Category Archives: Sunday Morning Sermons

Learning to Lean

February 16, 2012Sunday Morning SermonsDon

Genesis 31:1-55
Preached Sunday Morning February 19, 2012

Introduction:

We human beings are generally a fiercely independent lot. If there is a problem in our lives, we attempt to fix it. If there is a road block, we navigate around it. It there is a barrier, we often attempt to crash through it. That is only natural. It is what everyone does, at least before we trust in Jesus as Savior. Once we come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, we must learn that He is the one in control. He is the one directing our paths. He is the one on whom we must lean. This is necessary in order to have a happy and successful life, but this kind of trust does not come naturally. This kind of trust comes from a daily persuit and readjustment of our thoughts. It comes as we gain experience walking with our Savior. It is all part of learning to lean.

? God took 20 years to teach Jacob that human efforts do not equal the power of divine intervention. Jacob slowly learned to trust God rather than relying on his own plans and schemes. This morning we will see how God lovingly worked with him through the years as he was learning to lean on Jesus.

I. Trusting God for direction

A. When life’s circumstances change

Genesis 31:1–3 (AV)
1 And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory. 2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. 3 And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.

1. Hostile situation
2. Ever changing moods within a relationship

3. Jealousy and envy that comes when God’s blessing is evident.

4. God still has a plan

Revelation 3:7 (AV)
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

B. When others must follow your lead

1. God has protected in the past

Genesis 31:4–5 (AV)
4 And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock, 5 And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.

2. God has been just in the past

Genesis 31:6–10 (AV)
6 And ye know that with all my power I have served your father. 7 And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me. 8 If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked. 9 Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me. 10 And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.

Psalm 37:25 (AV)
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

II. Trusting God for provision

A. The God of Bethel

1. God heard the vow

Genesis 28:20–21 (AV)
20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:

2. God did provide

Genesis 31:11–13 (AV)
11 And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee. 13 I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

B. Those around us learn to trust

Psalm 40:4 (AV)
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

1. Realize that man can not do it alone

Genesis 31:14–15 (AV)
14 And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? 15 Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.

2. Realize that God is the real provider

III. Trusting God for protection

A. From the manipulators

Genesis 31:25–30 (AV)
25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead. 26 And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword? 27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp? 28 And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing. 29 It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. 30 And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father’s house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?

B. From the oppressors

Genesis 31:31 (AV)
31 And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.

C. From the sins of others

Genesis 31:19 (AV)
19 And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father’s.

D. From the accuser

Genesis 31:32–35 (AV)
32 With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them. 33 And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the two maidservants’ tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel’s furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not. 35 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.

Revelation 12:9–11 (AV)
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

IV. Trusting God for wisdom

James 1:5 (AV) 5 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.

A. Wise and pointed rebuke

Genesis 31:41–42 (AV)
41 Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times. 42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.

B. Some men will never earn trust

Genesis 31:43 (AV)
43 And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?

C. Good fences make good neighbors

Genesis 31:44–55 (AV)
44 Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee. 45 And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar. 46 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap. 47 And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed. 48 And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed; 49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. 50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee. 51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee; 52 This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm. 53 The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac. 54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount. 55 And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.

1. God will be watching you
2. Keep your distance

Conclusion:

Life in this sin cursed world can be difficult to navigate from time to time. The Apostle Paul tells us that it takes some experience to discover contentment and trust.

Philippians 4:11–12 (AV)
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Over a 20 year period, God has to work with Jacob to teach him that he can trust God for direction, for provision, for protection and for wisdom. It is not natural to trust God for direction. Search your heart and see that God has been faithful with you so far. He can be trusted. Your stress will decrease and your love will increase as you learn to lean on Jesus.

