Alan

This is my first sermon and would like some feedback. I am looking for feedback on the content of the sermon i.e. were there any error's in my teaching, doctrinal issues, etc. I am more concerned with preaching truth than how I look and sound. My pastor was pleased with the content and so was my grandfather who has been an independent baptist pastor for 50 years. I take them at their word but I would like feedback from other folks.
https://youtu.be/X_ygaJ-Mf8E?t=2441
 

As the prophet Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Hosea prophesied, one day, the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, will gather the remnant of the Jewish race, back to the land of Israel. The gathering of the nation of Israel, as prophesied by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 24:29-31, will exceed the gathering of the children of Israel by Moses as recorded in the book of Exodus. The gathering of the children of Israel from Egypt by Moses will pale in comparison to the gathering of the children of Israel by the Lord Jesus. 
 
I do hope that this message will be a blessing, and an encouragement to your heart and life.
 
 

Causes of A National Fall of Greatness
A Look At Deuteronomy 4

Deut 4:1-9

Introduction

In addition to the rise and fall of many civilizations historically addressed by the Holy Bible, two writers conducted research on the history of Rome and Athens Greece, in attempts to discover if there is a general or specific cause for their fall.

It is interesting to compare the findings of these two authors on these TWO different civilizations.

I. THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE.

One of the most widely read books of all time is "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire". Written in 1788 by Edward Gibbon it sets forth five basic reasons why that great civilization withered and died. These were:

1. The undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the family, which is the basis for human society.
2. Higher and higher taxes; the spending of public money for free bread and circuses for the populace.
3. The mad craze for pleasure; sports every year becoming more exciting, more brutal, more immoral.
4. The building of great armaments when the real enemy was within - the decay of individual responsibility.
5. The decay of religion; faith fading into mere form, losing touch with life, losing power to guide the people.

II. THE DECLINE AND FALL OF ATHENS.

Twelve years later, in 1801, another great man by the name of Professor Alexander Fraser Tytler, in a famous statement on "The Cycle of Democracy", predicted the tendency of one-man, one-vote democracy (as opposed to a Republic) to be destroyed by the elective power of the majority to demand benefits to which they are not entitled.

Tytler (1742-1813) was a Scottish jurist and historian, and was professor of Universal History at Edinburgh University in the late 18th century. He studied various civilizations, and wrote "The Demise and Fall of Athens". The quotation below is from the 1801 collection of his lectures:

"A Democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largess from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising them the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.

The average age of the world's great civilizations has been 200 years. Nations have historically progressed through THIS sequence:

1. From bondage to spiritual faith;
2. From spiritual faith to great courage;
3. From great courage to liberty;
4. From liberty to abundance;
5. From abundance to selfishness;
6. From selfishness to complacency;
7. From complacency to apathy;
8. From apathy to dependence;
9. From dependence back again to bondage."

What Tytler postulated, and what is rapidly coming to pass, is that a democracy bears within itself the seeds of its own destruction; that excellence of any sort is rare and tends to be overwhelmed by the politically achievable of the ordinary, less-than-excellent, masses. Not only is fiscal compensation distorted, but excellence is actively discouraged.

Scripture - Dt 4:1-9

I. Refusing To Take Heed to the Word of the Lord - v1-2

A. By Rejecting Its Proclamation

“Hearken” is not just to hear the sound; but to pay attention, listen intently, with the purpose of OBedience!

▸ the rejection of content - hearing but not accepting
▸ the rejection of broadcast - unwilling to tolerate the very hearing of it

B. By Accepting Its Perversion

▸ unintentional perversion - “well, God didn’t really mean THAT!”
▸ intentional perversion - updated translations

II. Refusing To Take Heed to the Way of the Lord - v3-4

Num 25 must have been shortly before the Deut 4.

We must learn the lessons history has for us. Consider the lessons of American history:

▸ Washington’s miraculous escape from New York in 1776
▸ the psychological healing of our nation following the Civil War
▸ America’s victory over the Japanese in WW2

Now consider what we’re dealing with:

▸ The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
▸ 9-11 and the prolonged War on Terror

Knowing the truth of 2Chron 7:13-14

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Knowing that truth: what might God be doing?

▸ what might God be doing with muslims having nuclear capability?
▸ what might God be doing with oil at $145.29 barrel?
▸ what might God be doing with Russia and China building friendly relationships?

III. Refusing to Take Heed to the Wisdom of the Lord - v5-8

A. God’s Wisdom Expressed In Commandments

“wisdom” = hokma - skill. It is in knowing what is right, and the ability to be able to do it! Following God’s commandments IS wise because those commandments give us the best possibility of eternal happiness, blessedness, bliss and joy!

B. God’s Wisdom OBserved In OBedience

Do you want to be wise? OBey God! Do you want to be thought of as wise? OBey God!

C. God’s Wisdom Experienced by Choice

Israel’s greatness in the days of David and Solomon rank them with the great world empires of her day.

Like Israel, many have believed that God’s special hand was on the founding of our country, too.

Providence - the Colonial American’s preferred name for God!

John Adams - {Independence Day}, “1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”

John Quincy Adams, on 7/4/1821 - “The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.”

John Jay - “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”

Ben Franklin, in 1787, while working on what would become the Constitution - “I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth--that God Governs the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it prOBable that an empire can rise without His aid? ¶ We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that "except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest. ¶ I therefore beg leave to move--that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service.”

As we move further and further away from acknowledging God’s founding of our country, we move closer and closer to trouble.

IV. Refusing to Take Heed to the Walk With the Lord - v9

A. Personal

B. Family

Conclusion

Where do we start? Personal righteousness, extending into all of your relationships. It starts with Jesus Christ.

Critical Truths About The Scriptures
Everyone Should Know
Introduction
This message is entitled "Critical Truths About the Scriptures Everyone Should Know." These critical truths will be taught through an historical drama told from the Old Testament. The main characters of our historical drama are little known or not known at all. Allow me to introduce them to you.
First, there is the prophet Jeremiah. He is sometimes called “the weeping prophet” because of his tears that he shed over the city of Jerusalem and its citizens. As a prophet of God, Jeremiah experienced very little in worldly success. He had few followers. He was rarely heeded. He was certainly no Billy Graham!
Another character in this drama is Jeremiah's faithful assistant and scribe, a man named Baruch. I will have a little more to say about him in the coming pages.
A third character is King Jehoiakim. He was an evil king of Jerusalem, but a son of good and godly king Josiah. He reigned as king over Jerusalem for about 11 years. Our drama takes place over the course of 9-23 months (Jer 36:1, 9), from 605-604 BC.
Finally, there is Michaiah, the son of Gemariah. He is a good man from a good family who is well known and respected amongst the leaders of Jerusalem.
While there are also several minor characters, it is the interaction between the four main characters that provide us the great truths of the story. But alas! There is One more main character, who cannot be left out: God Himself!
As this history plays out, what comes to the forefront are Critical Truths About the Scriptures That Everyone Should Know. Our drama takes place in Jeremiah 36.
Jer 36:1-4 -- And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin. Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.
Let’s notice first
The Critical Truth of Its Composition
Jer 36:1-4
Method
The opening verses in this passage importantly illustrate the method God used to compose the Bible for us. The Bible teaches that It is inspired and that Its inspiration is verbal and plenary. Let's take a closer look at those three important words (verbal, plenary inspiration).
Inspiration
The word “inspiration” comes from a Greek word that means “God breathed.” While a poet like Shakespeare may claim inspiration for his works that come from an active imagination or a powerful set of experiences, the Bible teaches of Itself that Its inspiration comes from God, and not any of the earthly writers that God used to give us His word.
The classic text in the Bible about its own inspiration is found in the New Testament.
2Tim 3:16 -- All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Inspiration. God-breathed. All scripture is breathed out by God.
Notice these phrases from Jer 36:1-4: “this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD,” “I have spoken unto thee,” “I spake unto thee,” “the words of the LORD, which he had spoken.” Jeremiah is careful to point out that these words were inspired by God.
Verbal Inspiration
It is also important to note that the Bible teaches that the very words themselves are from God, and not just the concepts, topics, or doctrines. God did not just have Jeremiah write any old sentiment about these events: He actually told him what words to use. The very words of the Bible are God’s words. “Verbal Inspiration” refers to the very words themselves being inspired by God.
Plenary Inspiration
Verse two mentions “all the words.” That is important, because the Bible also teaches plenary inspiration. The word plenary means “full” or “complete.” Jeremiah held nothing back, nor did he add to any of God’s words. He said “...all the words...” and implying “only the words” that God had said.
Verbal, plenary inspiration. All three of those words are important. They describe the type of inspiration the Bible assigns to Itself.
    Verbal - referring to the words, not just the topics
    Plenary - all of it
    Inspiration - God-breathed, and not from any imagination of man
An Illustration of Verbal, Plenary Inspiration in this Story
Notice verse 4. How did Baruch write the words of Jeremiah? Jeremiah spoke, Baruch wrote! Baruch wrote what Jeremiah said. He wrote all of what Jeremiah said. He wrote only what Jeremiah said! That is the perfect illustration of verbal, plenary inspiration! What Baruch did for Jeremiah is exactly what all of the human writers of Scripture did for God Himself!
How did Jeremiah get his words from God? Sometimes God spoke audibly so that Jeremiah could hear. Other times, God spoke to his mind, so he knew exactly what God wanted. Yet still other times, God superintended that the vocabulary, experiences and memories of Jeremiah (and the rest of His penmen) were such that the exact words chosen by Jeremiah (and the rest of His penmen) were exactly the words that God wanted written. Whatever method God chose to use, every word and all the words of our Bible are God’s words.
Purpose
The Purpose of Coming Judgment
Jeremiah was ministering in dark days indeed! The mighty army of the empire of Babylon was either on its way to lay siege to the city of Jerusalem, or perhaps the Babylonian army was already there. [Historical Note: this would be the attack on Jerusalem that eventually sent Daniel and his three Hebrew friends to Babylon.] Either way, the certainty of God’s judgment upon the nation of Judah was obvious for all who would look.
The Bible is no different today, for it has a message of certain judgment for all who would hear its words. The Bible says that
Rom 3:23 -- For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
There is no uncertainty nor ambiguity there. Or how about
John 3:18 -- He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Frightful words indeed are these: “condemned already.” Condemnation is not just a future certainty, it is a present certainty for those who do not believe “in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
In Jeremiah's day, there was a group composed of many religious leaders who did not believe that God's judgment was coming. They completely rejected His message of coming judgment, and were declaring no coming judgment for God’s people even while Nebuchadnezzar was leading his troops into the hills of Judea. Coming judgment was certain and evident, but ignored.
God’s coming judgment is just as certain today as it was in Jeremiah’s day. But how do people respond? “I don’t believe that.” “I have plenty of time.” “Not today: maybe later.”
There are a lot of ways people ignore the truth of coming judgment. But any of these reactions are simply a rejection of this truth: one of the purposes of God’s inspired words is to warn us of coming judgment.
The Purpose of Possible Forgiveness
But while God’s judgment is certain, God’s purpose of an inspired word is also to show us the possibility of forgiveness. Notice again that possibility found in verse 3, “that they may return every man from his evil way” and “forgive their iniquity and their sin.” Those who would respond in repentance and faith would find spiritual forgiveness for their sins.
John 3:16 is sometimes described as "The Gospel in a Nutshell."
John 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.
Is it the most famous verse in the Bible? Probably. Is it the most important verse in the Bible? Again, probably. No other verse so succinctly captures the glory of the gospel in so few words! The righteous Old Testament person would look forward to the coming of Jesus on the cross to pay for his sin. The righteous New Testament person is saved the same way, except that we look backward to the coming of Jesus on the cross to pay for our sin. It is faith in Christ's finished work on the cross that allows God's grace of forgiveness to go to work on our behalf. And whosoever exercises faith in Christ has everlasting life.
The method of God's inspiration of the Bible is inspiration. The purpose of God's inspiration of the Bible is salvation. It is critical for us to grasp this composition of God's word.
The Critical Truth of Its Proclamation
Jer 36:5-10
One Denied
Jeremiah was not a coward. Throughout his book, he is portrayed as a faithful spokesman for God. He is never popular; he is never accepted; he is never heeded; he is frequently maligned; yet he is faithful to proclaim all of God's truth of the impending judgment.
So when we are told in v5 that he is unable to go to the house of the Lord to proclaim this particular message, we have to be content with not knowing the reason. We should not guess cowardice! He was simply denied by God to go.
One Sent
Jeremiah sent Baruch to proclaim the new message of God. He did so faithfully and accurately. Take note that he simply read Jeremiah's (God's!) message to the people. That way he would not make any mistakes.
One Sent Again
Nearly a year passes from v8 to v9 (again, compare Jer 36:1 with Jer 36:9). It would appear Jeremiah is still unable to present this message publicly. Now an official fast has been declared (probably because of the Babylonian troops just outside the walls of Jerusalem, laying siege to the City of God), and Baruch is still Jeremiah's spokesman to deliver this message. Baruch again reads the words, accurately proclaiming God's message to these people.
The Babylonian army has surrounded Jerusalem, and cut off all of her supplies from the outside world. It would be a dark time indeed; and a time when it would have been absolutely critical for God's words to be faithfully proclaimed.
One Still Sent
In the New Testament era, God raised up a very small group of men to be His apostles. These men fulfilled a specific set of requirements (that we are unable to fulfill today), were called by God, and sent as His representatives to carry the message of the Bible to others.
I remember hearing a sermon where the preacher held up a penny and said something to the effect that "this penny represents the New Testament apostles then and us today. It is one cent. They were each one sent. And today, each of us are one sent to represent Christ."
While the specific office of New Testament apostle has closed (because we cannot meet all of the requirements to become an apostle), truly we are all "one still sent" by the Savior to proclaim these critical truths of the Bible to a lost and dying world.
The Critical Truth of Its Reception
Jer 36:11-18
We Are Personally Responsible to Accept God’s Word by Faith
Baruch read Jeremiah's message in the Temple (v10). He read it "in the ears of all the people." That suggests a crowd. And in this crowd, a man named Michaiah (v11) is singled out in the story. Why? He believed what Baruch read from Jeremiah.
Michaiah reminds us that even in a crowd, individual hearers are called to be responsible for the message of God. While God's message can be proclaimed universally, it must be received personally.
We Are Personally Responsible for the Truth that We Hear
I love this. Michaiah hears God's words, and he immediately acts upon them. He gathers a small group of what I have referred to as "minor characters" to hear what Baruch was reading from Jeremiah. They have gathered in "the scribe's chamber" of "the king's house." While the group is small, they are obviously influential men.
Based on other sections of Jeremiah, those in spiritual leadership of the people in Jerusalem were telling the citizenry not to fear the Babylonian army outside of its city walls. They were telling the people that God was about to grant a miraculous deliverance. They were telling the people that they were all fine. They were telling the people that God was not angry with them over their sin; that, in fact, they were not sinners!
Michaiah has heard the truth that judgment was coming unless God's people repented of their sins (v2-3, 7). He has believed the truth and recognizes it must be acted upon. He gathers a small group of "movers and shakers" that must hear this word. He has become personally responsible for the truth that he has heard. He is acting on it!
In the New Testament, James likens the Bible to a mirror.
James 1:22-25 -- But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Truth learned should be truth acted upon. Just like you wash the smudges off of your face once you see them, you act on God's truths once you hear them. Micahaiah did, and so should we.
We Are Personally Responsible to Pass On What We Know
After this group has heard from Michaiah, they call for Baruch (v14) and he comes and verifies the message (v15). And now they all decide that the king needs to hear these words.
Did you see the flow of information?
Jeremiah receives the words from God. Baruch faithfully records them, and delivers the message publicly. Micahaiah hears these words and passes them on to his small but influential group of friends. And now, after having confirmation from Baruch, this group decides that Jehoiakim the king needs to hear the message.
Consider
1 Peter 3:15 -- But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Or
2Tim 2:2 -- And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Christians are personally responsible to pass on what we know to be true.
The Critical Truths of Its Rejection
Jer 36:19-26
At this point in our drama, Michaiah's small group of influencers tell Baruch (and Jeremiah) to hide (v19). The reason becomes clear. King Jehoiakim is about to reject this word from God. Michaiah's group fears for the lives of Baruch and Jeremiah. It turns out they were right (v26).
The king is convinced to read the message from Baruch. He does so in his winterhouse (v22). What a cozy picture is presented for the reader! The king is in his easy chair, sitting by the fire, listening as one of his attendants (Jehudi - v21, ff.) reads to him from Jeremiah's writings. Jehudi would read a little bit of the message to the king, and then pass the written message itself to him for personal examination.
And then the unthinkable happened.
There in that fabulously cozy scene, Jehoiakim unsheathed his small penknife, and literally cut Jeremiah's message into itty-bitty little pieces. Those pieces were then tossed right into the fire.
Two of Michaiah's influencers (minor characters Elnathan and Delaiah - v25) try to stop the king from this sacrilegious action. But the king will have none of that. He was rejecting God's words, and wanted to make it quite evident by destroying God's words.
You and I may not go to the same extreme in rejecting God's word in our life as taking our Bible and tossing it into the fire. But do we reject it?
Four Ways we can reject the Word of God
We can reject its divine authorship, placing it simply on the level with the finest literature of history. You see, I do not have to agree with the philosophy of Shakespeare or Hawthorne! If I reject God's authorship of the Bible, it can be fine moral teachings, but not necessarily fine moral teachings for me.
We can reject the Word of God by ignoring it in our life. Just like those famous three monkeys, we can choose to "see no truth, hear no truth, speak no truth"!!
We can reject it by never using it, even if we say that we love it. How much better is a person with a brand new copy of a Bible that is 25 years old, then a man who has never owned a copy?
We can reject it by “amen”ing the preacher on Sunday but living like the devil the rest of the week!
May we never be guilty of passively cutting the Bible up and then tossing it out of our lives!
The Critical Truth of Its Preservation
Jer 36:27-32
Jehoiakim has cut up and burned God's Word. Now it is gone, never to return; or is it? Is it that easy to rid the world of the Word of God?
God Promised To Preserve the Book of Jeremiah
As it turns out, while Jehoiakim destroyed the original and only manuscript of Jeremiah's message, God saw to it to reproduce it. God told Jeremiah to
Jer 36:28 -- Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned.
So
Jer 36:32 -- Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.
The process was exactly the same. God told Jeremiah the words. Jeremiah spoke them to Baruch. Baruch wrote them down in the scroll. All of them. Every single one of them. So that when Jeremiah and Baruch were finished, they had completed an exact replica of the original message. Except God was not yet finished with the Book of Jeremiah.
As you can tell by casually flipping through a few more pages of your Bible, Jeremiah's book does not end at chapter 36. There are still 16 more chapters to go! So not only did Jehoiakim not destroy Jeremiah's past work, he could not stop Jeremiah's future work.
God preserved the Book of Jeremiah.
God Has Promised To Preserve The Entire Bible
It is not just the Book of Jeremiah that God has preserved. He has preserved the entire Bible. I know that because He has promised to preserve the entire Bible. Note these key verses:
Psalms 12:6-7 -- The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
Isaiah 40:8 -- The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Psalms 119:89-90 -- For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
Matthew 5:18 -- For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Matthew 24:35 -- Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
1 Peter 1:25 -- But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
You may ask, "Does God really preserve His word miraculously?" Have I got a story to tell you!
In 1526, William Tyndale produced the first English translation of the Bible to be printed on a printing press. This new version was hated by the Roman Catholic Church and in particularly by the Bishop of London. The Bishop wanted to kill Tyndale and destroy his Bible.
A man named John Packington, who knew the Bishop and his hatred of the Tyndale translation, but who was also secretly a friend of Tyndale, went to the Bishop of London and told him he knew how to get all of Tyndale’s Bibles.  The Bishop told him to get them and that he would gladly pay whatever they cost. The Bishop of London promised to buy them with the intention of burning them at Paul’s Cross Cathedral in London.  
Packington then went to Tyndale and told him of the deal he had made with the Bishop. Tyndale responded by saying that he knew the Bishop would burn his Bibles. However, printing the Bibles had left Tyndale deeply indebted. He desperately needed money. Tyndale decided to sell the Bibles to the Bishop of London. He saw this as a blessing from God. Why?
First, he would have the opportunity to correct translation errors before these faulty texts were delivered to the public. In other words, it was part of the process of God preserving His words, and letting the devil pay to erase a poor translation.
Secondly, when the people of England saw the Bishop of London burning the Word of God they would become enraged. That would further ingratiate Tyndale to the people of England.
Finally, Tyndale could use the money to not only pay his way out of debt, but also fund the printing of a larger production run of Bibles. In fact, Tyndale would print three times more Bibles than he sold to the Bishop!
Some time later, when some of Tyndale’s associates were arrested and asked where they received the money to print their Bibles, they answered that the money came from the Bishop of London. Talk about the providence and preservation of God!
Conclusion
The Bible is God's Word. As such, it is critical that we understand these truths about it. Never forget these critical truths about the Bible:
    Its Composition: It is Inspired by God; It is His words, not man's words.
    Its Proclamation: It is to be proclaimed by His people.
    Its Reception: It should be heard, believed, and acted upon.
    Its Rejection: Some will not believe it, and seek to do away with it in their lives.
    Its Preservation: God has promised to preserve His written word forever.
What will you do with these truths?
 

