:002023-11-13T04:49:44.067-08:00When Faith Stands Alone Text: 2 Kings 4:18-37<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikawopHaZKl6XvHDIgnJygjH5fVj2wUpiN1khs0PVY4UpwFBdui6l9xulsMK8wZfGuT1bDrO0JZs7EqSaHlUUuaSf3if-VPo9QF2_2PWqxKpi8AkxSS5OWf44QwiBGIjUqzm2-wVfIWGaU6GqvMGcbLeru4B8qkJMHCuoGo9G6MUqKjL7PDjucDg36RYM/s1257/When%20Faith%20Stands%20Alone%202%20Kings%204v23.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1257" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikawopHaZKl6XvHDIgnJygjH5fVj2wUpiN1khs0PVY4UpwFBdui6l9xulsMK8wZfGuT1bDrO0JZs7EqSaHlUUuaSf3if-VPo9QF2_2PWqxKpi8AkxSS5OWf44QwiBGIjUqzm2-wVfIWGaU6GqvMGcbLeru4B8qkJMHCuoGo9G6MUqKjL7PDjucDg36RYM/w640-h362/When%20Faith%20Stands%20Alone%202%20Kings%204v23.png" width="640" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">When Faith Stands Alone</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><br />Text: 2 Kings 4:18-37</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><br />Introduction:
<a name="_Hlk150669178">Boudreaux and His brother Lafayette</a></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The gators
had gotten so bad in Louisiana that the state was paying a bounty of $100
dollar for each gator that was shot and you could even keep the skin for some
boots and the meat for a big pot of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>alligator jambalaya. Two Cajun brothers, Boudreaux and Lafayette decide
to go gator hunting in the Atchafalaya swamp. They paddle around in their little
boat for days and days but they can’t spot a single gator. Finally, one day they
were out in the swamp so late that they decide to pull up the their little
pirogue on an dry island and sleep till morning.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The build a
fire and fall fast asleep. In the middle of the night, Lafayatte gets up to put
more wood on the fire and as the flames kick up he looks out into the night and
all around the camp are hundreds of alligators. He can see their eyes glowing
and their teeth flashing as they creep toward the brothers.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Lafayette
wakes up his brother. “Boudreaux, Boudreaux, man you better wake yo self up
now!” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Boudreaux says,
“What is you goin on about, Lafayette? We been up all day and I is tired!” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Lafayette
says, “Boudreaux, you got to open up yo eyes and look around. We is goin to be
rich!” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I really
like that joke, because it takes something that could be very bad and turns it
around into something, that at least in Layfette’s mind, is going to be real
good. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 16.0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The Crises of Faith - 2 Kings 4:18-21</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">And when the child was grown, it fell
on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he said unto his father, My head, my
head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. And when he had taken him,
and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.
And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door
upon him, and went out.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>Faith Versus Fact</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Shunem: a
little village in the tribe of Issachar, to the north of Jezreel and south of
Mount Gilboa. South of Nazareth in the North and Samaria in the center of
Israel. Shunem was about twenty miles northwest of Abel-meholah, Elisha’s
hometown, and twenty-five miles or so beyond Shunem was Mount Carmel. The
village of Shunem was the halfway point whenever Elisha went to Mount Carmel. Mount
Carmel was special to Elijah because his mentor Elijah’s had his greatest
victory of the prophets of Baal and Asherah there. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Of the all
the miracles done by the prophet Elisha, these two miracle are the most
detailed, 37 verses of 2 Kings 4 deal with the Shunamite woman and her son. The
later, Elisha once again intervenes in their life chapter 8. There the woman is
a widow raising her miracle child and Elizha warns her of a coming 7-year
famine. The story of the woman, we only know as this Shunamite, is an amazing
and touching story of faith, love, and God’s providence for those who serve Him
and for those who provide for His servants. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">With the
death of her child, there was a crisis of faith. Her faith must overcome the
facts that her child was dead. Her little boy, the proof of God’s love and
power, was gone.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The crisis
of faith was how to believe God in her heart, when with her eyes, she could see
that God had failed her.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Faith Seen
In Crisis </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">We must
understand that faith is given us by God for those times when we are in crisis.
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Isn’t this
what Paul meant when he told us that faith is a shield, in <b>Ephesians 6</b><b>
:</b><b>16</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>… taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye
shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">If it is a
shield then we must understand it was meant for battle. It requires no faith to
stand in time of peace. "Faith is not seen until we are under attack.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span>Illustration: Faith In The Storm</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Do you
remember when Peter walked upon the water to go to Jesus? <b>Matthew 14:26-31</b>
And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying,
It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. <sup>27</sup> But straightway
Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. <sup>28</sup>
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on
the water. <sup>29</sup> And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of
the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. <sup>30</sup> But when he saw
the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying,
Lord, save me. <sup>31</sup> And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand,
and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou
doubt?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Without the
wind and the waves Peter would never have needed to get out of the boat.
