Faith Free Will Baptist Church

Posts Tagged ‘commitment’

*HOW TO BECOME BETTER STEWARDS OF THE GOSPEL*

(Matt 28:16-20)

*Jesus not only has given the church power, but also a great responsibility.

*The word “steward” carries a great meaning: One who watches over the affairs of another.

(I Cor 4:1,2  Read)

*The Apostle Paul was clear in these verses that the saints have a great responsibility, that is to be faithful in the handling of the things of God.

*In (Luke 12) Jesus gives a parable concerning a wise and faithful steward and their reward (vs 48). Some of you have talents and are not using them.

*Unknown writer once wrote “A Christian is a mind thru which Christ thinks, a heart thru which Christ loves, a voice thru which Christ speaks, and a hand thru which Christ helps”.

With this said, “How can we become better steward of the gospel?”:

(1)    Know the gospel

(II Tim 2:15  Read)

*In these last days that are filled with false doctrines, I believe it is of utmost importance for Christians to know why they believe as they do.

* I cannot stress enough the need for us to read and study the bible daily.

*There are two main cults with false doctrines in the US.  In a survey taken from these two, they admitted that most of their growth comes from people in mainstream churches.  Who are they: Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses.

Question:

1)      What do you know about Jesus’ life?

2)      What do you know about why He came?

3)      What do you know about His death, His burial, His resurrection?

(Acts 17:10,11 Read)

(2)    Live the gospel

(Matt 5:13-16  Read)

*What good is it to say we believe the gospel if it does not bring a change in our lives, how we live, why we do or don’t do certain things?

(I Cor  4:9   & Col2:6   Read)

*People, families are watching how we live, how we handle things: some will mock us, but some will take notice we are true to living for Christ.  (I Pet 3:16  Read)

(3) Love the gospel

(Psalms 119:97,103,105  Read)

*I know I’ve talked about reading the bible, but do we love God’s word, do we see its work in our lives, do we see the necessity of it?

*Job who experienced such troubles as losing his children, his possessions said this : (Job 23:12 Read) .

1) Do we love it enough to think on it daily? (Psl 119:11 Read)

2) Do we love it enough to let it direct our life’s decisions?  (Psl 37) The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.

3) Do we love it enough to attend preaching?  (Rom 10:17  Read)

(4) Give the gospel

(Matt 28:20  Read)

(Psl 107:2  Read)

*Isn’t it amazing the many things we tell people about that comes into our lives?

1) Announce our engagements in getting married

2) Announce the birth of a baby

3) Buying a new car or house

*But yet we struggle with telling others of Christ.  (I Pet 3:15  Read)

Have you asked God to help you be a good steward of the gospel?

*AT WITS END*

(PS 107:27,28 )

What have you given to the Lord?

1)      Your Life

2)      Your  family

3)      Your worries and cares

4)      Your failures

Whatever we are troubled with again and again is evidence that we need to commit those things to the Lord.

(vs 27) “at wits end”

The meaning carries an understanding that there is a situation we are trying to deal with but are unsuccessful.  It means:

1)      Nothing I can do

2)      I cannot work it out

3)      It is bigger than me but not bigger than God (Ps 108:12)

We need to be reminded of what the Apostle Paul said in (Rom 8:28 )

1)      There is no greatness without trouble  (Act 14)

2)      There is no growing without trouble (Act 12)

3)      There is no developing the Christ-like life in us without troubles (Act 28 )

(1)    The Lord we know

(vs 1)

Notice two things:

1)      God is good

The worst thing that could happen to us is listening to the devil and thinking God is not

as good toward us as He is toward others.

(John 8:44)

(Rom 2:4)

2)      God is merciful

In (Ps 136) All the verses contain “His mercy endureth forever.

(Ps 23:6)

(2)    The life we live

Notice four groups of people:

1)      People needing direction

(107:3-8 )

2)      People in need

(107:9-12)

3)      People who are healed

(107:17-21)

4)      People in trouble

(107:23-27)

These people are not brought low by sin but trouble in life.

(Job 14:1)

Are you at wits end, are you ready to say “Lord, I can’t handle this, I need help”.

*BUT SATAN HINDERED US*

(I Thess 2:18)

America has faced many enemies in our short history: Germany in WWI, Japan in WWII, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the heartless terrorist of this generation.  But there is an enemy craftier, more hateful, and more destructive than any this world has ever faced.  He is the enemy called Satan, the devil whose ultimate goal is to bring God and any associated with Him down.