Why is it that many Christians today seem to be following and serving God but do not seem to be blessed by God and in the end fail and fall away? Cain is a perfect example of Why.... Outwardly he appeared to be a Model Christian. He Sacrificed to God, God spoke to him and he spoke to God. He asked for forgiveness and obtained mercy from God, and people saw God's mark on him. So why did he fail? In this message we discuss the reason why he and many apparent "Godly" Christians like him fall away from God. We also see how even Cain in his sinful fall received warnings and mercy from God in every step he took to failure. Today we "modern Christians" receive the same warnings. The question is will we heed the callings of God? Will we submit to God in all things or continue down our own path?

(Preached Sunday Night, May 31, 2020, by Brother John Young, at Maranatha Bible Baptist Church, in Fulton, MI, Wakeshma Township, Kalamazoo County, Mendon, Leonidas)
 
Sermon Outline:
TITLE: "Cain: A Model For Modern Christians." 
TEXT: Genesis 4:1-15
Introduction: Why is it that many Christians today seem to be following and serving God but do not seem to be blessed by God and in the end fail? Cain is a perfect example of Why....

I. Why He is a Model Christian.
A. Sacrificed to God. v.3
B. God spoke to him and he spoke to God. v.6, v.13
C. Cain asked for forgiveness. v.13
D. People saw God's mark on him. v.15
II. Why He is a Modern Christian.
A. Sacrificed the wrong things.
B. Ignored God's words and followed his own.
C. Asked God to forgive punishment but did not admit to wrong doing.
D. God's mark was a mark of warning to others.
III. What we need to do.
A. Sacrifice the right things.
B. Obey God's word and pray properly.
C. Admit our wrong doings to God (and refer back to point B).
D. Seek to have a good mark.
Conclusion: Even Cain in his sinful fall received warnings and mercy from God in every step he took to failure as a Christian. We today receive the same warnings. The question is will we heed the callings of God? Will we continue down our own path or submit to God?

Genesis 41: 47-53, “Fruit in the Life of Joseph”
“And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number. And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah the priest of On bare unto him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.” Genesis 41:47-53
As God warned Pharaoh, in Genesis 41:1-8, in two frightening dreams, which the magicians and wise men could not correctly interpret, that a severe famine was coming, and how Joseph correctly interpreted the two dreams, the two dreams of Pharaoh start to happen. For seven years the earth brought plenty of food exactly how Joseph correctly interpreted the two dreams. As we read the Bible we must remember that every word, of every prophecy, will come to pass, whether or not the wise men of this world correctly understand it, and that the man of God, who correctly interprets the scripture, will be rewarded in the end.
For seven years, exactly as Joseph had prophesied, the land of Egypt brought forth the fruit of the ground in so much abundance that Joseph stopped numbering the quantity that he had stored up. God is one who causes the land to bear fruit as He so decrees it. Like the ant, Joseph stored up food, as God led him, during the time of plenty, in preparation for the time of want. “The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.” Proverbs 30:25.
Could it be that during the time of his confinement that Joseph studied, by observation, nature, and learned how to lead men?
Joseph, a Jew, due to the envy of his brethren, was rejected, temporarily, by his own people, had a Gentile bride, and bore fruit. The Lord Jesus, a Jew, due to the envy of His brethren, was rejected, temporarily, by His own people, has a Gentile bride, and bears fruit.
John 1:10-12, “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
Romans 11:11, “I say then, Have they [the Jews] stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them [the Jews] to jealousy.”
Ephesians 5:23-25, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”
God is using the life of Joseph, a type of Christ, to give us, Gentiles in the church, because of His love and promises towards the Jews, a clear picture of what He is going to do with His chosen people in the last days. Like Joseph, the Lord Jesus, loves His brethren and, like Joseph, will reconcile Himself to them in the last days
The first son, Manasseh, means that God caused Joseph to forget his toil and His father's house. I think this meaning can help us. The Lord Jesus can help us in our troubles.
The second son, Ephraim, means that God caused him to be fruitful. I think that this meaning can help us also. The Lord Jesus can help us be fruitful in our toils of life. It is obvious that Joseph believed that God caused the hardship and the blessings. We need to remember that. In this life God will give us hardship and blessings. Job 1:21, “And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return hither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
In Josephs era, and in our era, this world is full of temptations of the flesh, heartache, anxiety, distress, and times of unjust actions from others. We need to reminded of the words of Paul the apostle in order to encourage us in our time of toils, hardships, anxieties, and distress. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
With a wife, Asenath the daughter of Potipherah, God is starting the family of Joseph and eventually the tribe of Ephraim, and Manasseh. Proverbs 20:7 “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” The integrity of Joseph, as with the integrity of Job, has wonderful fruit.
God is starting to abundantly bless Joseph for his life of integrity and his close walk with God. Throughout the story of the life of Joseph we can see the results of the fruit of the Spirit. Joseph is an example for every believer who will decide to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Galatians 5:22-23  & 25, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law… If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
At this juncture we need to consider the part of the prophecy of Zechariah in Zechariah 10:5-10.
Zechariah 10:6, “ And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them to place them; for I will have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.” And, Zechariah 10:10, “I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.” This prophecy is literal, is very clear in interpretation, cannot be applied, or given, to the church, and has not been fulfilled yet in any sense of the word.
Among many passages in the Old Testament prophets, the Lord Jesus prophesied that one day the house of Joseph would be gathered a second time out of Egypt, and bring them back to the land of Israel, “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:31
Exactly as Joseph prophesied that after seven years of plenty there would be a famine of seven years comes to past. I am reminded of the words of King Solomon when he said, “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.” Ecclesiastes 7:14
God brings prosperity, and adversity, in everyone’s life for a particular reason. When adversity comes our way, and surely it shall, then at that time we need to consider what God is trying to tell us and to let us know that, in the end, all of this life apart from God, and His perfect will, is what we should do.
And, in conclusion, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
 
 