Without the storm threatening to sink them all, Jesus would not have needed to come
to them in their peril. Only when the storm threatened to destroy them did
faith become the most important thing they possessed. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Transition</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The truth
is that there will always be crises in our life and storms in our path. The crises
that you and I will face, the times when we will need faith as we have never
needed it before, are those in which everything around us clearly tells us,
"The promises of God were wrong. The power of God isn’t real. And the
peace of God does not exist.” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The facts of
our crisis, our catastrophe, our calamity cannot be denied, the reality of what
we are facing is as obvious as the lifeless body of that child. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">So, when faith
stands alone, will our faith stand?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Cry of Faith - 2 Kings 4:22-26</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">And she called unto her husband, and
said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I
may run to the man of God, and come again. And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go
to him today? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, <b>It shall be
well</b>. Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go
forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. So she went and came
unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God
saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that
Shunammite: Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well
with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she
answered, <b>It is well.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Her cry, “It
shall be well.”</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">In spite of
her undeniable loss, the harsh reality of death, and the loss of her son, when
Gehazi asks, “Is all well?” She replies, “It shall be well.” This is just one
word in the Hebrew, the word, shalom, peace.</span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><i style="mso-ansi-font-style: normal;"><span dir="RTL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span> </span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I don’t
believe in this case that Shalom was just used as a word of greeting just to
get past Gehazi. This was not just an unthinking spoken word. No, for when
asked by Gehazi is all “shalom, it all peace for you and your family?” She
replied, It shall be peace. This was her statement of her faith in God and in
God's word through Elisha. “It shall be well!” <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Her
promised child was dead, but she believed, she had faith that despite the
terrible loss and the terrible pain she was feeling, she could truthfully say, "It
shall be well!"<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Hear Our
Battle Cry</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Will we
dare to believe God even when faced with the facts that tell us, God is wrong? Actually,
Isn’t that what faith does? It dares to believe when it should be impossible to
believe. This is the battle of faith we all must face.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Will we
also be able to truly say, "It shall be well" when everything around
says it is not well and may never be again.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Will we raise
our battle cry of faith, even when sinking in a sea of doubt and fear? Will I
overcome the facts of this sinful, hurtful world with faith in God’s Word,
God’s promises and God’s love?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">When my
health is failing, Can I say to those that ask, "It shall be well?" When
my bank account is empty, can I still say "It shall be well?" When
trusted ones have betrayed me. When I've been fired from my job, When my
marriage is failing, when my marriage has failed. When loved ones are taken
away in death. When my church is struggling, when even God’s people aren’t
faithful.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Will I still
believe and say, “I don’t know when or how but I know, it shall be well.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Faith is not
denying or ignoring our doubts and fears. Faith is admitting the doubts and
fears but still having faith in the Lord. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Aren’t you
glad that John the apostle wrote to his “little children” and told them in <b>1
John 3:19-21</b> <sup>19</sup> And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and
shall assure our hearts before him. <sup>20</sup> For if our heart condemn us,
God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. <sup>21</sup> Beloved,
if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">God is
greater than our doubting, fearful hearts. He is greater than the facts that
seem to contradict His word. It is not about my inability it is about his
ability. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Illustration:
Help thou my unbelief</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The Father
of the demon possessed son comes to Jesus and his disciples in Mark 9, just as
Jesus descends from the Mount of Transfiguration. The man asks for Jesus to
show compassion to his son, who has never known a life free from this evil
spirit. <i></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Mark
9:23-24 -- Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible
to him that believeth. <sup>24</sup> And straightway the father of the child
cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Then, the
Bible says, Jesus rebuked the foul spirit and it left the man’s son never to
return. Notice carefully, He rebuked the demon, but He did not rebuke the man
for his confession of faith mingled with fear. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“Lord, I
believe; please help me overcome my doubts, fears and unfaithfulness.” Help me
to always be able to say, “It shall be well!”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Transition</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">In order
for us to have faith that overcomes the crises, faith that looks past the facts,
faith that overcomes even our own doubts, we must fully understand what that
faith is, what it is built upon. <i></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Core of Faith - 2 Kings 4:27-30</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">27 </span></sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">And when she came to
the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to
thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul <i>is</i>
vexed within her: and the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>
hath hid <i>it</i> from me, and hath not told me. <sup>28 </sup>Then she
said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me? <sup>29 </sup>Then
he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go
thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer
him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. <sup>30 </sup>And
the mother of the child said, <i>As</i> the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>
liveth, and <i>as</i> thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and
followed her. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Faith’s
Foundation</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Let’s look
at how faith works in this mother, in Gehazi and especially in Elisha.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The mother’s faith is in the promise of the word of God</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">. She goes to where she had placed her faith, in the promise of the man
of God, who spoke the word of God. She does not know the outcome of this crisis,
but she knows what her faith was based upon. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Gehazi’s faith is in obedience to the
command of Elisha. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">When Gehazi acts it is because Elisha is his
master and gives him a command. Elisha tells him, “Gird up thy loins and take
my staff.” And his faith is seen as he acts. He girds up his loins, that means
he gathered up the ends of his long robe, tied them around his upper thighs so
they will not trip him and he takes off. I believe he runs all the way back,
possibly a distance of 7 miles or more. He runs without saying a word to anyone
and enters the prophet’s chamber where the child of promise was laying lifeless
on the bed of the prophet, where the woman had place her son and her faith. He places
the staff on the face of the child as Elisha had commanded but nothing happens.
He then runs back and meets Elisha and the mother with this seemingly hopeless
report, “The child is not awaked.” <b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">It was going to take much more than a quick touch to restore this life. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Then we see
Elisha’s faith at work when we pick up the story in <b>2 Kings 4:32-34</b> And
when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon
his bed. <sup>33</sup> He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain,
and prayed unto the LORD. <sup>34</sup> And he went up, and lay upon the child,
and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands
upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the
child waxed warm. <b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Elisha,
this mighty prophet of God, goes in shuts the door and the first thing he does
is …pray. He prays, because just like the child’s mother, he doesn’t know what is
going to happen. Elisha who once made an iron axe head float like balsam wood,
who once turned a pot of poison into a wholesome stew. Elisha, who multiplied a
small meal so that it fed hundreds, who was able to see the invisible army of
the Lord and to blind the seeing army of Syria. Elisha who told Naaman to wash
away his leprosy in the muddy Jordan river. This great man of God was not told
by God why this promised child had died or what would ultimately happen. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">And so he
did what all children of God do when they are confronted with the casualties
and catastrophes of this sinful world, he got alone with God and he prayed. When
he finished praying, he stretched his body upon the body of the dead child
staying there so long that the flesh of the child began to warm. This was
something that Elijah, his master, had done when the child of the widow of Zarephath
had died and now Elisha does it again but even more fervently. This was not
some form of resuscitation but was an extension of the prayer. Both prophets prayed
with their words, prayed with their hearts and then, they also prayed with all
of their physical being, as if willing life back into the empty body by holding
the child close. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I wonder if
James was thinking of Elisha praying in that upper room when he wrote, <b>James
5:16</b> … The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The story finishes
in <b>1 Kings 4:35...</b> <sup>35</sup> Then he returned, and walked in the
house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child
sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. <sup>36</sup> And he called
Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come
in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. <sup>37</sup> Then she went in, and fell
at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went
out..<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Even after
praying, even after warming the child’s flesh with his own body, the child still
lay lifeless upon the bed. Not once did God tell Elisha anything. In this case faith
was not based upon special revelation but upon the promise already given to the
Shunamite woman. The reason Elisha kept trying and would not give up was
because his faith was based upon his knowledge of the character of God. He knew
the his God and he knew that his God did not lie or play games with people’s pain.