The Tangled Web of Deceit

January 19, 2012Sunday Morning SermonsDon

Genesis 27:1-46

Preached Sunday Morning January 22, 2012

Introduction:

Have you ever felt that it would just be easier to lie than to tell the truth? Have you ever felt that the only way you can get the thing that you deserve it is cheat a bit in order to level the playing field that is stacked against you? The seduction to cut the corners on honesty can seem strong at times. If you don’t have a strong sense of the presence of God in your life, it seems sometimes that the only fear is getting caught. So the thought is if it appears that you can pull it off, you probably should, after all, no one else plays fair.

We have all heard the proverb about the tangled web we weave when we start to deceive. This morning we are going to see just how many people get caught up in the web. If find yourself leaving a trail of lies and half truths in order to cover a relationship, hide an addiction or sin pattern, or create an illusion of righteousness, listen carefully. The law of sowing and reaping is an unalterable truth of the universe. It is never worth it to allow yourself and those connected to you to get tangled in the web of deceit.

I. Isaac was tangled in the web

A. He was weak and vulnerable
Genesis 27:1-2
1. 137 years old
? Ishmael, his half brother, was 137 when he died.
2. Blind
3. Expecting death

B. Selfish and sensuous
Genesis 27:3-4
1. Intended to give Esau blessing against God’s prophecy
2. Wanted another taste of venison before death
3. Used blessing as a motivator to get Esau to feed Isaac

C. This tactic left Isaac vulnerable to deception. He reaped what he sowed.
Genesis 27:5
D. Trusted his senses and was deceived
Genesis 27:21-29
E. Endured the sting of deception like Abimelech did.
Genesis 27:33
Genesis 26:9-10
F. Drove a wedge deeper between Jacob and Esau
Genesis 27:34-35

II. Rebekah was tangled in the web.

A. Rebekah was taught to act on pragmatics rather than faith.

1. Regarding Abimelech
Genesis 26:7
2. Rebekah taught her son the same
Genesis 27:6-10

B. Rebekah claimed the curse for herself
Genesis 27:13

C. Rebekah’s curse came when she lost her beloved son.
Genesis 27:42-45

D. Rebekah continued deceiving her husband.
Genesis 27:46

III. Jacob was tangled in the web.

A. Fear of getting caught
Genesis 27:11-12
1. Consequences
2. Not morality

? God sees in secret!

B. Complete deception

Genesis 27:14-20
1. Fake meat
2. Fake hair
3. Fake smell
4. Fake testimony

C. Jacob was given a way of escape a chance to repent before it was too late.

Genesis 27:21-24
I Corinthians 10:13

D. Jacob’s deception caused bitter division

Genesis 27:42-46
1. From his parents
2. From his brother
3. Set up to reap from Laban, the deceiver.

IV. Esau was tangled in the web

A. Esau’s efforts were too late
Genesis 27:30-32

B. Esau changed his mind about blessing too late
Genesis 27:34
C. Bitterness led to a murderous plot
Genesis 27:36-41

The Dynamics of Temptation

February 12, 2011Sunday Morning SermonsDon

Genesis 3:1-10

Introduction:

An episode of 20/20 once showed an experiment on self-control with children. They were told that they could have a single treat, such as a cookie, right now. However, if they would wait while the reporter ran an errand, they could have two cookies. Some preschoolers grabbed the cookie immediately; others were able to wait for what must have seemed to them like an endless twenty minutes. To sustain themselves in their struggle, they covered their eyes so they wouldn’t see the temptation, rested their heads on their arms, talked to themselves, sang, even tried to sleep. Those who endured to the end received the two-cookie reward. The follow-up of this study found that the children who were able to forgo the instant gratification kept that same temperament throughout their adolescence. The more impulsive kids who grabbed the cookie were more likely to be stubborn, indecisive, and stressed.

In this book of Beginnings, we learn about the first time that mankind has ever been tempted. The wisest man that ever lived, King Solomon, said that there is nothing new under the Sun. Satan found a combination of factors that worked and therefore uses the same tactics now that he used then. As we learn about how the first couple fell from Paradise to a sin- cursed world, we can be alerted to the same tactics used to get us to fall today. This morning we will learn that the deadly combination of satanic deception and sensual desire can bring the sin that causes total separation from God. These are the dynamics of temptation.