*In spite of the persecution and affliction the church at Thessalonica was doing quite well.  But in the text, we read how Satan successfully hindered the men of God at they attempted to reach more people for Christ.

Today I want us to notice how Satan hinders the unbelievers from coming to Christ.

(1)    He hinders by afflicting Christians

(Vs 14,15  Read)

*There is no doubt in my mind that Satan is behind the persecution and afflictions of the Church.  Both physically and spiritually.

*We also need to realize the Lord allows a certain amount of liberty in this.

*The best example of this is in the life of Job.

*Probably no one suffered more in such a short period of time than Job.

(Job 1:13-19)  Reveals two losses to Job:

1)      Property and servants: Job lost 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 she-donkeys plus servants.  In one day Job was completely bankrupt.

2)      Sons and daughters

(Job 2:7  Read)

*We cannot begin to understand the agony he must have been in.  Surely there was one who could offer a world of comfort, one he had know for many years, one who had seen him live for the Lord and encourage him to trust God.  But look at the word of his compassionate wife  (Job 2:9)

*The wealth and health preachers today say if you are sick you have no faith, but let them say that to:

Paul who said to Timothy “Take a little wine for his stomach sake”  (I Tim 5:23  & II Tim 4:20)

Paul who left Trophimus sick in Miletus

Paul who said Epaphrodutus fell ill and almost died  (Phil 2:25-30)

(2)    Satan hinders us from doing the work of God which would benefit us

(Matt 26)  Peter, James and John go with Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane.  Our Lord is in great distress in (vs 38) He tells them “watch with Me” after praying He returns to where they are and finds them sleeping (vs 40) “What could ye not watch with Me one hour” but notice what else He says (vs 41  Read)

*The Lord wants you to witness, read His Word, pray each day, attend church and do His good works and you would like to do those things.  You’ve mad promises to yourselves to serve God more faithfully.

1) You intend to talk to someone you know about Christ but something hinders you.

2) You want to come to more church services but something keeps coming up.

3) You want to tithe your income but your car broke down, or plumbing went bad.

4) You want to read your Bible daily but get busy and the day ends without you doing it.

*Satan will do his best to make you sleep when you should be watching, praying or working.

(3) Satan hinders us by keeping us from spreading God’s Word

(I Thes 2:16  Read)

*Satan will go to great lengths to keep you and I from sharing Christ with others.

*The ACLU and others will go to great lengths to keep the Gospel confined in the four walls of the local church.

*Several years back, a dean at Stanford University began to pressure Christian groups on campus to stop the practice of witnessing to other students.  He was angered not by the content of the message but the practice of telling others.  His opinion “You are implying that a person’s beliefs are inferior to your own.  It is self-righteous, biased and intolerant”.  Is it self-righteous and intolerant to want to see others know the joy of Christ and escape Hell?

(4) Satan hinders by sowing tares among the wheat

(Matt 13:25,39  Read)

Two questions:

1)      What is a tare?  It is a poisonous weed that looks very similar to the wheat.  At the beginning you can’t tell them apart and by the time they have grown together it would endanger the wheat if you try to separate it.

2)      What is a tare in the church?

*It is unsaved church members and unfortunately we may have some in this church.  They come regularly, they speak words which insinuate they are Christians.  But outside of these walls, their words, their deeds prove otherwise.

* How sad that the Holy Church of Christ is made to look hypocritical, a fake because  those professing to be Christians are seen staggering down a street in drunkenness .

*I cannot always see the difference between the tares and wheat but God can.

(5) Satan hinders the unsaved by stealing the seed or Word of God

(Luke 8:11,12  Read)

1)      He will try to keep your heart unprepared to receive God’s Word.  Got along with spouse all week till Sunday and argued all the way to church.

2)      He will try to keep you from hearing the Truth when it is offered.

Keep you daydreaming or occupied with something else in church.

Story is told of a minister that was preaching a church that had a wall pipe organ and he said “ I don’t know how many pipes are in the organ”.  A man hollered out “53”.

*THE MEASURE OF A STRONG CHURCH*

(Heb 10:24,25)

*Someone once said “If absence makes the heart grow fonder, some people ought to love their church greatly” because they’re absent more than present.

*The practice of assembling with a church is important (Psl 122). Naturally we hope the congregation we assemble with is a strong one, but it may not always be the case.  In NT times there were many good congregations but some were not what they should have been.