Genesis 41: 47-53, “Fruit in the Life of Joseph”
“And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number. And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah the priest of On bare unto him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.” Genesis 41:47-53
As God warned Pharaoh, in Genesis 41:1-8, in two frightening dreams, which the magicians and wise men could not correctly interpret, that a severe famine was coming, and how Joseph correctly interpreted the two dreams, the two dreams of Pharaoh start to happen. For seven years the earth brought plenty of food exactly how Joseph correctly interpreted the two dreams. As we read the Bible we must remember that every word, of every prophecy, will come to pass, whether or not the wise men of this world correctly understand it, and that the man of God, who correctly interprets the scripture, will be rewarded in the end.
For seven years, exactly as Joseph had prophesied, the land of Egypt brought forth the fruit of the ground in so much abundance that Joseph stopped numbering the quantity that he had stored up. God is one who causes the land to bear fruit as He so decrees it. Like the ant, Joseph stored up food, as God led him, during the time of plenty, in preparation for the time of want. “The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.” Proverbs 30:25.
Could it be that during the time of his confinement that Joseph studied, by observation, nature, and learned how to lead men?
Joseph, a Jew, due to the envy of his brethren, was rejected, temporarily, by his own people, had a Gentile bride, and bore fruit. The Lord Jesus, a Jew, due to the envy of His brethren, was rejected, temporarily, by His own people, has a Gentile bride, and bears fruit.
John 1:10-12, “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
Romans 11:11, “I say then, Have they [the Jews] stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them [the Jews] to jealousy.”
Ephesians 5:23-25, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”
God is using the life of Joseph, a type of Christ, to give us, Gentiles in the church, because of His love and promises towards the Jews, a clear picture of what He is going to do with His chosen people in the last days. Like Joseph, the Lord Jesus, loves His brethren and, like Joseph, will reconcile Himself to them in the last days
The first son, Manasseh, means that God caused Joseph to forget his toil and His father's house. I think this meaning can help us. The Lord Jesus can help us in our troubles.
The second son, Ephraim, means that God caused him to be fruitful. I think that this meaning can help us also. The Lord Jesus can help us be fruitful in our toils of life. It is obvious that Joseph believed that God caused the hardship and the blessings. We need to remember that. In this life God will give us hardship and blessings. Job 1:21, “And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return hither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
In Josephs era, and in our era, this world is full of temptations of the flesh, heartache, anxiety, distress, and times of unjust actions from others. We need to reminded of the words of Paul the apostle in order to encourage us in our time of toils, hardships, anxieties, and distress. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
With a wife, Asenath the daughter of Potipherah, God is starting the family of Joseph and eventually the tribe of Ephraim, and Manasseh. Proverbs 20:7 “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” The integrity of Joseph, as with the integrity of Job, has wonderful fruit.
God is starting to abundantly bless Joseph for his life of integrity and his close walk with God. Throughout the story of the life of Joseph we can see the results of the fruit of the Spirit. Joseph is an example for every believer who will decide to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Galatians 5:22-23  & 25, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law… If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
At this juncture we need to consider the part of the prophecy of Zechariah in Zechariah 10:5-10.
Zechariah 10:6, “ And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them to place them; for I will have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.” And, Zechariah 10:10, “I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.” This prophecy is literal, is very clear in interpretation, cannot be applied, or given, to the church, and has not been fulfilled yet in any sense of the word.
Among many passages in the Old Testament prophets, the Lord Jesus prophesied that one day the house of Joseph would be gathered a second time out of Egypt, and bring them back to the land of Israel, “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:31
Exactly as Joseph prophesied that after seven years of plenty there would be a famine of seven years comes to past. I am reminded of the words of King Solomon when he said, “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.” Ecclesiastes 7:14
God brings prosperity, and adversity, in everyone’s life for a particular reason. When adversity comes our way, and surely it shall, then at that time we need to consider what God is trying to tell us and to let us know that, in the end, all of this life apart from God, and His perfect will, is what we should do.
And, in conclusion, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
 
 

Genesis 41: 47-53, “Fruit in the Life of Joseph”
“And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number. And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah the priest of On bare unto him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.” Genesis 41:47-53
As God warned Pharaoh, in Genesis 41:1-8, in two frightening dreams, which the magicians and wise men could not correctly interpret, that a severe famine was coming, and how Joseph correctly interpreted the two dreams, the two dreams of Pharaoh start to happen. For seven years the earth brought plenty of food exactly how Joseph correctly interpreted the two dreams. As we read the Bible we must remember that every word, of every prophecy, will come to pass, whether or not the wise men of this world correctly understand it, and that the man of God, who correctly interprets the scripture, will be rewarded in the end.
For seven years, exactly as Joseph had prophesied, the land of Egypt brought forth the fruit of the ground in so much abundance that Joseph stopped numbering the quantity that he had stored up. God is one who causes the land to bear fruit as He so decrees it. Like the ant, Joseph stored up food, as God led him, during the time of plenty, in preparation for the time of want. “The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.” Proverbs 30:25.
Could it be that during the time of his confinement that Joseph studied, by observation, nature, and learned how to lead men?
Joseph, a Jew, due to the envy of his brethren, was rejected, temporarily, by his own people, had a Gentile bride, and bore fruit. The Lord Jesus, a Jew, due to the envy of His brethren, was rejected, temporarily, by His own people, has a Gentile bride, and bears fruit.
John 1:10-12, “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
Romans 11:11, “I say then, Have they [the Jews] stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them [the Jews] to jealousy.”
Ephesians 5:23-25, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.”
God is using the life of Joseph, a type of Christ, to give us, Gentiles in the church, because of His love and promises towards the Jews, a clear picture of what He is going to do with His chosen people in the last days. Like Joseph, the Lord Jesus, loves His brethren and, like Joseph, will reconcile Himself to them in the last days
The first son, Manasseh, means that God caused Joseph to forget his toil and His father's house. I think this meaning can help us. The Lord Jesus can help us in our troubles.
The second son, Ephraim, means that God caused him to be fruitful. I think that this meaning can help us also. The Lord Jesus can help us be fruitful in our toils of life. It is obvious that Joseph believed that God caused the hardship and the blessings. We need to remember that. In this life God will give us hardship and blessings. Job 1:21, “And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return hither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
In Josephs era, and in our era, this world is full of temptations of the flesh, heartache, anxiety, distress, and times of unjust actions from others. We need to reminded of the words of Paul the apostle in order to encourage us in our time of toils, hardships, anxieties, and distress. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
With a wife, Asenath the daughter of Potipherah, God is starting the family of Joseph and eventually the tribe of Ephraim, and Manasseh. Proverbs 20:7 “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” The integrity of Joseph, as with the integrity of Job, has wonderful fruit.
God is starting to abundantly bless Joseph for his life of integrity and his close walk with God. Throughout the story of the life of Joseph we can see the results of the fruit of the Spirit. Joseph is an example for every believer who will decide to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Galatians 5:22-23  & 25, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law… If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
At this juncture we need to consider the part of the prophecy of Zechariah in Zechariah 10:5-10.
Zechariah 10:6, “ And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them to place them; for I will have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them.” And, Zechariah 10:10, “I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.” This prophecy is literal, is very clear in interpretation, cannot be applied, or given, to the church, and has not been fulfilled yet in any sense of the word.
Among many passages in the Old Testament prophets, the Lord Jesus prophesied that one day the house of Joseph would be gathered a second time out of Egypt, and bring them back to the land of Israel, “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:31
Exactly as Joseph prophesied that after seven years of plenty there would be a famine of seven years comes to past. I am reminded of the words of King Solomon when he said, “In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.” Ecclesiastes 7:14
God brings prosperity, and adversity, in everyone’s life for a particular reason. When adversity comes our way, and surely it shall, then at that time we need to consider what God is trying to tell us and to let us know that, in the end, all of this life apart from God, and His perfect will, is what we should do.
And, in conclusion, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13
 
 

Genesis 41:37-46, “God Raises Up Joseph”
Introduction
The Psalmist said, “Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.” Psalm 113:5-8 God is going to lift Joseph out of the depths of the dungeon of Egypt, the dunghill of Egypt, the poorest of the poor, and set him above the princes of Egypt.
Joseph is a type of the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus was the poorest of the poor during His lifetime. When the soldiers crucified the Lord Jesus He only had the clothes on His bloody back and was mocked as one that was filled with the filth of the world. God so highly exalted the Lord Jesus that now He sits on the His throne on the right hand of the Father in Heaven.
Joseph gave Pharaoh wise counsel. Joseph knew that God wanted to help the nation of Egypt and his family. So, Joseph used his talents for the glory of God and was able to help other people. Joseph used his mouth to bring God glory and wisdom to give Pharaoh wise counsel. Proverbs 12:14, “A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.” We need to be like Joseph. To use our mouth for the glory of God and use wisdom to give other people counsel.
God has tested Joseph. Now Joseph is ready for God to use to help the nation of Egypt. God is going to promote Joseph from the prison to the palace. Psalm 113:7 & 8, “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.”
Joseph is a type of Christ. The Lord Jesus humbled Himself. The Lord Jesus left the glories of heaven and came to earth. The Lord Jesus became like a servant and helped other people. Philippians 2:5-8, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Joseph had this type of mind. Joseph believed that even as a slave, or prisoner, though wrongly convicted, he could serve God in the depths of prison.
The Lord Jesus – A Better Joseph
“Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:4 The Lord Jesus was better than the angels, better than Joseph, better than any saint, better than the Law, and better than Moses .
Therefore, the glory due to the Lord Jesus will be better, will exceed and surpass, all of the glory of the angels, the Law, Moses, Joseph, or any other saint.
Verse 37 - 30 Joseph was filled with the Spirit of God
God showed the interpretation of Pharaoh's two dreams to Joseph. Pharaoh knew that God gave Joseph the correct interpretation of the two dreams and that Joseph used wisdom to give Pharaoh counsel. The servants of Pharaoh also knew that God gave Joseph the correct interpretation of the two dreams. The servants saw that the counsel of Joseph was wise.
Joseph was bold in his witness. Joseph gave the glory to God for the correct interpretation of the two dreams. Joseph was filled with the Holy Spirit. Joseph walked in the Spirit. When a person is filled with the Holy Spirit he will witness like Joseph and be able to correctly interpret the scriptures.
As with the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit was with Joseph. Throughout his life, Joseph had the fruits of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22 & 23. Joseph walked in the Holy Spirit of God as Paul the apostle taught every saint to walk in the Holy Spirit of God, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25
As the Holy Spirit was with Joseph, the fulness of the Holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus is better than the Spirit given to Joseph. John the Baptist said, “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” John 3:34
Verse 39 God was with Joseph
Pharaoh knew in his heart that God gave Joseph the interpretation of the two dreams. Pharaoh also said that Joseph was discreet and wise. Joseph could discern between hard choices and make wise decisions.
In Acts 7:9 & 10 we read, “And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him. And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.” The brothers of Joseph, as with the Lord Jesus, were moved with envy to destroy him. But, Joseph, as with the Lord Jesus, ‘God was with him’ and delivered Joseph, and the Lord Jesus, out of their afflictions.
As God was with Joseph, in the life of the Lord Jesus, God was with the Lord Jesus in a better way. “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” John 8:29
Verse 40 -44 Pharaoh makes Joseph Governor of the land of Egypt
Psalm 113:7 & 8, “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.” God works in the lives of men, even in the poorest of conditions, and lifts up those into responsible positions of authority in order to help other people.
Now, God will give Joseph ‘favour and wisdom’ in the sight of Pharaoh. Pharaoh understood that Joseph gave the proper interpretation of the dream that God gave him. Pharaoh also understood that God gave Joseph the wisdom, discretion, and understanding that was required to save the nation of Egypt from destruction.
Pharaoh found out that Joseph ruled the house of Potiphar well, he ruled the prison well. Therefore, Pharaoh knew that Joseph could rule the land of Egypt well. Because of the wisdom, faithfulness, and discretion of Joseph in ruling previous responsibilities well, Pharaoh make Joseph ruler over Egypt. The Egyptians then bowed the knee before Joseph in recognition of his authority and position of power in the nation of Egypt.
Joseph is a Type of Christ
The Lord Jesus left heaven, humbled Himself, and became like a servant. Because the Lord Jesus was obedient and died on the Cross of Calvary; God exalted the Lord Jesus. Philippians 2: 9-11 teaches, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ”
Every Knee will bow on the Earth to the Lord Jesus
The glory that Joseph had in Egypt was great. Every knee bowed before him and all of the Egyptians were a witness to his wisdom and discretion in leadership for the physical salvation of the nation.
The glory of the Lord Jesus will be far better than than the glory of Joseph. One day, on the face of the earth, the knee of the people of the different nations of the world, will bow to the Lord Jesus as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. The prophet Zechariah prophesied, “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.” Zechariah 14:16 & 17
The prophecy by the prophet Zechariah of all of the nations, or families, bowing before the King, the LORD of hosts, in Jerusalem, during the feast of Tabernacles, has not been fulfilled, in any sense of the word, since Zechariah penned this prophecy.
Every Knee will Bow in Heaven to the Lord Jesus
One day, at the Great White Throne of Judgment, as written in Revelation 20:11-15, every person that has lived on the earth, will bow the knee before Jesus and confess that He is lord. Revelation 20:11-15 says, “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. 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 are written in the books, according to their works. 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. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
The knee of Buddha will bow. The knee of Confucius will bow. The knee of every Taoist will bow. The knee of every lost politician, the knee of every atheist, the knee of every agnostic, the knee of every lost religious hypocrite and false teacher. Every individual from every county, in every culture, will confess that Jesus is Lord to give God the glory.
Verse 45 Joseph gets married.
Joseph was a Hebrew: a Jew. His wife was a Gentile: Egyptians are Gentiles.
The Lord Jesus is a Hebrew: a Jew. The wife of the Lord Jesus, the church, is mostly Gentiles.
Ephesians 3:6, “That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.”
Ephesians 5:23-25, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
The Bride of Christ is the church. One day, in heaven the church will be without spot or wrinkles, and we will be sanctified wholly. The ‘spot’ and ‘wrinkles’ are the false doctrines, false teachers, false teachings, and insincere motives and lack of holiness and sanctification of the saints in the local congregations. We ought to love the church. If a person loves the Lord Jesus than he will love the church.
Verse 46 Joseph's History
Joseph was 17 years old when his brothers sold him into slavery. Now Joseph is 30 years old and is exalted as the ruler of Egypt. For 13 years Joseph was a slave or in prison. Initially, the brothers of Joseph were going to kill Joseph and the life of Joseph would have ended when he was 17 years old. “And when they [the brothers of Joseph] saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.” Genesis 37:18 If Joseph would have died at age 17 than he would not have been made ruler of Egypt at 30 years of age. At 30 years old, at he prime of his life, Joseph was exalted.
In the history of man, when a person dies, death means the end of his ability to rule, the ability to obtain fame, and the ability to do his will. A lot of men, especially in time of war, are cut down in the prime of life.
Even in death, the Lord Jesus was better. The Lord Jesus was cut down, crucified on the cross, died, in the prime of His life. If the Lord Jesus was an ordinary man than that would have been the end of His career. But, the Lord Jesus was ‘better’ than man and rose from the dead. The resurrection from the dead by the Lord Jesus gives us the eternal hope of eternal salvation and a new body in heaven.
The Lord Jesus was perfect, sinless, and righteous in every aspect of the word in word and deed. And, after He died, was resurrected and then entered into His glory in heaven. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:1-3
As with Joseph, so will the Lord Jesus rule the world in the proper timing of the Father in heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” The history of the Lord Jesus is far better than the history of Joseph and the end has not been fulfilled as of yet; nor will the history ever be fulfilled. The exaltation of the Lord Jesus will be far better than the exaltation of Joseph in Egypt.
 

