Doc Flay

Hello Family of God,   My heart grieves over the lost who are deceived and led astray by the cares of this world, its riches, enticements, and earthly pleasures which result in spiritual decay and ruin. Worldliness (e.g., "gambling, bars, nightclubs, wealth, sensuality, physical attractiveness, lusts, etc.,") has crept into the hearts of many "professing" Christians and are now leading them down the broad way towards ultimate destruction and eternal condemnation in the Devil's world which will one day pass away along with all its lusts (cf. Matt. 7:13-14; 24:37-39; Lk. 12:15-20; 15:13; Eph. 2:3; Col. 4:14; 1 Tim. 6:9-10; 2 Tim. 4:9-10; 1 Jn. 2:15-17). If you're struggling with carnal desires and worldly appetites and cannot seem to overcome them, then you may want to ask yourself if you have truly been born-again. There will be MANY who attend their local church and listen to the preaching of their Pastor's sermons each Sunday who will be rejected by the Lord Himself at the day of Judgment; this is why every one professing to be [in] Christ is commanded to "examine" themselves (Matt. 7:21-23; 2 Cor. 13:5; 2 Pet. 1:10-11).   In the life of every Christian, there should be:   Repentance from all sins. An increasing hatred towards sin. An increasing Faith and Trust in the Lord. An increasing sorrow and remorse over your sins when committed. An increasing hatred for carnal and worldly things. An increasing desire toward holiness and godliness (i.e., "to hunger and thirst after righteousness"). An increasing desire to please the Lord out of Love for Him. An increasing desire to serve others before yourself. An increasing desire to be fed from the Word of God. A desire to fellowship with other True Christians. Spiritually maturing in Christ and the Christian fruits (e.g., "Love, Joy, Peace, Self-Control, etc."). Loving God and Jesus Christ above all else (including self, and willing to die for Him if necessary).

Exodus 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

You think that there is no captivity in sin? Are you unequal/unjust/unrighteous with people? Engaged in premarital sexual relations or married and having relations with others or lusting after men or women other than your spouse? Do you corrupt God's law as explained in the King James Bible in your actions? Do you have a strong desire for things that you don't posess? Do you do things that hurt others physically or emotionally? Does the success of others bother you? Are you an angry person? Do you have a habit of arguing? Do you mislead other people? Are you spiteful or mean? Do you reveal the secrets of others? Do you speak bad about people when they are not present? Are you an enemy of God (if you are not for God's program as explained in the King James Bible then you are God's enemy, see James 4:4)? Are you mean or hateful without being provoked? You think alot of yourself (are you the big man/woman in your universe)? Like to tell people how wonderful you are? Spend your time thinking of bad things to do (things that may hurt others)? Ignore what your mom or dad says (disOBedient)? Can't comprehend this list or your King James Bible? Make commitments and break them? No desire to do the right things? You can't be satisfied or come to resolutions in a conflict? Are you cruel or unforgiving? Well, the Bible says about me, you, and anyone else who does this (Romans 1:32) "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death." and (Romans 2:5,6) "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:"

If you want to know where that list above came from then look at Romans 1:29-31 at http://av1611.com/KJBp/KJV-bible-text/Ro-1.html and compare the words to their definitions in Websters 1828 dictionary at http://webstersdictionary1828.com/

if you have a prOBlem with the above then may I invite you to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has the power to set the captive free. John 8:

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

The book of Romans has a lot about this. When you accept the Lord Jesus Christ who was made (2 Corinthians 5:21) "to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." The spotless Lamb of God who shed his blood on the cross, the crucifixion, and John the Baptist said of Jesus (John 1:29) "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." is the same Jesus Christ that had victory over sin and death and rose from the dead and (Ephesians 4:8) "he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive". The Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ , can make you free indeed.

Once you trust Jesus Christ you must ask (Romans 6:1,2) "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?...How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" When you trust in Jesus Christ you are (Romans 6:4) "buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" So you should (Romans 6:11) "reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." being freed from sin you should CHOOSE to (Romans 6:12) "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should OBey it in the lusts thereof." Thus don't (Romans 6:13) "yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." Paul clearly indicates that on whomever has put their faith in Jesus Christ is no longer captive to sin but (Romans 6:14) "sin shall not have dominion over you." and you are now (Romans 6:18) "Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness" Thus it is now a CHOICE where in the past (Romans 6:19) "ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness." REJOICE! For (Romans 8:1-2) "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

Romans 8:
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Ephesians 4:
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Psalm 68:
18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

Now make your choice. through the Lord Jesus Christ you are set free and should

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.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We are out of time and (Romans 13:12-14) "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." Yep, MAKE THAT CHOICE!

Proverbs 22:22-23 ROB not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

Malachi 3:5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

In the above verses, God declares that He will judge those pastors who oppress the poor and rOB them. How does that apply to our pastors today, on may ask? Many pastors today are guilty of oppressing and rOBbing the poor when they tell the poor of their congregations that God requires them to tithe their money to the Church.

To be perfectly frank, they are actually rOBbing not just the poor, but every member of their congregation who believes their doctrine of the monetary tithe requirement. But it seems from the above verses that God takes special notice of the poor and will execute judgment upon those who treat them wrongly.

In the Mosaic Law, the poor were not required to tithe. According to Deuteronomy 14:28-29, the poor benefited from the tithe.

Deuteronomy 14:28-29 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.

Acts 20:33-35 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

The Apostle Paul admonished and instructed the Elders of the Church at Ephesus that they were to work so that they could support the weak. Sadly, many pastors today expect the weak to support them. Are you such a pastor as those priests who oppressed the weak in Malachi’s day? Do you place unnecessary burdens on the weak and poor? If so, God will come nigh to you in judgment as He did the priests Malachi rebuked. He is the same yesterday, today and forever… He changes not.