(Rev 2) Church of Ephesus had left their first love

(Rev 3) Church of Laodiceans  had  become lukewarm

(Rev 3) Church of Philadelphia “thou has not denied my name”

*Question: What is the measure of a strong church?

*Some would say the building, some think the number of programs: Sunday School, choir, children’s church.

*Others think a smoothly run organizations without problems, but you can have all these things and still be dead.

*But I suggest a better measure is to be found when we think of the church in terms used in the Bible.

(1) A strong church functions like a body

1) The church is the body of Christ

(I Cor 12:27  Read)

*The church is an organism (it is living) not simply an organization.

2) The body of Christ has many members

(Rom 12:4,5  Read)

3) The body must have members who fulfill their function

(Eph 4:15,16  Read)

*We understand that a chain is as strong as its weakest link.  So is the body of Christ in the church.  We must all seek to do our part, if we are half-hearted then those who are doing all they can must also do your part.

(2) A strong church functions like a family

*The Apostle Paul told the church in Thessalonica they were good examples

(I Thes 4:9,10)

*A strong family is where there are certain things:

1) There is concern and care for each other.  Do we pray and lift up one another to God?

2) There is a genuine love that builds up each other.

3) There is a desire to spend time with each other.

(I Thess :12  Read)

(3) A strong church functions like a temple

*Temples were built to glorify and offer up praise to our Creator (I Cor 6:19,20)

(Psl 150:1) “Praise ye the Lord, praise God in His sanctuary.”

(Psl 145:3) “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.”

*Beloved:  When was the last time you just praised God? When was the last time you clapped in honor to Him?  When was the last time you just let go and let God take over?

(4) A strong church functions like a pure bride betrothed to Christ

Note two things:

1)      Christ offered Himself to enable His bride to be pure and holy

(Eph5:25-27  Read)

(II Cor 11:2  Read)

*He did this out of His great love for her.

2)  The bride makes herself ready

(Rev 19:7-9  Read)

*Are you ready for the marriage?

*Only thru the shed blood of Christ can you be made ready.

Does this church show;  The Measure of a Strong Church.

*COMMANDMENTS FOR CHRISTIANS*

(I Thes 5:16-23)

Webster defines the word commandment as a law or order, especially in the Bible, any of the Ten Laws God gave to Moses.

*Yet I find in the scriptures that there are certain commands the Apostle Paul gives which will produce maturity and growth toward perfection in our Christian walk.   (vs 23  Read)

*I believe all Christians should desire at least two things in their personal lives:

1) To grow spiritually and have a deeper sense of God in their lives daily.

2) To have a deep yearning in their heart for the Lord’s return.

(*In fulfilling (vs 23) Paul gives us seven commandments:)

(1) Rejoice evermore (vs 16)

*For what are we to rejoice?

1) Rejoice for all the good things the Lord has done for you

(Deut 26:11)  “And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee.”

*Folks are we not better off right now than we were years ago?

2) Rejoice in a good church home

(Ps 122:1) “I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the house of the Lord.”

*Listen:  I know the grass looks greener somewhere else but I love it here.

3) Rejoice if your children are saved

(Prov 23:24) “The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice”

4) Rejoice when folks get saved

(Luke 15) Gives us two parables in which something was lost but found:

(vs 6) “rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost”

(vs 9) “rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost”

5) Rejoice because you are saved

(Luke 10:20) “rejoice because your names are written in heaven”

(2) “ Pray without ceasing”  (vs 17)

*In (I Thes) Paul mentions at least three times praying (1:2    3:10   5:25)

*We are to be in a constant attitude of prayer, ready to pray effectively in a minutes notice.

(3) (vs 18  Read)

*Notice what Paul says in (Rom 8:28  Read)

*I realize not everything is perfect, not everything goes right.

*Why are we to give thanks in everything?

“For this is the will of God”

Question: Can you trust the Lord enough to thank Him for everything that comes into your life?

(4) “Quench not the spirit” (vs 19)

*The Holy Spirit is not an it, but a person, the third head of the Trinity of God.  As such He can be quenched.

1) The Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, you quench Him by not acknowledging it in your life

2) The Holy Spirit can be quenched when we disrupt His work in public worship

3) Quenched when we refuse to obey His leading

(Eph 4:30) “And grieve not the Holy Spirit where by ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

(5) “Despise not prophesying”  (vs 20)

*Prophesy is not foretelling but forth telling.

