The War In Heaven

Pastor Don Carpenter

Revival Stronger Than Ever / Separation; Purity; Marriage / 2 Chronicles 21–23; 2 Corinthians 6:14–18

2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Ephesians 6:12 KJV
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

I have some good news and some bad news for you today.

The bad news… is that our world is full of bad news these days.

The good news is, our world has always been full of bad news… and bad news never prevails!

One of the worst moments in our nation’s history happened on December 7, 1941. The Japanese Navy attacked the U.S. Fleet at Pearl Harbor, killing 2400 Americans and disabling almost all of our battleships. That was bad news.

The good news was, our 3 aircraft carriers were out on maneuvers at the time. So our Carrier Fleet was intact. 6 months later, that Carrier group destroyed 4 Japanese Carriers in the Battle of Midway. And ultimately, we won the war.

History is like that. – Wait long enough, and good news always triumphs over bad.

• On Good Friday, our Savior died. It was the worst news in history.
• Three days later, He rose again. It was the best news in history. On top of that,
• He ascended to the right hand of the Father.
• He sent the Holy Spirit to live inside of us.
• And He launched the church.

Any appearance of the triumph of Evil is temporary because when there is a war in Heaven, and God always wins.

EZRA

A scribe by the name of Ezra knew that. He and his people were emerging from a national crisis.

? They needed some good news.

? They needed some hope.

? They needed some inspiration.

? They needed some reminders that their great God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.

So Ezra writes stories. Real-life stories, with real-life lessons.

SETTING

1 Chronicles 17 takes place during the reign of King David. One day God says to David,

1 Chronicles 17:10–14 KJV
And since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. Moreover I will subdue all thine enemies. Furthermore I tell thee that the LORD will build thee an house.

And it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired that thou must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom.

He shall build me an house, and I will stablish his throne for ever.

I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him that was before thee:

But I will settle him in mine house and in my kingdom for ever: and his throne shall be established for evermore.

There are two promises in this passage: One is that there would always be a descendent of David ruling over the nation of Israel. The second was that one of those descendants would rule “God’s kingdom” forever. In other words, that the Messiah, the Forever-Ruler, would be a descendant of David.

Throughout the Old Testament there were prophecies that one day the Messiah would come. From this day in 1 Chronicles 17 onward, everybody knew that when the Messiah came, He would be a descendent of King David.

The Israelites knew, and Satan knew. Satan is not all-knowing, but he is exceedingly crafty and creative. And when this prophecy is given, he is clued in that the Messiah must come from the lineage of David.

Satan knows that God must be true to His word. He knows that if he can extinguish the line of David, he can prevent the Messiah from coming and saving mankind from our sins.

CONTEXT/FORECAST

[Pause] In 841 B.C. Satan sees and seizes a strategic opportunity to eliminate the line of the David. Here’s how it happened.

Write this down: #1… in 1 Chron. 17,

A Little History:

God promises that David will never lack an heir on the throne of Israel.

1 Chron. 17:10-14

And #2…

God promises that an heir of David will rule God’s kingdom forever. 1 Chron. 17:14b

Now fast-forward from there 150 years, to the time of King Jehoshaphat. We studied him last week.

During the course of his reign, Jehoshaphat made what seemed to him an expedient decision to secure an alliance with his greatest threat, which was the Kingdom of Northern Israel.

Back in those days, a common way to seal alliances was for two kings to marry their children to each other. In this case, Jehoshaphat married his son, Jehoram to the king of Israel’s daughter who was named Athaliah.

NEED

Follow me carefully for the next few minutes and we’ll learn an important lesson that could save you and your family a lot of heartache over the next 30 or 40 or even 50 years.

Turn to the back of your Bible to a map of the Old Testament, or, if you don’t have one, imagine a map of the Mediterranean in your mind. The nation of Israel sits at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea.

• At this time in history, Israel is divided into two kingdoms. The Northern Kingdom is simply called, “Israel.” And the Southern Kingdom is called “Judah.”

• The Northern Kingdom was ruled by a king named “Ahab.”

• The Southern Kingdom was ruled by Jehoshaphat.

• Ahab, in order to secure his northern border, had married the daughter of the king to his north. That kingdom was called “Sidon.”

• It’s king was named “Ethbaal.” – The word, “eth” means, “with.”

• The word “Baal,” means “Baal.” Baal was the fertility God of the Canaanites.

• Ethbaal was “with Baal.” He was a worshiper of Baal.

• Ethbaal’s daughter was named “Jezebel.”

(You may have heard of her before. She is infamous for worshiping Baal and corrupting pretty much all of Northern Israel during the time she was its queen.)

• Ahab married Jezebel.

• Together, they had a daughter they named Athaliah.

• Meanwhile, Jehoshaphat and his wife had a son they named Jehoram.

• To cement their alliance, Ahab and Jehoshaphat married their children to each other.

• This meant that the wife of the Crown Prince of Judah was not a follower of Jehovah, but a Baal-worshiper.

2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

2 Chronicles 18:1 KJV
Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.

This happens about 20 years before our story.

COMMENT

Call this, “The Law of Unforeseen Consequences.” If you marry someone who is potentially dangerous, you might not foresee that something dangerous is going to happen.

Here’s the introduction to our story:

2 Chronicles 21:1–4 KJV
Now Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.

And he had brethren the sons of Jehoshaphat, Azariah, and Jehiel, and Zechariah, and Azariah, and Michael, and Shephatiah: all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.

And their father gave them great gifts of silver, and of gold, and of precious things, with fenced cities in Judah: but the kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the firstborn.

Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.

Your 5th point…

When Jehoram became king, he killed all his brothers. 2 Chron. 21:4

He eliminated all the competition.