Who God was, formed the core of his faith. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">And that faith would not accept the fact of a child taken after God had
given His word.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Foundational
Faith</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Please
listen, many people are failing as Christians because they really don’t
understand what faith is. They don’t know its foundation and therefore it can’t
be built up in their lives. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Faith is not
our willpower. It does not grow strong simply because you wish it or try to force
it.<b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Faith is not
some kind of supernatural element or visualization. It doesn’t make things
happen out of thin air or simply use your desires to bring something out of
nothing. Though there are many sad heretics who teach such lies. <b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Nor is faith
a simple generic, belief in God. A kind of “I believe God can do anything.”<b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">What is
faith then? Here is what the Bible teaches. Faith is a direct, active belief in
God’s character, God’s love, God’s power and specifically God’s Word. Let me
show you what the Bible tells us of our God. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">God’s
Character, who He is. The Bible says that God is the author and giver of all
that is good.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">God is good</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>James 1:16-17</b> Do not err, my beloved
brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down
from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of
turning.<b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">God, the
Bible tells us </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">is faithful in all
his promises</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> <b>Hebrews 11:6</b><b>6</b>
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God
must believe that he is, and that <b>he is a rewarder of them that diligently
seek him.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">God reveals
himself to us in His word and His word says, <b>He is love.</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">1 John 4:16-19</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is
love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Herein is our love made perfect, that we may
have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this
world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear...<b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">God Is
unfailing in His Power and Providence.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> We must
believe in God's Power and His plans, a power that will overcome the crisis we
must walk through and providence that will supply our every need. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Romans 8:28</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.<b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">1 John 4:4</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> Ye are of God, little children, and have
overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the
world.<b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">This is
faith that overcomes the facts of a world that just doesn’t make sense, a world
that seems to be out of control and rapidly spinning downward into hell. But if
we have this faith, then we know and believe that God’s is still in control. We
know and believe that God will always rule and reigns in the affairs of all
men. <b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Finally, true,
“It Shall Be Well” faith, is built upon God's Word.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">And by God’s
word I mean this written, in your hand, before your eyes, hidden in your heart,
Holy Bible. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Once I heard
a professor and Pastor preaching about faith and he mentioned a mound of asphalt
that was on the back side of the church parking lot. And used it as an example.
“If I had faith I could say to that mound of asphalt, be gone.” He went on, “If
we can have faith to move mountains, why don't we see more land leveling?” Well
I can tell you why, because nowhere in this book are we told to move a mound of
asphalt in the parking lot much less Mt Everest. <b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">True faith
is based on the revealed word of God. This is the way, the only way I can know
what I am to believe in and act in faith upon. <b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Psalms 119:80</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be <b>not ashamed</b>. <b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Romans 10:17</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing <b>by the word of God. </b>It’s
true for my saving faith, and its true for my walking faith. That is what it
says in …</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Romans 1:17</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> For therein is the righteousness of God
revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">When I know,
what the Lord has said to me, as a New Testament, new covenant child of God, then
my faith can face and overcome dangers, disappointments, depressions,
degradations, and the despair of death.<b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Illustration:
Job </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Job, because
He knew his Lord, had this kind of faith, in the depths of despair, confronted
with the doubts of his family, his friends and even himself, still sounds the
cry of faith in <b>Job 13:15</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: …16<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also <i>shall be</i> my salvation”</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 16.0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Conclusion:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: .2in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">What is
your cry today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 27.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Is it a cry
of faith or of despair?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you calling
out, "Oh, Lord, why?" or "Oh, Lord. It shall be well."<i></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Can you stand
in that faith here at Calvary Baptist Church? Can you see a church with people
filling the pews again? Can you see lives being touched, families being
strengthened, missionaries being sent, people being changed by the power of
God?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Can you believe
“It shall be well” for your family?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
when faced with the sinful facts of this immoral time we live in? When facing the
dangers, the drugs, the finances, the job of just staying together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you still say, "It shall be
well."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Can you say it
when looking at your life? Can you look at the things in the past and the
prospects for the future and say, "It shall be well?"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Do you
believe it for your soul? Can you look at the part of you, that only you and
God can see and say, “No matter what happens in this world, today or tomorrow,
or for eternity, I know, "It shall be well!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: .6in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 2.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan lines-together; page-break-after: avoid;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">If you know
God, If you’ve read His word and if you’ve experienced His love through Jesus
Christ, His son and your Savior, then you will know that even </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">when faith stands alone, it stands strong. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-15189906897102235192023-11-10T06:39:00.000-08:002023-11-10T06:39:01.910-08:00Ezekiel and the Exilic Prophets - Lesson 6: Ez 8:1-11:25 The Depravity of Jerusalem<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGR1UNTs_5bIDKZ49UHEQQNVf72MBV6wJQWzSNxUjvJy2Xqc72jRLM5o4SxGkb7lMVJfil3xWG0Y_fHn0S5jRkMj74uoxlnUJ7L32p6zgWJr_c6ftR_IczfFvyCKz3IeB5Sed6lDIbeoryndF4gqATYgjxwApRmSnWx7YgUVnn9WPXpcd74uM292tMWE/s1254/Ezekiel%208_11%20Lesson%206.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="1254" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGR1UNTs_5bIDKZ49UHEQQNVf72MBV6wJQWzSNxUjvJy2Xqc72jRLM5o4SxGkb7lMVJfil3xWG0Y_fHn0S5jRkMj74uoxlnUJ7L32p6zgWJr_c6ftR_IczfFvyCKz3IeB5Sed6lDIbeoryndF4gqATYgjxwApRmSnWx7YgUVnn9WPXpcd74uM292tMWE/w640-h362/Ezekiel%208_11%20Lesson%206.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ezekiel and the Exilic Prophets - Lesson 6: Ez 8:1-11:25 <br />The Depravity of Jerusalem</span><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">8:1-18. Vision of four abominations practiced in the Temple. </span><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It has been 14 months since Ezekiel was called by God. Transported
by an angel or the Lord to Jerusalem where once again the glory of the Lord