Jeremiah 2:13




God had shown His blessings to Israel unlike any other nation at that time. He had called them out of bondage from Egypt. God had parted the Red Sea, led them across dry land, and destroyed the Egyptian army behind them. God then led them through the wilderness for forty years providing their every need as they went. At the end of the forty years God once again parted the waters, this time of the Jordan River, and led them into Canaan land. God gave them the land and drove their enemies from them as they went through the land to possess it.
While God had blessed them time and time again they had not remained faithful to God. While traveling through the wilderness they had murmured against God numerous times. They had turned from God and refused to put their trust in Him at times. Because of that, an entire generation of Israelites was forced to die in the wilderness due to the judgment of God. After God gave them the land of Canaan the children of Israel time and time again would turn from serving and worshiping God to serve and worship idols and false gods. In doing so they had despised the Word of the Lord and made themselves an abomination in the sight of God. They had traded the living waters of God for the broken cisterns of the world.
This is something which is still going on with Christians today. God has blessed us beyond measure. While we, in our sins, deserve to spend an eternity in Hell; God chose, in His great love, to provide a way of salvation for us. God did not leave us to find our own way to Him but He has given us His written Word. God has blessed us in so many ways that we could not pen all the things He has done for us.
While God has blessed His people today more ways than we can count there are still those who stray from God. There are Christians out of church and some in church who refuse to trust God, who refuse to remain faithful to Him, who refuse to follow the Word of God and the will of God. Many of these started out right, they started out on fire for God; yet, something happened along the way to cause them to stumble and stray from God. They have traded the living water of God for the broken cisterns of the world and as a result they are inviting the judgment of God upon their lives.

1. Traded the living waters of the King James Bible for the broken cisterns of modern versions.
How sad it is that people within our Independent Baptist churches are turning from the King James Bible. Many of them have sat under good preaching at some time which exposed the dangers of the modern version of the Bible. At one time they themselves stood unashamedly on the King James Bible but somewhere along the way they have let their guard down and now they embrace the modern versions and the liberal theology which accompanies it. No longer do they embrace the infallible, inerrant, preserved Word of God; but, rather, they have fallen for the same lie which the devil gave Eve in Genesis 3:1, “…Yea, hath God said.” The devil has been casting doubt on the true Word of God since the Garden of Eden. All of the modern versions (RSV, ESV, NIV, The Message, and everything else in-between) are just a continuation of the attack of the devil on God’s inspired Word. All of the modern versions are translated from corrupt manuscripts and no Christian, especially those in Independent Fundamental Baptist churches, have any business reading these false bibles.
Many times those who turn from the King James Bible to follow other version of the Bible do so because they have been listening to those who teach out of these false bibles. They have let down their guard and allowed these hirelings and false teachers to corrupt their way of thinking. They have given the devil an in-road into their life and allowed him to influence their theology. No Christian is strong enough to listen to false teaching from a false bible continually and it not affect them. These so-called preachers may preach some truth and they may have some catchy quotes but we should not be going to the dumpster just to get a couple of bites to chew on. Not when there are plenty of good preachers out there who preach from the King James Bible and are straight down the line in all their theology.
Let us get back to the living waters of the King James Bible and away from the broken cisterns of the modern versions.

2. Traded living waters of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for the broken cisterns of contemporary Christian music.
Some people seem to think that music is neutral or a matter of preference. However, those who study music will tell you that it is not neutral. Even in the Bible we can see that music was not considered neutral. Certain types of music and certain sounds meant and represented certain things. People knew what the music meant by the notes and sounds they heard regardless of the words being said. You can take Biblical words and ideas and put them into song all you want but if you are using the devil’s beat, rhythm, and music with those words then all it does it take something holy and make it unholy. Many of these contemporary Christian musicians are so yoked up with the world that one has to wonder whether they have truly been born again. Many of them have stated publicly that the inspiration for their music comes from wicked, ungodly rock groups (Third Day, Delirious, Casting Crowns, Jars of Clay, MercyMe, P.O.D., Sanctus Real, et. al.). The Bible teaches that you cannot take something as vile and wicked as rock music, throw some watered down Christian lyrics in with it, and expect it to be glorifying to God.
When people begin to lower the standard of God’s Word, then they will also lower the standard of their music. When they begin to lower the standard of music, then their standard of dress will also be lowered. Eventually, you will reach a point where there are no real standards and everyone is simply doing that which is right in their own eyes. We have seen it happen in the world with the introduction of rock music in the 1950’s and 60’s and we’re seeing it happen more and more in our churches today with the contemporary music that is becoming so prevalent. Music should drive us to become more holy, to become more like Christ; not more and more like the world. It should cause us to become sensitive to the Spirit and not sensualized in our flesh. Sadly, many Christians would rather fulfill the lusts of their flesh then to walk in the Spirit.
We need to get back to the living waters of Christ-honoring music and away from the broken cisterns of contemporary Christian music.

Paul warned Timothy that in the last days there would be a growing apostasy and falling away from the faith. We are seeing this happen every day before our very eyes. Christians and even entire churches are trading the living waters of God for the broken cisterns of the world. They are trading the King James Bible and good, Christian music for modern versions and contemporary music. As they turn from God to the world they are throwing standards and personal holiness out the window as well. We need a group of Christians who will stay true to God and will not forsake Him. We need some Christians who will refuse to compromise in their personal walk with God and we definitely need some preachers who will refuse to compromise in their preaching and their stand for the Word of God.

In Christ,
PreacherE

I had the chance to preach this a few months ago. Keep in mind I am no preacher. I have made the verses bold and posted most of them at the bottom of the sermon.

The Two Births

John 3:1-7
I heard a qoute once and when you hear it I want you to really thing about it. If you are born twice you die once. If you are born once to die twice. (X2) Listen again to the words of Jesus in John 3:3 (Except)and John 3:7 (Ye Must) Notice Jesus didn't say that It would be a good idea if you were born again but you MUST! Compare this with Rev 20:11-15 and Rev 21:8 Now before we go any further I just want to point out that John 3:5 is not talking about baptism. If you read it in context the passage is clearly referring to the Physical and Spiritual birth

So let's see what the Bible has to say on this subject. First we will look at the first birth (Physical) and the second birth (Spiritual) Then we will look at the first death (Physical) and the second death (Spiritual)

John 3:6 The first birth is the physical or the flesh birth. Father and Mother get together and produce flesh. This birth produces a sinful nature. A child does not need to be taught how to sin. It just knows how. PS 51:5 Rom 3:10 Rom 3:23 We are not sinners because we sin. We sin because we are sinners. The second birth is the Spiritual birth. This birth produces a Spiritual nature. II Cor 5:17 God's Spirit joins with our spirit and produces a new birth (Spiritual) Rom 8:14,15 (Explain Adoption)The spiritual birth is like this. God is in heaven and wants to adopt everyone. He through his Son Jesus sent everyone an open invitation to be adopted or born again. But God will not force himself upon anyone. We must accept his invitation willingly.

