Cheap Religion
Samuel 2 24:18-25 Bargain hunters find no bargains at Gods County. Here be found everything at his command, without coat or much effort, but he refused. Judas – Ananias and Saphari – The rich ruler! I: David was a man after God’s own heart. 1. David was quick to recognize his own sins. 2. He refused to offer that which cost him nothing. 3. He was not willing to enjoy the blessing of God while others paid the price. 4. David was not seeking the blessing without the responsibilities. 5. He was not wiling to set back and leave the financial and spiritual burdens to others. 6. He realized the central truth, “You get what you pay for.” II: Saul’s religion was cheap enough to show disrespect and disobedience. 1. He intruded into the...
Divided Allegiance
Matthew 6:19-34, Timothy 1 6:5-11 The Kingdom is in operation now – The King will come again. Divided allegiance is a curse to any life or any people. A life would have a definite goal or it will wander aimlessly. I: “Take Heed” Jesus Warned of Covertness. 1. Paul warned about supposing that material possession was a sign of godliness. 2. “Withdrew” from people that live by this code of life. 3. Real riches is godliness with contentment. 4. Discontment robs one of the real joys of life. 5. All of the Earth’s perishables slip from the lifeless hand of death. 6. We take no more materials out of life than we arrived with. We paint with nothing. II: “Life consists not in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Luke...
What Christians Ought to Be
Peter 2 3:11, Corinthians 1 13:1-13 (The Laws of His Life) Almost everyone can tell you what a Christian ought to be. Men that refuse God can still give quite a lecture on how a Christian ought to live. I: A Separated People: 1. A radical change has taken place. 2. Christ has placed a gulf between the saved and lost. 3. Old things have passed away. Paul said like filthy rags. 4. There is not a difference in words, but actions. II: Praying People: 1. George Adam Claek, while climbing a storm-swept mountain: “On your knees, the only safe way is on your knees.” 2. A habitual study of the word brings convictions that change our lives. 3. No one becomes a mature Christian without strong convictions. 4. We must believe sin kills and the cross saves. III:...
You’re In The Areana
Hebrews 12:1-2 I: The Arean’s of Paul’s Day: 1.Christians attended but often as the pray of wild animals. 2. Exciting races, death, and life was often the main attraction. 3. Roads leading to the arena were often decorated by bronze bust and plaques of champions. 4. The ambition of every contestant was to have his name on a plaque. 5. The Christian’s names were paced in the “lambs book of life.” Their sin was running a worthy race with the gal in aim to please Jesus. II: The Two Races compared: 1. Both have spectators. a. “A cloud of witnesses.” Hebrews 11. b. Arena of Rome, pleasure mad. 2. Beth has strong motives. a. The Christian has earthly and heavenly spectators. b. Strength in assurances of victory on the premise...
Heaven
Revelations 21:1-7 I: Types of Heaven: 1. Eden — means pleasure or delight. Man’s paradise was lost. 2. Candan was a type of heaven. a. Home for the people of God. b. A home of plenty. 3. Jerusalem — A glorious city. 4. The temple and the church. a. A place to meet God and worship. 5. The Sabbath — Rest and peace. 6. Father and Home. II: Figures of Heaven: 1. A place — “I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2 2. A city — “Here we have no abiding city, but we seek one to come.” Hebrews 13:14. “He hath prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:16. 3. A House — “We have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Corinthians 2 5:1. 4. A Kingdom:...
Training To Make A Difference
Ecclesiastes 10:10 I: “We can if we want to.” 1. “Age and circumstances may limit your formal schooling, but not your education.” Dobbins 2. Preparation for effective leadership will make definite demands upon those that would lead. 3. The greatest single need of our churches is usually trained and dedicated leaders. 4. Capable, dependable, and responsible leadership is a rare commodity. 5. Our church’s people complain about poor leadership, but far too many are willing to take up the responsibility of changing the picture. 6. No one can be in full fellowship of a church and refuse to share its faith and works. II: Solomon said: 1. “If the iron be blunt.” 2. The full ax may get the job done, but it uses up more time and...