appears to him. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>First abomination </b>- Ezekiel 8:3 to the door of the inner
gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of
jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This may have been an image of Asherah, the mother-goddess
of the Canaanites, set up by Manasseh (II Kgs 21:7), and subsequently destroyed
by Josiah (II Kgs 23:6). Albright holds that the image or figured slab (Heb.,
sēmel; used only here and in Ezk 8:5; Deut 4:16; II Chr 33:7, 15), similar to
those found in Syria, Asia Minor, and Mesopotamia, was placed in a niche in the
wall (see Arch. and Relig. of Israel, pp. 165, 166, 221). <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The term “Asherah”
appears 40 times in the Old Testament, with 33 of these occurrences referring
to the sacred Asherah poles used in pagan and heretical Israelite worship. In
the KJV the word is translated as “grove.” Only seven instances of “Asherah”
are references to the goddess herself. Asherah (or Ashtoreth), the Canaanite
fertility goddess, was the mother of Baal—the supreme Canaanite god of
fertility, sun, and storm. She was the goddess of the sea and mother-goddess. Asherah’s
worship was widespread throughout Syria, Phoenicia, and Canaan. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Second Abomination -</b> Ezekiel 8:9-10 And he said unto me, Go
in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here. 10 So I went in and
saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all
the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">70 men ( a number probably meaning all the men, 7
completeness x 10) who seem to be workers in the Temple of God decorated their
living areas with idols like those of Samaria. The did this because, “Ezekiel
8:12 every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us
not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.” <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Third Abomination -</b> Ezekiel 8:14 Then he brought me to the
door of the gate of the LORD's house which was toward the north; and, behold,
there sat women weeping for Tammuz. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tammuz/Osiris/Adonis was a god of agriculture. His rituals
were performed primarily by women, who mourned his death each year when the
early wheat harvest was over. In the myth Tammuz was taken to the netherworld
by demons and his sister who had been held was released. Later in the summer
Tammuz would rise again for the harvest. The women’s tears recalled the
supposed tears of Ishtar that brought Tammuz back. This is what the women in
the gate of the temple were doing in Ezekiel 8, a vile fertility god was being worshipped
in the place that Jehovah had sanctified for His house. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Fourth Abomination</b> - Ezekiel 8:16 And he brought me into the
inner court of the LORD's house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the
LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with
their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and
they worshipped the sun toward the east. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These men would have been priests and instead of worship
toward the Temple they were worshipping the rising sun. One of the most pagan
forms of worshipping that as ever existed. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God says He will deal with them in “fury” for the violence,
to men or to God and His house, that they have done. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">9:1-11 Vision of inhabitants slain by divine avengers.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Six men (angels / divine executioners) are called to carry
out God’s justice upon Jerusalem, all have weapons of slaughter, shattering
weapons, not swords but clubs, hammers. One executioner is dressed in linen and
carries and ink horn. He precedes the others and marks those in the city who
mourn for the abominations that are in the Lord’s house. They will be spared,
but there is no mercy for the others, even though Ezekiel prays fervently for
them. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Hebrew word for mark is taw (Eng. “t”), the last letter
of the Hebrew alphabet, written in the old form as a cross, the letter t. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Vision of Jerusalem destroyed by fire. 10:1-22.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The angel dressed in linen is commanded to take fire from
the throne of God and scatter it upon the city of Jerusalem. A symbol of God’s
fiery judgment upon His city. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God’s glory, His presence depart from the temple - Ezekiel
10:18<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the glory of the LORD
departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Comparison of Ezekiel and Revelation - This type of fiery judgment
vision is seen again in Revelation 8:5-6 And the angel took the censer, and filled
it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices,
and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the seven angels which
had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If the angel dressed in linen is separate from the other six,
then both judgments are carried out by 7 avenging angels. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Vision of the evil condition of the city and the Lord’s
departure. 11:1-25. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> Vs. 4-12 Ezekiel is told to prophesy against the city and
his message of judgment lays the blame for the slaughter upon their own sin. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ezekiel 11:12 And ye shall know that I am the LORD. The
theme of the book is repeated. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God promises a remnant will be saved and one day a new heart
to His people - Ezekiel 11:19-21 And I will give them one heart, and I will put
a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh,
and will give them an heart of flesh: 20 That they may walk in my statutes, and
keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be
their God. 21 But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their
detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon
their own heads, saith the Lord GOD. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God, upon his throne and the cherubim now leave Jerusalem. Ezekiel
11:22-23 Then did the cherubims lift up their wings, and the wheels beside
them; and the glory of the God of Israel was over them above. And the glory of
the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which
is on the east side of the city. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ezekiel sees himself in the vision carried back to Chaldea
and the vision of God glory and throne go with him. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ezekiel 11: 24-25 Afterwards the spirit took me up, and
brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the
captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me. Then I spake unto
them of the captivity all the things that the LORD had shewed me. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The utter destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar was
barbaric and meant to remove any hope of Israel rebelling again or of regaining
their city. Though it is very harsh, God’s judgment was 100s of years in
coming. Prophet after prophet had warned Israel and Judah that God would not be
mocked. When judgment came very, very few were spared from God’s fury. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One day this world will see and even more terrible
destruction during the Tribulation, all the earth will be judged and upward of ¾
of all mankind along with much of the animals, plants and even oceans will be destroyed.
It will be harsh, but God has been warning this wicked world for 2000 years to
repent. When His angels of judgment are released at the end of this age, it
will only be the fulfillment of the warnings we have heard for so long. <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Revelation 8:7-13 The first angel sounded, and there
followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth:
and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great
mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea
became blood; 9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and
had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star
from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the
rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11 And the name of the star is called
Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died
of the waters, because they were made bitter.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the
sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the
stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a
third part of it, and the night likewise.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">13 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst
of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the