RESULT

Suddenly, of all the descendants of David, there is only one direct descendant. That’s Jehoram, along with all the sons that he will give birth to over time.

Well, later on that same year, 841 B.C., Jehoram died in battle. Ezra’s comment in verse 20 was, He died to no one’s regret and was buried in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. 2 Chronicles 21:20b

Because his life did not merit a kingly tomb.

Often, when a king dies, his kingdom is vulnerable, because the neighboring nations know that the new king will be young and inexperienced, so that’s when they attack.

The attack happens. Judah is invaded by her neighbors: They carried off all the possessions found in the king’s palace and also his sons and wives; not a son was left to him except Ahaziah, his youngest son.

2 Chronicles 21:17 KJV
And they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king’s house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.

And your next fill-in:

The Philistines kill all but one of Jehoram’s sons (Ahaziah). 2 Chron. 21:17

And then there was one.

Here’s where our story officially begins. The kingdom and the Messianic line are hanging by a single thread.

2 Chronicles 22 opens with…

2 Chronicles 22:1–2 KJV
And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.

Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.

If you know what’s coming, you can almost hear the downbeats of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony: dun, dun, dun, dun…

A few months after his coronation, Ahaziah is killed in battle.

No problem, Ahaziah had sons and nephews all over the palace. But they are all young and powerless. The person closest to power was the dowager queen, Athaliah.

? She is not Jewish.

? She’s the daughter of Jezebel.

? She is not a worshiper of Jehovah.

? She worships Baal.

This is when Satan launches his strategic initiative.

When Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs of the house of Judah. 2 Chron. 22:10

2 Chronicles 22:10 KJV
But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.

You’re seventh point:

When Ahaziah died, Athaliah killed all the royal heirs. 2 Chron. 22:10

? The king is dead.

? His descendants are dead.

? The Davidic line is dead, and with it, all hopes for a Messiah.

This is the Good Friday of the Old Testament.

Baal has triumphed. Satan has won.

This, friends, is the bad news.

? All was dark.

? All hope was lost.

For seven years, Judah lived under the rulership of a foreign queen, worshiping a foreign god.

She was the Covid-19 of her day.

If you’ve lost your job, you know how they felt.

? If you’re depressed,

? or frustrated

? or irritated

? or angry,

you know how they felt.

The person in charge of their state, their nation, has driven a stake through the heart of all their hopes.

But there is a War in Heaven! God will not allow the forces of Darkness ultimate victory!

Let’s watch the story unfold:

2 Chronicles 22:10–12 KJV
But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.

But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.

And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.

2 Chronicles 23:1–3 KJV
And in the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, and Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, and Azariah the son of Obed, and Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into covenant with him.

And they went about in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.

And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And he said unto them, Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD hath said of the sons of David.

2 Chronicles 23:12–14 KJV
Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the LORD:

And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.

Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said, Slay her not in the house of the LORD.

TRIUMPH!

? The forces of darkness seemed to be in control.

? Satan had won.

? Good was defeated.

? Evil had overcome!

But what seems and what is aren’t always the same.

Friends, the God of the Bible

? is the God of good news.

? He’s the God of the rescue.

? The God of the living hope.

? The God of the second chance.

? The God of the comeback.

With Him, there is always a way out of darkness.

Dreams of Messiah were dead, and then there was a resurrection!

Sorrow may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning!

Athaliah annihilated all the royal heirs, but…

Seven years later, it was discovered that one heir survived. 2 Chron. 23:3

Talk about rejoicing!

2 Chronicles 23:16–17 KJV
And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD’s people.

Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.

CONCLUSION/APPLICATION

Ezra is recounting Israel’s history so that we can learn lessons during our time in history.

Ezra is letting us know that…

Ezra’s Lessons:

There is a war in heaven that is playing out on earth. 2 Chronicles 18-24

That war is more real than the Iraqi War or the War in Kuwait, or Vietnam or Korea.

Ephesians 6:12–13 KJV
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The armor of God is faith, and hope, and righteousness, and the truth of salvation, and God’s word, and the Holy Spirit. Stand firm in those friends. Trust God and believe what He says, and do what He says.

Ezra is teaching us that God always has plans…

God always has plans to build up. 1 Chronicles 17:10-14

And those plans are to build up and not tear down.

And that Satan always has plans…

Satan always has plans to tear down. 2 Chronicles 22

And those plans are always to tear down and not build up.

And Ezra is teaching us that…

God always wins. 2 Chronicles 23

The Athaliahs of our world may rule for a while, but never forever. Weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

And morning is coming.

Say that after me: The morning is coming!

Say it like you mean it: The morning is COMING!

TRANS

That’s the vertical lesson of our story. It explains the spiritual dimension of our condition and why it all seems so much worse than it actually is.

How Does This Story Change Our Behavior?

Destiny and success is determined by the company you keep. 2 Chronicles 24

Don’t miss this lesson: Jehoshaphat endangered the generations which followed by building an alliance with a Baal-worshiper. He didn’t know he was doing it. It seemed innocent to him at the time.

This may be why God spells it out so clearly in the New Testament when He says…

2 Corinthians 6:14–16 KJV
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

On a practical level, Ezra is telling us:

Be careful who you marry. 2 Chronicles 18:1; 2 Corinthians 6:14

You don’t marry just a body,

? You marry a mind.

? You marry their beliefs.

? You marry their value-system.

And you don’t marry just a person, you marry into their family.

When Jehoram got Athaliah, he also got Jezebel and her Baal-worshiping priests and courtiers and all the evil that went with them.

Ezra is also encouraging us to line up all our partnerships with believers.

