John Young

Every woman has a choice in life to make and The Path that they take will determine the outcome of their life. They have two paths they can take. The path of the Strange Woman (Proverbs Chapter 7) or the path of the Virtuous Woman (Proverbs Chapter 31). In this sermon we contrast the two so that each woman can see the indicators in their own life to see what path they are on and so that the can correct their ways to get fully on the virtuous path and to avoid the traps of the Strange woman who's discontented spirit seeks to pull them away and destroy their life and full potential for peace and joy.
(Preached Sunday Evening, 4-30-2023, by Pastor John Young, at Maranatha Bible Baptist Church, 16990 S 38th St, Mendon, MI 49072, Between Fulton and Menden in Wakeshma Township, Near Kalamazoo and Battle Creek in South West Michigan, https://www.facebook.com/MbbcFulton)
 

Up to this point in the Book of Romans, Paul the Apostle showed us the Spiritual facts of our faith in Christ. He now concludes the review of facts and focuses on living that faith outwardly in our life, showing the importance of using the Spirit to manifest in, and to rule over, our mind and body. He starts with the assurance that sin can no longer harm our Spiritual relationship with God (No Condemnation in Christ), then how the carnal mind and corrupt flesh needs to be controlled as it opposes and hinders God and hinders our Spirit from growing in us and manifesting outwardly. 
In this message we also note how the two laws that govern us, one in our Spirit (law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus) and the law in our flesh (law of sin and death) are in conflict within us. Yet the flesh will die but the Spirit will continue. Therefor, we owe the mortal flesh nothing and should not allow it to hinder our Spirit which is eternal. We also show how faith should live through and quicken our bodies rather than allowing the body to cause us to be dead towards our faith (James 2:14-26).

James 2:14-26 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
 
 

The Holy Ghost indwells all believers and is personal proof to each of us that we are the Spiritual children, Born of God. In this passage Paul the Apostle shows us how we can discern the Holy Ghost that is within us. In particular the willingness to suffer with Christ, to Hope for our future redemption, and to groan for the things of God, are several of the evidences within us that we have a spiritual union with the Holy Spirit.
In this message we also show how these evidences of Spiritual union, while still in a corrupt mortal body, are used to develop and prepare the believer for eternity. For through them, our character, by our loving father, is trained to rely and focus on our union with Him, by Christ, rather than the abuse of our gift of redeemed freedom in self will or self reliance.
 

Binding Covenants are powerful unions between partners that are mutually beneficial yet also come with detrimental consequences if they are violated. In this passage Solomon shows the benefits and importance of binding the correct things to one's self and uses the difference between Fornication and Adultery, and theft to show how violating those covenants, whither your own or someone else's, is not something a wise person should do.  
(Preached Sunday Evening, 3-26-2023, by Pastor John Young, at Maranatha Bible Baptist Church, 16990 S 38th St, Mendon, MI 49072, Between Fulton and Menden in Wakeshma Township, Near Kalamazoo and Battle Creek in South West Michigan, https://www.facebook.com/MbbcFulton)
Proverbs 20-35 
My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 21 bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. 22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. 23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: 24 to keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. 
25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. 26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. 27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? 28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? 29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. 
30 Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; 31 but if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. 32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. 34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. 35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
 
 

Having right character and integrity will ensure a strong foundation for all our interactions (Relationships) and determinations (carefully choosing right decisions for life). Many of the issues in life often stem from the fact that many have not properly determined and solidified their Godly character and their resolution to hold on to it. In this sermon we show what makes character Godly and how not to deviate from it when pressured to do so.
(Preached Sunday Evening, 2-05-2023, by Pastor John Young, at Maranatha Bible Baptist Church, 16990 S 38th St, Mendon, MI 49072, Between Fulton and Menden in Wakeshma Township, Near Kalamazoo and Battle Creek in South West Michigan, https://www.facebook.com/MbbcFulton)
Proverbs 3:1-12 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4 so shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. 9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: 12 for whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
 
 

In us we have two natures that are not our own but are seeking the affections of our (soul's) faith. One (is in the flesh) the lust of our corrupted flesh from Adam's sin, leading to death, and the other (is in our spirit) the light of Christ's Spirit seeking to quicken us, leading to life eternal. Both we are born with and feel their effects. Nether was our choice to be born with but we are influenced by them and given the choice to which we will submit to in faith.
In this message we deal with the natural physical and spiritual headship of the two men and what they give to ALL people simply by virtual of being born naturally into the world. We then deal with what happens when we willfully give our faith over to one or the other.
(Preached Sunday morning, 12-12-2021, by Pastor John Young, at Maranatha Bible Baptist Church, 16990 S 38th St, Mendon, MI 49072, Between Fulton and Menden in Wakeshma Township, Near Kalamazoo and Battle Creek in South West Michigan, https://www.facebook.com/MbbcFulton)
 