I. Satanic Deception

A. Subtil = cunning, crafty, insinuating, artfully sly

Genesis 3:1 (AV)

¹ Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

B. Questions the content of the rules.

Genesis 3:2–3 (AV)

² And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: ³ But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

1. Did God actually forbid you to eat of every tree?

2. Get you to look for the loopholes by overstating the prohibition.

3. While examining the law, we often add or take away from God’s perfect word in a good faith effort to try to comply.

4. The Pharisees made careers on this kind of careful examination and restatement of the Old Testament laws.

5. Often we take general principles, make up hard and fast rules and loopholes and exceptions to these hard and fast rules we made up in the first place. – We do that in dress standards, music and other areas that God has only given us principles by which to act.

6. Personal purity is another area we start to redefine and create loopholes in what exactly the act of fornication really is.

C. Convince us that we will not actually reap the consequences promised for our sin.

Genesis 3:4 (AV)

⁴ And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

1. Boldly contradict the very word of God.

Romans 5:12 (AV)

¹² 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:

2. Sometimes we are sure that we will be the exception the rule.

Galatians 6:7–9 (AV)

⁷ Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. ⁸ For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. ⁹ And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Ezekiel 18:20 (AV)

²⁰ The soul that sinneth, it shall die…

D. Convince us that God is holding something good from us. – We get deceived to believe that it is God that enslaves, not Satan.

Genesis 3:5 (AV)

⁵ For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

II. Sensual Desire

A. We are drawn away by our own desires.

James 1:13–15 (AV)

¹³ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: ¹⁴ But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. ¹⁵ Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

B. There are three basic worldly lusts.

1 John 2:16 (AV)

¹⁶ 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.

Genesis 3:6 (AV)

⁶ And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

1. Good for food = lust of the flesh – bodily desires

2. Pleasant to the eyes = lust of the eyes

3. Make one wise = pride of life.

4. Satan was right that they would know good and evil, the part he left out was they already knew good… the evil they would learn would be by personal experience. Satan does not fully disclose the terms of the sin arrangement.

Better shun the bait than struggle in the snare. -John Dryden

III. Total Separation from God

A. Up to this time God met with mankind on a regular basis – this is why he was created!

B. Separation because of guilt and shame.

Genesis 3:7–8 (AV)

⁷ And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. ⁸ And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

1. Naked = guilt

2. They tried to cover their guilt by their own efforts

3. They were not effective in covering anything.

4. No longer looked forward to meeting with God.

C. Separation because of fear.

Genesis 3:9–10 (AV)

⁹ And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? ¹⁰ And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

D. Sin still results in separation.

1. From God’s salvation – until one is ready to repent and believe.

John 3:16 (AV)

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

2. From the comfort of the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 4:30 (AV)

³⁰ And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

3. From the fellowship and or correction of God’s people.

Conclusion:

The deadly combination of satanic deception and sensual desire can bring the sin that causes total separation from God. If you are still hoping that your good faith efforts to earn Heaven will get you there, you like Adam and Eve are trying to cover the nakedness of your guilt with fig leaves. Only what Jesus did on the cross will cover your guilt. You must trust in Him alone to save you.

If you are a believer, you have learned the tactics that Satan uses to snare people. He will carefully craft reasoning that will seem so logical in order for you to open the door of possibility, enflaming the passions that lie within you. Once that door is opened, temptation turns to lust and is fulfilled in the act of sin. Now that you know how it works, come clean before God of the patterns that have drawn you away. Erwin Lutzer has well said, “Temptation is not sin, it is a call to battle”.

Known from His Creation

January 22, 2011Sunday Morning SermonsDon

Genesis 1:1-31

Introduction:

Today we start to study Genesis, the Book of beginnings. Every foundational truth we learn about who God is and who we are can be found in this powerful book. In the next year we are going to discover powerful theology as we pour over the pages of this book.