Next the physical birth produces a corruptible nature I Ptr 1:23 The corruptible nature brings forth a corruptible or contaminated seed. The seed of man was corrupted when Adam sinned Romans 5:12 Corruptible man can only bring forth corruptible seed. For example if a man has Aids his blood and seed are contaminated. Any child he brings forth will also be infected with AIDS. The Spiritual birth produces an incorruptable nature. Rom 5:19 An incorrtible nature produces an incorrtible or uncontaminated seed. I Cor 15:50-55 This is why it was so important for Jesus to be born of a Virgin. Because He was concieved by the Holy Ghost he did not have the sin nature passed on from Sinful man.

The physical birth produces an old nature and a death sentence Rom 6:23a Have you ever heard the phrase " Born to DIe" From the moment we are born the clock is ticking. Every second every minute takes us closer to death. What is age anyway? Think about it. There are those we consider young and those we consider old but young and old should really be defined by when you will die. If a 16 year old lives until they are 80 they are basically young. But if that 16 year old only lives to be 17 they are basically old. Their life is almost over. No one is gauranteed tomorrow. The Spiritual produce a new nature (II Cor 5:17) a gift of life. Rom6:23b Jhn 10:28 If you are here today and you have been born again how thankful are you? Are we trully grateful for the life God has given us? From what he has saved us from?

Lastly the physical birth produces a hellish nature and children of the devil. John 8:44 I Jn 3:10 Despite what the world says we are not all God's children. The Spiritual birth produces a divine nature and children of God II Ptr 1:4 Romans 8:16 Gal 3:26 again John 1:12

Now let's look at the first and second death. We will look at the physical (first death) for the believer and the Spiritual (second) death for the unbeliever. Remember the first death is the phyical death. The second death is the Spiritual death. Only those that have experienced the second birth will escape the second death.

The first death for the believer results in everlasting reparation or rewards. John 14:1,2 2 Jn 1:8, Rev 22:12 After a person is saved then his works count for something but only after. Salvation is a gift Tit 3:5 Ephesian 2:8,9 No amount of works will grant eternal life. In fact if you are trusting in works it is just piling on to your sin debt. The second death results in everlasting loss or destruction. Ma 25:46 2 Th 1:7-9 Those who die in their sins are judged according to their works. Rev 20:13,14

The first death results in eternal rest. Rev 14:13 The second death results in a restless eternity. Rev 14:11

Finally the first death results in everlasting life. John 3:15,16 Tit 1:2 3:7 IJn 5 11,13 The second death results in eternal death. Man was created with an immortal spirit. He was made to live for ever. So when a person dies unsaved his indestructible spirit suffers eternally. Hell was not made for man Ma 25:41 but God made only one way, one sacrifice to pay for your sin Acts 4:12 John 14:6
Reguardless of all the groups, sects, religions, and denominations they can all be boiled down to 2 groups The do's and the DONE All the religions of the world including many in the "Chrisitan" realm and I use the term loosely teach that you must do something to work your way to heaven. True Bible Christianity teaches that Jesus paid it all. All that was necessary Jesus accomplished when he died on the cross. He said "It is finished." John 19:30

Hebrews 9:27 Everyone here will die on day and be judged. The question is how will you be judged? As a child of God or as a child of the devil? Have you been born again? It is not by works and it not some fancy words. It is by simple faith. I'll share this example and be done. A few weeks ago I took the boys fishing. Well they decided it would be more fun to swin. So they swam and I attempted to fish off the dock. I was turned away from them baiting a hook when Miciah step off the drop off. Immediately he cried out to me I reached down and saved him from drowing. Now how foolish would it have been for him to think I know I am drowing but I am going to save myself. His only escape was for someone to pull him out.

Jesus is on the dock in Heaven and the world is drowning in sin. Many know that they are sinners but do know or will not admit that they are drowing or wicked enough to go to hell. Others know but refuse help. They are out there with their arms flay ling but instead of calling out to Christ they are trying to grab onto themselves or good works to keep from drowing. That would be like Miciah trying to grab onto some lead weights to keep from drowing.

Others can hear a message like this or perhaps have heard a message in the past and know they are drowing but think I am just going to wait for awhile before I call out to be saved? Thinking that they can tread water for ever. No one here is guaranteed one more day. Don't be foolish and wait. So the question is what will you do?

Jhn 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Jhn 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Jhn 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Jhn 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Jhn 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Jhn 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Jhn 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Psa 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Rom 5:19 For as by one man's disOBedience many were made sinners, so by the OBedience of one shall many be made righteous.
1Cr 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1Cr 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Cr 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Cr 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.
1Cr 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Cr 15:55 O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?
Jhn 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand.
Jhn 8:44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
1Jo 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Jhn 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Jhn 14:2 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.
2Jo 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Mat 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint [him] his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that OBey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Rev 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Jhn 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Jhn 3:16 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.
Jhn 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Tts 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Tts 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
1Jo 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jo 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

I Peter 3:18-22
18 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disOBedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”

There has been a sizeable amount of false teaching concerning this passage of Scripture. With God’s help, I plan to put the false teaching to rest, and to fill your hearts and minds with sound doctrinal truth.

3 Goings On while the Ark was being built

I. CHRIST PREACHED TO THE PEOPLE, IN NOAH, BY THE HOLY SPIRIT (Intro text vss. 18-20)
A.) Noah was a preacherII Peter 2:5 “And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly…”

B.) Comparison with Jonah and the Ninevites (in comparison the Ninevites believed Jonah)
Jonah 2:1 “And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,
2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey.
4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his rOBe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nOBles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.”

II. THE LONGSUFFERING OF GOD WAITED (Intro text vs. 20)
A.) God is longsufferingI Timothy 1:12 “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I OBtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Howbeit for this cause I OBtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”

Psalm 86:15 “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.”

Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”


III. A VISUAL AID WAS CREATED (Intro text vss. 19-21)
A.) The Ark pictured Christ
1.) The word “baptism” means “to place into.”
Romans 6:1 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”

I Peter 3:20 “Which sometime were disOBedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by [Gk. “dia” = through, by, among, at] water."

B.) We are saved by being placed into Christ (not the water; those who were in the water outside the ark were destroyed - drowned!)

Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:1 “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons…”

A New Creature
Galatians 6:15 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”

II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Galatians 3:26 “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

I Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

By faith Noah and his family got into the ark.

By faith we enter into Jesus Christ.

Water baptism is a symbolic act which refers back to our being placed in Christ. It is a testimony to that fact.

Acts 8;36 “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”

Romans 10:10a “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness…”

Note: You may listen to this sermon in audio by going to the Harvest Baptist Church Website listed here on Online Baptist.

How tragic that we hear little preaching about the precious blood of Christ nowadays. This doctrine seems to have been shoved aside by the church for...who knows what?

The Blood

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
(Col. 1:14)

As we can easily see, our redemption is OBtained through the blood of Christ. We make much of the death of Christ, and the resurrection, but it seems little is said these days about the blood. So, let us look at some scripture that depicts the true value of the blood to us, and begin here:
There is nothing more valuable than our redemption. Were it not for the blood, but merely the death of Christ, we would all still be lost in our sin, and spend an eternity in hell. Some proclaim that the death alone was enough, but without the shedding of blood is no remission. Look with me at Hebrew 9:22; “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” I suppose that some have made much of the word “almost”, but what concern is that to us? Whatever isn’t purged need not worry us, it is something that doesn’t need purging. The fact remains that the last part of the verse clarifies our standing--And without shedding of blood is no remission” So, the blood redeems.



“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” (Eph. 2:13)

The blood will draw us toward our God! We live afar off, away from Him and His grace, but it is the blood that brings us near Him. How wonderful to be near the Almighty. We can walk with Him, and bask in His glory because of the precious blood of Christ. The blood is a uniting blood; once applied, it gives us peace in Christ; it unites us with Him, as one body.


“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” (Col. 1:20)

The blood is a reconciling blood, Eph. 2:14, “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;”
Thus we are reconciled to Him who we were once at enmity against; this too is through the blood of Christ. What value! What joy we receive in Him because of the blood.


“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb. 9:14)

By the blood of Christ, our conscience is clear--we have no more sorrow for sins past. We have no worry over our dead works, but have been re-born to present good works unto the Lord. (Eph. 2:10). Our conscience’s are clean because of the blood of Christ; it purges us through and through.


“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,” (Heb 10:19)

His blood emboldens us! By the blood of Christ, we have access to the Father, and are allowed to approach the throne of grace without fear “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may OBtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb 4:16) It is important to us that we OBtain an interview with the Father, and it is made available to us through the blood.


“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

Finally, the blood cleanses us from ALL sin, past, present, and future. Such power in this blood! What a precious commodity it is for us. To think, we now go through life without sin! Glory Be! As far as God is concerned, our sin is gone, and we are sinless before Him because of Christ’s blood, “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1 John 3:9) but wait! Christ will sit on the Bema seat and we will be judged for our works, even those which promoted sin.

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” (Lev. 17:11)


Atonement:
All of these blessings are wrapped in one word “At-one-ment” wherein we become one with Christ.


Some say that there was not much blood shed at Calvary, but what they fail to see is that it is not the quantity, but the quality of the blood that counts! One drop of pure, untainted blood from the veins of our Savior is sufficient to wipe away all sin--forever! What glorious power there is in the blood of Christ!

All blood, whether oriental, Caucasian, Arabian, or Latino, looks the same, and all is the life of the flesh, (Lev. 17:11, 14). So it is with the blood of Christ, it is the same for all men, and provides eternal life for all flesh.

Ezekiel 37 Cranford May 22, 2011
Read Psalm 98
31 Sing to God (Ps 98)
Prayer
Notices
Children
918 He is Lord
Sheet – Prabhu hai - if Mrs Gill present
Ezekiel 37:1-14 English, then Urdu if Mrs Gill present
399 Revive thy work
Sermon
398 O breath of life

Children
Wind, breath & spirt

1. Introduction to Ezekiel's prophecy
2. The vision of the valley of dry bones
3. The message of the vision
4. What Jesus taught about spiritual life from the dead.
5. The resurrection at the day of judgement.
6. Eternal life – for us.

Introduction to Ezekiel's prophecy
ROBin has asked to to preach from Ezekiel 37, where Ezekiel is commanded to preach to a valley of dry bones.
Before we look at the chapter, we need to look at the context.
Ezek. 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
The book begins when Ez was 30 years old - the age when a Jewish priest began his service in the temple at Jerusalem.
Temple service was not possible for Ez - the country had been defeated by the Babylonians, & he had been taken to that country along with many other young men. We read of some of them in the book of Daniel.
This happened about 600 years before the birth of Jesus, & 400 years after the great kings, David & Solomon had ruled the land.
They had had wonderful times of blessing during the time of the kings David & Solomon, when a glorious temple was built to replace the tabernacle they had built in the wilderness, & carried with them wherever they went.
However, the people of Israel had turned away from the living God & were worshipping other gods & had made idols like the nations around them.
God sent prophets to warn them, and allowed other nations to defeat them when they did not turn back to God.
This happened many times until Jerusalem was captured & the temple was destroyed. The temple treasures were carried away to Babylon.
At that time many of the people of Israel were carried away also, to serve the Babylonians.
The prophet Jeremiah told them they would stay in Babylon for 70 years. Many would live & die there & never see Jerusalem again.
Jeremiah was the prophet who taught the people who stayed in Jerusalem.
Ezekiel was the prophet who taught the people in exile in Babylon.
The vision of the valley of dry bones was for the exiles.

The vision of the valley of dry bones
Eze 37: 1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,
 2And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.
 3And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.
 4Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.