In Saving Faith our standing before God is no longer based on our merit or law keeping, but rather on Christ. In Christ we can stand secure for we stand or fall by His merit before God. Scripture is clear. The only way we can fall from salvation is if Christ falls first. And that can never happen! Therefore we have an eternally secure standing (Eternal Security) in Christ!
In this message we deal with our standing before God. Before being placed in Christ by faith we stood alone before God and must maintain our own righteousness before him. After being placed in Christ we no longer stand alone in our righteousness but rather partake in the Righteousness of Christ, which Christ keeps. We now move from falling on our own abilities to a place of standing secure in Christ. We show how the believer then partakes in all benefits that Christ enjoys with God without the danger of losing God's favor.
In addition to an eternally secure standing we also have other benefits by being in Christ which we deal with in this message; such as peace with God (as a son and not an enemy), free access to God by grace (instead of law), and the continual receiving of strength (to grow in Spiritual grace of Christ's Life, rather than struggling in fleshly fear, as if trying to maintain our own feeble standing).
(Preached Sunday morning, 12-5-2021, by Pastor John Young, at Maranatha Bible Baptist Church, 16990 S 38th St, Mendon, MI 49072, Between Fulton and Menden in Wakeshma Township, Near Kalamazoo and Battle Creek in South West Michigan, https://www.facebook.com/MbbcFulton)
 

Closed Communion
James Foley
 
I Corinthians 11:17-34: "Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's Supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come."

INTRODUCTION

Historic Baptists, true Baptists, have believed in and still believe in closed communion. Baptists impose upon themselves the same restrictions that they impose on others concerning the Lord’s Supper. Baptists have always insisted that it is the Lord’s Table, not theirs; and He alone has the right to say who shall sit at His table. No amount of so called brotherly love, or ecumenical spirit, should cause us to invite to His table those who have not complied with the requirements laid down plainly in His inspired Word. With respect to Bible doctrines we must always use the scripture as our guide and practice. For Baptists, two of the most important doctrines are Baptism and The Lord’s Supper. These are the only two doctrines we recognize as Church Ordinances. The Bible is very clear in teaching how these doctrines are to be practiced and by whom.

We only have two ordinances that we must never compromise or we risk our very existence, they are Baptism and The Lord’s Supper.

The moment we deviate from the precise method God has prescribed we have started down the slippery slope of error. True Baptists have held fast to the original doctrine of The Lord’s Supper from the time of Christ and the Apostles.

Unfortunately, in this day of what the Bible describes as the age of luke warmness, Baptists are becoming careless in regard to strictly following the pattern laid out for us in Scripture. Many of our Bible colleges are graduating otherwise sincere, Godly and dedicated pastors and teachers who have not been taught the very strict, biblical requirements that surround the Lord’s Supper. Any Bible college that neglects to teach its students the differences surrounding Closed Communion, Close Communion and Open Communion is not simply short changing its students; it is also not equipping their students to carry on sound Bible traditions. The result is men of God and churches that fall into error. And as we will see, this is serious error.

Should we as Baptists ignore the restrictions made by our Lord and Master? NO! When we hold to the restrictions placed upon the Lord’s Supper by our Master, we are defending the "faith which was once delivered to the saints" Jude 3.

The Lord’s Supper is rigidly restricted and I will show this in the following facts:

IT IS RESTRICTED AS TO PLACE

A. I Corinthians 11:18 says, "When ye come together in the church." This does not mean the church building; they had none. In other words, when the church assembles. The supper is to be observed by the church, in church capacity. Again this does not mean the church house. Ekklesia, the Greek word for church, means assembly. "When ye come together in the church," is when the church assembles.

B. When we say church we mean an assembly of properly baptized believers. Acts 2:41-42: "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

The church is made up of saved people who are baptized by immersion. In the Bible, belief precedes baptism. That’s the Bible way.

Acts 8:12-13, "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done."

When we say properly baptized, we mean immersed. No unbeliever should take the Lord’s supper, and no non-immersed believer should take the supper. Those who are sprinkled are not baptized and cannot receive the supper. The Greek word for baptize is baptizo, and it always means to immerse.

"In every case where communion is referred to, or where it may possibly have been administered, the believers had been baptized Acts 2:42; 8:12; 8:38; 10:47; 6:14-15; 18:8; 20:7. Baptism comes before communion, just as repentance and faith precede baptism".

