Stewardship

Messages in the "Stewardship" Series:

  • An Example of Stewardship (Eliezer, Abraham's Servant)

  • Aspects of Stewardship (Four Principles)



Whenever we say “my this” or “my that,” we reflect a worldly view of possessions—the view that what I have is mine. In reality, the opposite is true: Everything is owned by God, and we are only temporary managers (stewards) of it on His behalf.

I. An Example of StewardshipEliezer, Abraham’s servant

A. The Steward is Accountable – vs. 2, 10
B. The Steward is Available – vs. 1-3
C. The Steward is Anxious – vs. 5, 9
D. The Steward is Allegiant – vs. 9
E. The Steward is Agreeable – vs. 12-17
F. The Steward is Attributed Praise – vs. 35

II. Aspects of StewardshipFour Principles

A. We do not own anything—God owns it all.
B. Whatever we have is not ours, but His—we simply administer things on His behalf.
C. How we administer what God has entrusted to us determines whether or not we can be given anything else.
D. We shall all give an account someday.


The Savior's Coming

Messages in the "Second Coming" Series:

  • THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST
  • CHRIST OUR HOPE
  • THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH
  • THE COMING OF CHRIST


THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST
Text: Acts 1:11

Introduction: Every one who is a believer in Jesus Christ knows that one day Jesus will come and each of us will be called to stand before Him. It is my hope and prayer, that I be found doing the work He gave me to do. As one preacher said, "Many years ago I made preparations to be accepted when He returns. But I also want to make preparations to be acceptable when He returns".

For some the second coming of Jesus is frightening. Reuters News June 6, 1996 produced a nationwide scare in Columbia and produced a wave of baptisms in the Roman Catholic Churches. June 6 was the sixth day of the sixth month of a year that also ends in six - a coincidence of the calendar producing 6-6-6, feared as the sign of Satan. The wave of baptisms took place before the date because of rumors that the anti-Christ would put the mark of the beast on any child who had not been baptized.  

Thoughts about future events and the second coming of Jesus can be terrifying to others. It is so alarming because people, saved and lost, are not ready for His return. If one is unprepared, the thought of the future and that Jesus could come back today, should move them immediately to be prepared.

In the OT, we have the types of His coming. In Matthew through Jude, we have the truth of His coming. In the Book of Revelation, we have the thrill of His coming. Notice four things about the second coming of Jesus Christ:

I. THE SAVIOR'S ANNOUNCEMENT (Jn. 14:1-6)

A. It is personal (1)
B. It is promised (will)
C. It has a purpose (come again, receive you unto Myself).

II. THE SCRIPTURE'S AFFIRMATION (1 Thess. 4:13-18)

A. A return
B. A resurrection
C. A rapture
D. A reunion
E. A rejoicing

III. THE SAINTS' ANTICIPATION (1 Thess. 1:1-10)

A. Waiting for Christ
B. Waiting for the change (1 Cor. 15:51-53).
C. Waiting for the celebration (Rev. Chs. 4-5)

IV. THE SINNER'S AWFULNESS (2 Pet.3:3-4)

A. They scoff at it.
B. They shun it.
C. They are scared of it.

Conclusion: Notice what will happen some wonderful day:

1. The Savior will descend
2. Satan will be destroyed
3. Sin will be done away with
4. The Shadows will be dispelled
5. Saints will be delivered
6. The Sinner will be doomed.



1 Thessalonians – Christ Our Hope!

The personal coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ is the hope of the Church and the main subject of both these epistles, being mentioned in every chapter.

1 Thessalonians

Chapter 1:9, 10

Christ's coming as an incentive to conversion. This was mainly a Gentile church and they turned to God from idols to serve the Living God and to wait for His Son from Heaven.

Chapter 2:19-20

Christ's coming as an incentive to faithful ministry. Paul's conduct had commended his preaching, the Thessalonians became an eager missionary church.

Chapter 3:12-13

Christ's coming as an incentive to Christian love. They were already “taught of God to love one another,” 4:9, but Paul's prayer for an increase of that love was answered, 2 Thes 1:3

Chapter 4:13-16

Christ's coming, the ground of comfort in bereavement when Christ comes, those who have fallen asleep believing in Him will be first to rise to meet Him. The majesty of His coming is set forth. Compare 1 Cor 15:51-52

Chapter 5:4-6

Christ's coming as an incentive to watchfulness. Compare Mark 13:33-37

Chapter 5:23, 24

Christ's coming as an incentive to holiness. Compare 2 Pet 3:14



The Rapture of the Church

The word rapture is not found in the Bible. It's meaning is there. The word means--to catch up--seize or catch away.
Jesus is coming again for THREE reasons:

(1) To bring glory to His church.
(2) To bring restoration to Israel
(3) To bring judgment to the world.

I. THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING:

A. If He does not come the Bible is not true. Charles Smith president of Association for Advancement of Atheism had printed across his headquarters, "The Bible is a lie."
B. The first time the word SURELY is used in the Bible is in Genesis 2. Whatever the word means there it will mean throughout the Bible.
1. Thou shalt surely die (Gen. 2:17 - But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.) - man died.
2. Surely I come quickly ( Rev. 22:20) - He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.) - Jesus will come.
C. Eve thought Cain was the promised one. (Gen. 4:1 - And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.)
D. Enoch said He is coming: (Jude 14 - And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.)
E. Job said He is coming: (Job 19:25 - For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.)
F. David said He is coming: (Psalms 24:7 - Lift up your heads, 0 ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.)
G. Zechariah said He is coming: (Zec. 14:4 - And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and he mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.)
H. Malachi said He is coming: (Mal. 4:2 - But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.)
I. The Ages--Billows of Restless Sea--Brooks across a thousand hillsides--Angles in Glory--Saints of all ages with the Church say HE IS COMING.
J. Despite all the scoffing He will come: (II Peter 3:10 - But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned.)

II. THE PERSON OF HIS COMING

A. Many would have us believe that a scientific break through or the spread of the Gospel is His second coming. Let Paul say:
1. I Thess. 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:
2. James 5:7 - Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
B. We shall see the one we longed to see. (I Peter 1:8 - Whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.)

III. THE POSTPONEMENT (DELAY) OF HIS COMING

A. The early Church used the word for cemetery which we get our word "inn" from because they believed Jesus would soon come and take them to Heaven.
B. His first coming at Bethlehem had been anticipated thousands of years yet He came.
C. His delay comes from a heart of Love. (II Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.)
D. His long-suffering is compared to Noah s day. (Matt 24:37 - But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.)

IV. THE PERIL OF HIS COMING

A. Jesus asked the question: (Luke 18:8 - I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?)
B. People are looking for better retirement, for better government, but not for Jesus.
C. Multitudes will be left behind at His coming.
1. Luke 12:39-40 - And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
2. I Thess. 5:2 - For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3. II Peter 3:10 - But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
4. Rev. 16:15 - Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
D. The story of the ten virgins will become a reality at His next event. (Matt. 25:11 & 12 - Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I KNOW YOU NOT.)

V. THE POTENTIAL OF HIS COMING

A. We are to be faithful in our stewardship. (Luke 19:1 2& 13 - He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered the ten pounds, and said unto them, OCCUPY TILL I COME.)
B. We are to be separated. (I John 2:28 - And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.)
C. We are to hold fast our profession. (Rev. 2:25 - But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.)
D. We are to be patient in waiting. (Heb. 10:36&37 - For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tany.)