Jehoshaphat made an alliance. As a result of that alliance, the lineage of David and the promise of Messiah were almost wiped out.

Satan is always working to defeat God’s plans. He never succeeds.

The story of Joash is the story of triumph from ashes. It’s a story of revival!

It’s also the story of two unsung heroes, who were not kings. One was a rescuer named Jehoshabeath, the other a mentor, named Jehoiada. They happened to be married to each other. Everyone needs a rescuer at some time, and everyone needs a mentor at all times.

This is the story of the war in heaven, and of relationships on earth.

And the moral of the story is, when there is a war in Heaven, God always wins, so stay close to Him, and you will too.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 11:52 AM December 10, 2020.

The Gift of Wisdom

Pastor Don Carpenter / General

Revival: Stronger Than Ever / Wisdom; Prayer / 2 Chronicles 1:6–12

 2 Chronicles 1:7-12

If you place a Christian in trouble you will find that he does not want gold then—that he does not want carnal honor—then he wants his God. I suppose he is like the sailor. When he sails along smoothly he loves to have fair weather, and wants this and that to amuse himself with on deck. But when the winds blow, all that he wants is the haven. He does not desire anything else. The biscuit may be moldy, but he does not care. The water may be brackish, but he does not care. He does not think of it in the storm. He only thinks about the haven then.

It is just so with the Christian. When he is going along smoothly he wants this and that comfort; he is aspiring after this position, or is wanting to obtain this and that elevation. But let him once doubt his interest in Christ—let him once get into some soul distress and trouble, so that it is very dark—and all he will feel then is, “With my soul have I desired Thee in the night” (Isa 26:9).

When the child is put upstairs to bed it may lie while the light is there, and look at the trees that shake against the window, and admire the stars that are coming out. But when it gets dark and the child is still awake, it cries for its parent. It cannot be amused by anything else.

So in daylight the Christian will look at anything. He will cast his eyes around on this pleasure and on that! But, when the darkness gathers, it is “My God, my God why have you forsaken me? Why are you far from helping me, far from the words of my groaning?” (Ps 22:1)

Charles Spurgeon, 300 Sermon Illustrations from Charles Spurgeon, ed. Elliot Ritzema and Lynnea Smoyer (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017).

This morning we are going to discover the path that leads us to find solace in the storm. We are going to discover where to go in our quest in order to obtain save harbor in the Gift of Wisdom.

We are learning lessons these days about how to restart our lives after being shut down by a national crisis.

Our teacher during this series is an ancient scribe named Ezra. Ezra described himself as “a scribe skilled in the law of Moses.” 

After 70 years of exile in Babylon, and being set free to restart their nation, Ezra compiled a selective account of the history of his people. We call his account, “The Book of Chronicles.”

In it, Ezra teaches scores of lessons from the lives of kings on what to do and what not to do when you get a change to do things over.

REVIEW

Last week, we learned another lesson from David, this one was about faith.

We learned that God relents when we repent. And that repentance involves remorse for our wrongs and turning towards what’s right, and giving something costly to God.

Today, we are going to learn a lesson from Solomon about wisdom. 

PREMISE

The Bible says that, apart from Jesus Christ, Solomon was the wisest man in history.

You’ve turned to 2 Chronicles 1, but I’m going to start in 1 Kings 4. Listen as it describes Solomon’s wisdom:

1 Kings 4:29–34 KJV

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. 

And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. 

For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. 

And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. 

And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. 

And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.

When you study the life of Solomon, you quickly realize he did many things wrong. But Ezra is writing to encourage us. So he’s going to talk about what Solomon did right. And what Solomon did right benefited an entire nation.

What he did right started in the very first year of his reign. 

Solomon was replacing his personal hero, David. David was the greatest king in Israel’s history. 

As he thought out how to begin his kingship, Solomon did something we might not have thought of. He went to Israel’s holiest place, a mountain not far from his home. He took with him 1,000 sheep, goats and cattle. He built a fire on an altar, and he made a thousand-animal-offering to God.

As a result, God appeared to Solomon and changed his life.

CONTEXT

Solomon was 14 years old when he did this. 

He wasn’t the youngest king to rule Israel, but whether you’re 7, 8, 14, or 40, becoming king is a daunting assignment.

If you’ve ever felt small and helpless, if you’ve ever wondered if you could do the thing you were being asked to do, if you’ve ever wished your dad or somebody else was there to help you with the task you’ve been given, you know what Solomon was feeling that day. 

Solomon found himself responsible and caring for 2 million people who all needed leadership, care, and protection.

This was the biggest assignment of his life, so he makes the biggest sacrifice he can imagine. One after another, 1,000 herd animals are slaughtered and hoisted onto the altar. One after another, their ashes rise upward to God.

The Quest Starts at The Altar

2 Chronicles 1:6 KJV

And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.

Christ is our Final Sacrifice

Hebrews 7:27 KJV

Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Hebrews 9:28 KJV

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Believers are to Offer a Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1–2 KJV

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

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

Hebrews 13:15 KJV

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

The Quest Requires a Choice

2 Chronicles 1:7 KJV

In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.

You Could Choose Selfish Ambition

1 John 2:16–17 KJV

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

You Could Choose The Glory of God

1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:23 KJV

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

The Quest Requires Humility

Acknowledge God’s Grace

2 Chronicles 1:8–9 KJV

And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. 

Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.

Acknowledge Your Need

1 Kings 3:7 KJV

And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

James 1:5 KJV

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

2 Chronicles 1:10 KJV

Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?