Ez has a vision of a battle-field when the dead bodies lie where they fell. The animals & birds have eaten the flesh & the sun has dried the bones.
The LORD asks Ez if the bones can live, & commands Ez to preach to them.
Ez believes God. He knows God can make the dead live, & he OBeys the command to preach to them. As he preaches, so the bones come together & they are covered with flesh & skin.

5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
 6And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
 7So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.
 8And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.

Breathing shows we are alive - while we live, we breathe. First aid for people who appear dead is to breathe into their mouths. We call it "the kiss of life." Countless people are alive today who would have died.
The people in the valley have their bodies restored, but they are still dead. They are not breathing.
They need one more command, & that is not to the bodies but to the wind to give them breath.

9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
 10So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

The vision of the dead coming to life is a wonderful sight. We believe in the resurrection of the dead. We will die, & will rise again we Jesus returns in glory.
Ez sees God doing the impossible - & he believes. Do we?
Jesus died & rose again, & we believe through his death & resurrection, all our sins can be forgiven.
We will stand before a holy God on that judgement day, & be welcomed into a wonderful NH&NE where nothing & no-one sinful can ever enter.
That Gospel promise is for all who OBey the command to repent - to turn from our sin - & believe in Jesus as our God & Saviour, who died to bear the punishment our sins deserve.

The message of the vision
Back to Ez - & we find the vision is not about the distant future resurrection of the dead, but for the people living in exile. They have lost all hope of returning to their own country.
They remember all the promises of God to the nation given to Abraham.
They remember all the blessings of the past centuries, & they know only the misery of exile.
They think they are dead to the promises of God to the people of Israel.
Ez gives them God's message of hope & a blessed future.

11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.
 12Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
 13And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,
 14And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

In the vision, the breath of God gave life to the dead in the valley of dry bones. The message for the people is life to those who believe they are dead to all the promises of God.
God will keep his promises. He will bring the people back to the promised land, to worship him in a rebuilt temple.

Read on in Ez 37 to see that 'David' will be their king for ever. The NT tells us that that promised king is the Lord Jesus Christ, and that the people of Israel are all those who believe in Jesus as Lord & Saviour.
Graham Kendrick was thinking of these verses when he wrote:

Rejoice, rejoice, Christ is in you;
The hope of glory in your hearts.
He lives, he lives, his breath is in you;
Arise, a mighty army - we arise!

We have the Holy Spirit of God within us giving us eternal life & eternal hope. As we live our Christian lives, we need to keep in step with the Holy Spirit. God's purpose in Ez's vision is for our encouragement & blessing.

We will move on to the NT to see what Jesus taught about spiritual life from the dead.
John 5: 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
 25Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
 26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
 27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

Spiritually, before repentance we are all dead. Dead in sin, & condemned to hell for our sin. We must be born again, born again by the Spirit of God as Jesus taught Nicodemus in John 3.
When we turn from our sin & OBey the word of Jesus that his Father God has sent him to be our Saviour, we cross over from death to life.
Our new, spiritual life begins. We become alive to God.
That eternal life begins in this life. Hear again v. 25:
25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

Paul quotes Isaiah (49) when he writes: I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor. 6:2.

The Jews of Ez' time had rejected the warnings of the prophets. They suffered the judgement of God. Dare we reject the words of Jesus, the Son of God? How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; Heb. 2:3

The resurrection at the day of judgement.
What is there to escape from? Jesus continues in John 5:28
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

There is a day of resurrection coming. Jesus will come again to judge the living & the dead. No-one will escape the judgement of God by dying. The criminal who commits suicide rather than face the judgement of the court will stand in judgement before a holy God. I'll read again:
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Eternal life – for us.
When we turn from our sin, & believe in Jesus as our Lord & Saviour we begin spiritual life – eternal life. We are saved for eternity because Jesus suffered the judgement of God in our place when he died on the cross.
He showed his victory over death by rising again.
We share that victory when we begin our spiritual life by repentance & faith in Jesus.
May we all know that spiritual life, that resurrection life, through a living faith in Jesus.
Amen.

Our last hymn is a prayer for spiritual life, for the Holy Spirit of God to sweep through us & his church on earth.
386 O breath of life come sweeping through us