THE COMING OF CHRIST

That Christ has come is in perfect accord with human history and with the record of divine inspiration. His first coming was prophesied as early as Gen. 3:15, when sin had but entered the Edenic scene. Prophets and psalmists spoke and sang of this coming till at last the angel announced the event to the terrified Shepherds.

There is no doubt as to His first coming. His second coming, however, is seriously questioned. Our minds can enjoy rest as to the certainty of this event because He has made the promise. This promise was made to His own.

1. Under the shadows of Gethsemane and Calvary. John xiv. 1=3.
2. On resurrection soil as the divine Conqueror. John xxi. 22.
3. As the Man of Eternal Glory. Rev. xxii. 20. The coming of Christ for His people may be looked at in the following way. His coming will be

I. Premillennial.

He will return for His redeemed ones and translate them to the glory before He returns with them to set up His Kingdom. It is certain that at the inauguration of the kingdom He will be seen in company " with all His saints " (1 Thess. iii. 13), coming in array like a warrior host (Rev. xix. 14), and with all His angels (Matt. xxv. 31). They must ascend to Him ere they can descend with Him. We may be furnished with types from the catching up of Enoch the taking away of Methusaleh (Gen. v.) the deliverance of Lot from Sodom's judgment (Gen. xix.) and that of Rahab's from Jericho's doom, (Josh. ii. 16) concerning the rapture of the saints. They all illustrate, with shades of differences, profitable to understand, the salvation of saints from coming tribulation and wrath.

II. Personal.

The Saviour said " I will come again (John xiv. 3), Paul declares " The Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven," etc. (1 Thess. iv. 16). The two heavenly ones spake thus " This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner " (Acts i. 11). A threefold cord is not easily broken. We conclude therefore that the One who came from heaven to die at Calvary for us the One who lives upon the throne making intercession for us is the very Same One who is coming again for us.

III. Positive.

No doubt need be entertained. He never yet broke His word indeed it is impossible for Him to lie. Call to remembrance His various promises promised to those who accept Him as Saviour and to those who are His own and immediately all fear will be dispelled.

IV. Punctual.

God's purposes are immutable. He never needs to alter them in the slightest. He appointed a time for the birth (Gal. iv. 4) death (Ex. xii.), resurrection (John ii. 19), ascension and glorification of Christ (Acts i.), for the day of the coming down of the Spirit (Acts ii. 1), in order that the church might be formed ; for the day of judgment to begin (Acts xvii. 31-32), and assuredly He has appointed a time for the coming of Christ for His own. Now it behoves all men to be ready since we know not the day nor the hour of His coming.

V. Private.

Only His disciples saw Him go up to Heaven and His coming has to be in like manner (Acts i. 11). The world therefore will be unaware of the triumph and translation of the saints. We will be called secretly into His presence. What bursts of joy will break forth from us as we travel upwards, heavenwards, homeward, and Christward !

VI. Presently.

It may be at any moment. His last words were " Surely, I come quickly " (Rev. xxii. 20).

VII. Powerful.

When He comes the dead will be raised ; the living will be changed, and together we will rise to meet Christ. (1 Thess. iv. 16-17). All the laws of gravity will be superseded. Divine power will change our bodies and translate us to Heaven itself.
He and I in that bright glory, One deep joy shall share ;
Mine, to be for ever with Him, His, that I am there."


Successful Missions
“The greatness of a church is not determined by its size, but by its reach.”

Messages in the "Successful Missions" Series:

  • MISSIONS - WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

  • INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN MISSIONS

MISSIONS EXPLAINED
MISSIONS EXAMINED
MISSIONS EXPLORED



MISSIONS - WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

Text - Mt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15; Acts 13:1-5

Introduction: A Lebanese ambassador to the United Nations, Charles Malik, asked this question in a speech: "What has been the greatest American contribution to the rest of the world? Has it been money? Has it been food? Has it been medical skill? Has it been military might? Has it been industrial know-how?" Then he answered, "The greatest thing to come out of America has been the American missionary effort: The quiet, selfless men and women who have left the comfort and security of their homeland to bring the gospel of Christianity to less favored nations."
     We hear about churches that are "missions-minded." Faith Baptist Church does not have a mission’s program— We ARE a mission’s program!
   
Successful missionary outreach is the result of: "An infusion of factual INFORMATION with Scriptural INSPIRATION that leads to evangelistic INNOVATION."

I.    A CONVICTION — All without Christ are LOST.

      A. If all are not lost, why do people go to hell? Even in Hell, they are mission-minded.
      B. If all are not lost, then why did Christ die?
            1.   If all are not lost, then John 3:16 is useless!
            2.   God had only one Son and He was a missionary.
      C. If all are not lost, then why commission the disciples?
      D. If all are not lost, what is the church for? (Acts 13).
      E. If all are not lost, why preach? (Rom. 10:1-17).

II.   A CURE — The Gospel will save the LOST.

      A. What is the Gospel? It is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16).

1. Power to change a life.
    The story is told of an agnostic college professor who visited the Fiji Islands. He remarked to an elderly chief, "You're a great leader, but it's a pity you've been taken in by those Christian missionaries.   No one believes the Bible anymore.  People are tired of the story of Christ dying on a cross for the sins of mankind.  They know better now.  I'm sorry you've been so foolish as to accept their story."
    The old chief's eyes flashed as he answered, "See that great rock over there?  On it we smashed the heads of our victims.  Notice the furnace next to it?  In that oven we used to roast the bodies of our enemies.  If it wasn’t for those missionaries and the Gospel of Christ that changed us from cannibals into Christians, you'd be our next supper!

2. This is what people really need, not just humanitarian charity.
      B.    If you had a cure for cancer, it would be criminal to withhold it.

III.    A COMMAND — Every Christian is responsible to take the Gospel the LOST (Acts 8:1, 4).

       A. You are either a missionary or a mission field.
       B. Not just a preacher’s job.
       C. Not an optional thing. "It’s against my nature!" Yes, and it’s against mine too!

1. The closest thing to the heart of God is winning the lost to Christ.
2. He who has a little heart for the lost has little heart for the Savior.
3.   Perhaps the reason many people are not involved in missions is because they don’t think their religion is worth sharing.

IV.  A COMPLIANCE — I will make myself available to go after the LOST.

      A.   I will go in presence.
       1.   The Gospel has never been where someone hasn’t taken it.
       2.   Many people think that God can't use them where they are. But it's more certain that God can't use them where              they ain’t.
    
B.   I will go in prayer. Paul said, "Brethren, pray for us…"
     
C.   I will go in pocketbook (2 Cor. 10:15-16).
        1.   The tithe is obedient giving. Commanded
        2.   The offering is love giving. Prove the sincerity of your love.
        3.   Faith promise mission giving is faith giving.

CONCLUSION:

Are you part of the problem or the solution?  Are you willing to help get the Gospel to some area of the world where Christ has not been preached?



INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN MISSIONS

I. MISSIONS EXPLAINED

A. Defining the Terms of Missions
1-Missions
2-Local Church
3-Deputation
4-Mission Board
5-Sponsoring Church
6-Indigenous / Autonomous
7-Nationals

B. Determining the Task of Missions

1-Identifying the Task
a-Preaching
b-Baptizing
c-Teaching

2-Involvement in the Task
a-Church responsibility
b-Individual responsibility

3-Internationality of the Task
a-Home missions
b-Foreign missions

4-Importance of the Task
a-Only adequate salvation
b-Only adequate provision
c-Only adequate redemption
d-Only adequate revelation

5-Inspiration for the Task
a-Inspired priority
b-Inspired purpose
c-Inspired plan
d-Inspired people


II. MISSIONS EXAMINED

A. Examining Our Missionary Motives
1-Wrong motives
2-Worthy motives

B. Examining Our Missionary Aims
1-Seeking converts
2-Schooling churches

C. Examining Our Missionary Opposition
1-Internal
2-External

D. Examining Our Missionary Means
1-Power
2-Prayer
3-Person

III. MISSIONS EXPLORED

A. Missionary Qualifications
1-Call
2-Committment
3-Continuance

B. Missionary Quality
1-Training
2-Temperament
3-Tolerance
4-Tools


Did You Know???