*Prophesy is telling what is going to happen.  Paul’s meaning here is telling known truth.  We call it preaching.  The preacher reveals God’s word to us.

*Your attitude toward preaching determines whether you despise it.

*Do you enjoy singing but endure preaching?  How sad when people follow singers but not the hunger for preaching God’s word.

(6) “Prove all things”  (vs 21)

1) Points of doctrine

*What do you believe about the virgin birth, blood atonement, the second coming of Christ?

2) Prove doubtful things

*Some doubt their salvation

Question: How are we to prove things?

*By the Word of God.  I don’t care what your experiences are, if the Bible does not back it up, it’s false.

(7) “Abstain from all appearances of evil”  (vs 22)

*It is not enough to abstain from evil but to abstain from the very appearance of it.

*Unless absolutely necessary I don’t meet alone with a woman who is not my wife.

*Remember this: If there is any question in your mind whether something is right or wrong, then it’s wrong for you.

*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.)

*IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST*

(II Cor 5:17)

The great preacher George Finney was walking down a sidewalk in a town he had preached.  A man came staggering up to him.  It was quite evident he was drunk.  He said to Finney “I heard you preach the last time you were in town, I’m one of your converts”.  Dr Finney replied “You must be one of mine, you certainly are not one of the Lords”.

(vs 17)  “if any man be in Christ he is a new creature”

*God knows how to create.  He created the world, the sun, the moon and the stars.  He created man and when fallen sinful man comes to Him in repentance He creates a new man.

(1) If a man is in Christ he doesn’t enjoy sin anymore

*Here is the difference between a lost sinner and a child of God.   When a lost sinner sins they enjoy it and stay in it. But when a true Christian sins, they are sorry and are broken over it and cry out for forgiveness.  (I John 1:5-7  Read)

(2) If a man be in Christ he loves the gospel

(Rom 1:16  Read)

*The real Christian never tires of hearing about the Lord Jesus.  The Good News stirs our heart, we remember the effects it had on our life when we first believed it.

*There is something wrong when a person professes to be a Christian but they do not come to hear the gospel preached.

1) He makes much about Jesus and little of himself.

2) He makes it plain that man is lost and magnifies the cross, the blood, the Christ.

(3) If a man is in Christ, he loves to see others saved.

(Luke 15:10  Read)

*There is a joy that cannot be put  into  words when you see or help one come the Christ.  (I Thes 2:20) “For ye are our glory and joy”

(4) If a man is in Christ, he has a different attitude toward others.  (John 13:34,35  Read)

*The real Christian has an attitude of Christ’s love in all their personal relationships.

*We can be talked about, criticized, blamed for something when we are innocent yet still we are motivated to forgive and love because we know Christ has loved us.  (Eph 4:31,32  Read)

(5) If a man is in Christ, he transfers his major interest from Earth to heaven  (Mat 6:19-21  Read)

*The unsaved lives only for this world.  They look to life here and all it holds.

*I believe the closer the Christian gets to God, the less hold the things of this world have on him.

Are you in Christ?

Is It Worth It To Be A Christian?

Psalm 73

In these scriptures, we see a serious struggle in the heart of a child of God who is concerned by the seeming contradiction he finds around him.

He looks around him and sees the prosperity of the wicked:       (1) There are people who do not care for God, who do not try to live for God.

(2) They have an easy time on their jobs, they seem to have all the material things they want; never does misfortune seem to come to them.

(3) The wicked seem to prosper better than those who live for the Lord.

* When we read vs 13-16, we see King David’s brokenness over this and his hasty conclusion: “That it just isn’t worth it.” He says what some think.

But notice vs 17

* In light of eternity, in light of God’s word, it really did matter about living for the Lord. (vs 24-28)

[Notice Three Reasons Why It Matters]1.             In light of our Past, it is worth it

We may come from different places, our life’s experiences may be different, but we all identify with one thing: (Romans 3:23)

* Even saved, our sinful past brings baggage with it.        (1) The Guilt of Sin

Some live day after day with guilt, things they cannot change now: Joseph’s brothers, who sold him into slavery

David’s adultery and murder; no doubt walking out on his

balcony reminded him

(2) Condemnation of Sin

(John 3:18)

(Romans 8:1)

(3) Burden of Sin

The devil does his utmost to cause us to live in constant sorrow and remorse, but Jesus bore all our guilt, our condemnation, our burden of sin and was nailed to the Cross, giving us a new life. (II Corinthians 5:17-21)

2.            In light of our Present, it is worth it

People seem to have more and more, but are enjoying it less and less. Some seem miserable.