The Quest Ends With the Gift of Wisdom

2 Chronicles 1:11–12 KJV

And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: 

Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

Ezra, who is telling us this story, is teaching us a lesson about rebooting our lives. He’s saying, “The best way to have a fulfilled life, is to follow God’s purpose for your life. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all the things you’re hoping for will be added to you as well.”

SOLOMON

On the day of Solomon’s sacrifice, he was starting his life over. Once he was a prince, now he is a king. Princes can play. Kings must lead. 

So Solomon asks for this incredible thing called wisdom.

Knowledge is knowing facts and figures and principles.

Wisdom is knowing what to do with those facts and figures and principles.

Knowledge is about information.

Wisdom is about application. It’s about knowing what to do in every situation.

TRANSITION

If you can find the time this afternoon, read through the next eight chapters and you’ll discover some incredible things that happened as a result of the wisdom of Solomon.

For instance, right here in chapter 1, v. 14, Ezra tells us:

2 Chronicles 1:14 KJV

And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.

Those numbers might not mean much to you, but 1,400 chariots was a lot of chariots. When Pharaoh with his vast army came riding after Moses and the children of Israel, he only had 600 chariots. – Solomon knew that if God blessed his country, he’d need a strong military to defend it.

The next verse says…

2 Chronicles 1:15 KJV

And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the vale for abundance.

Solomon knew how to generate wealth. 

2 Chronicles 1:1–2 KJV

AND Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly. 

Then Solomon spake unto all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers.

Solomon knew the importance of having a place for people to worship God.

Solomon knew how to assign labor to build that place. Solomon’s wisdom endowed Israel with the most incredible temple or worship in the world.

Chapters 3 through 8 describe how Solomon built that Temple, and how he fortified the cities of Israel, and how he settled people in those cities so that all of Israel prospered.

Flip forward to chapter 9 and you’ll see this description:

2 Chronicles 9:13–14 KJV

Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold; 

Beside that which chapmen and merchants brought. And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought gold and silver to Solomon.

THE POINT

The point Ezra is making is this: Wisdom is a great gift!

– Israel experienced fantastic blessings as a result of Solomon’s wisdom.

– Israel became the wealthiest nation in the world. 

– Her people enjoyed safety on all their borders.

And the whole world experienced blessing as a result of Solomon’s prayers.

APPLICATION

Ezra is teaching us a lesson about wisdom. If you want to start your life over and live it at a higher level, you need wisdom. Wisdom is one of God’s greatest gifts.

Proverbs 8:11 KJV

For wisdom is better than rubies; And all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

Whatever you desire: money, sex, power. Thrills, achievements, recognition. Wisdom is better than them all.

So if you want to recover well, or maybe your life didn’t get shut down during this crisis, and you just want to live on a higher level, here are four steps to take. You can live a better life from here forward:

1. Make a burnt offering. 2 Chronicles 1:6

Declare a do-over, by building an altar somewhere, – maybe in your heart – and climbing onto it. Offer yourself 1,000 times over to God. Give Him your possessions and your position, your rights and your hopes, your goals and your dreams.

“Say, Lord, here I am. All I have is yours; and all I am, is yours.”

The second thing to do to live at a higher level is…

2. Ask God for wisdom. 2 Chronicles 1:10

The book of James says…If anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God – who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly – and it will be given to him. James 1:5

Once you’ve asked for wisdom, continue to grow in wisdom. You do that by reading the book of Proverbs.

3. Pursue wisdom by reading the book of Proverbs.

There are 31 chapters in Proverbs, which means you could read the whole book in one month by reading one chapter a day. Billy Graham did that for over 70 years of his life.

Every day, read the Proverb of the day. Every month, you’ll grow in wisdom. 

REVIEW

Make a   burnt offering.

Ask for   wisdom.Pursue   wisdom. 

And then…

4. Walk in wisdom. 

Proverbs 13:20 KJV

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: But a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 12:57 PM November 20, 2020.

The Under-Shepherd

Pastor Don Carpenter / General

Not From Around Here: The Strange and Complicated Life of a Sojourner / Pastor; Leadership / 1 Peter 5:1–4

The story is told of an outstanding actor who was asked to entertain one evening at an immense dinner party. As the great actor arose to speak the room was filled with excitement as the eager guests anticipated his message.

The star of the day said that he was going to recite the Twenty-third Psalm. This he did in a dramatic and eloquent manner. As soon as he had finished the chamber roared with applause as the audience arose in a standing ovation.

The next speaker of the evening was an elderly white-haired man who was bowed and feeble, worn by many long years of steadfast, patient labor as a missionary. A hush fell over the audience as he arose. After a moment’s silence he said humbly, “I, too, would like to recite the Shepherd’s Psalm.”

Then, lifting his face slightly toward Heaven he closed his eyes and began:

  “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

  I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

When the servant of the Lord finished, a pin could have been heard if one had dropped on the floor. This time there was no applause. There was standing ovation. Not a sound was heard. Yet, throughout the room there was not a dry eye. Tears were flowing freely.

Shortly afterward, a man approached the outstanding actor and said, “I don’t understand. You both said the same thing. Your presentation was perfect in every way. Yet, when he spoke in his halting, imperfect manner, people were moved too deeply for words. What made the difference?”

The actor hesitated and then replied, “The answer is simple. I knew the Twenty-third Psalm and I knew it well, but he knows the Shepherd!”

Billy Apostolon, Fifty-Two Invitation Illustrations, Preaching Helps Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1972), 11–12.

Tonight we are going to study the office of Pastor. The word pastor is the Greek word for Shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He has called pastors to serve as under shepherds leading and protecting His sheep until the Great Shepherd returns.