...The world is increasing its population at the rate of 10,300 an hour...There are thirty times more people to reach with the gospel today than in the Apostles’ lifetime...In the past ten years there has been a 50% reduction in the number of men surrendering to preach and the number of families going to the mission field...By the year 2005, 20,000 missionaries will have retired.

…At the present time there are only 3,383 preparing to replace them. (This uses the term “missionary” in the broadest possible form.)...Between 1984-1999, we lost 30% of the fundamental missionaries on the field...There are presently 138,000 missionaries sent out of the United States and only around 3,700 of those are said to be Independent Baptist... Half of the missionaries on the field are over 50 years old...America used to be #1 per capita in sending out missionaries. Today we are #16. Countries with far less means but a lot more vision send about 90% of the missionaries out...

…Since the invention of the printing press; over 2 billion Bibles have been printed. 85% of those were printed in one language. The other 15% are left to cover the other 6,528 languages of the world. 274 languages have a complete Bible. 745 languages have only the New Testament, leaving 4,564 with no Bible, and over 2,000 languages without a Single verse Of Scripture.
-Copied from Preach Evangelistic Ministries - 2000

“The greatness of a church is not determined by its size, but by its reach.”



Sound Doctrine

Messages in the "Sound Doctrine" Series:

  • DOCTRINE IS PRACTICAL
  • THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION
  • THE DOCTRINE OF REWARDS
  • THINGS WHICH BECOME SOUND DOCTRINE
  • WHAT IS SOUND DOCTRINE?


Doctrine Is Practical

Occasionally I'm asked why we emphasize doctrine so much. Now and then someone tells me that my preaching needs to be less doctrinal and more practical.

The word doctrine simply means "teaching." The central imperative of the Great Commission is the command to teach. Matthew 28:18-20

Unfortunately, some are biased against doctrine. Many church folks have almost the same perspective. Because they view doctrine as heady and theoretical, they dismiss it as unimportant, divisive, threatening, or simply impractical.

Of course, practical application is important. I don't want to minimize that at all. But if there is a insufficiency in preaching today, it is that there's too much relational, pseudo-psychological, and thinly life-related content, and not enough emphasis on sound doctrine.

The distinction between doctrinal and practical truth is artificial; doctrine is practical! In fact, nothing is more practical than sound doctrine.

The pastor who turns away from preaching sound doctrine abandons the primary responsibility of his calling: 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.”  We teach truth, we teach error, or we teach nothing at all.

Layout of the Truth

The Bible is structured (layed out) in a manner so as to reveal truth God's Way, Will, & Work.  Practical insights, gimmicks, and illustrations of men mean little if they're not attached to God's divine principles. There's no basis for godly behavior apart from the truth of God's Word.

Before the preacher asks anyone to perform a certain duty, he must first deal with doctrine. He must develop his message around theological themes and draw out the principles of the texts. Then the truth can be applied.
Romans provides a prime example. Paul doesn't give any practical exhortation until he has given eleven chapters of doctrinal theology.

Paul develops great truths of Scripture in Romans, culminating in Romans 11:33-36, where he says, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen."

Then in chapter 12, he turns immediately to the practical consequences of the doctrine of the first 11 chapters. No passage in Scripture captures the Christian's responsibility in the face of truth more clearly than Romans 12:1-2.
Resting on eleven chapters of profound doctrine, Paul calls each believer to the highest act of spiritual worship -- giving oneself as a living sacrifice. Doctrine gives rise to dedication to Christ, the greatest practical act. And the remainder of the book of

The book of Romans goes on to explain the many practical results of one's dedication to Christ. Paul follows the same pattern in Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 Thessalonians. The doctrinal message comes first. Upon that foundation he builds the practical application, making the logical connection with the word therefore (Romans 1:1; Galatians 5:1; Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 2:1) or then (Colossians 3:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:1).

Living of the Truth

We have placed an inaccurate meaning on the word doctrine. We've made it something abstract and threatening, unrelated to daily living. That has brought about the disastrous idea that preaching and teaching are unrelated to real
living.

The scriptural idea of doctrine includes the entire message of the gospel -- its teaching about God, salvation, sin, and righteousness. Those concepts are so tightly bound to daily living that the first-century mind did not see them as something separate from practical truth.

The New Testament church was founded on a solid base of doctrine. First Timothy 3:16 contains what many expositors believe is an early church hymn: "God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory". There, in capsule form, is the basis of all Christian teaching. Without that, no practical application matters.

Leaving of the Truth

The next few verses of 1 Timothy describe what happens when men depart from the basis of biblical truth: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." (4:1-3).

Dishonesty, lying, hypocrisy, a dulled conscience, and false religious practices all have roots in wrong doctrine.

No ministry activity is more important than rightly understanding and clearly proclaiming sound doctrine. In 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus, Paul commissions two young men to the ministry. His central theme is the importance of adhering to sound doctrine.
Paul charged Timothy: "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained." (1 Timothy 4:6).  Paul also goes on to say, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (v. 16).

Titus 2:10 says we "adorn [or honor] the doctrine of God" by how we live. When it comes to affirming sound doctrine, what we do carries far more significance than what we say. That's why it's disastrous when a pastor, seminary professor, or any kind of Christian leader fails morally. The message he proclaims is that his doctrine becomes merely an intellectual exercise.

Listening to the Truth

True doctrine transforms behavior as it is woven into the fabric of everyday life. But it must be understood if it is to have its impact. The real challenge of the ministry is to dispense the truth clearly and accurately. Practical application comes easily by comparison.
No believer can apply truth he doesn't know.

Those who don't know the Bible's principles for marriage, divorce, family, childrearing, discipline, money, debt, work, service to Christ, responsibilities to the poor, care of widows, response to governments, eternal rewards, and other teachings will not be able to apply them.

Those who don't know what the Bible teaches about salvation cannot be saved. Those who don't know what the Bible teaches about holiness are incapable of dealing with sin. Thus they are unable to live fully to God's glory and their own individual happiness.


THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION

The doctrine of salvation, soteriology, must be the grandest theme in the Scriptures. It embraces all of time as well as eternity past and future. It relates in one way or another to all of mankind, without exception. It even has ramifications in the sphere of the angels. It is the theme of both the Old and New Testaments. It is personal, national, and cosmic. And it centers on the greatest Person, our Lord Jesus Christ.
From God’s perspective salvation includes the total work of God in bringing people from condemnation to justification, from death to eternal life, from alienation to filiation. From the human perspective it incorporates all of the blessings that being in Christ brings both in this life and the life to come.

The inclusive sweep of salvation is underscored by observing the three tenses of salvation. (1) The moment one believed he was saved from the condemnation of sin (Eph. 2:8; Titus 3:5). (2) That believer is also being saved from the dominion of sin and is being sanctified and preserved (Heb. 7:25). (3) And he will be saved from the very presence of sin in heaven forever (Rom. 5:9-10).

