Faith Free Will Baptist Church

Posts Tagged ‘a light for Jesus’

*WONDERFUL AND HORRIBLE*

(Jer 5:30,31)

Brief history:

1)      Jeremiah was a young teen man and preached 40 years in Israel

2)      He prophesied the captivity of Judah

3)      For the most part his message to call the people to repent was largely rejected

4)      The word “repent” appears eleven times

5)      He is called the weeping prophet because of his brokenness for God’s backslidden people

6)      He is considered one of the most hated OT prophets because of his rebuke to the false prophets priests and kings.

*Every preacher of this generation would do well to live near the Book of Jeremiah in keeping their focus on truth.

(vs 30  Read)

*I think we all understand the word “horrible” but “wonderful” needs explaining: It actually can mean something good or bad.

*Meaning: That which causes surprise, amazement, appalling or astonishment.

This morning I want us to see both meanings of this word in (vs 30,31).

(1)    The bad of wonderful and horrible

(vs 30,31  Read)

Notice three statements:

1)      “The prophets prophesy falsely.”

*Matthew Henry states “Religion is never more dangerously attacked than under the color and pretence of divine revelation”.

*Jeremiah called them false prophets,  said God was giving them the words but they were not from God: (Jer 14:13-15  Read)

*Charles Lindbergh said “We must understand spiritual truths and apply them to our modern life”.

*Today the spiritual truth is we are flooded with false prophets: (II Pet 2:1,2  Read)

*It is not the big names of false prophets like Jim Jones, David Karesh or Sun Moon that trouble my heart the most; it is those in the pulpits this morning who:

1) Deny that the Word of God is without error

2) Deny that Jesus Christ is the Son of God

3) Deny His blood shed for our sins

4) Deny His resurrection

5) Deny His coming again

(2)  “The priests bear rule by their means”

*Simply put this means: the priest who should hold up the cardinal truths of God’s Word and doctrine defile it by compromising.

(Jer 6:10) “The word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.

*How sad that today there are those who call themselves “Men of God” and in their pulpits reject the Word of God and compromise and accept wickedness:

1) Preach homosexuality as normal

2) Who do not cry out over the murder of 1 ½ million innocent babies a year

3) Who would accept a skunk as a member as long as they get money

(Jer 6:14,15  Read)

*God help those in leadership who are not broken over sin.

(3) “And My people love to have it so”

Notice the charge God brings against His so called people

(Jer 6:16,17  Read)

*Listen: We have people today who don’t mind preaching on sins as long as you don’t preach on their sins.

*How sad that there are those in churches today who are living in open sin and rebellion that are not broken over it.

*If it were possible they would do as King Jechakim did in (Jer 36) and take a knife and cut out the parts of the Word of God they don’t like.

*Must we compromise the have large churches?

(2) The Good of wonderful

*Jeremiah though hated of men, priests and kings stood faithful, though mocked and imprisoned with only water to drink and bread to eat stood faithful.

*The Apostle Paul gathered together the ministers of Ephesus and made this statement : (Act 20:26,27  Read)

*Living for Christ may not win you a popularity contest but it will bring God’s approval and blessings in your life.

*To the preachers, ss teacher and deacons:

1) Declare salvation thru Jesus Christ alone because you’ve experienced it

2) Teach tithing because you do it

3) Proclaim church attendance because you’re there when the doors are open

4) Tell others to pray because you spend time doing it

5) Uphold the Bible because you believe it is the True Word of God

*Let your life reveal what Apostle Paul said (Act 20:27  Read)

*Make the Good News Wonderful

*HAVE YOU LOST YOUR SONG?*
(Psalms 137)

Most folks think King David wrote all the Psalms, but he did not.  This Psalm was written well after the time of David.  It was written during Israel’s captivity in Babylon, one of the largest cities of their time.  We know that the Jews were not all taken at one time.  Daniel was taken in one group, Ezekiel was taken in another group.  The finest and most talented and most skilled, but the unskilled , the handicapped, the weak were left in Jerusalem.  The temple was burned and the city plundered.

(Two things to be noted)
1) The Jewish people were singing people and also had the ability to play instruments, especially the harp.
2) Their music abilities were known even by their enemy.  (vs 3  Read)
*From our text it would appear that the Jews no longer played or sang their songs while in bondage.
*Unfortunately some Christians today have lost their ability or they no longer have the desire to sing the Lord’s song.  Circumstances have come into their lives and taken away their song.