earth…</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-37951082060093850752023-11-06T12:55:00.003-08:002023-11-06T12:55:36.881-08:00Going With the Gospel 4 John 4 Spirit and Truth<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42c1EXI1rmo71yurrks0Qa2Sssjts8jkcyFRWfYrTJTn6RKe9BmbxOFJJ7a4HI4ZPd5-8SXg6hWN09zCEdvG1jW6FxvVVVMUiJPB0MBLXpr-Dhl6-aa8R7iM3BnJOJ8VM7Q7eGO5CRDRsik2Ej8HzDAU1dX0oQDiP5rOUufG3hu0ViPApRKBNPfBXbME/s909/Going%20In%20Gospel%204%20John%204v24.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="909" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42c1EXI1rmo71yurrks0Qa2Sssjts8jkcyFRWfYrTJTn6RKe9BmbxOFJJ7a4HI4ZPd5-8SXg6hWN09zCEdvG1jW6FxvVVVMUiJPB0MBLXpr-Dhl6-aa8R7iM3BnJOJ8VM7Q7eGO5CRDRsik2Ej8HzDAU1dX0oQDiP5rOUufG3hu0ViPApRKBNPfBXbME/w640-h360/Going%20In%20Gospel%204%20John%204v24.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Going With the Gospel 4 John 4 Spirit and Truth<br />Text: John 4:20-24</span><br /></p><p>This is early in the 3 year ministry of Christ and He is trying to keep His fame and the controversies that would follow that fame to a minimum. In John 4:1 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, Jesus finds out that the pharisees are beginning to hear about Him because He is baptizing more disciples than John the Baptist. <br /><br />John 4:2 tells us (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples) This is to note that Jesus never baptized anyone personally. He reserved his own act of baptizing for the day of Pentecost when He baptized His church. But the Disciples that now follow Jesus are baptizing under his authority and there are more people being drawn to Jesus. So, when the Pharisees begin to take notice, Jesus leaves the area and goes back to Galilee where the Pharisees aren’t as likely to pay attention. <br /><br />Then John 4:3-6 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. 4 And he must needs go through Samaria. 5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.<br /><br />He did not have to go through Samaria, many Jews refused to go through because Samaria was a land of genetically and religiously mixed people. They only believed in the first five books of the Bible, did not accept Mt. Zion as the place for the Temple and were the scions, the descendants of the 10 tribes of Israel who were left in the land after the Assyrian invasion and the colonists that Assyrian took from other lands and placed there. <br /><br />To a good Jew there was no such thing as a good Samaritan. <br /><br />Jesus though “must” go through, and as we read chapter 4 we realize why. Jesus did not see the Samaritans as dirty mongrels but as a destined ministry. And it begin with the unnamed woman at the well. <br /><br />Now we are just going to let the Bible tell the story and I am going to resist the incredible urge I will have to preach these next few verses, but instead let them just bring us to our subject. <br /><br /><b>John 4:7-18</b> There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. 8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat (food).) 9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? 12 -- Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? 13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. 17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: 18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.<br /><br />Jesus told the woman of the water of life, he told her of salvation but she misunderstands and so Jesus then begins to reveal himself more to the woman because there can be no salvation unless you know who Jesus is. Jesus tells the woman bring your husband, and then reveals knowledge that no ordinary person could possibly have. She has no husband, but she has had 5 husbands in the past. Go down to vs. 19 <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Worship That Is Wrong – John 4:19-22 </span><br /> </p><p>The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Samaritan Questions, Jesus Answers<br /></span><br />The woman perhaps feeling that this conversation is getting a little too personal tries to redirect the conversation away from herself, she says, “I can see you are a prophet” but instead of going back to the meaning of the water of life, she jumps the track to the question of how the right way to worship. Little does she realize that she is the reason Jesus must needs go through Samaria. When a person is confronted by the Gospel, as this woman was, the focus is always going to be on you. <br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />Samaritan Worship</span><br /><br />The woman tells Jesus what He already knew. “Our fathers worshipped in this mountain (Mt. Gerizim) and you (the Jews) say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.”<br /><br />Jesus’ answer cut through the diversion and stays on track to share the Gospel, “You (the Samaritans) don’t know what you worship: we (the Jews) know what we worship: because salvation is of the Jews. Salvation comes from and through the Jewish scriptures and Jewish people.” <br /><br />The Samaritans had good intentions, they were sincere, and had fervor, they had spirit, but they were wrong.<br /><br />They were worshipping in the wrong place: Our fathers worshipped on this mountain.<br />Worshipping for the wrong reason: An act of rebellion led by Jeroboam, 1000’s of years ago.<br /><br />They were even worshipping the wrong God, true worship was to the God of the Bible and the Samaritans rejected all the Bible but the first 5 books and only as they interpreted them. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Modern worship, My Worship</span><br /><br />What Jesus tells to the woman at the well, He also tells us. What about our own worship of God. What about what passes for worship in most churches today? Is it dead orthodoxy. Is it empty emotionalism? <br /><br />Her question was like us asking, Who is right, the Catholic with their formalism and ritual or the Charismatics with their anything goes emotionalism?<br /> </p><p>Jesus’ answer is that it is not a choice of the two extremes of ritualism or emotionalism, those are both wrong, Instead it is a balance which must have equal measures of both spirit and truth. One without the other means our worship is not acceptable, it is lacking what God desires. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Ritual without Spirit - Arthur Pink</span><br /><br />They bring their bodies to the house of prayer but not their souls. They worship with their mouths but not in spirit and in truth. They are sticklers for early morning communion with God, but they take no thought about keeping their hearts with all diligence. They boast of their orthodoxy but disregard the precepts of Christ. Multitudes of professing Christians abstain from external acts of violence, yet hesitate not to rob their neighbors of a good name by spreading evil reports against them. They contribute regularly to the church but shrink not from misrepresenting their goods and cheating their customers persuading themselves that business is business. They have more regard for the laws of man than those of God for his fear is not before their eyes. - Arthur Pink<br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Spirit without Truth One writer notes that:</span><br /><br />Worship in our time has been captured by the tourist mindset. Worship is understood as a visit to an attractive site to be made when we have adequate leisure. For some it is a weekly jaunt to church. For others, occasional visits to special services. Some, with a bent for Christian entertainment and sacred diversion, plan their lives around special events like retreats, rallies and conferences. We go to see a new personality, to hear a new truth, to get a new experience and so, somehow, expand our otherwise humdrum lives. We'll try anything -- until something else comes along.<br /><br />What is true worship then? How can I avoid this dilemma? How can I not fall into dead ritualism or jump into emotional emptiness? Jesus gives this answer to the woman at the well in vs. 23.<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Worship That Is True - John 4:23 </span><br /><br />But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. <br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />World’s Hour Coming, Woman’s Hour Is Now</span><br /><br />Jesus tells the Samaritan, But the hour comes and now is. What did He mean by that? He was telling her something that few others up to this time knew. <br /><br />In just a few moments she would have the opportunity to worship as she never had worshipped before, because she is going to realize who Jesus truly is. The hour for her is right now, the savior, the Messiah is there asking for a drink of water. The hour of revealing for the world will not come until Jesus is crucified, buried and rises again proving He is the promised savior of the world. <br /><br />Jesus tells her that the Father is seeking those who are sincere of heart and also know the truth. In the worship, of both truth and spirit, lies the worship that God desires of man. Those are the ones the Father is seeking. <br /><br />Earlier, she had sincerely sought for what she thought was living water, but it wasn’t until she knew the truth of who Jesus was that she could receive the true living water. Sincerity wasn’t enough, there must be the desire but it must be based up the truth. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Our Hour Is Now </span><br /><br />Our Hour, our time is now. And like the woman at the well, our worship of God must be based on those same two elements, Spirit and truth, emotion and revelation, joy and the Word.