If we will admit it, sometime during life, we will feel abandoned by a loved one. What I am saying to you that most people feel abandonment during their lifetime, and there are certain normal feelings that go with feeling abandoned or deserted. Those feelings are often sadness, disappointment, anger, and even rage. These feelings are all normal and human. These feelings are not necessarily rational or intelligent. Such feelings are often directed at the person who abandoned you. Sometime during life, we all feel abandoned by God. This happens in life, especially when tragedies happen to you personally. Let me give you some examples.
From the Old Testament, King David wrote the famous words in Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Words from King David. His words continue: “why are you so far from saving me Lord? Why are you so far from my groaning? Why do I cry out to you, but you do not answer?” King David had these feelings in his heart that God had forsaken him, abandoned him, and deserted him. Why? Because of the personal tragedies of his life. King David felt this way because King Saul was trying to kill him, his enemies were trying to kill him and his oldest son was trying to kill him. David was feeling down in the dumps and he wrote: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Take a look at JOB in the Old Testament. JOB experienced many personal tragedies. He lost his farms, lost the animals, lost his children, lost his wife. JOB lost everything. He also felt that God had abandoned him, deserted him, and he was angry with God and even raged at God. Those feelings were all normal.
King David and JOB felt that God had deserted them.
Knowing that people experience feelings that they are abandoned by their loved ones and that they are abandoned by God, it is with these feelings that we approach My Thoughts for today.
The setting was Golgotha, the place of execution right outside the walls of Jerusalem. It was Friday, the day after Passover. The text tells us that Jesus on the cross for three hours, from twelve noon to three o’clock. The sky turned dark and black, the darkest day of human history, and so did Jesus’ heart. It was three o’clock on that Friday afternoon and Jesus was coming closer to his death. The Bible tells us that Jesus cried out with a shrieking shout. His voice wasn’t quiet and soft like the first three words. You could barely hear him pray, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Jesus spoke gently to the thief on the cross,” Today you will be with me in paradise”. Jesus spoke in subdued tones to his mother and his best friend beneath the cross. Then, Jesus shouted to the heavens at the top of his lungs, in almost a scream, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me, why have you deserted me, why have you forsaken me?”
What can we learn from Jesus’ cry to God? The first thing we learn is this: it is okay to have feelings and vent those feelings of abandonment, as Jesus did on the cross. To feel the pain and sadness of being abandoned by God is normal. That is the way God made us, to feel such feelings and to vent such feelings. It is okay to feel depressed and abandoned by God. King David certainly did, when people wanted to kill him. He wrote those classic words in Psalm 22:1, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? King David was a devout believer in God and clung to God and was loyal to God, but he also felt depressed and abandoned by God and he vented his feelings to God. If it was normal and acceptable for God’s King David to feel his feelings and to vent his feelings, and he was the best king in the whole Old Testament, it is certainly normal and acceptable for you and me to feel the same way.
JOB certainly did. JOB who is known for his suffering. JOB suffered more than any other person in the Old Testament, and he, too, felt abandoned by God, deserted by God, forsaken by God, and he shouted his laments and anger towards God. That was part of humanness, to feel that way, and it is part of our humanness to feel that way as well. It is OK to feel like JOB.
Jesus certainly did. Jesus was the very Son of God, the heart and mind of God in the flesh, and in the moment of the deepest darkness of the land and the deepest darkness of his heart, Jesus felt that God had abandoned him and he shouted his feelings to the heavens. This reveals that Jesus was fully human, and when we have those similar feelings and vent those feelings that reveal that we are fully human as well. It is okay to feel like Jesus.
So when you have such feelings that God has abandoned you, and you vent those feelings, remember that you are in the good company of King David, JOB, and Jesus the Son of God. When you personally lose a loved one due to death, divorce or just going through bad times and you feel sadness, anger disappointment and down in the dumps about your situation and you cry out to God with your feelings, remember that this is okay. King David did it. JOB did it. Jesus, the Son of God, did it.
We learn from Jesus’ word that even in the worst situations of life, we are to cling to God with both hands as Jesus did. With pain and abuse with darkness all around him and within him, Jesus still clung to God with both hands. In the midst of this horrific situation Jesus clung to God with all his might during the darkest hour of his life.
It is easy to believe in God when life smiles on you, but it is much more difficult to believe in God when life frowns on you. It is easy to believe in God when the path is smooth and easy; but it is much more difficult to believe in God when the path is rocky.
Sometimes, life can be incredibly hard. In the worst and darkest day of human history, Jesus still clung to God with both hands and held onto God, we to should cling to God in our darkest days.
We should do what Jesus did in that darkest hour: Jesus clung to God with both hands, crying out to the heavens, shouting his despair, “My God, My God, both hands grabbing God, where are you? Why aren’t you here to protect us?” So while being nailed on two timbers, you find Jesus clinging to God with all his power, with both hands, and at the same time, shouting his inner feelings up to God. We should with both hands and shout our inner feelings to God in the highest. By hiding our feeling within we only hurt ourselves, God already knows what’s in your heart. You can only come to understanding when you are honest with yourself. You can only go down the path after you start the journey.
We learn from Jesus’ word on the cross is that these are not his last words. The drama does not end with his depression and emotional exhaustion. “Why have you forsaken me?” These are not his last words, not his final words, not the end of the story.
King David wrote the 22nd psalm, “My God my God, why have you forsaken me.” But he also wrote, the 23rd psalm, “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.” The 22nd psalm was not his last word.
JOB complained to God when he lost all his possessions, his family, everything. He railed against God in his anger, but those were not his last words. He also wrote at the end of his book, “I know that my redeemer lives.” JOB’s feelings of abandonment were not his last words. So also with Jesus. “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” These were not his last words. His last words were “It is accomplished. It is finished. It is done.” He said, “Into your hands I commit my spirit.”
One of my friends has experienced untold heartache in their life. I can only pray that their eyes will finally have life and happiness in them again. I want nothing more in life than to see their eyes smiling again after all that they has been through. I pray that one day they come to terms with their inner feelings and find that in the years thinking God had abandoned them, that He was always there. He didn’t get abandoned them because of their feelings, He understands, He knows, He loves. I pray for my friend and to all of us to come to grips with our feelings, be not afraid of asking why, be not afraid of wondering or questioning God’s plan. He can only heal when we admit the pain, He can only make right when we are honest with ourselves and ask what is wrong.
God’s healing always triumphs over tragedy. God can and will heal you of every disaster that befalls you. It may not be in the time frame we want, may not be the winning lottery ticket we prayed for, but it will triumph.

Take the Word of God and turn with me to Philippians 4:10-13
Pray
Years ago I heard a message on sin, hell, and salvation. That Easter Sunday I realized I was a sinner bound for hell, unless I repented and started a personal relationship with God’s only begotten son Jesus Christ. When I did, I received forgiveness for my past, present, and future sins, but most importantly I would enter heaven when I died. My life has never been the same. God led me and my family to Rough River Baptist Church where we joined and started learning about the Lord. After awhile my Pastor was preaching a message on being doers not just hearers of the word and what it really meant to have a fulfilled Christian life serving the Lord. Well, something clicked that Sunday and I went to the altar and told the Lord that I was his to do with as he saw fit and would serve Him faithfully. From that moment on I made a commitment to be faithful to our church and to the Lord. My life changed from I have to go to church, giving and reading my bible, to I want to go to church, give as the Lord has given to me and having a desire to read and study my bible. 2 Timothy 2:15 says “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” God also says in Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” God’s word will help you grow, build your faith and give you strength as you study. I also had a desire to give as God commanded in his word. It was a little scary in the beginning because my faith was weak, but when I committed to tithing our 10%, by faith I knew God would provide and boy has He ever. I would never go back to using 100% of my money when we live so much better on 90%. I can’t explain it but God says He will bless you and by faith I believe it.
My church means so much to me to me and my family. As I have grown in the Lord, I have a desire to be in church. There is nothing better than getting together with all of my brothers and sisters in Christ fellowshipping, singing hymns to the Lord, and hearing our Pastor preach the word of God. As a result of this, I have seen both of my children saved at this church. What a blessing that was from God.
All of this is the very least that I could do after all, Jesus Christ gave everything for me. I thank the Lord every day for what he did on that cross. Amen!
The Lord is not done with me yet, as He continues to humble me so that I may serve Him better. He continues to surprise and bless me each and every day. I am thankful that he has given me an opportunity to serve Him as a Deacon of His church. I pray as He leads me in this next step in my Christian walk, I will be receptive to His will in my life and the needs of my Pastor and church family.
Finally, I would like to say that I, as a man, am weak and could not ever do any of these things on my own, so I like to read my life verse in Philippians to remind me of where my strength comes from. Philippians 4:13 has been my life verse for many years. (Read the verse). You see with Christ I am ready for anything. He fills us with the Holy Spirit so we can overcome the things of this world and also to do the things that God has commanded us to do, such as sharing the Gospel with everyone that we meet.
Brother Larry asked me to pick a favorite hymn (now that is pretty hard most times as I have a lot of favorites), but as I was thinking about what to say today, one of my favorites came to mind. It is “Little Is Much When God Is In It”. The song reminds me that the little bit we usually put into the things we do is so much more when we put God into it. It is such an honor to serve the Lord, and I know through my faith that He will give me the tools that I need to be a good servant for Him and His ministry here at this church. I am truly blessed to have such a great family, as well as a great church family.
Pray.

