Faith Free Will Baptist Church

Posts Tagged ‘Greater Works’

*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.)

*GOD’S TOUCH*

(Job 19:21)

Some people like Job’s so called friends have the idea that God is a great giant sitting on a throne  somewhere not caring whether we live or die.  That He is not interested in what’s going on in our life, whether we are having good times or struggles.

*How wrong they are.  God is a great, benevolent and loving Father.

*He is interested in every phrase of our lives, wanting the best for us, being there in our good days and bad days.

*He does not leave us to blind chance.  He is ever guiding and ever touching our life.

*If we are His children we bear His handprint on our life.

Notice times when God touches us:

(1)   There is the touch of salvation

*Having been born in sin we walk the straight line that leads to hell if a divine change does not take place.

*God sees us, God loves us, He touches our hearts and says (Isa 1:18  Read)

*In (Acts 9) God touched a murderer named Saul and changed him to a minister named Paul.

*In (Acts 16) God touched a jailer and transformed him into a justified child of God.

*In (Acts 8 ) God touched an Ethiopian.

*Has He touched you?  Do you know Him through a personal relationship with His Son Jesus Christ?

(2)   There is the touch of service

(Matt 4:18-22   Read)

1)      Moses was tending a flock when God touched him for service

2)      Isaiah was busy in the temple

3)      Peter, Andrew, James and John were about their fishing business

*Has God touched and called you to some service?  Are you doing it?  If not, why?  If not, when?

Beloved fear not His call to service for who He calls He equips.  Give Him your availability and He will give you the ability.

(3)   There is the touch of strength

(I Pet 5:8,9    Read)

*We face an enemy who is relentless in his attacks.  At times it seems like one attack after another.

*Yet we have the same promise God gave the Apostle Paul.  (II Cor 12:9 Read)

*Devil I may not can whoop you but my Big Brother can.  He’s got your number “He is the Lord my strength”.

(4)  There is the touch of solace and comfort

*Life is full of sorrows, God’s children at times have eyes filled with tears.  During those times we may feel alone, feel God is not near.

*The story is told of a little girl who woke up in the darkness and was afraid.  She called out “Father”.  Her dad heard her but kept quiet hoping she would go back to sleep.  But she called out louder “Father”.  He answered her “Yes honey, what do you want?” “Nothing” she said. “I just wanted to know that you are there.”

*God has promised to be there

(II Cor 1:3-5  Read)

(5)   There is the touch of satisfaction

*Christians are never fully satisfied here.  Because there is work to be done.  Jesus said “Occupy til I come”.  Simply put: We have business to do for our King.

*But King David gave us a clue when we will be completely satisfied (Ps 17:15  Read)

Has God touched you?

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

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 10: MIRRORS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE – GREATER WORKS THAN THESE

PART 10      MIRRORS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

*GREATER WORKS THAN THESE*

(John 14:12-14)

*After World War II, Berlin, the capitol of Germany and headquarters of Adolf Hitler’s 3rd Reich, was overseen by the four nations that had united to defeat Hitler: America, Britain, France and the former Soviet Union.  Sadly the history of Germany has not been good.  Two sections were created: East Berlin and West Berlin.

*Because of the opposition of the people in East Berlin, many began leaving and going to West Berlin.  To stop it, the Soviet Government in August 1961 built the Berlin Wall dividing the city.  The East Germany city of Leopzig became the site of violent protests, but accomplished nothing.

*In 1989 people in Leipzig tried a different approach.  What was once called the “Monday Demonstrations” began meeting with prayers of peace.  They met at the Nikolai Church, first a few 100’s, then 1000’s, then 10,000’s until there were approximately one million.  The results: In November 1989 the Berlin Wall was torn down.

*The French novelist Victor Hugo wrote “There are moments when, whatever the attitude of the body, the soul is on it’s knees.

*Those who prayed down the Berlin Wall must have believed Jesus’ words in (14:12-14  Read).

*What did Jesus mean by saying that His disciples/followers would do greater works than He had done?

*What could possibly be greater than healing the sick, raising the dead, stilling the storms on the sea, defeating demons, and turning water into wine?  Should we expect miracles beyond these?

*Yes: Our ministry will be greater for two reasons:  (1) greater reach   (2) greater results.

(1) The Reach of our Ministry is Greater

(Acts 1:8  Read)

*The Lord of Israel today covers about 8,000 square miles, roughly the equivalent to the land of Palestine in Jesus’ day.  During Jesus’ 3 1/2 years of ministry He traveled no more than 200 miles and primarily confined Himself to Judea and regions of Galilee.  He touched many people but the total’s probably in the 1,000’s.

*Do not misunderstand me.  I am not making light of Christ’s ministry during his 3 1/2 years.  I want us to grasp His glorious ministry today.

*The planet Earth is approoximately 57 1/2 million square miles.  The followers of Christ after His ascension reached 1000,s of miles by foot and ship.  The apostle Paul in (Acts) preached to all of Asia in 3 1/2 years. But understand because of their efforts others became followers of Christ and today 2,000 years after it began, millions are now disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

*Today God has taken the ministry of Faith Freewill Baptist Church beyond our neighborhood, our city, our state.  The message of Jesus Christ, the Gospel, is reaching: Canada, Phillipines, India, Romania, Germany, South Korea, over 35 countries, numbering 150,000 people monthly.  Our state promotions director is telling other Free Will Baptist churches and pastors are asking: How is this happening?

*We pray, we believe, we receive and Jesus is showing Himself alive and well and His Gospel is changing the world.

*We are reaching not only large cities but small townships and villages.

(2) The Results of our Ministry is Greater

(Matt 28:18-20)

*It is not just the reach of the Gospel that will be greater thru the church.  The results of preaching the Gospel will be greater also.  (Acts 2) Peter’s first sermon reached 3,000, todays 100’s of 1000,s are hearing it.

*Our primary ministry in the world is not to simply perform physical miracles but to be a conduit, the person Christ can continue to perform His spiritual miracles thru:

1) It is wonderful for a man’s eyes to be opened physically but it is even more wonderful for him to see and understand the Gospel.

2) It is wonderful for a leper to be made pure and clean but it is more wonderful for his soul to be washed pure from the stain of sin.

3) It is wonderful for a deaf man to hear words and music but it is more wonderful for him to hear the Gospel and respond to it.

How far can the Greater Works of Jesus go?  As far as you and I believe.

How much of yourself are you willing to give and believe to see greater works?