Text     :           2 Timothy 3:16-17
Title     :           Abounding in Good Works
Date    :           February 25, 2018
 
1.      Furnished Unto all good works perfectly and Throughly - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Scripture perfects a man and equips him for every good work. By "perfect" is meant complete, matured, and filled. No person is complete or mature apart from Scripture. Man was made for God and he is to live by the Word of God. If he tries to live without God and His Word, man fails in life. He lives an incomplete, immature, and mis-fitted life.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
9Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 98Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. 99I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. 100I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. Psalms 119:9, 98-100
11Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! Isaiah 5:11
2.      Filled with all the Fullness of God  - Ephesians 3:19
And tknow the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:19
The believer possesses the indwelling presence of the Spirit, Christ, and of God. When Jesus Christ was promising to send the Holy Spirit to believers, He promised that the trinity—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—would all three come and indwell believers. The point is this: each Person of the Godhead has a different function within the believer. Therefore, the believer is to ask specific things concerning each. He has already prayed to be strengthened by the Spirit and to have Christ dwell within and control his heart. Now the believer is to pray for "all the fullness of God Himself"—for God and His presence in all its fullness to fill and flood him, ruling and reigning and having His perfect way in the life of the believer.
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.   Romans 8:39
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6
3.      Forwardness and sincerity in the grace of giving - 2 Corinthians 8:7
Paul does not command the Corinthians to give. If giving is forced or coerced, it benefits nothing; it does not please God. God is pleased only with gifts that are willingly and cheerfully given. He blesses only those who willingly help others. Therefore, giving must be based upon three things.
a)      Giving must be based upon love for those who are lost and needy.
b)     Giving must be based upon love for the Lord Jesus who has commanded us to go into all the world to reach and help the people of the world.
c)      Giving must be based upon the example of those who give sacrificially.
In the case of the Corinthians, they had the dynamic example of the Macedonians. The Corinthians should have been stirred to follow the example of such sacrificial giving. In our case, we should be stirred to follow the dynamic example of all those who give willingly and sacrificially.
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 1Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 6Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also. 7Therefore, as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. 8I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 10And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 12For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 13For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 2 Corinthians 9:8
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 1 Timothy 6:17-18
Abounding in good works.docx
Edited by Mod: Added content of PDF to post

Genesis 41:37-46, “God Raises Up Joseph”
Introduction
The Psalmist said, “Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.” Psalm 113:5-8 God is going to lift Joseph out of the depths of the dungeon of Egypt, the dunghill of Egypt, the poorest of the poor, and set him above the princes of Egypt.
Joseph is a type of the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus was the poorest of the poor during His lifetime. When the soldiers crucified the Lord Jesus He only had the clothes on His bloody back and was mocked as one that was filled with the filth of the world. God so highly exalted the Lord Jesus that now He sits on the His throne on the right hand of the Father in Heaven.
Joseph gave Pharaoh wise counsel. Joseph knew that God wanted to help the nation of Egypt and his family. So, Joseph used his talents for the glory of God and was able to help other people. Joseph used his mouth to bring God glory and wisdom to give Pharaoh wise counsel. Proverbs 12:14, “A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.” We need to be like Joseph. To use our mouth for the glory of God and use wisdom to give other people counsel.
God has tested Joseph. Now Joseph is ready for God to use to help the nation of Egypt. God is going to promote Joseph from the prison to the palace. Psalm 113:7 & 8, “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.”
Joseph is a type of Christ. The Lord Jesus humbled Himself. The Lord Jesus left the glories of heaven and came to earth. The Lord Jesus became like a servant and helped other people. Philippians 2:5-8, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Joseph had this type of mind. Joseph believed that even as a slave, or prisoner, though wrongly convicted, he could serve God in the depths of prison.
The Lord Jesus – A Better Joseph
“Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” Hebrews 1:4 The Lord Jesus was better than the angels, better than Joseph, better than any saint, better than the Law, and better than Moses .
Therefore, the glory due to the Lord Jesus will be better, will exceed and surpass, all of the glory of the angels, the Law, Moses, Joseph, or any other saint.
Verse 37 - 30 Joseph was filled with the Spirit of God
God showed the interpretation of Pharaoh's two dreams to Joseph. Pharaoh knew that God gave Joseph the correct interpretation of the two dreams and that Joseph used wisdom to give Pharaoh counsel. The servants of Pharaoh also knew that God gave Joseph the correct interpretation of the two dreams. The servants saw that the counsel of Joseph was wise.
Joseph was bold in his witness. Joseph gave the glory to God for the correct interpretation of the two dreams. Joseph was filled with the Holy Spirit. Joseph walked in the Spirit. When a person is filled with the Holy Spirit he will witness like Joseph and be able to correctly interpret the scriptures.
As with the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit was with Joseph. Throughout his life, Joseph had the fruits of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22 & 23. Joseph walked in the Holy Spirit of God as Paul the apostle taught every saint to walk in the Holy Spirit of God, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25
As the Holy Spirit was with Joseph, the fulness of the Holy Spirit of the Lord Jesus is better than the Spirit given to Joseph. John the Baptist said, “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” John 3:34
Verse 39 God was with Joseph
Pharaoh knew in his heart that God gave Joseph the interpretation of the two dreams. Pharaoh also said that Joseph was discreet and wise. Joseph could discern between hard choices and make wise decisions.
In Acts 7:9 & 10 we read, “And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him. And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.” The brothers of Joseph, as with the Lord Jesus, were moved with envy to destroy him. But, Joseph, as with the Lord Jesus, ‘God was with him’ and delivered Joseph, and the Lord Jesus, out of their afflictions.
As God was with Joseph, in the life of the Lord Jesus, God was with the Lord Jesus in a better way. “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” John 8:29
Verse 40 -44 Pharaoh makes Joseph Governor of the land of Egypt
Psalm 113:7 & 8, “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.” God works in the lives of men, even in the poorest of conditions, and lifts up those into responsible positions of authority in order to help other people.
Now, God will give Joseph ‘favour and wisdom’ in the sight of Pharaoh. Pharaoh understood that Joseph gave the proper interpretation of the dream that God gave him. Pharaoh also understood that God gave Joseph the wisdom, discretion, and understanding that was required to save the nation of Egypt from destruction.
Pharaoh found out that Joseph ruled the house of Potiphar well, he ruled the prison well. Therefore, Pharaoh knew that Joseph could rule the land of Egypt well. Because of the wisdom, faithfulness, and discretion of Joseph in ruling previous responsibilities well, Pharaoh make Joseph ruler over Egypt. The Egyptians then bowed the knee before Joseph in recognition of his authority and position of power in the nation of Egypt.
Joseph is a Type of Christ
The Lord Jesus left heaven, humbled Himself, and became like a servant. Because the Lord Jesus was obedient and died on the Cross of Calvary; God exalted the Lord Jesus. Philippians 2: 9-11 teaches, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ”
Every Knee will bow on the Earth to the Lord Jesus
The glory that Joseph had in Egypt was great. Every knee bowed before him and all of the Egyptians were a witness to his wisdom and discretion in leadership for the physical salvation of the nation.
The glory of the Lord Jesus will be far better than than the glory of Joseph. One day, on the face of the earth, the knee of the people of the different nations of the world, will bow to the Lord Jesus as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. The prophet Zechariah prophesied, “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.” Zechariah 14:16 & 17
The prophecy by the prophet Zechariah of all of the nations, or families, bowing before the King, the LORD of hosts, in Jerusalem, during the feast of Tabernacles, has not been fulfilled, in any sense of the word, since Zechariah penned this prophecy.
Every Knee will Bow in Heaven to the Lord Jesus
One day, at the Great White Throne of Judgment, as written in Revelation 20:11-15, every person that has lived on the earth, will bow the knee before Jesus and confess that He is lord. Revelation 20:11-15 says, “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. 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 are written in the books, according to their works. 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. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
The knee of Buddha will bow. The knee of Confucius will bow. The knee of every Taoist will bow. The knee of every lost politician, the knee of every atheist, the knee of every agnostic, the knee of every lost religious hypocrite and false teacher. Every individual from every county, in every culture, will confess that Jesus is Lord to give God the glory.
Verse 45 Joseph gets married.
Joseph was a Hebrew: a Jew. His wife was a Gentile: Egyptians are Gentiles.
The Lord Jesus is a Hebrew: a Jew. The wife of the Lord Jesus, the church, is mostly Gentiles.
Ephesians 3:6, “That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.”
Ephesians 5:23-25, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
The Bride of Christ is the church. One day, in heaven the church will be without spot or wrinkles, and we will be sanctified wholly. The ‘spot’ and ‘wrinkles’ are the false doctrines, false teachers, false teachings, and insincere motives and lack of holiness and sanctification of the saints in the local congregations. We ought to love the church. If a person loves the Lord Jesus than he will love the church.
Verse 46 Joseph's History
Joseph was 17 years old when his brothers sold him into slavery. Now Joseph is 30 years old and is exalted as the ruler of Egypt. For 13 years Joseph was a slave or in prison. Initially, the brothers of Joseph were going to kill Joseph and the life of Joseph would have ended when he was 17 years old. “And when they [the brothers of Joseph] saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.” Genesis 37:18 If Joseph would have died at age 17 than he would not have been made ruler of Egypt at 30 years of age. At 30 years old, at he prime of his life, Joseph was exalted.
In the history of man, when a person dies, death means the end of his ability to rule, the ability to obtain fame, and the ability to do his will. A lot of men, especially in time of war, are cut down in the prime of life.
Even in death, the Lord Jesus was better. The Lord Jesus was cut down, crucified on the cross, died, in the prime of His life. If the Lord Jesus was an ordinary man than that would have been the end of His career. But, the Lord Jesus was ‘better’ than man and rose from the dead. The resurrection from the dead by the Lord Jesus gives us the eternal hope of eternal salvation and a new body in heaven.
The Lord Jesus was perfect, sinless, and righteous in every aspect of the word in word and deed. And, after He died, was resurrected and then entered into His glory in heaven. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:1-3
As with Joseph, so will the Lord Jesus rule the world in the proper timing of the Father in heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” The history of the Lord Jesus is far better than the history of Joseph and the end has not been fulfilled as of yet; nor will the history ever be fulfilled. The exaltation of the Lord Jesus will be far better than the exaltation of Joseph in Egypt.
 