In the last half century, an increasing number of professing Christians have been teaching and embracing a doctrine that is not supported by the Word of God. That doctrine is the teaching that one does not have to repent of one’s sins in order to receive Salvation.
The fact is, the Word of God does teach repentance of sin. In the book of Ezekiel, we read:

Ezekiel 18:21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Ezekiel 33:14-16 Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had rOBbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

Ezekiel 18:30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
The Hebrew word “shuwb”, is used for both the word “repent” and the word “turn” in the above verses. In other words, the two words are interchangeable. Repentance from sin is taught and encouraged by the prophet Ezekiel. One must repent of (turn away from) one’s sin.

Jesus told the Jews in Luke 13:3,5 “…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Jesus Christ Himself taught a turning away from sin.
One might argue, “But Ezekiel was before the cross, Jesus told the Jews to repent prior to His crucifixion; now we need only believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to receive Salvation; repentance is not necessary.”

Again, that one would be wrong. The Apostle Paul taught the Church at Corinth:

2 Corinthians 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

The fact is, one must repent of one’s iniquities. Paul told the Church at Galatia that the works of the flesh would cause man to miss out on being in the kingdom of God. And the Apostle John wrote in the book of Revelation that those who do not repent of their abominations will have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone.

The doctrine that tells one they do not have to turn away from one’s sin is a doctrine of devils. Repentance from sin is necessary if one hopes to live eternally in Christ Jesus. Those who teach and preach that repentance from sin is not necessary are deceiving those who believe their false doctrine.

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

In Revelation 2, we see how Jesus (God) gave Jezebel time to repent of her sins, but she would not. And because she would not repent, God’s wrath was upon her… and still is to this day.

Now, some would say, “O, but God repented many times in the Old Testament. Are you trying to tell me that God sinned and had to repent? You are accusing God of being a sinner!” No, that is not what I am saying at all.

The Hebrew word used for when God repents is an entirely different word. When God repents of something, He is not repenting of sin. The Hebrew word used for when God repents is the word “nacham”. While “nacham” does mean to “turn”, it is not used in conjunction with “from sin” when relating to God.

1 Corinthians 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
Paul admonished the Church at Corinth, telling them to turn from their sins. He reminds them that they cannot serve both God and the flesh. Like Paul, I encourage all to turn from their sins and turn to God.

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Now we know the law [is] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. It can lead us in grateful OBedience showing us a picture of righteousness. Which righteousness we have been given freely by Christ's work. But the law cannot make us right with God. Because we fail even when we do our best to serve God. The Law condemns us: the law tells us (Rom 13:9)... Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Digging within ourselves we find not this righteousness. We may have an outward form of each but as it says in (Jas 2:10) ..whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all. So what the prophet Isaiah rings true (Isa 64:6) we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Yet too often we looking to the law and not to Christ wallow in our own sin. Grieving over our unrighteousness we think God rejects us. We feel that we are no longer accepted. Then we think, Oh!! But! if I can just pray, repent and do good then God will accept me! As if God's favor or love was dependent upon ourselves. So we order our lives more rightly and then we look at all that we are doing and too often we think; I believe in God and the gospel. I am doing so much good! I don't wear this or that. I don't listen to this or that. I was nice to my neighbor! I OBeyed the law! (All of which may be good things!) and we say within ourselves. I am so glad I don't do those bad things! And if only this or that person would be more like me then they would be right with God too! And so we end up showing our inner Pharisee. Being ignorant of the unrighteousness in our best works we end up glorying in ourselves and not in Jesus. In all this we try to make God's grace a vending machine. Thinking that if I put this work into the slot and turn then God will be pleased with me and his love, favor and blessings will come out! In all this we turn God into a debtor! But in all this we do not please God.
(Rom 4:3-5) For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
(Ps 147:10-11) He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
But our show of "righteousness" will not last long. We are bound to fail because sin dwells in us. Much more if we are being fueled by guilt and or fear and not by Jesus! And so with our failure the whole process repeats over and over if we look not to Jesus..!

(Rom 7:24) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

(Gal 3:10-14) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

There is only one way to be accepted and loved by God: Jesus Christ. Though we may believe this. We too often think God's love for us relies on our own loveliness. (Rom 5:8-9) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

(Isa 53:5-6) But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Oh let everyone here now listen; if you hear nothing else hear this! Since Jesus (Who is God: The LORD himself manifest in the flesh) [was] wounded for our transgressions, so our transgressions are no longer upon us! If they are still upon us then he wasn't wounded for us! Oh doubt not he was wounded for you! It says for he was wounded for OUR transgressions! And not only so! We see that Jesus was bruised for our iniquities, so our iniquities are no longer upon us! If they are upon us he wasn't bruised for us! Doubt not that he was bruised for you! it says he was bruised for OUR iniquities! Even the chastisement of our peace [was] upon Jesus! He took upon himself the wrath we deserve for our sin; so that we have peace with God! Not by our works but by God the Father's grace through Christ! And we see that with Jesus's stripes we are healed. Because all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the God The Father hath laid on his only begotten son Jesus Christ the iniquity of us all!