(Notice three thoughts)
(1) Songs have a powerful influence on people.
*Think about some songs which touch people, or are known by a lot of people: Wedding March, God Bless America, Happy Birthday.
(Notice what the Bible says about singing.)
1) The Bible tells us what to sing
(vs 4)  “The Lord’s Song”
(Col 3) “Admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”
*Your songs, your singing should exalt the Lord
2) The Bible tells us when to sing
*Times of victory: when Israel crossed the Red Sea, when Deborah and Barak defeated Sisera
*Times of happiness: Psalms 45 is a love song
*Times of sadness: In 1871 tragedy struck Chicago, a fire ravished the city, over 300 killed, 100,000 homes were destroyed.  Horatio Gates Spafford had one son and four daughters, he had recently lost his son but stayed to help rebuild.  He was a friend of Dwight L Moody and for two years he stayed to help those left homeless.  After those two years Spafford and his family decided to take a vacation.  They were to go to England and join  Moody and Ira Sankey for a crusade.  Horatio was delayed by business but sent his family on ahead.
*Their ship, the Ville de Havre never made it.  Off Newfoundland it collided with another ship.  Horatio’s wife Anna was one of 47 who survived among hundreds.
*Their four daughters, Maggie, Tanetta, Annie and Bessie died.   His wife sent him a two word telegram “Saved Alone”.   Horatio boarded the next ship to be near his grieving wife.  Even though reports vary it is said as the ship came near the place where his daughters died, he penned these works to a great song: “When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say it is well, it is well with my soul”.
Beloved: Singing makes the difficult times easier.

(2) What causes us to lose our song?
(vs 3) uses the word “captive” to explain the Jews problems.
1) Their captivity was the result of sin.  The number one reason Christians lose their song is sin.
2) Discouragement: whether death of a loved one, sickness, or actions of others can take your song.
3) Complaining and griping: being negative all the time can take your song.
4) Circumstances:  we all go thru times of trouble; jobs, money, it can take your song.  (Paul and Silas  in Acts 16)

(3) Saints remember  (vs 1 Read)
1) God’s people should be a singing people.  (Mark 14:26)  Jesus and his disciples sung hymns the night He was betrayed.
2) Remember what it was like before you lost your song?:  the joy, peace, happiness.
3) Don’t hang up your harp but if you do, it is right where you left it.

(Don’t lose your song but if you do, you can regain it.)

*THE PRECIOUS STONE*
(I Pet 2:4-12)

*Is anyone here wearing jewelry? Any diamonds, rubies, pearls?  Many of us have probably heard the words “precious stones”.
*Three times in the scripture Peter uses the word “precious” (vs 4,6,7) to describe our Lord Jesus.
*The apostle Peter portrays the Lord Jesus as “The Precious Cornerstone”
Cornerstone means:  A stone laid that marks the beginning of a building.  The most important part of a foundation.
(Four thoughts on the Precious Stone:)
(1)    When we come to Christ , He becomes our cornerstone.  (vs 6  Read)
*In (vs 4) Peter says “to whom coming”
*The word “come” is a word of obedience.  This in one of the first words taught in dog obedience school.
*This word appears over 1700 time in the scriptures.  It is not only an invitation but a command.
*The Lord Jesus has been saying “come” to people of every generation and He calls to this generation to “come”.
*You and I have two choices when He says “come”
1) We can come to Him and trust Him as our Savior
2) We can turn away from Him and go our own sinful ways
*Minister John David Michaels tells a story of a temple being built.  The workers used no hammers but instead the workers went to a rock quarry and shaped stones and each fit together perfectly.  The stones were sent to the building site but as they began to put the stones together there was a huge stone that didn’t seem to fit anywhere so they pushed it to the side.  Finally after they had laid a foundation it came time to place the cornerstone.  They contacted the quarry and said they were ready for the cornerstone.  The quarry workers told them it had already been delivered.  It was the stone they had rejected.  They went and got it and it slid perfectly in place.
(Eccl 3:11  Read)
*You can try to build your life on good works on good deeds but there is that place in your heart that only Christ will fit and fill up.  You will not be complete without Jesus.
(2)  If He is our cornerstone, we are His construction project    (vs 4,5   Read)
*Song we all know “He’s Still Working on Me”.  We are under construction.
*The Lord is building “a spiritual house”.  As a child of God we are the molding into His workmanship: living stones, a holy priesthood, a chosen people, a holy nation, a people that belong to God.
*There is a museum in Florence Italy which  houses Michelangelo’s famous statue of King David.
It is an enormous work of art carved from a block of marble 18 feet high.  But maybe you didn’t know he was not the first one to attempt to carve this statue.  A man named Du-c-cio first began working on this piece of marble.  But it was so difficult, so thin in places and misshaped he quit.  In 1501 Michelangelo undertook the work and for over 500 years the world has been thrilled by it’s beauty.
*You and I are difficult, misshaped blocks of marble but Jesus Christ is a master sculptor  who  is chipping away, polishing and making us into His own image.
(3) If we are His construction project, we have a divine purpose.
*We are not an accident, a mistake but what does God intend for us?  (vs 9  Read)
*Are you praising Him or are you proclaiming Him?  Notice three people who knew their diving purpose:
1)  The woman at the well  (John 4)
2)  Man who was possessed (Mark 5)
3)  Philippian jailer  (Act 16)
(4)  If we have divine purpose we should live accordingly  (vs 11,12  Read)
*The word “abstain” means to refrain from doing certain thing, going certain place, indulging in certain habits.
*If you are a Christian, you are God’s representative  on Earth.  Should we not be careful what we do, what we say and where we go?
(I Cor 4-9)  “we are made a spectacle (on open arena) unto the world”
Is Jesus your precious stone?