This morning we are going to take a close look at the creation story. We will discover that one can believe in God and not believe in a literal six day creation. We will also see that one cannot believe the whole Bible and deny the literal six day creation story.

I. Lessons About God

Romans 1:18–20 (AV)

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; ¹⁹ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. ²⁰ For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

A. God’s wrath is poured out against truth suppressors

1. They hold down truth

2. God’s invisible qualities are seen thought His creation.

3. God’s eternal power is revealed.

4. The Godhead is revealed.

B. God is eternal.

C. God is Triune.

I see His blood upon the rose

And in the stars the glory of His eyes.

His body gleams amid eternal snows

His tears fall from the skies.

I see His face in every flower,

The thunder and the singing of the birds

Are but His voice—and carved by His power

Rocks are His written words.

All pathways by His feet are worn;

His strong heart stirs the everlasting sea;

His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,

His cross is every tree.

Joseph Plunkett

II. Lessons About The Universe

A. Matter is not eternal.

Genesis 1:1 (AV)

¹ In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

B. There is no substance to the gap theory.

Genesis 1:2 (AV)

² And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

C. Light was created before the sun, moon, and stars.

Genesis 1:3–5 (AV)

³ And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. ⁴ And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. ⁵ And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

D. God created a pre-flood canopy of water.

Genesis 1:6–8 (AV)

⁶ And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. ⁷ And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. ⁸ And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

E. The language of the passage dictated a 24-hour interpretation.

Vv. 5,8,13,19,23,31

è To assume order rose out of chaos is to ignore the second law of thermodynamics.

F. Pangaea is possible.

Genesis 1:9 (AV)

⁹ And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

G. Fruit was designed to reproduce itself.

Genesis 1:11–12 (AV)

¹¹ And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. ¹² And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

H. Celestial lights were not created until day four, making the theory of Theistic Evolution illogical.

Genesis 1:14–18 (AV)

¹⁴ And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: ¹⁵ And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. ¹⁶ And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. ¹⁷ And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, ¹⁸ And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

I. Creatures were created with the appearance of age.

J. There were no carnivores before the fall.

Genesis 1:29–30 (AV)

²⁹ And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. ³⁰ And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

III. Lessons About Man

Genesis 1:26–28 (AV)

²⁶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. ²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. ²⁸ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

A. Made in the image of God.

1. Body

2. Soul

3. Spirit

B. Man was given dominion over the animals.

C. Man was given the command to multiply.

I Saw God Today

I saw God today—

in the delicate petals of a rose,

kissed by the dew, enhanced by the morning sun.

I saw God today—

in a stream, catching sunlight,

making its own music.

I saw God today—

in the stillness of the woodland,

Silent, except for an occasional call of birds.

I saw God today—

as the slow darkness of a storm began,

as far as the eye could see.

I saw God today—

in a tree once covered with newness of spring,

now cradled in snow, bowing to God’s seasons.

I saw God today—

in the face of a new life. A baby,

Reaching out its little hand to know God.

—Louise Harker

Now More Than Ever, Run the Race

January 2, 2011Sunday Morning SermonsDon

Hebrews 12:1-3

Preached Sunday Morning January 2, 2011

Introduction:

Today marks the first Sunday in the 60^th year of our ministry. 2011 also marks the 400^th year of our King James Bible. All though this year, we will be focusing upon the legacy that has been left for us and we will also focus upon the one that we will be leaving for the next generation. There are some here today that will be here when we celebrate our 100^th year of ministry as a church. How will those people remember us today?