The book of Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon, who reveals the emptiness of not serving God: (1) Solomon tried Riches; Today’s money – 20 million a year.

(2) Solomon tried Alcohol.

(3) Solomon tried Lust; 700 wives, 300 concubines.

(4) Solomon tried Education; 3,000 proverbs, 1,005 songs, yet he said “All is vanity and vexation of spirit” (Romans 8:28)

Your struggles today can bring shouts of victory tomorrow.

3.            In light of our Future, it is worth it

Everyone has a Future; The question is what is the future going to bring for you?              (1) If you are not saved

(Hebrews 9:27)

(2) If you are saved

(John 14:1-6)

Dividing the Word of Truth

II Timothy 2:15

For the most part, most of us realize the Church is more than a brick building made by man. It is the people, the body of Christ on earth. But it is also an institution established by God and because of this He has set up those who He has called to be responsible for its well-being.

Acts 20:28

Ephesians 4:11

Acts 6:1-7

I believe there are Three Responsible Positions He has established for these days:          (1) Pastors/Evangelists

(2) Deacons

(3) Teachers

Today is Deacon/Teacher Appreciation Sunday and I realize that I & II Timothy are Pastoral Letters of Apostle Paul to the young preacher Timothy. I also believe we can certainly use these books to exhort Teachers and Deacons in their responsibilities.

* Every church should be a Bible School, where the Word of God is taught accurately.

Four Thoughts On II Timothy 2:151.         Vs 15 “Study”

Study means: The act of reading, thinking in order to learn something; a careful and serious examination.

In school, those who apply themselves, using every tool available to them, make the best grades and grow in wisdom.

Proverbs 4:7

Joshua 1:8

* If the Word of God is not in our hearts, we cannot expect it to be in those we teach.

2.            Vs 15 “Approved”

Just who are we trying to impress, to get approval from, to hear “well done” from?

Acts 5:29

II Timothy 2:24-26

Remember, what we compromise to gain, we will lose. If we compromise God’s Word, we will lose His Divine Approval.

3.            Vs 15 “Workman”

We have a work top do and must take it seriously and take efforts to do it.

Workman insinuates laboring. Workmen that are unskillful, unfaithful, and lazy have need to be shamed.

Hebrews 5:12-14

I Corinthians 3:9

Hebrews 13:7,17

4.            Vs 15 “Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth”

This phrase carries the meaning of cutting through, to handle carefully.

We have 66 books of Truth.

3:16,17

Why must we labor to establish Biblical Truth?

2:16-18

3:13

4:3,4

Ephesians 4:14

Deacons

I Timothy 3:8-13

Acts 6:1-7

Two responsibilities of Deacons

(1) Welfare of the Church

(2) Welfare of their Pastor

I Corinthians 9:1-14

How to Discourage the Devil

James 4:7

If there is anything the devil and I agree on, it is the fact that he hates me and I hate him.

* We often hear people talk of their battles and struggles with our #1 enemy. Tonight let’s expose him and discourage him.

Who is the devil?

* He is a real person. He was created an Angelic being: Ezekiel 28  Full of wisdom and perfect in his ways, until iniquity was found in him.

Isaiah 14  Tells us pride swelled up in Lucifer’s heart and he tried to overthrow God. He was defeated and cast out.

Luke 10:18  Jesus said He saw Satan fall.

Notice his characteristics:             A Liar   (John 8:44 )

An Enemy   (I Peter 5:8,9)

The Tempter   (Mark 1:12,13)

A Hypocrite   (II Corinthians 11:14)

A Hinderer   (I Thessalonians 2:18)

An Oppressor   (Acts 10:38)

An Accuser   (Revelation 12:10)

1.            Prayer discourages the devil.

(Philippians 4:6)

Never give up praying, God is not deaf, He will answer, Wait upon the Lord.

2.            Soul-winning discourages the devil.

(Matthew 4:19)

We have our orders: (Matthew 28:19,20)

3.            Tithes and offerings discourage the devil.

God gives the saints a glorious promise if they will be faithful in their giving: (Malachi 3:10)

4.            The Word of God Discourages the devil.

(Hebrews 4:12)

When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, the Lord replied “It is written”

Read (Romans 8:31)

Beloved, when the devil tries to discourage you for your past failures, we remind him of his coming future.

(Revelation 20:10)