As we continue to study the First Epistle of Peter, a letter written to the saints who have been displaced due to religious persecution, we come to an exhortation given to those folks among the dispersed who have been called to the office of Pastor. There is much to learn in these 4 verses. It is important for all believers to know these things. You need to know how to pray for your pastor. You need to know how to encourage your pastor. You need to know what to look for when it comes time to fill the office of Pastor.

The Office of Pastor

1 Peter 5:1 KJV

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

Three Terms – One Office

Lexham Theological Wordbook ???????????

??????????? (presbyteros). adj. older, elder, presbyter. In general, a leader whose authority comes, in principle, from the wisdom associated with age; in the church, a particular kind of leader whose responsibilities included directing churches.

1 Peter 5:2 KJV

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

Lexham Theological Wordbook ????????

???????? (poimain?). vb. to shepherd, tend, pasture; figuratively, to lead, guide, rule. To care for sheep.

This word is related to ?????? (poim?n, “shepherd”) and is the other major Septuagint translation of ????? (r??â, “to shepherd”).

Lexham Theological Wordbook ?????????

????????? (episkope?). vb. to oversee, care. The act of overseeing another person.

This verb is used twice in the NT. The understanding is that a person or group of people are to oversee the spiritual state of others.

Acts 20:17 KJV

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

Acts 20:28 KJV

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

The Job of the Pastor

1 Peter 5:2–3 KJV

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 

Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

Shepherd the Flock

Feed (?????????). Better, Rev., tend, since the verb denotes all that is included in the office of a shepherd—guiding, guarding, folding, no less than feeding, which latter is expressed by ?????. There is, doubtless, a reminiscence in the word of Christ’s charge to Peter (John 21:15–17). Both words are used there: “Feed (?????) my lambs” (ver. 15); “tend (????????) my sheep” (ver. 16); “feed (?????) my sheep” (ver. 17). The A. V. obliterates the distinction by rendering all three feed. Bengel rightly remarks, “Feeding is part of tending.” See on Matt. 2:6.1

1 Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 1 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 665.

John 21:15–17 KJV

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

In a recent issue of glass Window, a contributor recalls that several years ago, The British Weekly published this provocative letter:

Dear Sir:

It seems ministers feel their sermons are very important and spend a great deal of time preparing them. I have been attending church quite regularly for thirty years, and I have probably heard 3,000 of them. To my consternation, I discovered I cannot remember a single sermon. I wonder if a minister’s time might be more profitably spent on something else?

For weeks a storm of editorial responses ensued … finally ended by this letter:

Dear Sir:

I have been married for thirty years. During that time I have eaten 32,850 meals—mostly my wife’s cooking. Suddenly I have discovered I cannot remember the menu of a single meal. And yet … I have the distinct impression that without them, I would have starved to death long ago.  

Take Oversight

Philippians 1:1 KJV

PAUL and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

The word “oversight” is the translation of the same Greek word in another form which is other places is rendered by the words “overseer,” or “bishop,” referring to the spiritual care of the flock. The words “filthy lucre” are literally in the Greek text “base or dishonorable gain.” The pastor is not to commercialize his ministry.1

1 Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 124–125.

Do So Willingly As a Calling Not a Job

Ezekiel 34:2–3 KJV

Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 

Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.

Ephesians 4:11 KJV

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Be An Example Not A Dictator

The words “being lords over” in the Greek text speak of a high-handed autocratic rule over the flock, which is forbidden a true shepherd. One could translate, “lording it over.” However, this does not do away with a God-ordained, properly exercised authority which should be administered in the local church by the pastor and the elders. Paul speaks of this in I Thessalonians 5:12 and I Timothy 5:17, using another Greek word.1

1 Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 125.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 KJV

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

1 Timothy 5:17 KJV

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

Instead of lording it over those portions of God’s flock assigned to them, these local pastors are exhorted to be an ensample to the entire flock. The word translated “ensample” means “a print left as an impression after a blow has been struck, a pattern or model of something else.” Under-shepherds should be living patterns or models of the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus.1

1 Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 125.

____

In his book, Leading at the Edge, Dennis Perkins contrasts the leadership values of two different explorers: Earnest Shackleton and Vilhjalmur Stefansson. In 1914, Shackleton led a daring expedition to reach Antarctica in the South. A year earlier, Stefansson led an expedition headed in the other direction to explore the North Pole. Both ships, the Karluk in the north and the Endurance in the south, found themselves trapped by solid ice packs. Each crew was faced with a fight for survival. But the outcomes of the two expeditions couldn’t have been more different.

In the north, the crew members from the Karluk, led by Stefansson, degenerated into a band of selfish, mean-spirited, cut-throat individualists, ending in the death of all 11 crew members. In the south, Shackleton’s crew faced the same problems–cold, food shortages, stress, and anxiety–but his crew responded with teamwork, self-sacrifice, and astonishing good cheer.

In the end, each leader stayed true to his core leadership values. Stefansson valued success above caring for people. He consistently communicated his ultimate objective: getting to the North Pole. In Stefansson’s words this meant “that even the lives of the [crew] are secondary to the accomplishment of the work!” To the very end, Stefansson denied that his drive for success led to a tragedy–for himself and his crew.

In sharp contrast, Shackleton’s leadership focused on the value and dignity of his teammates. At one of the lowest points of his trip, Shackleton wrote, “The task was now to secure the safety of the party.” The well-being of his team drove him to put others first. Shackleton even gave away his mittens and boots and volunteered for the longest night watches. By valuing each person, Shackleton forged a team that was willing to share their rations with each other, even on the brink of starvation. Through his example of sacrificial leadership, Shackleton was able to accomplish his ultimate objective: saving the lives of his crew members.