In chapter 11, the writer of Hebrews gives a great history lesson of faithful saints in the Bible. After reflecting upon those great things accomplished through steadfast faith in God, the author challenges us to realize that every saint that has passed into eternity is now watching us. It is as if there is a great Heavenly arena and we are the runners of a great marathon. The crowd continues to grow with loved ones and Christian soldiers who have crossed over before us. There are more in the crowd than there has ever been. As we reflect upon 2011, our 60^th year as a church, my 10^th year as pastor, and upon your personal time spent here; now more than ever, we must run the race!

I. We have a big crowd watching us run.

Hebrews 11:32-40 – 32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

A. Think of who is in the audience

1. Abel

2. Enoch

3. Noah

4. Abraham

5. Sarah

6. Jacob

7. Joseph

8. Moses

9. Joshua

10. Caleb

11. Rahab

12. The Apostles

13. Paul

14. Great Heroes of the Faith

15. Pastor Eseppi

16. Patriarchs of EBC

17. Herald Rogers

18. Mr. Readon

B. Their victories came by faith – vs 33

1. To obtain saving grace

Romans 3:19-22 – 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

2. To obtain standing grace

Romans 5:1-2 – Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

– Note none of these great achievements came apart from raw faith – not plans or pragmatics.

C. They obtained victory over satanic attacks by faith – vs 33-35

1. Subdued kingdoms

2. Wrought righteousness

3. Obtained promises

4. Shut the lion’s mouth

5. Quenched the violence of fire

6. Escaped the edge of the sword

7. Were strong in their weakness

8. Turned dark armies to flight

9. Dead were raised

D. They obtained the ability to stand by God’s grace through their faith – vs 35-38

1. Tortured

2. Kangaroo court

3. Imprisoned

4. Stoned

5. Sawn to pieces

6. Wandered in exile

E. They obtained eternal reward by faith – vs 39-40

II. We must remove everything that will slow us down

Hebrews 12:1 – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

A. Because of the testimonies of faithful victory that precedes us

B. Lay aside every weight

1. Weight = “that which is hooked” to a person, thus dragging him down as a weight

2. Examples:

a. Anything that slows you from running the race in faith

b. Fear of man

Proverbs 29:25 – The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

c. Misplaced allegiance

Matthew 10:37-38 – He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

d. Pleasures of this life

Luke 8:14 – And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

e. Party life

Romans 13:11-13 – And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

f. Riches

1 Timothy 6:9 – But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

C. Lay aside every sin

1. That besets us = winds around us bringing us into peril

2. Sin would impede your race of faith

D. We must run with patience – abide under, endurance

III. We must keep our eyes on the finish line

Hebrews 12:2-3 – 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

A. Jesus wrote the plan

Genesis 3:15 – And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

B. Jesus finished the plan

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

1. Because of love – vs 2

2. Endured the cross

3. Despised the shame

4. Was exalted and sits on the right hand of God the Father

C. Jesus will keep you from fainting – vs 3

1. Consider = analogizomai = contemplate

2. Endured contradiction of sinners = “a gainsaying contradiction”

3. Keep you from being wearied

4. Keep you from fainting in your minds

a. Faint = to relax – like a bowstring

b. The battle is in the mindset, not necessarily in the actions

Conclusion:

The ancient arena is full as you enter to run the marathon. The shouts echo throughout the stadium. They are the voices of those millions who have already run this long and grueling race. If you wish to run well, consider the millions who have successfully finished – you can too. Get rid of all those things tangled around your life that will slow you down and drain your energy. Keep your eyes on the finish line. Jesus, your Savior is waiting for you there! So, run on faith!

The Body of Christ

September 10, 2010Sunday Morning SermonsDon

I Corinthians 12:12-27

Preached Sunday Morning September 12, 2010

Introduction:

Have you ever struggled with the feeling of not fitting in? Sometimes we just feel like we do not really belong with the crowd at school, at work or in the neighborhood. This feeling is compounded for born again Christians who are not citizens of this world. The believer has little in common with those folks who are living for selfish and temporal goals.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthian believers, has been addressing their common calling. Last week we saw that all believers are given different spiritual gifts in order to be used for a common purpose through a common body. This morning we are going to see that if you are a born again believer, you DO belong. You are called to be a functioning body part in the Body of Christ.