In this message we review what the purpose of Soulwinning is and why it is important, when possible, to emphasize the whole Commission in our soul winning presentations. Not only to save the souls from hell but to also to help sanctify them. We show how salvation (not just from Hell but for all aspects of our lives) is by believing on the LORD Jesus Christ and the Gospel is what we preach in order to led them (through the power of the Holy Spirit) to accepting Jesus as such. We take note of the fact that "Repentance" is not a physical action of turning or stopping any sin but rather turning from a state of Pride and rebellion before God to a state of Humble submission before God. We also show the four points that should make up any gospel presentation and the Biblical reason for each point. Then we finish up with the importance of each believer accepting and modeling each point in their own lives in order to be a proper witness of the LORD Jesus Christ. (Preached: Sunday Afternoon 6-30-2019, Green Meadow Bible Baptist Church, Pastor Steven Zantjer, Kalamazoo, MI)
 
 

Genesis 41:1-36, “The Wise Counsel of Joseph”
Introduction
In the Old Testament, before the scriptures were written, God gave the kings of the various countries dreams in order to warn them of danger to the country and in matters of other importance. In this passage, God gave Pharaoh two dreams.
In the first dream, Genesis 41:1-4, Pharaoh dreamed about 7 fat fleshed cows and 7 ill favoured cows. The 7 ill favoured cows ate up the 7 good cows. It was a strange dream. Pharaoh awoke.
In the second dream, Genesis 41:5-7, Pharaoh saw 7 good ears of corn. And then 7 bad ears of corn that were eaten up by the west wind. Again, it was a strange dream and then Pharaoh awoke.
In those days, the kings knew that God gave them dreams to warn them. But, Pharaoh did not know how to interpret the dreams.
Pharaoh asked the magicians and the wise men to interpret the dream but they could not: Genesis 41:8. Even though a person can be wise in the ways of the world; he may not be wise in the things of God.1 Corinthians 1:21, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”
Previously, in Genesis 40:8 Joseph correctly stated, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” It would behoove every saint to understand that if a prophecy is not according to biblical interpretation than it is a false interpretation. If an individual teaches a false prophecy, even a saint, than one day he, or she, will stand before the Lord and give a personal account for his foolishness.
The chief butler heard of the dreams of Pharaoh and remembered that Joseph had correctly interpreted his dream and the dream of the baker, Genesis 41:9-13
Verse 14-16 Joseph gave God the glory
Pharaoh knew that the two dreams were important, so, he had Joseph taken out of the prison and cleaned up. Pharaoh asked Joseph a question, “I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.” Genesis 41:15b
"And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." Genesis 41:16 In the presence of a heathen king, an idolatrous Court, a Court full of sorcerers and magicians, Joseph made a clear statement of faith in his belief in God. God gives every man talents. Our talents come from God. Our health comes from God and God sits on His throne in heaven controlling the affairs of men. We need to be like Joseph and give God, the Lord Jesus, the glory for our health, our jobs, our lives and the blessings of life.1 Corinthians 1:31, “That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
God can give peace. Even though Joseph had tribulations in his life, and imprisonment, he had peace in his heart. John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Joseph believed that God could give Pharaoh peace.
God is willing to give peace to those people who sincerely trust in Him.
Verse 17-24 The Two Dreams of Pharaoh
Pharaoh relates the two dreams to Joseph. Pharaoh also said that the magicians could not tell the interpretation of the dreams. The false prophet, the false teacher, and the false religions, cannot tell correct interpretations of prophecy in the Bible.
Verse 25 God is in full control of all things
Genesis 41:25, “And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.” God is the creator of the universe and He is the one who controls the world. Nahum 1:3, “The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.”
In the church age, God does not use dreams to warn us: He uses the scriptures. The scriptures are the complete words of God. 1 Corinthians 13:10, “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”
Verse 26-32 Seven Years of Plenty and 7 Years of Famine
Joseph gave the correct interpretation of the two dreams. Joseph emphasized four things: 1. The 7 years of plenty will precede the 7 years of famine. 2. The famine will be very grievous. 3. The famine is established by God. 4. God will bring it to pass.
Also, the 7 years of famine, after a brief false peace from the anti-Christ, is a type of the grievous famine that will occur over all of the world during the entire 7 Year Tribulation Period throughout the whole earth. Revelation 6:8, “And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.” God gave us the book of Revelation so we can know what God will do in the end times and to warn the people of the earth to escape the wrath to come.
If a saint desires to know how to correctly interpret the end times of the book of Revelation, “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble,” specifically Revelation chapter 6, 7, 11, 12, and 19:16, it would be wise to study the interpretations of Joseph, the dreams of Joseph, and the wise counsel of Joseph.
Verse 33-36 “The Counsel of Joseph”
Joseph gave Pharaoh wise counsel. God warned Pharaoh because God was going to bring a grievous famine in the land of Egypt and the surrounding area. God is starting to raise up Joseph to save the land of Egypt from destruction, save his kinsmen, Jacob, his brothers, and their extended families.
Joseph is a type of Christ. God is going to bring a grievous famine upon the whole earth in order to save the remnant of the kinsmen of the Lord Jesus, His brethren, the Jewish race, and save as many as will repent of their sins during the reign of the anti-Christ during, “The Time of Jacob's Trouble.”
Furthermore, God gave us the Bible to let mankind know the truth of eternal life, heaven and hell, the Lord Jesus and things to come. In the spiritual battle, Ephesians 6:11-17 and 2 Timothy 2:1-5 and 4:1-8, that every saint faces, we need wise counsel to direct our paths. Proverbs 24:6, “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counselors there is safety.” And, Proverbs 11:14, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
Joseph is a type of Christ. The Lord Jesus, as we read the scriptures, can give us good counsel. Proverbs 8:14, “Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.” Good counsel for our work, our family, and our lives. A mature Christian will listen to the counsel of the Lord Jesus as recorded in the scriptures.
 
 

Hello Family of God,   "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for [the devil sinneth FROM THE BEGINNING]. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might [DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL]. 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. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not from God, neither he that loveth not his brother." (1 John 3:8-10)   All of us will eventually come to a fork in the road which will determine our Eternal Fate (Deut. 1:26-38; Josh. 24:15; Matt. 8:21-22; 16:24; Jn. 3:18; Heb. 3:7-19; 4:1-8); we must be ensured that the path we take is the correct one, because many will travel too far in the wrong direction at some point in their life and encounter pitfalls, thorn bushes, and ravenous birds, they can't seem to extricate themselves out of, and eventually towards the edge of a cliff to their own destruction. One must be settled in their hearts and consider the consequences of both good and bad life decisions. In the life of every man or woman, there are only two paths to take: the broad way, or the narrow way; and the exclusivity of the One True Religion of Christianity cannot be compromised in the least (Isa. 35:8; Matt. 7:13-14; Lk. 13:23-25; Jn. 6:40; 14:6; Acts 4:12; Jn. 14:6; Heb. 10:26). If one feels as if they have already taken the narrow path and cannot make any distinction from whence they were before up to that point, then perhaps they are continuing down that broad and wide gateway, and it may unexpectedly slam shut (cf. Ex. 10:20; Isa. 6:10; Prov. 14:12; 16:25; Matt. 21:32; Mk. 8:17-18; Rom. 2:5; Eph. 4:18; 1 Tim. 4:1-2).   If sin is dominating your life, then I would suggest that you examine your pattern of living in light of what the Scriptures teach concerning the lifestyle of the fruitful and the barren; you want to make absolutely certain that your life is Spirit-led, and not the pull of the flesh and its sinful desires. In both the parable of the vine and the branches, and the parable of the sower, there are those who produce fruit, and there are branches that dry out because there is NO life [in] them. There are the results of Christian ministry that result in some bringing forth a harvest of thirty, sixty, and even a hundredfold; we find a parallel in 1 Cor. 3:8-15 where the fruits of ones labor in ministry yields results that remain (i.e., gold, silver, precious stones), and those done in vain as a result of not tending to the crops (i.e., "wood, hay, stubble"). The lifeline of every Christian is Christ the Vine (Jn. 15:5; Phil. 4:13; 1 Jn. 2:27), and if there is no connection to the vine, then the branch will continue to remain barren and eventually "cut off" and cast into the fire to be burned (Matt. 3:12; 25:24-30,41; Rev. 20:15).

Genesis 40:1-23, “Do not interpretations belong to God?”
Only God knows the future. In the Bible, God recorded all of the knowledge of the future that God wants us to have. The Bible is the word of God and can tell us what is important. The philosophy of man, the religions of man, the interpretations of man, and the idols made by men, cannot help a person when he dies. The interpretations of man, false religions and prophets, are erroneous.
Joseph is an example to the every Christian who wants to have a close relationship with God and walk in the Holy Spirit. God gave us the story of Joseph to show us how to walk with God.
In Genesis 40:1-23, in the confines of a prison, while suffering tremendous adversity, we can see several fruits of the Spirit in this passage in the life of Joseph: longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith. Galatians 5:22 and 23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Because Joseph walked in the Spirit of God; he could have the proper interpretations of the dreams.
Verse 1-8 Interpretations belong unto God.
Astrologers and false prophets cannot accurately foretell the future. The reason why we have so many different interpretations of the prophecies of the scriptures is due to the fact that false prophets, and false teachers, cannot accurately interpret the scriptures. The apostle Peter clearly stated that only holy men of God, using the scriptures as their standard, can properly interpret the scriptures. 2 Peter 1:20 and 21 says, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scriptures is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
“… but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Because Joseph was ‘holy,’or as Galatians 5:23 states, ‘temperance,’ God gave him the proper interpretation. The meaning of temperate is; (1) marked by moderation: as, keeping or held within limits: not extreme or excessive; and, marked by an absence or avoidance of extravagance, violence, or extreme partisanship. A saint cannot be ‘holy’ without having ‘temperance’ in his character.
Daniel 2:27 & 28, “Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these.” The false prophets, and false teachers, in the churches, the false gods of the Taoists, the Confucian, and the Buddhists, cannot reveal the end times. Only the Bible can give us the events of the end time.
The prophecies of the scriptures are true and will come to pass. Joseph was a true prophet. God gave him dreams and Joseph could interpret the dreams of others. In this story God gave us two examples.
As with Daniel, God gave Joseph the proper interpretation and Joseph gave the honour and glory to God. “Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these.” Daniel 2:27 & 28
Even though Joseph was in prison unjustly, Joseph still had goodness in his life to help the Baker and the Butler in their trials of life in the prison. Please take note that Joseph saw the sadness of these men and had an inward desire, without the prospect of a reward, to help both of these men in their sorrows of life.
Is not this act of goodness, this act of kindness, without any prospect of reward, like the goodness and kindness of the Lord Jesus? “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38
Verse 9-13 The dream of the Butler.
The butler told Joseph the dream and Joseph told the the butler the correct interpretation of the dream. Only God could have told Joseph the interpretation.
Verse 14 and 15 Joseph's Request and Testimony.
Joseph asked the butler to make mention of him to Pharaoh. Joseph then told the butler his story. Joseph reminded the butler that he did nothing wrong. The life of Joseph, as the life of the Lord Jesus, was above reproach.
Verse 16-19 The dream of the Baker
The chief baker told Joseph his dream and Joseph told the baker the correct interpretation of the dream.
Verse 20-22 The Fulfillment of the Two Dreams
The interpretations of Joseph were correct. God gave the interpretation to Joseph and Joseph told the interpretations of the two dreams to the butler and to the baker. The dreams were fulfilled in public.
As with Daniel, God gave the correct interpretations of both of the dreams.
The interpretation of a true prophet is always right. Deuteronomy 18:22, “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
Verse 23 the Butler forgot Joseph
Man forgets, but God does not. In God's proper timing, and in His proper ways, He will fulfill His will. In the life of Joseph we know that he had a good relationship with God. Even though he is in prison, he did good, the butler forgot him and Joseph remained in prison. Even in intense adversity, Joseph was kind to those around him.
In spite of the other peoples failure, Joseph still trusted in God. In spite of his still being in prison, Joseph still trusted in God and did good. Joseph, throughout his life, and in this instance, had longsuffering, gentleness in adversity, goodness and faith.
 
 

Genesis 40:1-23, “Do not interpretations belong to God?”
Only God knows the future. In the Bible, God recorded all of the knowledge of the future that God wants us to have. The Bible is the word of God and can tell us what is important. The philosophy of man, the religions of man, the interpretations of man, and the idols made by men, cannot help a person when he dies. The interpretations of man, false religions and prophets, are erroneous.
Joseph is an example to the every Christian who wants to have a close relationship with God and walk in the Holy Spirit. God gave us the story of Joseph to show us how to walk with God.
In Genesis 40:1-23, in the confines of a prison, while suffering tremendous adversity, we can see several fruits of the Spirit in this passage in the life of Joseph: longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith. Galatians 5:22 and 23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Because Joseph walked in the Spirit of God; he could have the proper interpretations of the dreams.
Verse 1-8 Interpretations belong unto God.
Astrologers and false prophets cannot accurately foretell the future. The reason why we have so many different interpretations of the prophecies of the scriptures is due to the fact that false prophets, and false teachers, cannot accurately interpret the scriptures. The apostle Peter clearly stated that only holy men of God, using the scriptures as their standard, can properly interpret the scriptures. 2 Peter 1:20 and 21 says, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scriptures is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
“… but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Because Joseph was ‘holy,’or as Galatians 5:23 states, ‘temperance,’ God gave him the proper interpretation. The meaning of temperate is; (1) marked by moderation: as, keeping or held within limits: not extreme or excessive; and, marked by an absence or avoidance of extravagance, violence, or extreme partisanship. A saint cannot be ‘holy’ without having ‘temperance’ in his character.
Daniel 2:27 & 28, “Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these.” The false prophets, and false teachers, in the churches, the false gods of the Taoists, the Confucian, and the Buddhists, cannot reveal the end times. Only the Bible can give us the events of the end time.
The prophecies of the scriptures are true and will come to pass. Joseph was a true prophet. God gave him dreams and Joseph could interpret the dreams of others. In this story God gave us two examples.
As with Daniel, God gave Joseph the proper interpretation and Joseph gave the honour and glory to God. “Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these.” Daniel 2:27 & 28
Even though Joseph was in prison unjustly, Joseph still had goodness in his life to help the Baker and the Butler in their trials of life in the prison. Please take note that Joseph saw the sadness of these men and had an inward desire, without the prospect of a reward, to help both of these men in their sorrows of life.
Is not this act of goodness, this act of kindness, without any prospect of reward, like the goodness and kindness of the Lord Jesus? “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38
Verse 9-13 The dream of the Butler.
The butler told Joseph the dream and Joseph told the the butler the correct interpretation of the dream. Only God could have told Joseph the interpretation.
Verse 14 and 15 Joseph's Request and Testimony.
Joseph asked the butler to make mention of him to Pharaoh. Joseph then told the butler his story. Joseph reminded the butler that he did nothing wrong. The life of Joseph, as the life of the Lord Jesus, was above reproach.
Verse 16-19 The dream of the Baker
The chief baker told Joseph his dream and Joseph told the baker the correct interpretation of the dream.
Verse 20-22 The Fulfillment of the Two Dreams
The interpretations of Joseph were correct. God gave the interpretation to Joseph and Joseph told the interpretations of the two dreams to the butler and to the baker. The dreams were fulfilled in public.
As with Daniel, God gave the correct interpretations of both of the dreams.
The interpretation of a true prophet is always right. Deuteronomy 18:22, “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
Verse 23 the Butler forgot Joseph
Man forgets, but God does not. In God's proper timing, and in His proper ways, He will fulfill His will. In the life of Joseph we know that he had a good relationship with God. Even though he is in prison, he did good, the butler forgot him and Joseph remained in prison. Even in intense adversity, Joseph was kind to those around him.
In spite of the other peoples failure, Joseph still trusted in God. In spite of his still being in prison, Joseph still trusted in God and did good. Joseph, throughout his life, and in this instance, had longsuffering, gentleness in adversity, goodness and faith.
 