(Dennis N. T. Perkins, Leading at the Edge, AMACOM, 2000, pp. xiii-xiv. From a sermon by C. Philip Green, Leading Under Fire, 8/5/2011)

The Accountability of a Pastor

1 Peter 5:4 KJV

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Hebrews 13:17 KJV

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Understanding the God given role of the pastor is vital for a healthy church. Remember, there are three terms that refer to the same office: Elder, Bishop or Overseer, and Pastor or Shepherd. The Pastor’s Job is to tend to the sheep… to feed, guide and protect them. He is also the overseer of the church/ the flock. He directs the progress and programs of the local church. While the deacons are under his leadership, he is accountable directly to Jesus, the Chief Shepherd. I count it an extreme privilege to serve God here at Evangelical Baptist Church for 19 years and counting as God’s Under- Shepherd.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:31 PM November 11, 2020.

Sneaky Snake

Pastor Don Carpenter / General

Deceit; Apostasy / 2 Corinthians 11:1–4

 The story has been told of a woman who had acquired wealth and social prominence and decided to have a book written about her genealogy. The well-known author she engaged for the assignment discovered that one of her grandfathers was a murderer who had been electrocuted in Sing Sing. When he said this would have to be included in the book, the woman pleaded that he find a way of saying it that would hide the truth.

When the book appeared, the incident read as follows: “One of her grandfathers occupied the chair of applied electricity in one of America’s best-known institutions. He was very much attached to his position and literally died in the harness.”3161

1 Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 100.

Have you ever been duped? You thought that you fully understood what you were getting into only to find that you did not have all the information, or that the information was misrepresented to you?

It has been said that “The Devil is in the details”. Perhaps it is more accurate to say that “deception is in the details.”

In our passage this morning we read Pastor Paul’s letter to the Church at Corinth. He draws an allegory between the Church at Corinth and a virgin espoused to her husband. She is promised to him and is to remain pure. He is afraid that like Eve was deceived by the serpent, even so the church could be led away from her purity and defiled before becoming married to Christ. The impurity was not sinful action, but wrong doctrine.

Today, many Christians are vulnerable to this kind of deception. They hear words like Christ, Spirit and Gospel and assume that folks using these terms are teaching the same things that they were taught while in fact are being deceived. Satan is still at work. If he is not successful in seduction, he is very effective when he weaves his web of deception. This morning we are going to learn of the ways and dangers of Satan, the Sneaky Snake.

Pure Doctrine is Under Attack.

2 Corinthians 11:3 KJV
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Corruption Begins in the Mind.

The serpent enticed her by his cunning (panourgia, “trickery”

2 Corinthians 4:2 KJV
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Corruption Continues When it is Tolerated.

2 Corinthians 11:4 KJV
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Deceivers Look Like Preachers.

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 KJV
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Corruption Happens When You Move From Singular Truth

Your thoughts will be led astray: the verb led astray has a root meaning of “ruin,” “corrupt,” or “spoil.” In some languages a word such as “spoil” rather than “lead astray” may tie in better with the following words sincere and pure. As the next verse indicates, the implicit agent of the verb be led astray is “someone who preaches a different gospel from the one that Paul preaches1

1 Roger L. Omanson and John Ellington, A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1993), 193.

Beware of Another Jesus.

King James Version Chapter 11
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached,

Proverbs 4:27 KJV
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil.

• A Jesus who hates sinners as well as sin.

John 1:14 KJV
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.

John 8:4–11 KJV
They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

• A Jesus who would not be seen with sinners.

Luke 7:34 KJV
The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

• A Jesus who does not call out and expose legalism and religious pride.

Luke 12:1 KJV
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

• A Jesus who does not seek and save that which is lost.

Luke 19:10 KJV
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Beware of Another Spirit.

King James Version Chapter 11
or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received

Acts 1:5–8 KJV
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

• Another spirit working confusion not conversion.

1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

• A spirit causing fear or control.

Romans 8:15 KJV
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Beware of Another Gospel.

King James Version Chapter 11
or another gospel, which ye have not accepted,

Galatians 1:6–9 KJV
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

• Grace not Works for Salvation.

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 11:6 KJV
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

• Grace not Works for Favor with God.

Romans 5:2 KJV
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

1 John 4:16–19 KJV
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We love him, because he first loved us.

In 1982, seven residents of the Greater Chicago area made an assumption that proved fatal. They all took a dose of Extra Strength Tylenol® that had been laced with potassium cyanide. What they thought was medicine proved to be poison. This crime, still being investigated as of this very week (February 2009), is still unsolved, in spite of the fact that one man went to prison for sending an extortion letter to Johnson & Johnson and is presumed to be the guilty party by many.

Imagine the horror of taking what you thought was beneficial and discovering, too late, that it was killing you!

---

Satan is subtil! Just because someone uses a King James Bible, or uses the same terms we use does not mean he is teaching the same thing. Jesus will always be a friend of sinners. He will always rebuke self righteous legalists. The Holy Spirit will always empower believers for soul winning without distracting them with a cacophony of chaos. The Gospel will always be by grace through faith. There will never be any work rite or ritual that we can perform in order to merit God’s love. If you start to believe differently, perhaps you are being influenced by the sneaky snake.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:49 PM September 10, 2020.

Masks are encouraged. Join us as we resume classes for all ages. We will kick things off with Rally Day filled with special activities.

Grassroots Gospel

Grassroots Gospel

Pastor Don Carpenter / General

Evangelism / Luke 8:38–39

Evangelical Churches have been doing things basically the same way for over 100 years. We compel folks to come to big gatherings at church where they can hear the Gospel and be saved. We go door to door, and invite folks to church and give them the Gospel. We have special Dinners, and gatherings, and social events to bring people in so we can give them the Gospel and they can get saved. We send out cards to new move ins inviting them to church. We then visit those new move ins. We visit those who visit us. These things that we do to reach out have been done by Evangelically minded churches for decades.