C. The Lord’s Supper is for baptized believers in church capacity: "When ye come together in the church," again not a building, but the assembly of the properly baptized believers.

D. The fact that the Lord’s Supper is a church ordinance, to be observed in church capacity, is pointed out by the fact that it is for those who have been immersed and added to the fellowship of the church.

E. The Lord’s Supper is never spoken of in connection with individuals. When it is referred to, it is only referred to in reference to baptized believers in local church capacity I Cor. 11:20-26).

I want to quote Dr. W.W. Hamilton,

"The individual administration of the ordinance has no Bible warrant and is a relic of Romanism. The Lord’s Supper is a church ordinance, and anything which goes beyond or comes short of this fails for want of scriptural example or command".

“The practice of taking a little communion kit to hospitals, nursing homes, etc. is unscriptural and does not follow the scriptural example.”

IT IS RESTRICTED TO A UNITED CHURCH

A. The Bible in I Cor. 11:18 is very strong in condemning divisions around the Lord’s table. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.

There were no less than four divisions in the Corinthian church.
I Cor. 1:12: "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ."

Because of these divisions, it was impossible for them to scripturally eat the Lord’s Supper. Division in the local church is reason to hold off observing the Lord’s Supper. But there are also other reasons to forego taking the Lord’s Supper. If there is gross sin in the membership we do not take it. Here is scriptural evidence for this: 1Co 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:
8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

B. At this point, I want to ask these questions: Are there not doctrinal divisions among the many denominations? Is it not our doctrinal differences that cause us to be separate religious bodies?

IT IS RESTRICTED BY DOCTRINE

A. Those in the early church at Jerusalem who partook "continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine" Acts 2:42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

B. Those that do not hold to apostolic truth are not to partake. This means there is to be discipline in the local body. How can you discipline those who do not belong to the local body? You can’t. The clear command of scripture is to withdraw fellowship from those who are not doctrinally sound.

II Thes 3:6: "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us."
Rom. 16:17: "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."
To commune together means to have the same doctrine.
II Thes. 2:15: "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle."
II John 10-11: "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."

C. Some Baptists in our day have watered down this doctrine by practicing what they call “Close Communion.” By this they mean that they believe that members of another Baptist church may take communion with us because they are of the same beliefs. Once again, this is unscriptural.

The welcome to the Lord's Table should not be extended beyond the discipline of the local church. When we take the Lord’s Supper there is supposed to be no gross sin among us and no divisions among us. We have no idea of the spiritual condition of another church’s members. If there is sin or division in the case of this other church’s members, we have no way of knowing it. We cannot discipline them because they are not members of our church. This is why we practice “Closed” communion, meaning it is restricted solely to our church membership. 
So then, in closing I would like to reiterate the three different ideas concerning the Lord’s Supper and who is to take it. 
Closed Communion = Only members of a single local church. 
Close Communion = Members of like faith and order may partake. 
Open Communion = If you claim to be a Christian, or simply attending the service, you may partake. 
It is no small thing to attempt to change that which was implemented by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 
Mt. 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 
Many of our Baptist churches have a real need to consider the gravity of the act of observing The Lord’s Supper. It is not a light thing that is to be taken casually or without regard to the spiritual condition of ourselves or our church.
1Co. 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

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?

Mothers Day Sermon - Evangelist Dan Souza
 

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.
 
 

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 41:37-46, “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)
 
 

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.
 
 

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/
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#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)
 
 
 

Psalm 89 ends with the psalmist longing and asking for the sure and tender mercies of David that were promised to all men through David's house and covenant of Mercy. This shows us that this Spiritual house given to David by God was not just for King David but for all men who would join themselves to the Builder of that house and to David's descendant, the Christ, the Holy one Of Israel, King Jesus. (Isiah 55, Acts 13:34)
In the first three parts of Psalm 89 we are shown, with great confidence, the eternal plan of God, building a spiritual house of Mercy for us in the heavens and his ability to perform all that He has promised and finally the example of his covenant of mercy to us all as seen through the covenant of David. Yet in Part 4 of Psalm 89 we are brought back to the "here and now" by Ethan the Ezrahite, who is trying to reconcile the loving kindness God has for David and His promises to us, and his power, with their feelings of forsakenness, their sufferings, loss and destruction he sees them experiencing in the present times. We see that Ethan does not ask "why" God has chosen to allow thees things but asked "how long", showing that even now his groanings are not in doubt but in hope and longing for the final fulfillment of all things that were promised.
In this final sermon of Psalm 89 we summarize the chapter and encourage Christians to have faith in the eternal promises of God and that He is working even presently to bring them about, even in times when it is not apparent. Like the Psalmist, and even more, Christians can take comfort in the Promises of God through faith in Jesus Christ, the son of David, who said He was departing from us for a time to continue preparing rooms in that same Spiritual house for us. Until we reunite with Him in heaven, and as Paul, Christ's faithful servant and Apostle, said, He has gone on before us and has given us the "Ernest of the Spirit" to keep and prepare us for when he finishes his divine plans for eternity.