 

Genesis 40:1-23, “Do not interpretations belong to God?”
Only God knows the future. In the Bible, God recorded all of the knowledge of the future that God wants us to have. The Bible is the word of God and can tell us what is important. The philosophy of man, the religions of man, the interpretations of man, and the idols made by men, cannot help a person when he dies. The interpretations of man, false religions and prophets, are erroneous.
Joseph is an example to the every Christian who wants to have a close relationship with God and walk in the Holy Spirit. God gave us the story of Joseph to show us how to walk with God.
In Genesis 40:1-23, in the confines of a prison, while suffering tremendous adversity, we can see several fruits of the Spirit in this passage in the life of Joseph: longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faith. Galatians 5:22 and 23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Because Joseph walked in the Spirit of God; he could have the proper interpretations of the dreams.
Verse 1-8 Interpretations belong unto God.
Astrologers and false prophets cannot accurately foretell the future. The reason why we have so many different interpretations of the prophecies of the scriptures is due to the fact that false prophets, and false teachers, cannot accurately interpret the scriptures. The apostle Peter clearly stated that only holy men of God, using the scriptures as their standard, can properly interpret the scriptures. 2 Peter 1:20 and 21 says, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scriptures is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
“… but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Because Joseph was ‘holy,’or as Galatians 5:23 states, ‘temperance,’ God gave him the proper interpretation. The meaning of temperate is; (1) marked by moderation: as, keeping or held within limits: not extreme or excessive; and, marked by an absence or avoidance of extravagance, violence, or extreme partisanship. A saint cannot be ‘holy’ without having ‘temperance’ in his character.
Daniel 2:27 & 28, “Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these.” The false prophets, and false teachers, in the churches, the false gods of the Taoists, the Confucian, and the Buddhists, cannot reveal the end times. Only the Bible can give us the events of the end time.
The prophecies of the scriptures are true and will come to pass. Joseph was a true prophet. God gave him dreams and Joseph could interpret the dreams of others. In this story God gave us two examples.
As with Daniel, God gave Joseph the proper interpretation and Joseph gave the honour and glory to God. “Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these.” Daniel 2:27 & 28
Even though Joseph was in prison unjustly, Joseph still had goodness in his life to help the Baker and the Butler in their trials of life in the prison. Please take note that Joseph saw the sadness of these men and had an inward desire, without the prospect of a reward, to help both of these men in their sorrows of life.
Is not this act of goodness, this act of kindness, without any prospect of reward, like the goodness and kindness of the Lord Jesus? “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38
Verse 9-13 The dream of the Butler.
The butler told Joseph the dream and Joseph told the the butler the correct interpretation of the dream. Only God could have told Joseph the interpretation.
Verse 14 and 15 Joseph's Request and Testimony.
Joseph asked the butler to make mention of him to Pharaoh. Joseph then told the butler his story. Joseph reminded the butler that he did nothing wrong. The life of Joseph, as the life of the Lord Jesus, was above reproach.
Verse 16-19 The dream of the Baker
The chief baker told Joseph his dream and Joseph told the baker the correct interpretation of the dream.
Verse 20-22 The Fulfillment of the Two Dreams
The interpretations of Joseph were correct. God gave the interpretation to Joseph and Joseph told the interpretations of the two dreams to the butler and to the baker. The dreams were fulfilled in public.
As with Daniel, God gave the correct interpretations of both of the dreams.
The interpretation of a true prophet is always right. Deuteronomy 18:22, “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”
Verse 23 the Butler forgot Joseph
Man forgets, but God does not. In God's proper timing, and in His proper ways, He will fulfill His will. In the life of Joseph we know that he had a good relationship with God. Even though he is in prison, he did good, the butler forgot him and Joseph remained in prison. Even in intense adversity, Joseph was kind to those around him.
In spite of the other peoples failure, Joseph still trusted in God. In spite of his still being in prison, Joseph still trusted in God and did good. Joseph, throughout his life, and in this instance, had longsuffering, gentleness in adversity, goodness and faith.
 
 

In the second part of our two part study on "Dispensational Stewardship" we show how the believer can actually discern the Bible's doctrine without first learning an artificial framework theology. We show how the natural divisions and terms already in scripture are there to aid the believer in their study.
In this overview of the Bible's terms we focuses primarily on understanding what Testaments, Covenants, Promises, and Laws are and how they work together to fulfill the Will of God. We emphasize the importance of discerning, learning, and keeping the Testaments, Covenants, Promises, separate and distinct while understanding how they work together to form our doctrine and practices.
Preached: February 27, 2019 Wednesday Night. By Pastor John Young, at Edgecliff Baptist Church, Spokane Valley, WA. https://www.facebook.com/EdgecliffCBC/
(Please like, share, and subscribe for more Bible Sermons!)
#DispensationalTheology #CovenantTheology #TheologicalFrameworks #BibleFrameworks #DispensationalStewardship #Stewardship #Steward #Dispensation #Dispensations #Covenant #Covenants #Theology
(Link to Part 1 - Understanding Your Divine Mandates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B6Q0DfXFNQ)
 
 
 

Hello Family of God,
I will be sharing some FACTS regarding the Triune God of Scripture and His Immutable Attributes. It seems as if the God of Holy Scripture has been accused and slandered among many, even those who profess to belong to Christ and God. I will begin with . . . 
[Why God must be Triune in BEING]:
Simple Answer: God is Love; and what I mean by that is the Divine/Perfect Love shared within the Triune Godhead from Eternity past (cf. Matt. 17:2; Jn. 17:24; 2 Pet. 1:17). Love is an emotion that is directed toward someone other than ourselves. The Perfect Love of the Father is manifested in His Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness. We see this manifested in the Giving of His One and Only Son, and how Jesus Christ experienced the most unimaginable suffering that a finite being could never fully understand (Isa. 53:3-12; Ps. 22:14-18; Matt. 26:36-39; Lk. 22:44; Jn. 10:18; 18:11; Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 2:9-11; 5:7-8; 12:2-3; 1 Jn. 4:7-12).  Also keep in mind that God is Love, NOT Love is God; and this has been taught by many well-meaning Christians (e.g., "the car is red, NOT red is the car").
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God [must believe that he is], and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)
First and foremost: there is NONE like the One True God. The above verse cited is not to be interpreted as simply believing in the Existence of God (everyone should know this); it is to be understood that those who desire to Know God must believe that He is the One TRUE GOD, separate from all other gods, who are all false gods or demons (Jer. 10:11; Rom. 1:20; 1 Cor. 8:5-6; 10:20-22). The God of Holy Scripture is unique in the sense that there is no other "god" like Him (One in BEING), and Eternally Existing in Three distinct persons (2 Kgs. 19:15; 2 Sam. 22:32; Neh. 9:6; Isa 37:16,20; 43:10; 45:5; 64:4; Joel 2:27; Mk. 12:32; Jn. 17:3; 1 Tim. 1:17). He does not change, for He is the Eternal I AM.
"For thus saith [THE HIGH AND LOFTY ONE] that inhabiteth eternity, [WHOSE NAME IS HOLY]; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of [a contrite and humble spirit], to revive [the spirit of the humble], and to revive the heart of [the contrite ones]." (Isaiah 57:15)
Even the name of the One True God is set apart from all the false "gods" of this world. I have often heard atheists accusing God as arrogant and haughty because of the verse above, and the Irony in this is absolutely stunning. Even the [a]theist knows in their heart of hearts that God obviously exists; and it is their deceitful hearts, corrupted consciences, and the fallen nature of the unregenerate man which suppresses this Truth (cf. Jer. 17:9; Rom. 2:14-16; 1 Cor. 2:14-15; 1 Tim. 4:2). To the unregenerate man or woman who questions the Absolute Sovereignty of God:
Who brought you into this world? Have you existed from Eternity past? Are you Deserving/Worthy of Worship? Is God HIGH AND LOFTY? Is the name of God HOLY? Would God be lying if He were to deny any of His self-existent and Immutable Attributes?  Did you the Universe into existence from absolutely NOTHING? A Is there any "created" being in existence who would fit the characteristics and nature of God? Does the above quote cited bother you? And if so, why? Would a man or woman be considered humble and take issue with God in any way? "[HE MUST INCREASE], but [I MUST decrease]. He that cometh from above is [ABOVE ALL]: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is [ABOVE ALL]." (John 3:30-31)
"I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth." (Isaiah 43:6-9)
Learn some humility my friend! The Word Incarnate became flesh not only to reconcile man unto God, but to demonstrate and prove that Christ is Lord, and is to be exalted. He had took the sins and burden of mankind upon Himself as an act and accomplishment of Divine Love beyond all human comprehension that no creature in existence would forego. His life and ministry is without doubt confirmed Him as Lord over all. God has created mankind to KNOW Him, to see His Glory and enjoy everlasting fellowship with Him in a way that cannot be fully understood by the fallen man, even in his redeemed state (cf. Isa. 43:6-9; Jn. 17:3; 1 Cor. 2:9; 13:12; 1 Jn. 3:2; Rev. 4:11).
"[THOU ART WORTHY, O LORD], [TO RECEIVE GLORY AND HONOUR AND POWER]: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Revelation 4:11)
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and [I will GIVE you rest]. Take my yoke upon you, and [learn of me]; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find [rest unto your souls]. For [my yoke] is easy, and [my burden] is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
"I am the LORD: that is my name: and [MY GLORY] will I [NOT GIVE TO ANOTHER], neither my praise to graven images." (Isaiah 42:8)
"I have [GLORIFIED THEE] on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, [GLORIFY THOU ME] with thine own self with [THE GLORY WHICH I HAD WITH THEE] before the world was." (John 17:4-5)
Do the above passages seem paradoxical at first glance? Only if you are a "natural" man (1 Cor. 2:14). We all know what the pronoun "another" means, correct? If all Three  persons of the Godhead are ONE IN ESSENCE, co-equal, co-eternal, and of equal power (i.e., "Omnipotence"), then it stands to reason that the Son and the Holy Spirit are NOT to be considered as additional "Gods" (i.e., three Gods in total), rather they are One in BEING as the Father (Jn. 10:30).
To better understand this, we must first understand that when the Word became flesh, the Incarnate Word then had a dual nature (i.e., "He was BOTH God and Man"). So does this mean that there was an additional person added to the Triune God? Not at all. By the way, Mary is NOT the Mother of God, and this has been erroneously taught by Catholics, who venerate Mary above Jesus Christ. Jesus is BOTH God and Man; therefore, Mary is the mother of Jesus the "man", and NOT Jesus as God.
Who decided that God is One Person? Where did this idea come from? It is the "fallen nature" of the corrupted man which clouds his understanding of a Transcendent Being, who is The One True Creator God (Jn. 8:42; 1 Cor. 3:19). The Son of Man came into this world to not only reconcile mankind unto God, but to "reveal" the True Nature of God in all His Glory, and this will be fully expressed in the Eternal State (Matt. 11:27; Jn. 14:7,20-23). Sin separated man from God, and because of this separation, God is distanced from the unregenerate mind (Isa. 59:2). A Unipersonal "god" spells trouble for this so-called "god," Look what it did to the Devil:
"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, [I will] ascend into heaven, [I will] exalt my throne above the stars of God: [I will] sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: [I will] ascend above the heights of the clouds; [I will] be like the most High. [YET THOU SHALT BE BROUGHT DOWN TO HELL], [TO THE SIDES OF THE PIT]. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?" (Isaiah 14:12-17)
I will ascend into heaven (No chance in hell) I will exalt my throne above the stars of God (There's going to be a new heaven and a new earth) I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north (False prophecy) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds (Stop dreaming) I will be like the most High (That position is already taken, and it's PERMANENT) Satan is only concerned about himself, and he will use any means necessary to exalt himself. He will make false promises to those who would carry out his bidding in order that he may lifted up on high. He is the epitome of selfishness, self-centeredness, arrogance, hatred, deceit, malice, contempt, and every wicked thing under the sun. Isn't this what we see with many false teachers today who are only in it to fleece the flock, and feed their own selfish ambition and carnal desires? The Pharisees of Jesus' day did just that: they stole money from widows and deceived them into believing that they can "buy" their way to Heaven by literally giving ALL that they had, and these poor and destitute widows had nothing left to offer (cf. Lk. 21:1-4; 1 Tim. 6:5; 2 Tim. 3:6; Tit. 1:11; Jas. 5:1-3; 1 Pet. 5:2). Jesus referred to such religious hypocrites as children of the Devil (Jn. 8:44-45).
The time will come when this creature called the Devil and Satan will be brought to the lowest pits of hell. God and Christ is Glorified, and the accuser of our Brethren will be an abhorrence to all those who will gaze upon him. No more masquerading as an angel of light, the ugliness and shame of this foul creature will be seen for who he truly is. Let this be an example and lesson to all who resist God's Will and Sovereignty over all Creation. God alone is to be worshiped, and none other, because there is no other BEING in existence who can stake this claim. When all is said and done, every knee will bow before God and Christ whether they refuse to acknowledge Him now as Lord over all or not (Rom. 10:9-10; Phil. 2:10-11; Isa. 45:23).
Since mankind was [separated] from his Divine Creator as a result of disobedience and sin, mankind's understanding of the True Nature of One has been lost. It is the Father in Heaven who draws the unregenerate towards God, and reveals who the One True God is (Matt. 16:16-17; Jn. 6:44; 14:6). The curse of death (BOTH physical and spiritual) was the consequence of disobedience in the paradise of God; however, Jesus Christ cannot sin, and therefore the curse of death does not apply to Him (Rom. 5:12). Jesus did NOT die as a result of having a sin nature, but was murdered by His own at the age of 33. He "aged" to Perfection from the Cradle to the Cross, and accomplished all that His Father foreordained by fulfilling the Perfect Will of God (Ps. 16:10; Jn. 5:19; 8:29; Acts 2:23; 4:27-28). The redeemed of all the ages will understand with perfect knowledge the True Meaning of ONE as they will SEE God in all His Glory.
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for [WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS]." (1 John 3:1-2)
The Greek verb "see" (Grk. optanomai -- future middle indicative). To SEE GOD is to see Him in All His Full Glory in the Eternal State when God may be ALL IN ALL (1 Cor. 15:28). Christ will reign for 1,000 years upon the Earth, and after the consummation of the Millennial reign, God and Christ will continue to reign for all of Eternity as God the Father AND the Son sits on the Eternal Throne in the Eternal State. The Triune God will be manifested in His FULL GLORY, and the entire Family of God will see THE FACE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD (i.e., "God the Father") in the person of Jesus Christ (Matt. 11:27; 16:27; Jn. 1:18; 10:30; 14:9; 17:5; 1 Tim. 6:16).
"And there shall be no more curse: but [THE THRONE OF GOD AND OF THE LAMB] shall be in it; and his servants shall serve [HIM]: And they shall see [HIS FACE]; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for [THE LORD GOD GIVETH THEM LIGHT]: and they shall reign for ever and ever." (Revelation 22:3-5)
"And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for [THE GLORY OF GOD DID LIGHTEN IT], and [THE LAMB IS THE LIGHT] thereof." (Revelation 21:23)
The Lamb is the Light that God the Father gives to His redeemed, and it is a SHARED GLORY within the TRIUNE BEING of the Godhead. This Full manifestation of the Invisible God and His Glory is seen in the Face of the Son on the Eternal Throne. The redeemed throughout history will be Immersed in the Glorious Light of God and His Christ Forever and ever. Believers are ONE in the Body of Christ, and this is an appetizer of what will come about in the Eternal State; then will they know the meaning of ONE in the Truest sense of the Word (cf. Jn. 14:20; 17:21; 1 Cor. 6:17; 12:13).
"And now, O Father, [GLORIFY THOU ME WITH THINE OWN SELF] with the glory which I had with thee [BEFORE THE WORLD WAS]." (John 17:5)
"For the Son of man shall come [IN THE GLORY OF HIS FATHER] with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." (Matthew 16:27)
"And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, [BE OF GOOD CHEER] (Grk. tharseite -- present imperative; i.e., a command to "take courage"); [IT IS I] (Grk. ego eimi -- present indicative; i.e., "THE ETERNAL I AM"); [BE NOT AFRAID] (Grk. me hobeisthe -- present imperative; i.e., "a command to FEAR NOT"). And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, [HE WAS AFRAID]; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" (Matthew 14:25-31)
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you [another Comforter] (Grk. allon parakleton), that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: [I will come to you]." (John 14:16-18)
The Greek word "another" means another of the SAME kind (i.e., "Of the same essence with the Holy Spirit"). Jesus will come to them when He sends the Holy Spirit to indwell True Believers at Pentecost (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 12:13). This is not semantic nonsense, this is CONTEXT according to the Totality of Scripture; for Scripture is the best interpreter of Scripture, and Context is KING. Jesus would come to His followers (Grk. erchomai -- future indicative in the middle voice) when the Holy Spirit is sent to His disciples to equip them for their ministry.
Moreover, if God were to be Unipersonal, then who is this Perfect Love directed at? If that were to be the case, then the God revealed in Holy Scripture is no different than the god of Islam; and he is the epitome of an arrogant, unworthy, and self-serving person. God, by definition, is a Being who is PERFECT in all His Divine Attributes, and they are Immutable. Therefore, it stands to reason that in order for the Eternal and Immortal God to possess a Perfect Love, this Perfect Love must have been directed towards someone other than Himself, and this person must also possess a Perfect Love from Eternity past (cf. Isa. 42:1; Jer. 31:3; Matt. 12:18; Jn. 1:1; 3:35; 5:20; 17:26; Phil. 2:6; Col. 1:19; Heb. 1:3).
"Thou believest that there is [one God]; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble (Grk. phrisso; lit., "have one's hair stand on end")." (James 2:19)
The verse cited above does not say that God is One [Person], it says that God is ONE in the literal translation of the Greek grammar. The Divine Attributes of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the same (Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent). Omnipresent does not imply that God is literally IN all things (e.g., "Pantheism"). Does Christ have and agreement with Satan? Are we to have fellowship with unbelievers who want nothing to do with the Truth? God will dwell with His people, and will be in them; He will not live among the unregenerate, nor will He partake with the world and its system (cf. Jn. 18:36; 2 Cor. 6:14-16; Jas. 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:15-17; Rev. 18:4).
The Apostle John, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote:
"He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will [MANIFEST MYSELF] to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and [we will come unto him, and MAKE OUR ABODE with him]." (John 14:21-23)
"That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; [Who ONLY hath immortality], dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom [no man hath seen, NOR CAN SEE]: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen." (1 Timothy 6:14-16)
"[I AM HE THAT LIVETH] (Grk. zao; present participle), and [WAS DEAD] (Grk. ginomai nekros; aorist indicative); and, behold, [I AM ALIVE FOR EVERMORE] (Grk. idou eimi zao eis aion; aorist imperative/present tense/present participle), Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou [hast seen], and the things [which are], and the things [which shall be] hereafter;" (Revelation 1:18-19)
It is the Holy Spirit of God that raised Jesus from the dead (Rom. 1:4; 8:11; 1 Pet. 3:18). Jesus also proclaimed that He will raise Himself from the dead (Jn. 2:19; 10:17-18; 11:25). The Bible also teaches that God the Father has raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 2:24,32; Rom. 6:4).
This will be continued in my next message . . .
God Bless!
 