Why should God want to save sinners? What could be His motivation? Why should He bear the pain of giving His only begotten Son to die for people who had rebelled against His goodness? What could it possibly mean to God to have a family of human beings?

The Bible indicates at least three reasons why God wanted to save sinners:

(1) This was the greatest and most concrete demonstration of the love of God.

His good gifts in nature and through His providential care (great as they are) do not hold a candle to the gift of His Son to be our Savior. John 3:16 reminds us that His love was shown in His gift, and Romans 5:8 says that God proved conclusively that He loved us by the death of Christ.

(2) Salvation also gives God a display of His grace throughout all eternity (Eph. 2:7).

Each saved person will be a special trophy of God’s grace forever. Only redeemed human beings can provide this display,

(3) God also wanted a people who would do good works in this life and thus give the world a glimpse, however imperfect, of God who is good (v. 10).

Without the salvation Christ provided these things would not be possible.

This salvation is tremendously important. In only two instances does the New Testament pronounce a curse on Christians for failure to do something. One is not loving the Lord (1 Cor. 16:22), and the other is not preaching the Gospel of grace (Gal. 1:6-9). Not comprehending clearly the doctrine of salvation can lead to proclaiming a false or perverted Gospel, and many statements of the Gospel one hears today may well come under this curse. Gratefully, the grace of God overpowers our unclear presentations, and people are saved in spite of, though not as a result of, an unclear or misstated Gospel.

Positively, this doctrine is crucial - simply because a Gospel witness is the responsibility of all believers. For the preacher it is even more important, for he is the link between God and the unregenerated person, and his message must be clear (Rom. 10:14-15).  Lewis Sperry Chafer, whose ministry began in evangelism, still thought near the end of his life that “in a well-balanced ministry, Gospel preaching should account for no less than 75 percent of the pulpit testimony. The remainder may be for the edification of those who are saved”

This certainly highlights the importance of studying and understanding this great doctrine of salvation.


The Doctrine of Rewards:
The Judgment Seat (Bema) of Christ

One of the prominent doctrines of the New Testament is the Doctrine of Rewards and the Judgment Seat of Christ. It is a doctrine often ignored.

Though it is tremendously serious with eternal ramifications, the judgment seat of Christ is not a place and time when the Lord will mete out punishment for sins committed by the child of God. Rather, it is a place where rewards will be given or lost depending on how one has used his or her life for the Lord.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, the Apostle Paul drew courage and was motivated by the fact of rewards at the return of the Lord for the church which he mentions in every chapter in this epistle and becomes the primary subject of 2 Thessalonians. The Lord’s return and what this means not only to the world but to us individually is a very prominent subject of the New Testament.

It is significant that among the final words of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, we find these words of the Lord:
Rev. 22:12, "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."

While salvation is a free gift, there are rewards given for faithfulness in the Christian life and loss of rewards for unfaithfulness. Rewards become one of the great motives of the Christian’s life or should. But we need to understand the nature of these rewards to understand the nature of the motivation. Some people are troubled by the doctrine of rewards because this seems to suggest “merit” instead of “grace,” and because, it is pointed out, we should only serve the Lord out of love and for God’s glory.

Of course we should serve the Lord out of love and for God’s glory, and understanding the nature of rewards will help us do that. But the fact still remains that the Bible promises us rewards. God gives us salvation. It is a gift through faith, but He rewards us for good works. God graciously supplies the means by which we may serve Him. Indeed, He works in us both to will and to do as we volitionally appropriate His grace (Phil. 2:12-13), but the decision to serve, and the diligence employed in doing so, are our responsibility and our contribution and God sees this as rewardable. Compare the following passages:
1 Corinthians 15:10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
Colossians 1:29  "Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily."

Other Key Verses on Rewards: Rom. 14:10-11; 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:9-10; 1 John 2:28; Rev. 3:11-12.


THINGS WHICH BECOME SOUND DOCTRINE

Titus 2:1  “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:”

There are three great fundamental truths that constitute the basis of our Christian faith:

I. WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT MAN

1. Man is a sinner by nature - Romans 5:12; Psalm 51:5
2. Man is a sinner by choice - Isaiah 53:6
3. Man cannot save himself from sin - Titus 3:3-7

II. WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT SIN

1. Sin is appealing to all men - Ephesians 2:1-3
2. Sin alienates man from God - Isaiah 59:2.
3. Sin produces spiritual death - Romans 6:23.

III. WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT GOD

1. God will eternally condemn the unrepentant sinner – Lk. 13:3
2. God desires the salvation of every man – 1 Tim. 2:4; II Peter 3:9
3. God completely forgives the repentant sinner - I John 1:9; Isaiah 43:25.


WHAT IS SOUND DOCTRINE?

We read in Titus 2:1, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.” The word “speak” is a word that describes an ordinary conversation. It is in the present tense, thus speaks of one keeping on speaking. Paul is talking about things that are to be constantly and continually discussed, taught and preached.

What is it that is to be constantly talked about? It is “sound doctrine.” The word “sound” is found 5 times in Titus and is a word that means “being well” or “healthy.” We get our English word “hygiene” from this word. Paul is talking about doctrine that promotes and produces healthy Christian lives.

Ephesians 4:14 admonishes us “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine…”
Colossians 2:7 urges us to be “rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”

I. SOUND DOCTRINE IS BASED ON GOD'S WORD!

“And that from a child thou has 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.” II Timothy 3:15-16.

II. SOUND DOCTRINE MAGNIFIES GOD'S HOLINESS!

The seraphim hovering about the throne of God, cried out, saying:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth if full of His glory.” Isaiah 6:3.
“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works.” Psalm 145:17.

III. SOUND DOCTRINE DECLARES MAN'S DEPRAVITY!

Created originally in the image and likeness of God, sin entered the human race through the transgression of Adam: “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.” Romans 5:12.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9.
“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5.

IV. SOUND DOCTRINE TEACHES HEAVEN & HELL'S LITERALNESS!

Concerning Heaven:
“In My Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2. (I Cor. 2:9)
Concerning Hell:
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand: ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:41, 46.

V. SOUND DOCTRINE ASSERTS SALVATION'S GRACE!

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of your-selves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.



Christian Service

Psalms 100:2 – “Serve the LORD”

Messages in the "Serving God" Series:

  • FOUR PRINCIPLES OF SERVICE
  • REASONABLE SERVICE FOR GOD
  • THREE THINGS EVERY SERVANT NEEDS TO KNOW
  • THE EXAMINATION OF OUR SERVICE






It is our privilege to serve the Lord in all things. It is ours to please the Lord in loosing the latchet of a shoe; and to enjoy the expression of his favor therein. The servant of God is not serving at the same time another master; he has not been hired for occasional service; he abides in the service of his God, and cannot be about anything but his Master's business; he eats, he drinks, he sleeps, he walks, he discourses, he findeth recreation, all by the way of serving God. Serve the Lord with gladness.
Can you bear to be waited upon by a servant who goes moping and dejected to his every task? You would rather have no servant at all, than one who evidently finds your service cheerless and irksome.
--C. H. Spurgeon

Let’s all put a priority on Service for God to better please our Lord.


FOUR PRINCIPLES OF SERVICE
Nehemiah 2:18-20; 4:15-17
  • Selection - excludes all who have no portion, right, or memorial in God's City
  • Specialization - "every one unto his work"
  • Priority - HOME claims first priority (3:10, 23, 28, 30)
  • Dependence - on God's Power, Strength, & Blessing (4:9; 6:9)




REASONABLE SERVICE FOR GOD

Romans 12:1  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” 

Notice the phraseology of this verse. Paul tells us that the yielding of our bodies to the Lord is our "reasonable service." The word "reasonable" comes from the same word from which we get our word "logic". So, first we see that yielding our bodies to the Lord is logical.