“I Have Finished My Course”
Timothy 2 4:6-8, Kings 2 2:11- (Scottice Castle) Proverbs 2 9-19, Corinthians 2 11:23-28 His Curse (Apollo 8 – December 1968) I: The Time of my departure is at hand. 1. Paul the Great Preacher was something to the close of his earthly journey as every man must do. 2. The time for his appearance before God was near. 3. He was getting ready to make his report to God. II: “I have fought a good fight.” 1. With joy he looked back on his Christian hardships as soldier of Christ. 2. It was a comfort to know that he had done his best.3. There was no storm of remorse sweeping across his soul. (Saul – “I have played the fool”). III: “I have finished my course.” 1. Mission completed. Coming home. 2. He had not started a...
The Valley of Dry Bones
Ezekiel 37:1-14 I: Exekiel set a watchman to Israel: 1. They were in captivity a long ways from home. 2. They were few in number. 3. They had given up hope. 4. Their harps were hung on the willow trees; No songs in their hearts. 5. They had refused God. II: “I Sat Where They Sat.” 1. No one is fit to speak for God until he is able to wear the other mans shoes. (compassion). 2. He heard their complaints. 3. He had gone in bitterness to those who were preoccupied with their own problems. 4. Their God was too small to deliver them (He may have been dead)! 5. “Our homes are dried up we are like dead men.” III: “The hand of the Lord was upon me.” 1. Ezekiel was sat down in a valley of dry bones. 2. He was made to...
Gods Concern for Justice
Amos 5:10-15 8:4-6 1. The close of Solomans reign of 160 years. The nation divided at the death of Soloman. (What caused it’s division?) 2. 922 BC Jeroboam introduced a new Priesthood – Two Golden Calves. Two Places of worship Dan and Bethel. 3. 786-746 BC. Jeroboam II and Uzziah 40 years of peace and prosperity. 4. The Nation’s became indifferent to spiritual and social obligations. 5. The Man Amos: Amos 1:1 “Herdsman from T-koa’ cultivated sycamores not the Son of a Prophet. A hayman with a special job to do.” 6. Preaching: 1:3-2:5 Condemned the neighboring nations. He finally came to their sins! (Now he is meddling)! 7. What were the sins of the Nation? a. They hated the Preacher’s rebuke. b. Oppressed the poor. c....
The Nature and Mission of a Church
I: A Covenant Fellowship: Colony of Heaven: 1. Love for one another, love for God, love for lost. 2. Covenant to fulfill more than greed. 3. Our citizenship is in Heaven. Our task is on earth. 4. “As my father hath sent me so sent you.” 5. Restore the broken fellowship. 6. In this week, every Christian is a Priest. 7. Jesus is our example. 04/03/1964: Carson City, Nevada 04/25/1966: San Martin August 1969: Emmanuel, Dos Palos August 1970: Emmanuel, Dos Palos 05/02/1972: Temple Baptist 05/29/1972: Reisterstown, M.D.
Men That the Master Called
Luke 5:27-31, Mark 1:16-20, & Samuel 1 16:1-12 Let us think for a while on the men that the Master called. What kind of people were they? What did they do for a living? What was their age? Were they married? Did they own their homes? Were they busy making a living? When they were called to serve the Master, did they have fears and doubts, or did they accept without counting the cost? I: Jesus Took Them Where They Were… They Were, Without Exception, Busy People. 1. Peter and Andrew were casting their nets. 2. James and John were mending their nets. 3. Matthew was a prosperous tax collector. 4. Nicodemus was a busy lawyer and religious leader. 5. Paul was engrossed in stamping out what he thought to be a false religion. 6. God has never picked His...
The Man That Wouldn’t Compromise
Exodus 8:25-27, Hebrews 11:24-26 The Christian life can not start with compromises, and can’t be sustained with compromise. “Be sure you are right then go ahead.” Moses was raised to be a leader of God’s people. His life was not a life of compromise. Exodus 8:25-27 – A man without a conviction is like a door swinging on its bottom hinge, (Napoleon’s Drummer Boys). I: Sacrifice To Your God in the Land 8:25. 1. Bloodless worship of Egypt: It’s alright to believe in God but don’t leave the world. 2. You can even join the church but don’t leave the world. 3. The Devil wants you to stay in the land. II: Exodus 8:28 – Don’t Go Too Far Away. 1. Don’t leave the things of the world too far behind....