This morning we are going to be introduced to the definition and concept of the Body of Christ which is the Church. We will see that the church is not a denomination, building, or even an invisible group. We will see exactly what Jesus started, when He said that He will build His Church. We will see how we plug into that body. We will see that active membership in a Bible believing local church is the only way to maintain functional Christianity in your life. We will see that the local church is the Body of Christ.

I. The Body of Christ is the Church.

A. Jesus started the Church

Matthew 16:18

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

B. The church is a called out assembly- it must be local, and cannot be invisible.

“WE BELIEVE that a Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (a) associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel…”

– From EBC Statement of faith.

Acts 8:1

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 11:22,

22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

Acts 13:1

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Romans 16:1

I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

Colossians 4:15

15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

1 Corinthians 1:2

2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1 Corinthians 16:19

19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

C. The Local Church is the Body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:27-29

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

II. All the members have the same salvation, drawing them together in the local body.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

A. We were all condemned

Romans 3:21-23,29-30

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

B. We were drawn and convicted by the same spirit

John 6:44

44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

C. We were all indwelt by the same spirit

Romans 8:15-16

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

D. We are all guided by the same spirit

1 Corinthians 12:13

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Acts 2:41-42

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

A weary traveler arrived at the French village of Doubs on Sunday evening at twilight, and found people hurrying through the streets to church, each carrying a bronze lamp. A villager explained: “We have no other way of lighting the church. In 1550 when the church was built, the mayor of the village decided that each member should bring his own lamp. Everyone goes there to make it brighter, for he knows that if he stays away, the church will be darker and the service sadder.”

When he entered the church, the traveler saw that on every pew was a place to hang the lighted lamp; and as the church gradually filled, the cumulative effect of the multitude of lighted lamps was startling. The whole building was illuminated with a soft radiance, indescribably beautiful and impressive.

—Al Bryant

III. All the members have different gifts within the body.

1 Corinthians 12:14-20

14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

A. God has placed many different members into one body

1. Each member has a different function

2. We cannot cove another’s function and calling

3. Different functions are needed for the body to be complete

A flight from Washington D.C. was uneventful until landing in Indianapolis. The plane was taxiing to the terminal but stopped in the middle of the runway. Many of the passengers were beginning to fidget in their seats as the engines idled. Then the pilot made an announcement that defused the tension: “I flew this multimillion-dollar aircraft from Washington D.C. at night and found the airport on my first try. However, I have to wait until a guy with a couple of 99-cent flashlights shows me how to park it.”

B. Each member needs the other

1 Corinthians 12:21-24

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:

A little girl once cried out in the night and awakened her mother. At the child’s request she was permitted to crawl in bed with her mother.

“What’s the matter?” the mother inquired.

“It was dark over there,” said the child.

“Yes,” replied the mother, “but it’s just as dark over here.”

“I know, Mother,” the little girl said, “but you’re here.”

IV. The members are to unite to make one living body, the local church.

1 Corinthians 12:25-27

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

A. God did not design his body to have a split!

B. Members should have the same care for each other

1. Suffer together

2. Rejoice together

è This requires selflessness

Philippians 2:1-4

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

C. To be a member of Evangelical Baptist Church is to be a member in the body of Christ, by His design.

1 Corinthians 12:27

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

D. Since Jesus built this church as part of His perfect design for our lives, we must be active in it.

1 Corinthians 12:28-29

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

Hebrews 10:24-25

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Who’s Your Daddy?

June 16, 2010Sunday Morning SermonsDon

Romans 8:14-27

Preached Father’s Day June 20, 2010

Introduction:

If he’s wealthy and prominent, and you stand in awe of him, call him “Father.” If he sits in his shirt sleeves and suspenders at a ball game and picnic, call him “Pop.” If he wheels the baby carriage and carries bundles meekly, call him “Papa” (with the accent on the first syllable). If he belongs to a literary circle and writes cultured papers, call him “Papa” (with the accent on the last syllable).

