Faith Free Will Baptist Church

Posts Tagged ‘Obedience’

*THE LOSSES OF LOT*

(Gen 19:15-25)

It is tragic to see people lose things due to some great trouble that can sometimes come into our lives.

*You pick up the paper or see on the TV a family that lost all their possessions due to a fire or tornado or some other terrible event.  And if you have a heart, you are saddened for them.

*But more heartbreaking is to see a Christian brother or sister lose those things God has blessed them with thru sin and spiritual neglect.

*Sometimes Satan makes things look so good that we don’t take time to count the record and see there are more losses than gain is listening to his lies.

*Sin never adds but subtracts, takes away the blessings of God.

*In talking about Lot the Apostle Peter says: (II Pet 2) “That righteous Lot was vexed by the wicked living of those in Sodom and Gomorrah”. But as we will see Lot lost something very precious in his life, as do some Christian who slides backward from God.

(1) Lot lost his faith

*Lot was the nephew of Abraham who the bible calls “The Father of Faith” and “The Friend of God”

*There can be no doubt Lot knew about the things of God thru Abraham.

1) He knew what it was to talk with God

2) He knew what it was to worship God

3) He knew what it was to feel  God’s  presence

Yet Lot lost faith in God.

(vs 17-19 & 30  Read)

*Lot feared the place of protection God had established but also he feared Zoar the place he had chosen.

*Fear comes from the devil (I John 4:18 ) “fear hath torment”

(II Tim 1:7  Read)

*How tragic to see Christians lose faith, confidence in God and His word.

(2) Lot lost his finances

(vs 16  Read)

*In (chpt 13) we not only see Abraham was rich but also Lot.  God had richly blessed them both.

*In (chpt 14) we see Lot lose his entire possessions  due to an enemy King taking all his goods.  But Abraham gets them back for Lot.

*But in (chpt 19) when God brings judgment we see nothing taken by Lot as he flees nor restored back to him.  As a matter of fact the only thing mentioned taken out by Lot is the wine he got drunk with.

*God desire is to bless His children thru His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

(III John 2) “Beloved I wish above all thing that thou mayest  prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth .

*To that one who has drifted away from God, your soul is no longer prospering:

1) You have lost the riches of joy

2) You have lost the riches of peace

3) You have lost the riches of fellowship with God. God wants to restore you.

(Rom 8:32  Read)

(3) Lot lost his family

(vs 14,26,36  Read)

*Lot’s family had no confidence in his warnings.

*Lot’s family had no confidence in his leadership.

I believe Satan is working overtime to destroy the family.

To disrupt and corrupt the home: adultery, divorce, sanctity of marriage, rebellion, overcomes many homes, even Christian homes.

*The bible say “Husbands love your wives, wives submit to your husbands as unto the Lord, children obey your parents “.

*How sad it is to see a Christian father or mother backslide on God and lose their testimony with the family.

*Trust broken, love hurt: all because of drifting away from the Savior.

(4) Lot lost his fruitfulness

(chpt 18:32  Read)

*Abraham knowing God was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah pleads for their mercy: From 50 to 10 righteous and God would not destroy them.

*According to (II Pet 2:8) they only needed nine more righteous souls and they would be spared.

1) Sodom could have had a testimony if Lot had not compromised.

2) Sodom could have had more time to repent if Lot had prayed for them like Abraham did.

But Lot’s life had no effect on anyone. Does yours?

1)      Has anyone found Christ because of your testimony?

2)      Has anyone been encouraged to draw closer to Jesus because of your testimony?

(Phip 4:9) Apostle Paul said “Those things which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me do and the God of peace shall be with you”.

*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.

*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?

*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?

*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?

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

*WHATSOEVER HE SAITH UNTO YOU, DO IT*

(John 2:5)

There are some very great truths that are revealed in this event that I will not deal with at this time: But three I will briefly speak of.

1) Jesus attends this wedding (vs 2)

*His ministry on earth begins at a wedding and His ministry to the church will end at a wedding.

2) Jesus words to His mother (vs 4)

*He is not disrespecting her in (vs 4).  His statement reveals the Gospel Purpose: Death, Burial, Resurrection.

3) Jesus turning water into wine (vs 6-10)

*I will not waste God’s time answering those who are trying to justify their wickedness.

With this said, I want us to Notice (vs 5)  Read

Ask yourself this question:

Is the Lord Jesus asking you to do something?

(1) What is He asking to those who are not saved?

(Isa 55:6,7  Read)

*To those who have never asked Jesus to come into their life, who’ve never believed upon Him:

1) You’ve tried possessions but they hold no joy in having.

2) You’ve tried money but it gives no peace to your soul.

3) You’ve tried worldly pleasures but they leave you empty.

“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.”

1) Come to Him who was the water of life to the woman at the well.

2) Come to Him who is the bread of life to hungry souls.

3) Come to Him who can give your life direction and purpose for He said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”.

4) Come to Him who:

1) Brings sunshine to every morning

2) Who fills the darkness with His glory and light

3) To Him called: The Bright and Morning Star, the Lily of the Valley, The Hope of All Men, The

Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory. The Alfa and Omega, The King of Kings.