<br /><br />Spirit is our attitude, our motivation and our emotions given to God and responding in the way He would have us to.<br /><br />We should have a Spirit of Love, 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.<br /><br />A Spirit of Unity, Humility and Care, Philippians 2:1-4 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.<br /><br />In our worship we should a spirit of love, of unity, of freedom, of excitement, of zeal. I don’t have to jump up and down, but my spirit should respond to the spirit of God when I come to worship Him. There must be an emotional response because God touches our hearts. <br /><br />And I must also have in equal measure, Truth. Truth that is solely based upon God’s revelation, God’s Word, God’s promises. The Bible. <br /><br />Spirit without Truth is mere emotionalism and empty. It is not just empty it is dangerous. <br />Without the truth of the Word we cannot know…<br /><br />Salvation (eternal life)- Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.<br /><br />Sanctification (daily life) - John 17:17 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.<br /><br />But when I know the truth of God’s Word: I will know joy. <br /></p><p>Jeremiah 15:16 16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. <br /><br />John 15:11 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.<br /><br />The Lord’s desire for us is to hold to the truth and in that truth to find joy. Our mind and our heart both worshipping Him. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">David’s Repentance</span><br /> </p><p>David, when he had fallen in sin, spoke of this in Psalms 51:16-17 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. <br /><br />David was still going to the Temple, still giving sacrifice, still going through the rituals but because of sin he had lost the spirit of worshipping God. <br /><br />A pure, a holy, a spiritual worship, therefore, is such as He seeks—the offering of the soul rather than the formal offering of the body—the homage of the heart rather than that of the lips. – Albert Barnes<br /><br />Jesus is giving much more than just a lesson on worship. It is a lesson on a Christian life principle that is often lacking in our lives.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Worship That Is Life - John 4:24</span><br />God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Worship In Spirit and Truth</span><br /> </p><p>Jesus' answer to the woman is not what she or we expected. He begins by looking at who God is. <br /><br />Jesus says, “God is spirit.” There is no indefinite article in the Greek here Jesus says, God is spirit. This is His form. He is the invisible, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God. Then from that truth He tells the woman that they who worship God must worship Him in spirit (the emotions) and truth (revelation and doctrine). <br /><br />“The word spirit, here, stands opposed to rites and ceremonies, and to the pomp of external worship. It refers to the mind, the soul, the heart. They shall worship God with a sincere mind; with the simple offering of gratitude and prayer; with a desire to glorify him, and without external pomp and splendour. Spiritual worship is that where the heart is offered to God…” - Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament: Luke & John<br /><br />If worship is to be accepted by God, then that worship must be as He desires and defines it. True worship then must be both, emotional and doctrinal, the heart and the mind. <br />Truth and Spirit worship is not the ruts, rituals, and traditions of formalistic worship without the meeting of our hearts and souls with God. It is also not feelings that are not based upon the word of God. The most popular churches and religions today are far removed from truth and only run on emotions, feelings, leadings, and they are wrong, just as wrong as the Samaritans worshipping on Mt. Gerizim. <br /><br />It also, just as wrong to worship without the right spirit as it is to worship without the right truth. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Living Our Life in Spirit and Truth</span><br /><br />Worship then we can see is this two-pillared foundation of spirit and truth. Not only is it true of worship but it is also true of the lives we live for the Lord. Throughout scripture we see the same two aspects of living the Christian life as we do worshipping God. <br /><br />Matthew 10:16. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. <br /><br />Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:<br /><br />Paul often states this principle as being sound minded.<br /><br />2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Emotion and knowledge of the truth.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Richard Baxter</span><br /><br />Richard Baxter (12 November 1615 – 8 December 1691) was an English Nonconformist church leader and theologian from Rowton, Shropshire, who has been described as "the chief of English Protestant Schoolmen". Following the Act of Uniformity 1662, Baxter refused an appointment as Bishop of Hereford and was expelled from the Church of England. He became one of the most influential leaders of the Nonconformist movement, even spending time in prison. Listen to his confession about his spirit, his heart when preaching. <br /><br />“I seldom come out of the pulpit, but my conscience smiteth me that I have been no more serious and fervent in such a case. It accuseth me not so much for want of ornaments or elegancy, nor for letting fall an unhandsome word; but it asketh me, ‘How couldst thou speak of life and death with such a heart? How couldst thou preach of heaven and hell in such a careless, sleepy manner Dost thou believe what thou sayest? Art thou in earnest or in jest? How canst thou tell people that sin is such a thing, and that so much misery is upon them and before them, and be no more affected with it? Shouldst thou not weep over such a people, and should not thy tears interrupt thy words? Shouldst not thou cry aloud, and show them their transgressions, and entreat and beseech them as for life and death? ’ Truly, this is the peal that conscience doth ring in my ears, and yet my drowsy soul will not be awakened.” <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion</span><br /><br />What will it take to awaken our drowsy soul and truly worship and truly live for God?<br />Will we worship and live in spirit and in truth or will we settle for either ritualism and tradition or empty emotionalism that doesn’t care what is true? We need to cry out for God to break our hard hearts and bring us to true worship of Him.<br /><br /><br /></p>D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2680167978972824793.post-54031494747517928302023-10-30T15:23:00.001-07:002023-10-30T15:23:23.011-07:00Going In the Gospel #3 Storm Riding With the Savior - Luke 8:22-25<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xzqht0g5eWMUh9w8k0aNkGPTvUJDLPNEoBc4GWCtNjamAl4fiH29PC0eF1wU54CPs5CES3HNk9cHiCaNTqRUUmC8-CnGpHvKWYPfChcSnEspdJBVKsgqED5acII3trN1z6JLs-UzVY3JNGjALhU5mM-x63hgROXaZr5flea9nqGNVRzu-rUQgvL-Zho/s1252/Going%20In%20Gospel%203%20Luke%208v25.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="1252" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xzqht0g5eWMUh9w8k0aNkGPTvUJDLPNEoBc4GWCtNjamAl4fiH29PC0eF1wU54CPs5CES3HNk9cHiCaNTqRUUmC8-CnGpHvKWYPfChcSnEspdJBVKsgqED5acII3trN1z6JLs-UzVY3JNGjALhU5mM-x63hgROXaZr5flea9nqGNVRzu-rUQgvL-Zho/w640-h362/Going%20In%20Gospel%203%20Luke%208v25.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Going In the Gospel #3 Storm Riding With the Savior <br />
Text: Luke 8:22-25</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Introduction:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is not a secret to tell you that our world is filled with
troubles. This is such an universal truth that in 1949 engineers in the Air
Force who were trying to see what happened when you strapped a man to a rocket
sled mounted on a railroad car and sent it down the tracks at 100s of miles and
hour. Maybe you’ve heard about the law called Murphy's Law? Named after Edward
A. Murphy Jr. an air force captain and aeronautical engineer. It is usually
stated, Whatever can go wrong will go wrong.” Sometimes it is stated, “Anything
that can go wrong will go wrong, and at the worst possible time." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also has several corollaries, such as, “Nothing
is ever easy: and “It will always take longer than you think.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then there are other less work centered Murphy’s laws, like,
The line you are in always moves slower. The toast always falls with the
buttered side down. Inside every large problem is a whole bunch of small
problems just waiting to get out. Whatever hits the fan will not be evenly
distributed. No matter how long or hard you shop for an item, after you've
bought it, it will be on sale somewhere cheaper. Any tool dropped while
repairing a car will roll underneath to the exact center. You will remember
that you forgot to take out the trash when the garbage truck is two doors away.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And of course, the light at the end of
the tunnel is probably an oncoming train. There is even a Mrs. Murphy’s law, “Mrs.