The word "service" also comes from a word which means "to perform sacred service." It has reference to the function the Levites performed in the Tabernacle and Temple. It is connected to the idea of worship. Therefore, that phrase means that yielding our bodies to the Lord is our "logical service of worship before the Lord." In other words, when we are totally yielded to Him in service, it is the highest form of worship that we can render!

Nothing says "I love you" to the Lord like a consecrated, dedicated, holy life, John 14:15; 21. With that in mind, let's all put a priority on Service this month to better please our Lord.



THREE THINGS EVERY SERVANT NEEDS TO KNOW

1-There Will Always Be Opposition To God's Work
2-The Best Response Is One Of Prayer
3-There Are Some Things Worth Fighting For



THE EXAMINATION OF OUR SERVICE

2 Corinthians 13:5 / 1 Corinthians 11:28 / 1 Corinthians 4:1-12 / I Corinthians 3:13

Introduction: The word "account" that Paul used is a bookkeeping term that speaks of taking inventory. Paul challenges other to take inventory of his work for God. Paul says, "Let a man so account of us" (Vs.1). He was saying, "You are welcome to take inventory of my life.
It is good for the heart and soul to take a spiritual inventory once in a while. The Bible speaks of taking such an inventory.

1. THERE IS AN EXAMINATION OF OUR SALVATION.

Nobody should serve God unless they know they are saved, genuinely born again!
We read in 2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith." The word "examine" means to put something to the test, to scrutinize." We are to put our profession to the test of the Scriptures.
We should examine ourselves in the light of God's Word and ask, "Have I done what God said to be saved? Is my salvation based on what God said? Does my life bear the marks of a Biblical salvation?"

2. THERE IS AN EXAMINATION OF OUR CONSECRATION.

We read in 1 Corinthians 11:28, "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup." The examination that Paul calls for is in reference and relation to the taking of the Lord's supper. He is calling for them to examine their hearts and life to see if there is anything that would cause them to take of the Lord's Supper unworthily.
The word "examine" speaks of putting to the test for approval. The purpose of such an examination is that we may take of the Lord's supper with clean hearts. We are to come to the Lord's table in an approved fashion. The Lord's supper is to be only taken by those who are consecrated to the Lord.
We should put our consecration to the Lord to the test. Is there any unconfessed sin in our life. We should examine our life to see if there is anything in our life that is displeasing to the Lord.

3. THERE IS AN EXAMINATION OF OUR DEDICATION.

1 Corinthians 4:1-12  brings to our attention an examination where Paul speaks of taking inventory of his dedication to God's work. If you were to take an honest inventory of your dedication to God, how would you answer the following questions:

  • Do I know the will of God for my life?
  • Am I doing the will of God? Am I seeking to win others to Christ?
  • Have I won others to Christ?
  • Am I involved in God's work?

Someone has said that the Church is full of willing people. There are those who are willing to work and those that are willing to let them work. Which class would an honest inventory of your life put you in?

How would other "so account of us?" How would God "so account of us?" In I Corinthians 3:13 tells us that God keeps the books on our work, it should behoove us to take inventory of our Christian service.



Supplication & Prayer

Messages in the "Supplication" Series:

  • J. Wilbur Chapman's Thoughts on Prayer (FIVE "Ps" of PRAYER)
  • THREE ASPECTS OF PRAYER
  • THE MYSTERY OF UNANSWERED PRAYER
  • AN ANSWER FOR DAVID


J. Wilbur Chapman's Thoughts On Prayer
(5 "Ps" of PRAYER)

Andrew Murray's book on "With Christ in the School of Prayer" is a good book for all of us. This is the schoolroom for the school of prayer, and this is the first lesson. Let us read \reference {Matt. 6:6}{Matthew 6:6}, "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."

In a Bible of one of J. Wilbur Chapmans friends was an outline on the margin for this very passage, Matthew 6:6:

  • Period for prayer -- 'When thou prayest.'
  • Place for prayer -- Enter into thy closet.'
  • Privacy of prayer -- 'Shut thy door.'
  • Persons in prayer -- 'Pray to thy Father.'
  • Promise for prayer -- 'He shall reward thee.'

Have you a closet in your home for prayer? "Enter in, shut the door, pray to thy Father." "Why," you say, when you rise from your knees, "I don't believe he heard it. I don't believe he heard a word." I don't believe he heard it, either. The trouble is with your haste, my brother. You cannot enter unceremoniously into the presence of the President of the United States; how much more must you revere the presence of God?

My prayer-life must be the life that Jesus Christ would live. Then it must be in his name. When I have "surrendered all," as we sang, I have the right to use his name, and "he shall reward me." He has promised it.

There are three things that give us the right to use a name:

1. A Legal Union. I have the right to use the name of my business partner.

2. A Life Union. It is my privilege to use the name of my father.

3. A Love Union. My wife has a perfect right to use my name.

For all of these reasons we have the right to the use of the name of Christ.
There is a name that is above every name. It sets the angels singing. Plead it; plead it. "Lord, teach us to pray." Oh, teach me. Thou didst teach George Mueller and Andrew Murray -- teach me. Can you say it, my brother, and mean it -- "Lord, teach me to pray"? -- J. W. C.
By J. Wilbur Chapman, "Present Day Parables."


Three Aspects of Prayer
Text: James 4:1–2

Introduction:

•We all desperately need to learn how to pray.
•Our failures are all prayer failures.
•There are three aspects of victorious prayer.

I.UNOFFERED PRAYER

•We try to get what we think we need by using our own strength.
Illustration: Boy didn't use all his strength to move a huge stone.

Illustration: Boy stole a sour orange when by asking he would have had more good oranges than he could carry.
•Prayerlessness is sin, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Luke 18:1.
•By not praying we miss out on all the good things God has for us.
Illustration: John Bunyan's quote about the relationship of prayer to sin.
•There is no substitute for prayer.

II.UNACCEPTABLE PRAYER

•James 4:3
•God is not going to underwrite our selfish motives by answering such prayers.
Illustration: A husband would not finance his wife's affair.
•God supplies all our legitimate needs, but never our selfish desires.

III.UNDENIABLE PRAYER

•How can we pray so that our lives are linked with the omnipotence of God?

James gives five principles of undeniable prayer.

1.-Sensitivity to the Spirit, James 4:5.
2.-Submission to the Father, James 4:6
3.-Standing against the Devil, James 4:7
4.-Separation from the world, James 4:8
5.-Seriousness in our purpose, James 4:9

Conclusion:
•James 5:16b



The Mystery of Unanswered Prayer
Text: Isaiah 55; Matthew 6: 9-13

Introduction
•I’ve talked to many folks over the years on the strange mystery of unanswered prayer.

If the request is wrong, God will say, “No.”

•Like us, the disciples made inappropriate requests of Jesus, and he said, “No.”

If the timing is wrong, God will say, “Slow.”

•Like children, we dislike the words, “Not yet,” as God shakes his head at us.
•God has reasons for his “Not yets;” we must not insist we know better than he.

If you are wrong, God will say, “Grow.”

•Relational discord will cut us off from close fellowship with God.
•When we disobey, God says, “Why should I honor your requests when you don’t honor mine?”

When the timing is right, God will say, “Let’s go!”