But then COVID hit and what we have done for years suddenly had to be rethought. Did this take God by surprise? NO! I believe that part of COVID’s purpose is to get churches to think outside our routine. Many of us who were technically reluctant were dragged into the 21st century and are now streaming our services. We have learned to use Google Meet and ZOOM. But what about soul winning? How do we get the Gospel to folks without having big out reaches?

Even when we meet in person we have a capacity cap that will prevent us from trying to stuff our building to the gills with folks so they can hear the Gospel. We can’t visit very much. Facebook is only so effective in communicating the plan of salvation.

Jesus healed the demoniac of the Gadarenes. This guy had it bad.

Luke 8:26–27 KJV
And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.

And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.

Luke 8:29 KJV
(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)

We know the story. This man had thousands of demons in him. Jesus cast them all out into a herd of pigs… they all ran off a cliff and drowned. Folks were so freaked out they wanted Jesus to leave the area.

The man who was delivered had now become an avid believer. He wanted to go on tour with Jesus and the Disciples. Our passage this morning shows that Jesus had another plan.

Luke 8:38–39 KJV
Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,

Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

Jesus not only gave the new believer direction, but also articulated the plan that would reach the world. It is a plan that has worked for thousands of years and perhaps a plan that we have strayed from. The good news of salvation spreads like wild fire when saved folks go personally to lost folks and tell them how they got saved in the first place. This former demoniac did not need to go on tour, he needed to go home. He needed to be a part of the Grassroots Gospel Revolution.

God has stopped our door knocking, our big Sunday School campaigns, our Van ministry, and other outreach. But the Gospel has not stopped! The mandate to spread the news has not stopped! During these days of COVID madness, now more than ever, we must go back into our circles of influence and be a part of the Grassroots Gospel Revolution.

It is Possible to Know You Are Heaven Bound

1 John 5:13 KJV
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

I Realized I Was A Sinner

Romans 3:10 KJV
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 3:23 KJV
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 5:12 KJV
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

I Realized There Was a Price For That Sin

Romans 6:23 KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ezekiel 18:20 KJV
The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

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

I realized I cannot Pay the Price By Good Works

Galatians 2:21 KJV
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

James 2:10–11 KJV
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I Realized That Jesus Did Pay the Price for my Sin.

Romans 5:8 KJV
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

John 3:16 KJV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

So I Transferred My Trust From My Works To What Jesus Did on the Cross.

Romans 10:13–14 KJV
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

We Need To Get Back To Grassroots Gospel.

• Go back to your people.

• There are people in your circle that will only be reached by you.

• There will be people that cross your path today that God has put there because you have a message for them.

• Will you commit to praying every day for that one person who needs to hear the Gospel from you today?

• Will you commit to giving the gospel to at least one person this week?

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 10:41 AM July 16, 2020.

A Lifetime of Learning

Pastor Don Carpenter / General

Not From Around Here: The Complicated Life of a Sojourner / Marriage; Love; Prayer / 1 Peter 3:7

Guys, you’d better understand this. There’s a points system at work and the ladies are keeping score. Here’s a small sample just for your information:

Duties

• You make the bed +1
• You make the bed, but forget to add the decorative pillows -1
• You throw the bed spread over the rumpled sheets -1
• You leave the toilet seat up -5
• You replace the toilet paper roll when it’s empty 0
• You check out a suspicious noise at night 0
• You check out a suspicious noise at night and it’s nothing 0
• You check out a suspicious noise at night and it’s something +5
• You pummel it with a six iron +10
• It turns out to be her father -10

A Night Out

• You take her to a movie +2
• You take her to a movie she likes +4
• You take her to a movie you hate +6
• You take her to a movie you like -2
• It’s called Death Cop 3 -3
• Which features sexy cyborgs -9
• You lied and said it was a foreign film about orphans -15

Your Physique

• You develop a noticeable potbelly -15
• You develop a noticeable potbelly and exercise to get rid of it +10
• You develop a noticeable potbelly & resort to loose jeans and baggy Hawaiian shirts -30
• You say, “I don’t care because you have one too” -800

The Big Question 

• She asks, “Do I look fat?” -5 (Sensitive questions always start with a deficit)
• You hesitate in responding -10
• You reply, “Compared to what?” -35

Communication 

• When she wants to talk about a problem, you listen, displaying what looks like a concerned expression 0
• When she talks you listen for over 30 minutes +5
• You listen for more than 30 minutes without looking at the TV +15

Adapted from “The Points System,” c. 2000 John Boy and Billy Inc., http://thebigshow.com

Tonight we are going to talk about the role of the husband in marriage. I do not preach this because I think I have mastered the contents of this message. I will confess that all too often I fall miserably short of the lofty goals I will articulate tonight. I started learning my wife on October 3, 1987. I am still learning, sometimes re-learning… but the learning never stops.  

As we continue our study through 1 Peter we focus on how to behave as a sojourning couple. Wives can win their disobedient husbands through a meek and quiet spirit. Men, you can enhance your marriage and even your prayer life when you learn to study your wife. A pleasant marriage requires a lifetime of learning.

Dwell with your wives = spend focused time together

1 Peter 3:7 KJV

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

 A. She is your companion, best friend, of your covenant.

 Malachi 2:14-16

 14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. 

 B. She should be the only one that satisfies you.

 Proverbs 5:15-19

 15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. 16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. 17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee. 18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. 19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. 