If, however, he makes a pal of you when you’re good and is too wise to let you pull the wool over his loving eyes when you’re not; if, moreover, you’re quite sure no other fellow you know has quite so fine a father, you may call him “Dad.”

William Buel Franklin (1823–1903)

As you all know, I am a pastor. I come with several titles, some could call me Reverend, some Pastor Carpenter, some even mistakenly call me Father, but only four people in this world can call me dad. There is a special relationship that I have with Bethany, Katie, Zachary and Sarah that no other person in this universe shares. I love my friends, my church, and my relatives, but there is a very special bond between a father and his own children.

Our passage this morning tells us about a relationship we can have with God. We have the opportunity to call Him Abba, Father, or “Daddy”. Think of it. No matter what your earthly father was or is like, you have the chance to call the loving Creator of the universe “Daddy”! This is a special and exclusive relationship with God. Not everyone shares that relationship. Not everyone can truly call Jehovah God, “Daddy”. As we meditate upon these truths surrounding Father’s Day, ask yourself this spiritual question: Who’s your Daddy?

I. God is not everyone’s Father.

A. All of us start with an abusive father.

John 8:44

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

B. God paid the price for our adoption

Galatians 4:4-5

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

1. We bore the shame of our natural father, Satan.

2. We bore the condemnation of our natural father.

Romans 3:10,23

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

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

3. Jesus paid the price for sin in order to buy us out of that dysfunctional family.

Isaiah 53:6

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

C. We are adopted at the moment we accept our new Father.

John 1:12

12 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:

The Armenian Orthodox Liturgy has a beautiful introductory statement to The Lord’s Prayer:

And grant us to open our mouths with cry of bold voice, to call upon Thee O Heavenly Father, to sing and say Our Father…

II. Daddy calms our fears – He really loves His own children!

A. Adopted not enslaved.

Romans 8:15

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

B. Fear is replaced with power, love, and a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

C. There is no fear in Daddy’s perfect love – even when He is angry at our sin.

1 John 4:18

18 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.

III. Daddy keeps us safe

John 10:27-30

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.

A. We are in the Creator’s hands

B. We are in healing hands

C. We are in calming and loving hands

D. We are in nail scarred hands

E. Anyone that would try to hurt one of Daddy’s kids is in for a heavy hand!

Matthew 18:6

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

On a dangerous cliff stood a little company of rescuers planning how they might let someone down over the precipice to search for one who was lost and carry to him the rope with which he might be rescued. They wanted to use a little shepherd lad, but he drew back unwilling to go until he saw his father coming, when he said: “Yes, I will go if father holds the rope.”

IV. Daddy gives good gifts

A. Daddy knows what His children need – if it is a good gift, it is from Daddy.

James 1:17

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

B. If we want a good gift, all we need to do is ask Daddy.

Matthew 7:7-11

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

V. Daddy loves us enough to discipline us

Hebrews 12:5-8

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

A. Chastisement shows our unique relationship as children

B. Chastisement shows God’s love.

C. Chastisement shows that deeply cares about how we turn out – that’s what Daddies do!

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.

Mark Twain (1835–1910

VI. Daddy has an inheritance for us.

A. The Divine Nature

2 Peter 1:3-4

3 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: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

B. A home with Him forever.

Romans 8:17

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

Conclusion:

Either God is your judge and Satan is your father or Satan is your enemy, and God is your Father. If you have received Jesus by faith as your Savoir, you have been adopted. Daddy calms your fears. Daddy keeps you safe. Daddy gives you good gifts. Daddy disciplines you. Daddy has a great inheritance for you. There is a question you must answer before you leave. The answer should cause you to either receive Christ, or walk out of here with your head held high, knowing that you are loved in a very special and unique relationship with God.

“Who’s your Daddy?”