•God wants to move that mountain for us; to change that circumstance; to answer that prayer.
•You’ll be amazed at how often God will say, “Let’s go!”

Conclusion
•Follow the greatest pattern of prayer of all time: the Lord’s Prayer.





An Answer For David
Psalm 13

Psalm 13 was penned when David appeared to have some great conflict in his life. King Saul's accusation and attacks were taking its toll on David, almost to the point, that it was too much for him.

1 His Question

Psalm 13:1-2 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? [2] How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

He declares that his afflictions lasted a long time.

A Where is Your Presence? === "Forget me"
B. What is Your Purpose? === "how long wilt thou hide thy face"
C. Where is Your Protection? === "how long shall mine enemy be exalted"

2 His Quest

Psalm 13:3-4 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; [4] Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

A. Hear Me == "Consider and hear me"
B. Help Me == "Lest mine enemy say..."
C. Honor Me = Vs. 4 .... don't let me be defeated

3 His Quota

Psalm 13:5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. 6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

The mercy of God is the cause of our salvation. Both are the benefits past and by others to come.

A. My Hope ==== "I have trusted"
B. My Heart ==== "my heart shall rejoice"
C. My Harmony == "I will sing"
D. My Honor ==== "He hath dealt bountifully with me".




FOCUS ON FINAL AUTHORITY

Messages in the "Focus on Final Authority" Series:

  • THE WORD OF GOD
  • THE WONDERFUL WORD OF GOD
  • GLORIFYING THE WORD OF GOD
  • THE WORD I PREACH


FOCUS ON FINAL AUTHORITY

The Word of God

More copies of the Bible were printed last year than in any previous year. Although it is the most outstanding piece of literature ever produced, many, "enlightened" Americans seem to know little or nothing about it.

A few years ago, a test of Bible knowledge was given to five classes of public high school seniors. Most of them failed the exam completely! Some were so confused that they thought Sodom and Gomorrah were lovers, or that the gospels were written by Matthew, Mark, Luther, and John. Others said that Eve was created from an apple, and that the stories Jesus used in teaching were called parodies. More than 80 percent of the pupils could not complete such familiar quotations as "Many are called but few are (chosen)"; or "a soft answer turneth away (wrath)." How deplorable that such ignorance of the Bible is so widespread in a nation where the Judeo-Christian ethic has shaped the destiny of our land for more than 200 years.

A Gallup poll conducted some years ago revealed that 60 percent of Americans did not know what "the Holy Trinity" was. Sixty-six percent couldn't say who delivered the Sermon on the Mount, and 79 percent were unable to name a single Old Testament prophet. When people are questioned about the Bible on radio or television, it is disturbing to see their complete lack of knowledge on the subject. Some are almost as confused as the little boy who wrote on his test paper that "the epistles were the wives of the apostles, and that Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife."

We must be and we must teach our children to be Biblically literate!
***************************************************************************************************************
The Apostle Paul warns against, “handling the Word of God deceitfully (dishonestly),” II Cor. 4:2. He further commands us in II Tim. 2:15 to “rightly divide” the Word of God. This is critical for proper interpretation.

Dr. R. A. Torrey, for many years the associate of the great evangelist Dwight L. Moody, was one of the great Christian leaders of his era. He wrote many books regarding the fundamentals of the Christian faith. He listed the following helps in understanding and interpreting the Bible:

1. Get absolutely right with God yourself by the absolute surrender of your will to Him.
2. Be determined to find what God intended to teach and not what you wish Him to teach.
3. Get the most accurate text (KJV 1611)
4. Find the most exact and literal meaning of the text.
5. Note the exact force of each word used.
6. Interpret the words used in any verse according to Bible usage.
7. Interpret the words of each author in the Bible with a regard to the particular usage of that author.
8. Interpret individual verses with a regard to the context.
9. Interpret individual passages in the light of parallel or related passages.
10. Interpret obscure passages in the light of passages that are perfectly plain.
11. Interpret passages in the Bible as those who were addressed would have understood it.
12. Interpret what belongs to the Christian as belonging to the Christian; what belongs to the Jew, as belonging to the Jew; what belongs to the Gentiles, as belonging to the Gentiles.
13. Interpret each writer with a view to the opinions the writer opposed.
14. Interpret poetry as poetry and interpret prose as prose.
15.The Holy Spirit is the best Interpreter of the Bible.

*************************************************************************************************************************************


The Wonderful Word Of God

Read I Thess. 2:13. The message of the Gospel and the truths contained in the Bible are not the words of men but are surely the Word of God. Some folks minimize the importance of the Bible, but we who are saved maximize it. Why can it rightly be called the wonderful Word of God?

I. It Is Peculiar In Its Making
2 Pet.1:21. Though men were used as instruments to write down the Bible, the actual Word came from God Himself. It is firm as granite rock----immutable and immovable.

II. It Is Living In Its Essence
It is the germ seed through which eternal life is planted within the soul of a person. Romans 10:17 clearly states that faith comes by hearing the Word of God.

III. It Is Lasting In Its Nature
Glance at Psm. 119:89. The word of God is settled in heaven. Gold is always gold and cannot be anything else. So the word of God is as unchanging as God Himself.

IV. It Is Lovely In Its Structure
It is like the Empire state building beside a grass hut. That is because the architect of the Bible is God Himself. It has books of poetry, of history, genealogy, etc.

V. It is Lightning In Its Mission
Divine light by the Spirit of Life through the Word of God inflames man’s nature with a new desire to love God and to love man. It is like the electricity that runs swiftly through our house wiring and quickly lights the light bulbs. See Isaiah 55:11 to be reminded of the effective work of the Bible.

VI. It Is Loving In Its Tone
There are words of judgment to come in the Bible, but even the warning of judgment is to woo the sinner in love to the Lord Jesus Christ. All you have to do is read John 3:16 and a host of other verses and this is easy to realize.

VII. It Is Liberating In Its Action
Through the Word of God the burden of sin is lifted—we are cut loose from the power of sin that would bind us. The burden of sin is lifted off of our soul through it. To establish that fact, read Psm. 119:11.

VIII. It Is Luring In Its Attraction
Because of the fact that God was the Originator of the Bible, it should be wonderfully alluring to us. See 2 Tim. 3:16. It charms and fascinates the soul.

*************************************************************************************************************************************


GLORIFYING THE WORD OF GOD
By Michael D. O'Neal, Gospel Light  Baptist Church– Albany, Georgia

Of the prayer requests in the Bible, the one mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 3:1 - “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:” is often overlooked. The first part of the prayer request was "that the word of the Lord may have free course." There are always many hindrances to the preaching of the word of God. Sometimes the national or local laws of the land are a hindrance.
The second part of the prayer request is that the word of the Lord may "be glorified." This is a horrible thought to many liberal theologians, because it indicates that we should praise, lift up, and magnify the BIBLE! Let me point out some ways that we can magnify the word of the Lord:

I. WE GLORIFY GOD'S WORD BY OUR REVERENCE FOR IT
Psalms 56:4 “In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”
Study it)"Ain't it amazing how much light dat de word of God do shine on da commentaries!")
Stand for it
Show It in the way we live

II. WE GLORIFY GOD'S WORD BY OUR RELIANCE UPON IT
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.”
Rely on its Accuracy
Rely on its Admonitions
Rely on its Ability

III. WE GLORIFY GOD'S WORD BY OUR RECEPTION OF IT
Acts 17:11 - “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”



THE WORD I PREACH
Dr. Tom Walker, Th.B, M.A, D.D.
Pastor: Zion Hill Baptist Church--Marion, NC  28752


There is nothing in the universe like the Word of God. It will work when nothing else will. The Bible will also be standing when everything else has fallen.  I am going to say several things about this Word we teach, preach, believe and follow.