We see in the gospel that Jesus purchased for us perfect righteousness which he has given to us freely through faith. So that because of Jesus's work alone we are fully accepted, perfect, and complete in Jesus! So that now matter how much the law tells us that we are failures, that everything we do is imperfect and full of sin it cannot hurt us! Looking to Jesus we can rejoice, resting in him! Now free to serve and worship God not out of fear, guilt or necessity; but just because he loves us no matter what!

But, Perhaps one here has never believed in Jesus Christ alone! Please believe the Gospel! Because by any deed or works we cannot be saved; But God the Father sent his son Jesus (who is God manifest in the flesh) to die for our sins. And he raised him again for our justification that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life! (2Cor 5:21) For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

No one is so bad a sinner that their sin cannot be covered by the perfect righteousness of Jesus! Please repent and believe the Gospel! If you have any questions or would like to know how you can be saved any one of us would be willing to help you to the best of our ability please feel free to ask!

The 91st psalm

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (v.1)

Many verses are addressed to a certain person or group, here we see that the ninety-first psalm is for all that are in Christ, God’s people. We all assume that we dwell under the shadow of the Almighty, and in the secret place of God (salvation). Thus, this Psalm, as most other Old Testament passages, cannot be cast aside under a new dispensation. If our Lord chooses to bless Israel for the sake of Abraham and Moses, how much surer a blessing is bestowed on us who have become one with Christ, His beloved Son. Grace aside, the latter is more blessed than the former because of Jesus, whom Israel hardly knew.

I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (v.2)

Verse two further supports the “who” this verse is written to and for. Those that have trusted in the Lord, and made Him their (only) refuge, have the greatest of blessings, indeed. The psalmist was sure of His position with the Lord, and if we are also sure of ours, we can surely accept that today we are also blessed far more than we often imagine.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. (v.3)

Not “maybe” He shall deliver us, but “surely” He shall! He guides us so that the hunter of souls cannot trap us, and the fearsome storms of life which are often in his command cannot harm us. Be assured, my friend< we are safe in the hands of Jesus.

“He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” (v.4)

The Lord will, and has, embraced us as His beloved children. He protects us from dangers without, which we shall yet see, but also comforts us by drawing us close to Him, whether Jew or not. We can trust in Him to be true to His character and to see that we are safe and secure.
Furthermore, it is His Truth that preserves us, as our shield and buckler. He is our protector because of Christ, but through His Truth.

Our Lord often uses analogical comparisons to teach us of His love for us. Here He likens a Himself to a hen protecting her brood; when danger approaches they will scurry to their mothers side and she will cover them with her wings while staving off the predator. The chicks are secure in the bosom of the mother.


“Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;” (v.5)

The Lord knows the danger of fear, and often, throughout Scripture, deals with it. JOB feared losing his family or natural disasters, but it came about as he feared it would:

JOB 3:25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

Fear is a tool of the devil. Keep in mind that in Revelation 21:8 we see a list of those who will occupy hell, and the list is topped off with the “fearful”:

Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Our Lord wants us to trust Him in every area of our lives. We are a fearful people, we fear the sickness finding us; we fear death; loss; financial failure; we fear nearly every aspect of our lives, personal and public, when what we need to do is trust the Lord. We must realize that the stray bullet (arrow) cannot find its mark in us unless the Lord allows it, and if He allows it, it is the best thing for us or our families.

“Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.” (v.6)

Disease runs rampant in our country in spite of the medical advances we have gained. Are we too careful to go outside for fear that we may catch a germ that travels in the wind? Are we so unfriendly that we fail to greet people, especially acquaintances, for fear that we might catch something. Our Lord would have us comfort the sick, and visit them, but many are afraid to visit hospitals and nursing homes for that same reason. Shame on us! We need not be fearful of things we cannot control; we need not fear the unseen and the unknown, or nurture the thought of possibility. We need to trust God in these matters, as in all matters.

“A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. “ (v. 7)

What a promise to the redeemed. One thinks of war times, and their comrades falling before the enemy, but nothing can happen to themselves that God is not in control of (Rom. 8:28), and that does not, in some way, produce good. It would behoove us to keep this in mind, and stay as close to the Lord as possible.

Many of God’s promises are conditional, but the conditions are not unreasonable, nor unreachable, the men of God from past ages have proven this. When we “dwell in the secret place” and “under the shadow of the Almighty” there are great blessings in store for us, and much comfort comes our way. We are God’s people and we bear His name before all.

“Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;” (vs. 8, 9)

It is not because we are so good, but because we have believed in the sacrificial Lamb, and accepted Him as our Savior; that is the reason we are so blessed. He, indeed, ought to be our refuge. In the old days they built towers or strongholds as a refuge against the enemy, and they ran there when danger approached, but if we already dwell there, all the time, we have no need to flee for safety; we rest in the loving arms of our Champion and Redeemer. We shall see the destruction of the wicked from the arms of grace, and know that the Lord shall mete out judgment unto all the unbelievers who have rejected Him.

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. V. 10)

Again a precious, but often ignored promise to the redeemed of the Lord. No evil shall befall us! No plague shall grip us! Why do we fear so? I suppose fear is natural for man, but with all these promises going for us, it seems silly to fear anything. God’s angels will see to it that the promise is fulfilled in each of us.

“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.”
(vs.11, 12)

The Lord has taken special care for us by assigning angels to watch over us, and protect us in His stead. They will “Keep” us in all our ways, wherever we go, and in whatever we do especially for the glory of God. As a result of their guidance and mediation, we shall have victory and success.

“Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.” (v. 13)

Then in verse 14, our Lord assures us that because we have served and believed Him, all these things shall come to pass.

“He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” (vs. 15,16)

The Lord promises, finally, to hear our pleas. He will help us when we need help, because He loves us immensely. Not only that, but because we have honored Him, He will honor us! What a blessing! What a blessed promise. He will reward us with the greatest of gifts--long life along with His salvation. I believe this life speaks of everlasting life, and what could be longer or greater than that? Grab on to the promises and never let them go, the Lord gave them to us for such purposes.