Murphy's law" which states that "Anything that can go wrong will go
wrong while Mr. Murphy is out of town.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Everyone know things will go wrong in this world, but how
you deal with those things, how you understand your place in the middle of
everything going wrong, that is the most important thing aspect of troubles,
especially for Christians.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our sermon today is about a time in the life of the
disciples when following the Lord seemingly went wrong. Turn to Luke 8. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Weak In the Wind Luke 8:22-23</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a
ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other
side of the lake. And they launched forth.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Center of His Will, Center of The Storm</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The disciples were obeying the Lord’s command. He had told
them, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” They obey Him and yet
they find themselves in peril. They were doing exactly what Christ had required.
They were exactly where Christ had told them to be, but that did not keep them
from the danger of the storm. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Bible says there came a “storm of wind” on the lake and
they were filled with water and were in jeopardy, they were in danger of
sinking.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Matthew 8:24 it says, “there arose a great tempest in the
sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves:” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wording here
describes a squall, or a terrible windstorm that came almost without warning.
Just as scripture said it came down, it fell on their little fishing boat, like
a blow from an axe and the waves were swamping the ship. They were going down.
They were flounder in the waves and they were sinking.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is fear is in their voices as they call out to Jesus,
Luke 8:24 Master, master, we perish. in Matthew 8:25 Lord, save us: we perish.”
In Mark 4:38 “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” Lord, don’t you care if
we die? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Isn’t that amazing? Isn’t it sober to see that even for the
disciple doing exactly what their Lord told them to do, there was no guarantee
of calm seas. Even though they were right where Jesus had told them to be, and even
though Jesus was in the ship with them, they are caught in a life threating
storm. No wonder they cried out, “Lord don’t you care if we die?” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>When His Commands Don’t Bring The Calm</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are not apostles, but we are disciples. In Matthew and
Mark’s account we are told that it wasn’t just one boat but several. Mark 4:36
And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the
ship. And there were also with him other little ships.” We are like those other
disciples trying to keep up with the Lord and trying to do what He asks of us. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As disciples, we need to be doing what Christ commands, what
He asks of us. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listen carefully, when it comes to walking or in this case
sailing with the Lord, there is no unknown will of God. Our commands are as
clear for us today as they were for those disciples when Jesus, “Lets go to the
other side.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When it comes to following the Lord, there is no unknown
will when it comes to the Lord’s requirements of us as disciples. His will is
found and easily understood in His written word. When He says these things I
command you, He really means just that. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In all truth, it is not ignorance of God’s will, but fully
understanding God’s will that often keeps us from serving Him. His Word and
will are painfully clear and shockingly simple to understand. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Painful and shocking because, just as we see in this
passage, the center of God’s will is often the center of the storm. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me give you some Murphy’s law as modified by a pastor, “Commit
to tithe and watch your car's engine fall out.” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Commit to teach Sunday School and find the only opening is
the junior high boys class where the last teacher quit after a lesson on
Abraham and Isaac and he wound up being Isaac.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Commit to be a witness of the Gospel and find yourself
facing the meanest looking, face tattooed, ear ring, nose ring, chest ring
wearing, lost neighbor who answers the door wearing nothing but a Speedo,
smoking a cigar and guzzling Coors, now go ahead and tell Him about Jesus.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Why do these things happen? Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Being a disciple, being a real Christian, isn't a game or make
believe, it is a battle, a war with terrible casualties, wounds, and sorrows. We
fight for eternity and that means the stakes are high on both sides. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The disciples made themselves front line warriors for Jesus
when they committed to follow the Lord and if you are a Christian then you are taking
your place on that same battle line. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you have given your heart, your soul, your life to Christ,
then you are a soldier in this war and the enemy has you in his sights. (You
might as well paint a big target on your chest and say, “Here Satan this will
make it easier for you.” (Maybe we should get that on some T-Shirts.) </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Being a disciple and following the Lord is not easy as some teach,
and their naïve followers expect. Those people are like the Children of Israel when
they arrive in the Promised Land and found out they have to fight giants.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Illustration:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Children of Israel </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They send the spies into Canaan, their promised land, their
land of milk and honey then they find out there are actual giants behind tall wall
in cities built like fortresses. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their dialogue with God is not that of warriors but of
slaves looking for an easy life. It might be something like this for them and
for us. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lord, I thought You were going to give us this land. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yes, the Lord says, but you've got to go into battle and
fight for it. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But there are giants in the land behind fortified walls. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yes, but I am bigger than the giants and stronger than the
walled cities.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But Lord, Some of us won't survive the battles. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yes, some will give their life in My cause and for My people,
but I will welcome them home as heroes for eternity.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listen, some things are worth risking everything for.
Eternity and the kingdom of God is more than worth the risk.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The disciples follow Jesus command and wind up in a life
threatening storm. What they do next is what we would do, they call out to
Christ. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Calling for Christ - Luke 8:24</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master,
we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and
they ceased, and there was a calm.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Fear then Faith</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The disciples truly believed they were going to die. I don’t
blame them. The storms on the sea of Galilee are monsters of terror and dangerously
powerful. Sudden violent squalls occur when winds in the mountains funnel down to
the Sea of Galilee, 600 feet below sea level. When that cold mountain air hits
that warm lake water, terrible, swift storms erupt almost without warning. For
those disciples in a small open fishing boat, death was as close as the next
wave breaking over the top of the gunnels.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They were very afraid, they were going to be destroyed by
the storm and they turn to their master. They awaken the Lord, who was asleep
in the ship on a pillow, can you imagine how tired He must have been. Jesus wakes
and then He tells the storm to settle down, like an unruly child. He rebukes the
storm and is good but then He also rebukes the disciples, not good. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the parallel account in Mark 4:40 “he said unto them, Why
are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">His rebuke was not because the storm wasn't really dangerous
but because they could see the storm's power but could not see their Savior's promise
and protection.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>What do you see, The Furious Storm or The Faithful Savior?</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When modern sailors are caught in a storm and can't see the
way they rely upon the compass, maps, radar and GPS. By having faith in their Global
Positioning System they can ride out any storm. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Faith in the Word of God, and in the promises of the Lord, is
our GPS in the storms of life. The navigators of this age depend on their GPS,
the Global Positioning System, but disciples of the Lord in all ages navigate
through life depending on our own GPS. That stands for God’s Promises and
Salvation. (GPS) (Now that really should be on a T-shirt. “I find my way by
GPS, God’s Promises and Salvation.”) </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Through that faith we keep our eyes upon Jesus Christ and in
Him and with Him we'll make it through the storms of life. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Understand, faith is not denying the perils of the storm but
in trusting the more powerful promises of Christ.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Faith is not in denying sickness but in seeing Jesus as the
great physician.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Faith is not in denying poverty but in finding the real
riches of God are too great for this world to hold.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The wonderful truth was just this; the boat couldn't sink
because Christ was in it. Jesus was not to die by drowning in a sea but on a
cross. He had already told the disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”
That meant they would go over to the other side. Satan, the Prince and Power of
the air, could easily call up a storm to try and sink the Lord and His
disciples. But he could not take Jesus Christ the Son of God before it was His time.