John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

2 Corinthians 5:1-5 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

To me Psalm 89 is one of the greatest Psalms of the Bible that has helped grow my understanding of bible theology greatly. It is my hope that God will bless the Christian as they study and apply it to their own understanding and that God might open the riches of its wisdom to you, giving you assurance in your eternal salvation and comfort in your times of suffering. Amen.

Preached: February 20, 2019 Wednesday Night. By Pastor John Young, at Edgecliff Baptist Church, Spokane Valley, WA. (Please like, share, and subscribe to the channel for more Bible Sermons!) #TenderMercies #SureMercies #lovingkindness #MerciesOfDavid #SonOfDavid #JesusChrist
 

Psalm 89 ends with the psalmist longing and asking for the sure and tender mercies of David that were promised to all men through David's house and covenant of Mercy. This shows us that this Spiritual house given to David by God was not just for King David but for all men who would join themselves to the Builder of that house and to David's descendant, the Christ, the Holy one Of Israel, King Jesus. (Isiah 55, Acts 13:34)
In the first three parts of Psalm 89 we are shown, with great confidence, the eternal plan of God, building a spiritual house of Mercy for us in the heavens and his ability to perform all that He has promised and finally the example of his covenant of mercy to us all as seen through the covenant of David. Yet in Part 4 of Psalm 89 we are brought back to the "here and now" by Ethan the Ezrahite, who is trying to reconcile the loving kindness God has for David and His promises to us, and his power, with their feelings of forsakenness, their sufferings, loss and destruction he sees them experiencing in the present times. We see that Ethan does not ask "why" God has chosen to allow thees things but asked "how long", showing that even now his groanings are not in doubt but in hope and longing for the final fulfillment of all things that were promised.
In this final sermon of Psalm 89 we summarize the chapter and encourage Christians to have faith in the eternal promises of God and that He is working even presently to bring them about, even in times when it is not apparent. Like the Psalmist, and even more, Christians can take comfort in the Promises of God through faith in Jesus Christ, the son of David, who said He was departing from us for a time to continue preparing rooms in that same Spiritual house for us. Until we reunite with Him in heaven, and as Paul, Christ's faithful servant and Apostle, said, He has gone on before us and has given us the "Ernest of the Spirit" to keep and prepare us for when he finishes his divine plans for eternity.

John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

2 Corinthians 5:1-5 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

To me Psalm 89 is one of the greatest Psalms of the Bible that has helped grow my understanding of bible theology greatly. It is my hope that God will bless the Christian as they study and apply it to their own understanding and that God might open the riches of its wisdom to you, giving you assurance in your eternal salvation and comfort in your times of suffering. Amen.

Preached: February 20, 2019 Wednesday Night. By Pastor John Young, at Edgecliff Baptist Church, Spokane Valley, WA. (Please like, share, and subscribe to the channel for more Bible Sermons!) #TenderMercies #SureMercies #lovingkindness #MerciesOfDavid #SonOfDavid #JesusChrist
 

"Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David." Christ is called the "Son of David" by the Old Testament believers for a reason and often those recognizing Jesus as that Christ, when he ministered physically on earth, would call upon him for mercy. One of the main reasons for this was because of the teaching here in Psalm 89. God had given Israel King David and His Spiritual House as a picture of the one day true King "the Holy One of Israel" that would come, granting both Spiritual and Physical mercy through His Spiritual Tabernacle, the NT Church. Psalm 89 taught them that David's descendant would be the "Holy One of Israel" and that God's covenant with King David would mirror God's covenant with those who believed on Christ, the Son of God.
In Part 3 of this 4 part message on Psalm 89 we show how God gave David and his house as a picture of His Spiritual Covenant of Mercy that was available for all to enter into by faith in Christ. We also show how, once received, this covenant could not be broken by later unfaithfulness by the receiver. Just as the covenant was secure with David and Christ, so it would be with all those who received it.

Preached: February 13, 2019 Wednesday Night. By Pastor John Young, at Edgecliff Baptist Church, Spokane Valley, WA. (Please like, share, and subscribe to the channel for more Bible Sermons!) #SonOfDavid #TheHolyOne #HaveMercy #CallUponHisName #Psalm89
 
 

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/

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