Growing in Grace

II Peter 3:17,18

The desire of God for those saved is to grow spiritually.  Like all things that live, there is a beginning and maturity.

*How do we accomplish this in a proper way.

1  The Christian Life begins with a Birth

John 3 (Nicodemus)

II Corinthians 5:17

2  What is Growth in Grace and Knowledge

First : What it’s not

1 Not becoming more saved than the day you were saved.

2 Not becoming more justified.

Second: What Christian growth is .

1 It is learning more of what God wants through His word.

2 It is being able to accomplish more of what God wants.

*Consider the expectation of physical growth.

Baby – Child – Adult

Garden – Seed – Sow – Reap

3  What are the Evidences of Growth

1  Increase in Love

I Thes 3:12

2  Increase in Faith

II Thes 1:3

3  Increase in Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22,23

*How’s your Fruit Tree doing?

4  What are the means God uses to help you grow in Grace?

1  He uses His word        I Peter 2:2

2  He uses troubles and experiences     James 1:2-4

3   He uses public worship    Hebrews 10:24,25

PART 2: MIRRORS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE – TURN ON THE LIGHTS

PART 2: MIRRORS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

*TURN ON THE LIGHTS*

(Matt 5:14-16)

Imagine a world without Christmas lights.

*To do that you would have to go back in time before 1882.

*Question: How many know who Edward Johnson is?  Maybe his boss’s name rings a bell : Thomas Edison.

*Johnson was his associate who invented electric Christmas lights.

*He put a string of 80 small brightly colored lights together, which blinked, and put them up inside his front window.

*Johnson not only had neighbors staring inside his window, but newspaper reporters walked in and out of his house to write articles about them.

*Electric Christmas lights did not immediately become a great success due to two reasons:

1) Few people had electricity

2) Those 80 bulbs cost over $100.00

*In 1910 General Electric mass produced them at an affordable price.

(Before sharing three thoughts , notice light and Christ)

*Nothing expresses the mission of Christ better than lights.

1) In the OT the golden candle stick in the Temple was a type of light signifying that the coming Messiah would be the light of Israel and the world.

(Isa 9:2,6A  Read)  The Lord Jesus brought light into a dark world.

2) NT apostle John opened this gospel by declaring Jesus.  (John 1:4)  “In Him was life, and the life was the  light of men.”

*In the Gospel Jesus declared (John 8:12 Read) “I am the light of the world”.

Notice three thoughts about light:

(1) Light destroys darkness

A)*Some scholars declare there is no such thing as darkness.  Their view of darkness is simply the absence of light.  Yet what I have noticed is when light comes, darkness flees.

*Missionary E. Stanley Jones said “When I met Christ, I felt that I had swallowed sunshine.”

(John 3:19-21  Read)    (II Cor 4:3-6  Read)

*The story is told of a man who setting on a bed, lights a candle and begins eating dates from a bowl.  He took a bite from one and noticed a worm in it.  He threw it away and took another but noticed a worm in it also.  Again, he threw it away, took another and realized it had a worm too.  Giving thought to this he realized he would not have anything to eat if he continued in this way, so he blew out the candle and ate the rest of the dates.

*Too many people love sin so much they’d rather swallow their sins and wallow in darkness, than to turn on the light of Christ.

B)*Light defines Christians

(Eph 5:8   &  Philippians 2:15)

*Beloved: As you work in your yard, as you pass your neighbors, as you walk down a grocery store aisle: You’re a mirror designed to reflect the light of Christ.

(2) Our light should shine in the streets of our city.

(Matt 5:14,15  Read)

*How far should the light of this church shine?  The light should not reach the rich only, the influent, the high and mighty who can dignify our services with their presence. But as our Lord Jesus reveals our light: it is to also shine to the prostitutes, to the homeless, to the multitude of hurting and troubled.

*The darker the night; the more noticeable when our light shines brightly.

(Prov 4:18)  “But the path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

(3) Light does not honor itself but brings honor to what is present.

(Matt 5:16  Read)

*I hear people say when they enter a home or church “what beautiful lights”, but I believe the true beauty is what the light reflects.

*The Lord Jesus has given us a name:  Light

“ye are the light of the world”

(Prov 20:27)  “The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord.

Jesus wants to reflect His glorious light thur you.

So turn on the light and light up the darkness.