  1. Do not look at others more than once.

  2. Do not get friendship from other women more than your wife.

  3. When you are young, establish a pattern of all consuming satisfaction with her.

  4. Be physically ravished with her.

According to Knowledge

1 Peter 3:7

7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 

 A. According to = after the manner of

 B. Knowledge = seeking to know, an enquiry and investigation

  1. Learn physical needs and desires.

  1 Corinthians 7:3-5

  3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 

  2. Learn emotional needs

  Ephesians 5:33 KJV

  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

   3. Learn spiritual needs

  Ephesians 5:25–28 KJV

  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. 

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

Give Honor

1 Peter 3:7

7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 

 A. Give honor = place in great value, high price

Proverbs 18:22 KJV

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favour of the LORD.

Proverbs 31:10 KJV

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.

 B. Weaker vessel = fragile both physically and emotionally – treat her differently than you do your buddies at work.

 C. Heirs together = you are both living with eternity in view.

 D. Living like this will remove barriers to your prayers.

Colossians 3:19 KJV

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Matthew 5:23–24 KJV

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 

Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

One of the greatest statements of a husband’s love is when he protects his wife regardless of the cost to himself. Joseph’s story is the story of one such man.

When Chris Spielman played for the Buffalo Bills, he was everything a middle linebacker should be: tough, strong and smart, with passion, total commitment and loyalty to the game. He played the entire 1995 season with a torn pectoral muscle that he sustained in the season opener.

But the game took a distant second place in this thinking during the 1998 season. He chose to stay home. He cooked, took care of his kids, and cared for his wife Stephanie. Stephanie was struggling with cancer. Surgery, chemotherapy and nausea were Stephanie’s opponents. During her fight Chris was at her side; his actions supported his “family before job” credo.

When asked by a reporter if he’d consider a return to the Bills late in the season, Spielman said, “I’d play in a heartbeat, but what kind of man would I be if I backed out on my word to her? I wouldn’t be a man at all.”

Football fans saw Spielman as a man because of his aggressive, leave-it-all-on-the-field style of play. But what really makes him a man? It’s his personal sacrifice and unending commitment and loyalty to his wife.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 11:43 AM July 8, 2020.

Free Indeed

Pastor Don Carpenter / General

Freedom / John 8:31–36

On July 4, 1776, our founding fathers signed a bold document called the Declaration of Independence. This was the birth of a nation founded on Freedom. It is still the greatest beacon of freedom in the world. So, in spite of all of the historical revisionism that is happening, we still remember the fact that our nation was founded on the concept of individual freedom.

Freedom, the ability to make one’s own decisions and the law of personal responsibility and consequences that come from those decisions, is a subject frequently discussed throughout scripture. As we study the concept, we will discover that freedom is fragile and , though aimed for, it is often not fully realized.

Jesus was discussing the concept of freedom with the Pharisees, a group of scholars who kept people enslaved to the impossible goal of keeping enough rules to merit the favor of God. While folks were looking for freedom from the guilt of sin, they had become chained to rites, rituals, and rules while never breaking free from sin in the first place.

This morning as we study what Jesus says about freedom, we are going to discover some things that work both in the political realm of personal freedom and the spiritual realm of freedom. We will see that truth is the key that unlocks the slaves chains. We will see that once truth has done it’s work, you can be free indeed… you can be truly free.

Truth Breaks Chains

John 8:31–32 KJV

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Romans 10:17 KJV

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

John 17:17 KJV

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

 • The more you continue in the word, the stronger your faith can become.

 • The more you continue in the word, the more chains are broken, and the freer you become.

 • The more you share Bible Truth with others, the better their chances of becoming free.

 • Political freedom is also dependent upon the free flow of truth. When truth is blurred, covered, or distorted, chains of ignorance and compliance tend to continue to enslave.

Truth Reveals The Reality of One’s Ignorance to His Own Slavery

John 8:33 KJV

They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

Ephesians 2:1–2 KJV

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Revelation 3:17 KJV

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

*boiled frog illustration*

It is the Bible that exposes our true thoughts and intents even if we fool ourselves and others.

Hebrews 4:12 KJV

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Truth Breaks the Bondage of Sin.

 • Shows the reason for bondage

John 8:34 KJV

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

 • Shows the Power over that bondage

Romans 6:1–2 KJV

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 

God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

2 Peter 1:3–4 KJV

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

 • Gives the steps to freedom

Galatians 5:16–17 KJV

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Truth Restores What is Rightfully Ours

John 8:35 KJV

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

Romans 8:15–17 KJV

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

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

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

Free Indeed!

John 8:36 KJV

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

 • The slave will never be able to live in the master’s house… but the truth of the adoption shows that we are no longer slaved but children and heirs… to live in the Father’s house forever!

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 12:02 PM July 3, 2020.

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” (Hebrews 11:4, KJV)

Announcements:

Wednesday Night “Not From Around Here: The Complicated Life of a Sojourner” Bible Study and prayer meeting. In Person

Sunday August 2 – Special Speaker Evangelist Josh Jacquard

Wednesday August 5, Quarterly Business Meeting – In Person ?

August 12-14 6:00-7:30 Outdoor Vacation Bible Club for kids ages 4-11

I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood’s atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory. 


Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood. 

I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow’r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,”
And somehow Jesus came and bro’t
To me the victory. 


I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there
The song of victory. 

All my life I had a longing
For a drink from some clear spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.

Refrain:
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.

Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.

Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul’s sad cry.

Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun.

Final Hymn

Just as I am – without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
-O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am – and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
-O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am – though toss’d about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
-O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am – poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,
-O Lamb of God, I come!

Just as I am – Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
-O Lamb of God, I come!