The boat couldn’t sink in the midst of the storm because Jesus was in the midst
of the boat.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If it was true for a fishing boat, how much truer is it for
our life, our church, our families and our soul?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Away with the spirit numbing fear of losing your salvation. Isn’t
your soul more precious than a boat? Away with anxiety over our problems being too
great for God. If He could still the wind and the waves, don’t you think he can
still the worries of your heart? Away with any fear of any thing this world and
its ruler can threaten us with. Isn’t Jesus’ promise greater, "Lo, I am
with you always?"? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Peace be Still.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Master, the tempest is raging!<br />
The billows are tossing high!<br />
The sky is o'ershadowed with blackness,<br />
No shelter or help is nigh;<br />
Carest thou not that we perish?"<br />
How canst thou lie asleep,<br />
When each moment so madly is threat'ning<br />
A grave in the angry deep?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The winds and the waves shall obey thy will.<br />
"Peace, be still!"<br />
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea,<br />
Or struggles or evil, whatever it be,<br />
No water can swallow the ship where lies<br />
the Master of ocean and earth and skies:<br />
They all shall sweetly obey thy will.<br />
"Peace, be still! Peace, be still!"<br />
They all shall sweetly obey thy will.<br />
"Peace, peace, be still!"</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The storm is over, the danger is past, but the lesson
Jesus teaches the disciples and us is next. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Finding Full Faith - Luke 8:25 </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being
afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he
commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Where Is Faith Found?</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus asks about their faith. His questioning rebuke must have
must have seemed as harsh as the storm. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He asks them, “Where is the evidence of your faith? Why did
it not show itself in the storm? Where was the evidence of their belief and
trust in him? Why did your faith fail?” </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the storm and the rebuke, the disciples fear their
Master even more than they feared the storm. Luke 8:25 “What manner of man is
this! for he command even the winds and water, and they obey him.” Who is this
man who is more powerful than the forces of nature. Their fear is not about the
danger of the storm but amazement of the power of the One who has called them
to follow Him. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This amazing fear at the power of Jesus shows that at this
point in their discipleship, they did not fully know Him. And it was that lack
of knowledge, that lack of experience with Him that caused their faith to fail.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>If you were asked, "Where is your faith?</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you were asked, where was the evidence of your faith,
when you were struggling in the storm? Where can it be seen, how can it be
identified? How can we keep it from failing? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Misconceptions of faith.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many think that faith is willpower but in truth faith is not
self-discipline but submission. Faith is not my strength but my surrender.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Neither is endurance, faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You see endurance doesn’t produce faith; it is faith that produces
endurance.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nor is faith a rare or unique power. Faith may accomplish
supernatural deeds but it is not a supernatural ability.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christ asked, "Where is your faith?" I think the
question points to two truths about faith.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">First, faith will be seen, especially in the storms of life.
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">James said, "shew me thy faith without thy works, and I
will shew thee my faith by my works."</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Faith is seen most brightly in the darkest of the storms.
It's the lighthouse one the shore that is never noticed until the hurricane
strikes then it becomes the only thing that is seen in the deadly dark.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Second, faith can be found and it is found in the person of
Jesus Christ.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Faith is seen in direct proportion to the extent of my trust
in Jesus as my Savior, and Lord. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Faith is not subjective, dependent upon my feelings, but is
objective dependent upon something real and true outside myself, and the object
of faith is Jesus, that's where faith is and must be found.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John 6:47-48, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that
believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John 10:11
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John 11:25-26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection,
and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus is telling the disciples and telling us, “Believe in
me! Quit looking at the storm, quit looking at the waves, quit looking at the
wind. Look to me.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Faith comes down to this, Simply taking Jesus at His word
and look to Him in the midst of the storm. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Empty Chair</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Leslie Weatherhead tells the story of an old Scot who was
quite ill, and the family called for their dominie, or minister. As he entered
the sick room and sat down, he noticed another chair on the opposite side of
the bed, a chair which had also been drawn close. The pastor said, "Well,
Donald, I see I'm not your first visitor for the day." </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The old man looked up, was puzzled for a moment, then
recognized from the nod of the head that the pastor had noticed the empty
chair. "Well, Pastor, I'll tell you about that chair. Many years ago I
found it quite difficult to pray, so one day I shared this problem with my
pastor. He told me not to worry about kneeling or about placing myself in some
pious posture. Instead, he said, 'Just sit down, put a chair opposite you, and
imagine Jesus sitting in it, then talk with Him as you would a friend."'
The aged Scot then added, "I've been doing that ever since." </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A short time later the daughter of the Scot called the
pastor. When he answered, she informed him that her father had died very
suddenly and she was quite shaken for she had no idea death was so near. Then
she continued, "I had just gone to lie down for an hour or two, for he
seemed to be sleeping so comfortably. When I went back he was dead." Then
she added thoughtfully, "Except now his hand was on the empty chair at the
side of the bed. Isn't that strange?" </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The minister said, "No, it's not so strange. I think I
fully understand." - James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton:
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 416.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Transition: The final lesson about the storms of life.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Beginning the Blessing - Luke 8:27-35</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus,
and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of
Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the storm there was work to be done</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When they got to the “other side” where Jesus had commanded
them to go, there work to be done. There was a man to be saved, demons to be
destroyed and a miracle to be seen.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The blessing of that man being set free, was on the other side
of the storm, the other side of the lake. Jesus knew this and sent this
disciples through the storm in order to reach that man and destroy the demons
in his life. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Are we willing to ride out the storm to find the blessing on
the other side? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The storm is the beginning of the journey to God’s blessing.
If you hold on through the wind and the waves, if you keep your eyes on Christ,
if you’ll trust Him even when you can’t see the other side, then you'll come to
the blessing.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
D. Kris Minefeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749469293610176106noreply@blogger.com0