I. It is a Convicting Word

2 Tim. 3:16 tells us that the Word of God is profitable for and it says in the list-"reproof." The word here means to "convict." Nothing will bring conviction like the taught or preached Word of God.

II . It is a Converting Word

The Scripture says, "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17). Also compare Psm. 19:7 which says, "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Lives are changed by the power of the Word of God.

III. It is a Consoling Word

Rom. 15:4 speaks of the "...comfort of the Scriptures." Nothing will comfort the weary heart like a Word from God. Think about how many times you have been troubled about some matter and just a Word from God settled and consoled your heart.

IV. It is a Confident Word

In 2 Pet. 2:19, the Bible is referred to a "sure Word of prophecy." The Bible is not ambiguous or vague, it is a sure Word from the Lord. We can rest confidently on what the Bible says for it is sure and true.

V. It is a Clarifying Word

If you want to know anything about any subject, get into the Bible. Although it was written many years ago, its truths endure to every generation (Psm.100:5). The entrance of truth gives light and understanding (Psm. 119:130).

VI. It is a Conquering Word

This is the very reason Jesus used the Word of God when confronted by the Devil in the wilderness. Three times Jesus said, "It is written" (Matt.4:4,6,7). There is power to conquer through the Word.





FOCUS ON THE FIRE

Messages in the "Focus on the Fire" Series:

  • THE FIRE OF REVIVAL
  • SOME PRINCIPLES OF REVIVAL (Alan Redpath)
  • PRESCRIPTION FOR REVIVAL (R. A. Torrey)
  • REVIVAL (R. G. Lee)



THE FIRE OF REVIVAL

  Sooner or later every individual Christian, family, and church will have a need for Revival. It must start in the individual, continue to his or her family, and then affect the church body.
  As Christians live in a world that is filled with sin, our spiritual life can drain down like a car battery. And once this happens, we need to be re-charged spiritually!  In the church we call this REVIVAL!  Churches schedule revival services periodically, so that the saints of God can get revived.

Billy Sunday said,
“They tell me a revival is only temporary; so is a bath, but it does you good.”

When is Revival Needed?

A. Whenever the love of God's people has grown cold.
B. Consider the symptoms of its needs.
  1. Complacency: self-satisfaction with self & things
  2. Lack of concern for the lost.
  3. Hiding or covering secret sins.
  4. Animosity toward other Christians.
  5. Having an unforgiving spirit.
  6. Being filled with pride.
  7. Any condition of spiritual standing where we are less than we were before: BACKSLIDDEN!



SOME PRINCIPLES OF REVIVAL
by ALAN REDPATH

Some time ago at an all night of prayer in my church I read a list which I called "Self-Examination Questions," because I am desperately concerned in my own life on these things.
I want to give this list to you, lest you think it is a comfortable, easy sort of business, this recognition of sin in my own life:

  • What about my relationship with men?
  • Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am a better man than I really am?
  • Is there the least suspicion of hypocrisy in my life?
  • Am I honest in all my words and acts?
  • Do I exaggerate?
  • Am I reliable? Can I be trusted?
  • Do I confidentially pass on what was told to me in confidence?
  • Do I grumble and complain in the church?
  • Am I jealous, impure, irritable, touchy, distrustful?
  • Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
  • Am I proud?
  • Do I thank God I am not as other people?
  • Is there anyone I fear, or dislike, or criticize, or resent?
  • If so, what am I doing about it?
  • What about my devotion to God?
  • Does the Bible live to me?
  • Do I give it time to speak to me?
  • Do I go to bed in time and do I get up in time?
  • Am I enjoying my prayer life today?
  • Did I enjoy it this morning?
  • When I am involved in a problem in life, do I use my tongue or my knees to solve it?
  • Am I disobeying God in anything, or insisting upon doing something about which my conscience is very uneasy?
  • When did I last speak to someone else with the object of trying to win him for Christ?
  • Am I a slave to books, dress, friends, work, or traditions? How do I spend my spare time?




PRESCRIPTION FOR REVIVAL
by R. A. Torrey

I can give a prescription that will bring revival—revival to any church, or community, or any city on earth.
First:  Let a few Christians, they need not be many, get thoroughly right with God.  If this is not done, the rest will come to nothing.
Second:  Let them bind themselves together to pray for revival until God opens the windows of heaven and comes down.
Third:  Let them put themselves at the disposal of God for His use as He sees fit in winning others to Christ.

That is all.  I have given this prescription around the world... and in no instance has it failed.

It cannot fail.


It was D. L. Moody who said, "I am only one, but I am one.  I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  And that which I can do, by the grace of God, I will do."  With that simple commitment, God used him to bring revival to England and America.

Charles G. Finney said something interesting:  "There can be no revival when Mr. Amen and Mr. Wet-Eyes are not found in the audience."


REVIVAL

  If all the sleeping folk will wake up,
  If all the lukewarm folk will fire up,
  If all the dishonest folk will confess up,
  If all the disgruntled folk will cheer up,
  If all the depressed folk will cheer up,
  If all the estranged folk will make up,
  If all the gossipers will shut up,
  If all true soldiers will stand up,
  If all the dry bones will shake up,
  If all the church members will pray up...
         Then we can have a revival!

---R.G. Lee






FOCUS ON THE FIELD
Emphasis on Soul-Winning


Messages in the "Focus on the Field" Series:

  • 20 REASONS FOR SOUL-WINNING
  • WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS?
  • THE COST OF SOUL-WINNING
  • WITNESSING SEEMS FORGOTTEN
  • THE GOSPEL IN A SHOE BOX


FOCUS ON THE FIELD
Emphasis on Soul-Winning

20 Reasons for SOUL-WINNING

1.   Seeking soul, 1 Kings 18:1; Matthew 12:42.
2.   Compassion for soul-winning, Psalm 126:5–6.
3.   The wise who win souls, Proverbs 11:30.
4.   Harvest past, summer ended, no salvation, Jeremiah 8:20.
5.   Penalty for failing to witness, Ezekiel 3:18–19.
6.   Those who witness shine like stars, Daniel 12:3.
7.   Fishers of men, Matthew 4:19; Luke 5:10.
8.   Plentiful harvest, few workers, Matthew 9:37–38.
9.   Praying for harvesters rather than harvest, Luke 10:1–2.
10. Parables of lost sheep, lost coin, lost son, Luke 15:1–32.
11. Lifting up Jesus to draw men, John 12:32.
12. Last words of Jesus, Acts 1:6–8.
13. Paul’s desire to bring salvation to Israel, Rom. 9:1–4; 10:1.
14. Spiritual persuasion, 2 Corinthians 5:11
15. Tears of compassion, Philippians 3:18.
16. Soul-winner’s glory, joy, 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20.
17. Coming day when soul-winning not needed, Hebrews 8:10–11.
18. Turning sinner from error of his way, James 5:20.
19. Snatch some from the fire, Jude 23.
20. Combined ministry of Holy Spirit, church, Revelation 22:17.


The Good News of the Gospel
What Are You Doing to Spread the Good News?

How many times have you had someone come up to you and tell you, "I have some good news and some bad news to tell you?" The world is full of bad news and it is refreshing when someone has some good news to share.

The best news anyone can hear is what Jesus Christ has done for him. In 1 Corinthians the Apostle Paul writes, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

The Gospel has been entrusted to us.