The Furnace Of Affliction - Part Two
Come Forth As Gold

The Furnace Of Affliction - Part One
As Silver Is Tried

I guess I still got a sermon section here. ?

Thankful For The Love Of God

Love is not an emotion (though it may effect them) - love is a choice. Love is an action verb. Always seeking the best for others.

John 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.

John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 5:6-10  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 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. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

When we were at our worst, God gave His best! He proved/showed/demonstrated His love to us by sending His Son to die on the cross for our sins.

1 John 4:8-10  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us.

We learn love through the Lord Jesus Christ's example for us - He loved us first!

Consider each point of the description of love in 1 Corinthians 13, thinking about Christ’s/God’s love as an example for us, and how our love is to be towards others and towards the Lord in return.

The word translated as charity here is the Greek word agape. It means "love," and is often referred as the deep love of God, a self-sacrificial love that desires the best for others. Matthew Henry points out that the word charity was used by the translators to indicate when they believed love towards BOTH God and man was in view in that particular verse or passage.

1 Corinthians 13:4  Charity suffereth long, - Longsuffering, forbearing. Webster's 1828 Dictionary gives this as one of his definitions for forbearance: "The exercise of patience; long suffering; indulgence towards those who injure us; lenity; delay of resentment or punishment."
 
In the Gospel Mission, we often see people at the lowest point in their lives, and there are some that are extremely difficult to handle at times - but love forbears and still reaches out to them, helping them and caring for them.

The Bible speaks in various places of God's forbearance towards us. Several references are:

Colossians 3:13-14 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

and is kind; - Webster’s: Kind: "1. Disposed to do good to others, and to make them happy by granting their requests, supplying their wants or assisting them in distress; having tenderness or goodness of nature; benevolent; benignant.
2. Proceeding from tenderness or goodness of heart; benevolent; as a kind act; a kind return of favors."

Real love is not just wishing others well, but putting shoe leather on our intentions and doing good to others.

Psalm 92:1-2 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

charity envieth not; - Webster's: Envy:  "v.t. [L. invideo, in and video, to see against, that is, to look with enmity.]
1. To feel uneasiness, mortification or discontent, at the sight of superior excellence, reputation or happiness enjoyed by another; to repine at another's prosperity; to fret or grieve one's self at the real or supposed superiority of another, and to hate him on that account.
2. To grudge; to withhold maliciously.
EN'VY, n. Pain, uneasiness, mortification or discontent excited by the sight of another's superiority or success, accompanied with some degree of hatred or malignity, and often or usually with a desire or an effort to depreciate the person, and with pleasure in seeing him depressed. Envy springs from pride, ambition or love, mortified that another has obtained what one has a strong desire to possess."

Love does not hate/despise someone else because of what they have or because they are better off in some way than you. The love of God in believers - produced through the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit in us - enables us to desire and work towards the best for others, just as the Lord is working out all things for good in our own lives. 

Romans 5:5b ...because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

1 John 3:17-18 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

charity vaunteth not itself, - Is not boastful; doesn’t brag about themself.

is not puffed up, - Is not inflated with pride. 

I have seen many in our community and even some that come through our doors that look down on others - whether these others are clients or staff at the Mission - because the image of homelessness or low income families disgusts them. That is pride - agape love cares for others and does not elevate themselves above those in need. Neither does it look down on those who are struggling with sin in their lives, knowing we are just as prone to wander, and just as much in need of the Lord's forgiveness and cleansing in our own lives. There is no place for pride in the heart of a saved individual - the ground is level at the foot of the cross.

1 Corinthians 13:5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, - Does not act in an inappropriate manner towards others. 

True love will do what is right around others, will not treat them wrong or act towards them in an ungodly way.

One passage that comes to mind about our Saviour shows that He did not flip out or act inappropriately, even when dealing with lost sinners. I cringe whenever I hear shouting in the hallways where I live, where a husband and wife (or parents and children) are yelling at each other, cursing each other out, but Jesus never did that when He ministered here on earth. He showed His love towards those around Him (and still shows it towards us), even when He needed to correct their sin.

Matthew 12:18-21 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and a smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

seeketh not her own, - Is not selfish, self-centered, is looking out for the best for others, not simply for themself.

is not easily provoked, - Not easily exasperated with others. 

Following up on the book of James (which we covered at the Mission last month), love is slow to wrath, slow to be angry or frustrated with others, slow to retaliate or respond in the same manner (leaving vengeance in the Lord's hands). Sometimes it is hard not to react badly when someone is cursing you out or dumping on you (as we sometimes say), but true love tries to react in a Christ-like manner. And, no, that does not mean we never get upset at sin or someone's bad behavior - but we learn more how to bear it and deal with it it a right way that honors the Lord and responds appropriately.

thinketh no evil; - Strong's Concordance: Thinketh: "to take an inventory, i.e. estimate...:--conclude...."
- Strong's: Evil: "worthless (intrinsically such...), that is (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious:--bad, ...harm[ful], ...wicked."

Of course, love means we should not be thinking wicked or harmful thoughts about/towards others - but I find the definition here interesting. We are not to think of others as "worthless." In this ministry, we have many coming through our doors that no longer feel they are of value to others - YET God considers them of worth, and we should too - if we claim to have love for them.

1 Corinthians 13:6  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, - Strong's: Rejoiceth:"to be full of 'cheer',... be glad."
- Strong's: Iniquity: "(legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness (of character, life or act):--iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong."

Not glad for injustice done to others. There are many in our society, even on the street, that take pleasure when wrong is done to others, when someone is ripped off, when others are treated unfairly (kind of like bullies in school). Part of the definition refers to legal injustice done - we see a lot of that in our world, when a judge lets the wicked off and the righteous or innocent get charged falsely and lose what they have. Love does not rejoice in this!

but rejoiceth in the truth; - Strong's: Rejoiceth: "to sympathize in gladness, congratulate:--rejoice in (with)."
- Strong's: Truth: "true (as not concealing)."

Real love rejoiceth when the truth comes out, when the righteous and the innocent are vindicated. The Lord will right the injustices we face in life - whether now or in eternity.

Psalm 37:5-6 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

1 Corinthians 13:7  Beareth all things, - Strong's: Beareth: "to roof over, i.e. (figuratively) to cover with silence (endure patiently)."

Love covers the sins of others, overlooks them, does not hold them against someone.

1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

One of the main themes of the Bible is Christ's atonement for our sins. Atonement means "to cover." Jesus' blood covers the repentant believer's sins and washes them away; therefore, they are no longer held against that believer. Only God's love can do that!

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Psalm 103:10-14 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

believeth all things, - Strong's: Believeth: "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ)."

How is your walk with the Lord? Are you growing in your faith? Love towards God is believing all that He has said.

hopeth all things, - Hope means "confident expectation."

Loving God is believing and receiving His promises - confidently expecting Him to fulfill them as He is working in your life.

endureth all things. - Strong's: Endureth: "to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere."

Loving the Lord is enduring the trials He allows in your life - knowing every single one of them has a purpose, and one of those purposes is to make you more like your Saviour. Are you trusting in your Heavenly Father - believing all things, hoping all things, enduring all things He has planned for you?

1 Corinthians 13:8a  Charity never faileth: - Never: "Not even at any time, i.e. never at all."
- Strong's: Faileth: "to drop away; specially, be driven out of one's course; figuratively, to lose, become inefficient:--...take none effect."

God's love will NEVER, EVER fail! He will ALWAYS fulfill His work in your life. He will NEVER be driven out of course in His plan for you. His love will NEVER lose its power, NEVER become inefficient, NEVER be of no effect in your life.

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, when His love is shed abroad in our hearts and we are actively showing that love to those around us in a Christlike and Biblical manner (emphasis on loving others in a Biblical manner, because there is much fluff in our modern thinking of love), it WILL have a lasting, powerful, transforming effect on others - just as the Lord's love has had a life changing effect on you (if you are His child).

Loving others is in accordance with obeying the Lord and following His Word - ie. loving others is doing right towards them.