*He is asking you to come*

(2) What is He asking to you who know Him as your Savior?

(Phil 3:7-14 Read)

*Do you remember what joy and peace flooded your soul the day you came to Jesus?

*Do you remember the tears, not of sorrow, but of glory when you felt His Holy Presence overtake you?

1) Is He asking you to renew your love and passion for Him?

2) Is He asking you to renew your trust and committment?

3) Is He asking you to simply come back to Him and fellowship with His as you once did?

*What is He asking?

(Rev 3:20  Read)

(3) What is He asking to you who are members of this church?

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

*It troubles me when I talk to Christians about attending church, but there is something I think you may not understand:

1) Do you know how much better Sunday School goes when you are here?

2) Musicians, do you know how much better the songs sound when you are here?

3) Choir, do you know how much better the singing is when you are standing up here?

4) Soloists, do you know how much of a blessing it is to those here when you sing for us?

5) To those in the pews, do you know how much better teachers teach and preachers preach when

you are here supporting their effort?

I close with the same statement Mary said to the wedding servants concerning Jesus:  (John 2:5) “Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.

*WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF THEE*

“Doing What’s Right”

(Micah 6:8)

We do not have prophets today, at least not in the strict biblical sense of the word.  Before and during the time when the Bible was being written, prophets received direct revelation from God to deliver it to the people.

*People knew that when a genuine prophet spoke, the message was as good as from the lips of God Himself.

*So serious was this, that if the prophet spoke and gave information that proved to be false, that person would be taken and stoned to death by the people.

*The word of a prophet was reliable. At least when the people cared to hear from God.

*Micah was one of those trustworthy prophets who lived and preached in Judah.

*Scholars group him among what was called “the minor prophets”.  Not because of importance but their message was shorter but absolute truth.

*After Solomon’s reign a civil war broke out dividing his Kingdom into two nations : Israel to the North and Judah to the South.  God sent a multitude of faithful prophets to rebuke their continued rejection of serving God, so God finally allowed them to be invaded by Assyria.

*Micah feared for his people who had begun to slip back from God as Israel was doing.  He saw compromise in three areas:

1) Corruption of the priest.

2) Selfishness in the ruling class.

3) Outright lies by false prophets.

His people needed a word from God.  (Vs 8  Read)

(1) What the Lord does not expect or require.

*Micah in (chap 6) alternates between what God says and what Judah would answer: (Vs 3,4) Judah response (Vs 6,7)

Notice what Judah says:

1) Shall we offer up entire animals?

2) Shall we offer up whole herds of rams?

3) Shall we offer up ten thousand expensive barrels of oil?

4) Shall we offer our first born children?

*Listen:  All false religions have one thing in common.  They attempt to win favor with God by works and more works.

*You can never sacrifice enough, work hard enough, pray long enough, or bow low enough to earn God’s pleasure.  Examine yourself.

*What motivates your actions?

1) Are you trying to make up for past sins?

2) Are you hoping to win God’s favor by religious works?

*God’s love is not for sale.

(2) God expects us to do what is right.

(Vs 8)  “to do justly”

*The line between right and wrong is not blurred if you use the right discernment, use a direct line of absolute truth.

*Notice: We did not uncover the direct line for what is right, we did not create it, we are not the first to recognize it.  It is the Bible.

*66 books inspired, preserved thru the centuries.  Right conduct cannot be determined by polling the opinions of others.

(Ps 119:11)  “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

(3) The cost of obedience.

(Acts 4:1-4)

*Roughly 750 years after Micah’s prophesy, two of Jesus’ disciples faced a serious dilemma.

*Peter and John were used of God to do what Jesus did, heal the sick.

*The preaching of the resurrection greatly troubled the Sadducees.

*Why would this trouble them?  The reports of Jesus alive upset the balance, telling them “you can’t kill Him”.

*They took Peter and John and sought to intimadate them.  (Vs 5-7)

*(Vs 7) is not a real question, it is an accusation, a charge, but Peter turns it around.  (Vs 8-12)

*He makes his charge:  The King you killed is alive again and your only hope of salvation is in His name.

(4) The results of obedience.

(Vs 15-22)

*These two uneducated fishermen, though respecting this council of men, knew what their leader had commanded them.  (Matt 28)  “Go, make disciples.”

*We see the blessing of their obedience in (5:14).

(5) How does Micah’s message to do what is right speak to the 21st century church?

*We are called Christians not because of the nation we live in butt the relationship we have with the risen Christ.

Doing what is right means:

1) Let God reveal to you what is right from His word.  To do that we must read it.

2) Trust the transforming power of the Holy Spirit to lead you toward what is right.  (Eph 5:18) we are

told to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

3) Listen to the wisdom of those who follow Christ and who do what is right.  (Phil 4:9) “Those things

both learn and received and heard and seen in me, do.”

4) Remember that though we will face opposition, God is in control.  (Ps 60:12) “Through God we

shall do valiantly.”

Closing:

Dr David Jeremiah said “What honors the Lord is a heart that beats in the same rhythm as His, a spirit that values the same qualities that define Him.  A people who do what is right”.