When we accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, at that moment the Lord entrusted us to spread His message to everyone. Paul writes to Timothy and says, "According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust."

The Gospel must be elevated in our hearts.

I believe most Christians would acknowledge that the Gospel is the best news anyone could every share with another person. However, this is just mental consent if it is never transferred to our hearts. In 1 Corinthians 9:16 Paul said, "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" It was not just head knowledge for Paul; the Gospel message was in his heart! He wanted to share this wonderful message with others.

The Gospel must be shared enthusiastically.

Every Christian should enthusiastically share the Gospel. We would be excited if we found a lottery ticket on the ground and won a million dollars. We would tell everyone about the blessing that came our way! The Gospel is much more important than anything this world can offer us.
In Acts 8, when the persecution went to newer heights and the Christians were scattered, they still witnessed. "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word." These believers were fanatical and excited about the opportunity they had to share the Gospel. May you and I have the same spirit that these early believers possessed.

The Gospel is for everyone.

Jesus reminds us that He came into this world and died on the Cross of Calvary for everyone! "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." You cannot witness to the wrong person.
The Gospel is the "Good News" of Jesus Christ. Together, let us be the bearers of "Good News" to someone today!


The Cost of Soul-Winning

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (Luke 9: 23, 24)

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Tim 2:1-3)

1. Self-Sacrifice: It takes time and effort on our part
2. Personal Separation: We must be clean vessels for God to use
3. Possible Persecution: We should expect to be ridiculed or even turned away (JW’s & Mormons put up with it all the time)
4. Individual Study: We should follow 2 Tim. 2:15 and be prepared to share our faith
5. Prayer & the Holy Spirit: We must never depend on our own strength or abilities; we need Him to help prepare our hearts and the hearts of those to whom we give the Gospel.


Witnessing Seems Forgotten

Our Lord’s command “...Ye shall be witnesses unto ...” (Acts 1:8) has been binding upon every believer. The word translated “witnesses” has derived from the Greek word that is basic to the thought of “martyrdom.” Surely as we are crucified to the world and the world is crucified to us, we will be the “witnesses” that are needed in reaching the present society with the life-changing Gospel message. America has been blessed of God because of the Gospel of His Son, and those who have preceded us along the way have declared that gospel through the years.

Such a man was Uncle John Vassar, who has been called “The Apostle of Personal Evangelism.”’ Everywhere Uncle John went, he led sinners to Christ. During the Civil War, to better assist in reaching soldiers with the Gospel, this dear man of God enlisted in the American Tract Society. On one occasion in Pennsylvania, while working among the Union troops, he became disoriented and was captured by General Jeb Stuart’s cavalry. When interrogated as a suspected spy, he totally disarmed the troops by his fearless witness of the Savior. Ultimately he was escorted into the presence of the General, and when asked what he was doing, he responded: “I am working as a colporteur of the American Tract Society, to try and save the souls of the dear boys that fall around me daily. General, do you love Jesus?’  General Stuart sought to put off the question by saying, “I know that good old Society, and have no fear of its emissaries.” “But,” said Uncle John, “dear General, do you love Jesus?” The puzzled officer was relieved by the suggestion of those who had arrested Uncle John, for they said, “General, take the man’s promise that he will not tell of our whereabouts for twenty-four hours, and let us see him out of our lines, or we will have a prayer meeting from here to Richmond.”’
How tragic that the exploits of such a man should be so refreshingly challenging to our minds in this day. Ought not this pattern to be the norm of our concern for the lost about us?

On June 4, 1768, the sheriff of Spotsylvania Virginia, arrested John Waller, Lewis Craig, James Childs, James Reed and William Mash, Baptist ministers, for preaching without license. At their trial they were vehemently accused by the prosecuting attorney who said: “May it please your worships, these men are great disturbers of the peace, they cannot meet a man upon the road, but they must ram a text of scripture down his throat.”’ Surely the prosecuting attorney was exaggerating when he lodged such a complaint, but there is no doubt that our Baptist forebears in every generation have been witnesses, and their efforts have led to soul-winning.

Some men witness faithfully and fruitfully throughout their entire lives and until the very moment of death. Such a man was the Scottish Baptist preacher, Reverend John Harper. On his way to America for a preaching mission in 1912, Reverend Harper was aboard the ill-fated Titanic. When the man of God realized the ship was going down, he cared for the safety of his little daughter, and then he began throwing out the life jackets of eternal life as he urged men to trust Christ as their Savior. During the last moments of his life, a man clinging to a board drifted near Mr. Harper who was also struggling in the water. The preacher called, “Are you saved?” The man answered “No,” and John Harper called back, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Before the man could respond he drifted back into the darkness.

Later, the current brought the two men back in sight of one another. Again Harper called out, “Are you saved?”, and once again the man cried back, “No.” The Scripture verse was again cited: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”
With that, the drowning pastor lost his grip on the board he had held, and almost immediately he slipped into his watery grave. The man he sought to win put his faith in Christ. Later he was rescued by the S. S. Carpathia’s lifeboats. Four years after the Titanic went down, that survivor stood in a meeting in Hampton, Ontario and testified that he was John Harper’s “last convert.” 
Oh that we might be found just as faithful unto death!


THE GOSPEL IN A SHOE BOX

How the shoe resembles our lives:
•Every shoe has a maker
•Every shoe is made for a purpose
•Every shoe has a tongue, eyes, and a sole (soul)
•For repairs it has to go to the right person
•The hide was provided by a sacrifice

This outline is from Ruth 4:7-10:
Here we have Boaz taking off his shoe as a testimony to confirm he was redeeming his bride. That shoe was a testimony to all Israel that Boaz was redeeming Ruth to be his Bride. Glory, glory! So, as I read this custom of the Jews, and the testimony of this shoe, I began to think how shoes represent some folks that I have known. Let us look and see if we can recognize them.

1. THE SNEAKERS

Boy, these are the ones that kill me. They think they can sneak by with their sin like David did with Bathsheba.
Then we have the other crowd mentioned in John 10:1: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." Here we have people trying to sneak into Heaven.

2. THE RUNNING SHOES

•Some we know are RUNNING from GOD like Jonah.
•Some we know are RUNNING to GOD maybe be in a rescue mission or a jail service.
•Some we know are RUNNING with God in their daily lives.
•Some we know this night are RUNNING for GOD. Thank GOD for these folks.

3. THE BABY SHOES

In every church there are babies. The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:1: "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ." Paul said spiritual babies speak in tongues and want to be is petted. A baby always cries for attention, never wants to change even when dirty, and always wants the milk.

4. THE FLIP FLOPS

Today’s religious crowd changes with the breeze and they do flip-flops just like Bill Clinton. They make promises they never keep. You can depend on them crying at the altar with tears and then going right back to their old ways. Just like Peter told CHRIST, "You can depend on me" but before their night at the altar is over, they have "flip-flopped."

5. THE COMBAT BOOTS

We sometimes need to have combat boots with steel toes. This is the crowd of folks ready for battle and that doesn’t get their feelings hurt when the preacher steps on their toes.


These messages are compiled from study notes and outlines of my own and many others.
I hope they are a help to you.
“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”
--Luke 12:40
“…at an hour when ye think not.”  What a thought that the Son of God will return when least expected by the world.

In the 260 chapters of the New Testament, there are 318 references to the Second Coming (advent) of Christ—an amazing 1 out of every 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. For every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ’s first coming, there are 8 which look forward to His second!
Updated On: July 20, 2015
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