1 John 5:2-3 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

2 Peter 1:3-11 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 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. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Right now, faith, hope, and charity (love towards God and man) abide - they remain, are lasting, endure. In eternity, faith and hope will be done away with, they will have fulfilled their purpose. There will be no more need for faith, as we will be walking by sight, we will see our Saviour and our saved loved ones face to face. There will be no more need for hope, for confidently expecting the Lord to keep His promises, as we will see the fulfillment of all He has promised and all Bible prophecies come to pass.

However, charity - love towards God and man - will last forever. We will be dwelling in God's presence, worshipping and loving Him, and living in love with our brethren in Christ. Charity will endure forever - no wonder the greatest of these is charity (love)!

1 John 4:16-17 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect (complete), that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Most of us are quite familiar with John 3:16, but how many of us know 1 John 3:16?

1 John 3:16  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Are you thankful for God's love? Have you responded to it by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? Are you showing that love to others?

Ah, the love of God - one of my favourite themes, and one of my favorite hymns:  
The Love Of God
(Lyrics: Frederick Lehman)

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Chorus:
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.

When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

Preached October 10th/2010
Written October 11th/2010
Jerry Bouey

 
“The Kindness of God”
2 Samuel 9:1-13 David & Mephibosheth
The theme of this story is the kindness of God. In David’s life, we can see the kindness of God. Because David and God had an intimate relationship, David developed a kind heart.
Background
Before David became the King of Israel King Saul tried to kill David and prevent David from becoming King over Israel. King Saul was David’s enemy. For seven years, David fled from King Saul.
 
Except during times of  religious expediency, King Saul did not obey God. He rebelled against God, listened to the people, and had a stubborn heart.
 
God rejected King Saul and anointed David to be king over Israel. 1 Samuel 15:10 & 11 and 23 says, “Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried all night.” and, Samuel told King Saul, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king."
 
King Saul is like many people. Most people, yea, even a lot of religious people, reject the will of God because they are rebellion against the Bible, stubborn, and will only listen to the world.
 
David, before he became King, had a close relationship with King Saul’s son, Jonathan. Jonathan was an individual who had a love for God, for the will of God, and for the man of God.
 
Verse 1-3, “And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.”
 
King David loved God and God gave David peace and love in his heart. King David did not have hate nor have bitterness in his heart towards the house of Saul. King David put into practice the love and kindness of God. “Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old.” Psalm 25:6
 
King David is a good example for us how we should love our enemies and exhibit the love and kindness of God. In this passage twice, King David said that he wanted to show the kindness of God towards the house of Saul. Jonathan was King Saul’s son and a friend of David. Mephibosheth was Jonathan’s son and King Saul’s grandson.
 
Mephibosheth was lame. He could not walk nor could he earn money. He was very poor. Mephibosheth was the grandson of Saul. Mephibosheth represents the Christian. Before we are saved, we are a child of the Devil and unworthy to enter into the presence of God and into heaven. And, only the love and mercy of God makes us worthy enough to enter heaven.
 
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.) Ephesians 2:4 and 5
 
Love Produces Kindness
 
Verse 5 & 6, “Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lodebar. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!”
 
Please note that even though David was the King he sought Mephibosheth. King David is a type of God. God loves us and He is seeking us. 1 John 4:9 & 10 says, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
 
God loves us!
 
The Lord Jesus, the Son of God, said, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10 God is seeking the salvation of man in order for man to escape the torment of hell and enter the joy of heaven.
 
Jesus loves us!
 
Verse 7 & 8, “And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is they servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?”
 
The first words out of the mouth of King David was “Fear not.” King David relieved the heart of Mephibosheth. Is that not like the kindness of God? “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10
 
Mephibosheth realized that he was not worthy to receive this honor and was humble. In this passage, Mephibosheth twice said that he is David’s servant and did not deserve his mercy.
 
Before we are saved, we are unworthy to enter into the presence of the King of Heaven. We deserve to go to hell. Like Mephibosheth, we need to have a grateful heart to the king of heaven and be God’s servant and follow Jesus.
 
Verse 13, “So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.”
 
King David gave commandments that his servants were to provide the physical necessities for Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth could not take care of himself so David took care of his needs.
The Lord Jesus is our king and one day we will sit at His table in heaven and eat. The Lord Jesus, as an added blessing to the salvation of our soul, will give us a new, glorified body, and will take care of the needs of our new body for eternity. Revelation 19:9, “And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”
Conclusion
The story of King David and Mephibosheth is a wonderful story of the loving kindness and mercy of God. It shows us how God gave David love for his enemies’ grandchild. It shows us the humility of Mephibosheth and love and kindness of God in a practical manner. It shows us how God will take care of our spiritual, physical, and eternal needs.
 
Like King David, when we have a close relationship with God we can have the love and kindness of God in our hearts.
 
God loves us! He is Merciful and Gracious! Before we loved God He loved us! Because God loves us He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die on the cross and become the propitiation for our sins. This story shows us how God is seeking man for the eternal salvation of our soul so we can escape the torment of hell and enter into the joy of heaven.
 
“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.” John 3:16
 

The Cost of a Soul
We are a cost conscious people. We always want to know the cost of what we are going to buy, or even the cost of what someone else has bought. Food, clothes, car, house, or vacation; we want to know the cost.
We would never dream of buying anything without first finding out how much it cost. But how many in the Christian world consider the cost of their belief system, their salvation, or their soul?
First let me say that I am not suggesting that these things need to be considered and weighed to determine if salvation is worth the cost. No; what I want to examine is more in the realm of appreciation for those things that we many times just take for granted in regard to our salvation. This applies more to an actual realization, after the fact, that there is a cost to these things.
While it is true that salvation is a free gift from God to me, it is also true that my salvation has a cost attached to it. Even though a soul has infinite worth to both the Creator and the created, it is not something that we can put a dollar value on. The value of a soul must be measured in a spiritual sense, rather than a worldly sense.
The creation of the first soul is recorded in Gen.2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Even though man is in possession of this soul, it belongs to God by right of creation: Eze. 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Text: Mt. 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
God, in His infinite grace, has allowed man to have a say in what happens to his soul. In the world of religion we call this “free will”. We won’t get into the controversy regarding man’s free will and God’s foreknowledge and predestination; that’s a subject for another time. But it is needful to point out that while we yet draw breath, while we remain alive; we have a choice regarding what will happen to our soul once we lay down this physical life. Deut. 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Once this body goes into the grave, the soul that God gave it goes back to Him. At that time, what He does with it will totally depend on what we have, or have not done with it in this life.  I say this so that you might consider what the present condition of your soul is. Is it still dead in trespass and sin, or is it alive to God? Eph. 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Rom. 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now let’s look at the cost of a soul to a Christian.
He gives his life and trusts God to sustain him.
Luke 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for      your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
 23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
 24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse   nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
 25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
 26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
 27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
 28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
 29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
He subjects himself to the ridicule of the world.
1Cor. 4:10 We are fools for Christ's sake.  1Cor. 4:13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Turning to Jesus for the salvation of his soul costs him his former friends.
Mat. 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.   Mat. 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
I have experienced this first hand. I used to be one of the ones who ridiculed and shunned Christians. But then, once I actually turned to Christ for Salvation I found that those who had been friends before now shunned me.
Next on my list of the cost of a soul to the Christian is his money.
Luke. 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
It costs real money to build church buildings. If The Lord wants a church building in a specific place He will supply all that it takes to accomplish His will. The means by which he accomplishes this is through His people. It is not right for God’s people to turn to the world to build their church building. Many churches err in this kind of thinking. They set out to build a church building and immediately obligate God and their fellow church members to the world through worldly financing schemes. This does not honor God.
My God is not a beggar that He needs to turn to the world to build His house. What hypocrisy we practice in paying usury to worldly institutions.
Psm. 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it.
I have a very low opinion of churches holding bake sales, raffles, and yard sales to finance the work of God. I firmly believe that the work of God should be financed wholly by His people. Some might argue, “But we don’t take in enough money to build a building.” To this I would answer with a question; Are we walking by faith or by sight?
David is an excellent example of the provision to be made for the building God’s house. Although he wanted to build God’s house, God would not allow him to do so. But that didn’t stop him from preparing for it.
1Chron. 22:5 And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.
1Chron. 22:3 And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;
1Chron. 22:14 Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.
 15 Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.
 16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.
David spent his fortune to prepare for the building of God’s house.
And what of mission work? Perhaps we ourselves cannot go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature; but we can certainly financially support those who do. What a wonderful blessing it is to see God work through His people, to see Him accomplish the impossible, humanly speaking. I have seen this concept work regarding mission work in Far East Russia. Two whole missionary families surrendered to go and start a mission work in an inhospitable country. The financial aspect of such an effort was seemingly impossible. But by faith we, as a church, took on the responsibility of sponsoring this work. We were a small congregation of less than forty members. God rewarded our step of faith in a miraculous way. Word of our missionary work spread and finances began to come in from sister churches all over the nation.
And last, but not least is the cost to Christians and churches for relief of the poor, both in our midst and also those outside of the church.
Last in the cost of a soul to the Christian is his time.
 
Sadly, many church members today think that showing up for church services Sunday morning fulfills his obligation to serve God. It would come as a shock to some church members who believe this to see their service to God and church put in its proper perspective. God gives us 168 hours of time in every week. Out of that time, we give back to Him 1 hour.
Our time can be one of the most precious elements we can use to serve our God, as well as our fellow man. A Christian who realizes his responsibility to his God will find that there is a huge list of demands on the time God has given him. To list just few will be sufficient.
Time for personal study and worship; time for preparation in his service, whether it be in presenting God’s word, or even for being a real help to others; time to prepare to witness and testify for his Lord and Saviour. 2Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
He must not neglect time to serve his church in secular ways. For instance, the pastor of a church is called by God to preach the Gospel, teach and exhort his church members, and to be the leader that God has called him to be. Is it reasonable to expect that God’s man also perform the mundane, secular responsibilities of things such as; being the bus driver, mowing the lawn, maintaining the building; cleaning the church and cleaning toilets? Is it reasonable? My answer to my own question is NO! These are all functions that church members should take on as part of their service to God. The pastor has his ministry, but individual church members also have their ministry. Many people do not understand that a ministry is not confined to only spiritual things.
Since this sermon is progressing into more of a book than a sermon, I would like to move on to: The cost of a soul to God.
God has moved all heaven and earth to regain the fellowship that was lost when man fell in Adam. All of bible history, which includes all of this earth’s history, has as its goal the redemption of fallen man. For almost 6,000 years God has used many different methods in His plan to redeem man. Our bible is just one example. In it He gave the law and ordinances as pictures of his purpose for man.
Throughout the Old Testament he gave prophets to verbally speak to man about His purposes. They literally gave man the messages that God had for them.
He gave us kings and people of all kinds as illustrations of his great truths.
In the New Testament he shows us Grace, repentance and faith, which leads us to Him.
The cost of souls resulted in great anguish of heart and great sorrow on God’s part.
In Gen. 1:31 We have a record of God’s finished work in creation; as he created it, it was very good.  And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
But disobedient man changed all that was good of God’s work in creation: Listen as God pleads with those he named as His people: Mat. 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Separation from the Son was just a part of the cost of men’s souls to God. In John 17:5 we read the prayer of Jesus concerning this separation and His yearning to have it restored. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
The cost of souls to God was so great that only God could pay it. The God of all heaven and earth came down in the form of His son to pay the price that only He could pay.
Joh. 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
In the end it cost Him the life of His son. For me he had to not only forsake His only son, but to also punish Him for my sin. The words of Jesus on the cross attest to this when he cried out. “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Mat. 27:46
The cost of a soul to Jesus. 
He died the horrible death of the cross for me.
 His entire life on this earth was spent for the benefit of others. He had no home, no social life. His life was spent walking the length and breath of Israel, for the sole purpose of seeking and saving lost mankind.
Never once do we find him complaining or thinking of himself. He never did anything for his own benefit. His sole purpose in life was to accomplish His father’s will and reconcile man to God. In John 5:30 Jesus says, “I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”
The God of heaven walked this earth clothed in flesh. How could that cost him? It cost him in that, he was God, and lowered himself to the place of man. He put aside all that he had as God for me. John. 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
So, after all that has been said we come to the inescapable conclusion that while salvation is free to me, there is a cost. There is great value placed on man’s soul and that price was so great that God had to pay for it himself. John. 3:16

The two branches of God's rule on earth is the Church and the Courts. In Psalm 82 we deal with the authority that God has given to the Judges of the earth. We learn that they are treated as "gods" because they have been given authority from God to dispense His justice, over Mankind, on His behalf. While this Authority is invested primarily in the Judges it also extends over and applies to the executives as the executors of the judge's ruling of the Law.

In this sermon we deal with the Judges roles in a civilized society and their responsibility before God to Judge in righteous Judgement. We also deal with the responsibility of Christians to do their best to make sure righteous and godly men are appointed to the rule of law in our Nations. We also deal with the fact that as Christians, it is better to settle our civil (not criminal) problems outside of court, and even suffer to be defrauded, rather than allow an unrighteous judge to rule over disputes among Believers.

We also show how the same Spirit that gives the Judge his authority is in every New Testament Believer. This Spirit was called by Christ as "the Word of God" by which the Judges were to discern righteous judgement (John 10:34-36). Therefor we also, as the Sons of God, should also make righteous judgments and actions as they pertain to our own lives and relationships, as God will also hold us accountable in following His Word.

Preached: December 12, 2018 Wednesday Night. By Pastor John Young, at Edgecliff Baptist Church, Spokane Valley, WA. https://www.facebook.com/EdgecliffCBC/

(Please like, share, and subscribe to the Youtube channel for more Bible Sermons!)

#CivilAuthority #YeAregods #JudgeRighteousJudgement #JudgesAreTheFoundationOfSociety #GodJudgesTheJudgers #SonsOfGod #ChildrenOfGod #Psalm82 #John1034