Spiritual Indigestion

February 20, 2010Sunday Morning SermonsDon

I Corinthians 3:1-9

Preached Sunday Morning February 21, 2010

Introduction:

Thanksgiving and Christmas were times of mixed emotions when our children were small. We loved to spend time together, sharing gifts, visiting relatives and eating a big holiday meal. The problem was that little Zachary would get very sick for every holiday. He would seem fine during the day, but after all of the festivities, family, and food, he would violently throw up all the food he ate during the day. At first we just thought that the little guy had a very nervous stomach. One day we had turkey like we did during the holidays and he reacted in the same way. It turned out that Zachary was allergic to the solution that was injected into the frozen poultry. Something caused him to be unable to digest the food he should have readily processed.

Sometimes born again Christians go through the same thing in the spiritual realm. The Word of God is our food and we eat it when we read it or when we hear preaching. Sometimes there are certain passages or subjects that really bother us. Either we do not understand it, or we become confused and violently agitated about what we hear. When we hear preaching that is basic salvation and forgiveness, the symptoms go away. We can only handle spiritual milk, but have a spiritual meat intolerance. We have a case of Spiritual Indigestion.

In our passage this morning, the Apostle Paul is continuing his letter to the church at Corinth. This is the church eh helped to start. Paul has written this letter to help correct some problems in the church. The Corinthian believers were hearing the preaching and teaching from Paul, but could not handle what he was teaching. Paul had to change the menu he was serving to the church at Corinth. They were suffering from Spiritual Indigestion.

This morning, as we read this ancient letter to an ailing church, we are going to discover the symptoms, the cause, and the cure for Spiritual Indigestion.

I. The Symptoms of Spiritual Indigestion

A. Maturity is lacking

1 Corinthians 3:1

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

1. Cannot be treated as spiritual people

a. Spiritual = maturity attained through prolonged relationship with the Holy Spirit.

b. This term did not exist in scriptures until after the Gospels, once the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit had begun.

2. Had to be treated as carnal people

a. Carnal = having the nature of the flesh

b. This childlike behavior is expected in baby Christians.

c. Christians are expected to grow past the dictates of the selfish and passionate whims of the flesh.

“The young Christian is still carnal,” says Andrew Murray. “Regeneration is a birth: the center and root of the personality, the spirit, has been renewed and taken possession of by the Spirit of God. But time is needed for its power from that center to extend through all the circumference of his being. The kingdom of God is like unto a seed; the life in Christ is a growth, and it would be against the laws of nature and grace alike if we expected from the babe in Christ the strength that can only be found in the young men, or the rich experience of the fathers.”

B. Spiritual diet had to be changed.

1 Corinthians 3:2

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

1. Could only handle milk

Hebrews 5:12-13

12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

a. Unskilful in the Word

b. Have not developed a bond with Holy Spirit teaching.

2. Could not handle meat

Hebrews 5:14

14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

a. Of full age – mature

b. Have honed their spiritual senses of discernment.

3. Could not bear = sustain the weight or burden of

4. Still cannot bear it – they had not matured.

Luther was told of a nobleman who, above all things, occupied himself with amassing money and was so buried in darkness that he gave no heed to the word of God, and even said to someone who witnessed to him, “But the gospel pays no interest.”

“Have you no grains?” interposed Luther. And then he told this fable. “A lion was making a great feast, and invited all the beasts, among them some swine. When all types of dainty foods were set before the guests, the swine asked, ‘Have you no grains?’ It is the same way with carnal men today,” Luther continued. “We preachers set before them the most dainty and costly dishes, such as everlasting salvation, the remission of sins, and God’s grace. But they, like swine, turn up their snouts, and ask for money. Offer a cow a nutmeg, and she will reject it for old hay.”

è We follow the appetites of whatever nature is stronger, the Spirit or our flesh.

II. The Cause of Spiritual Indigestion

A. Carnality prevents deeper spiritual growth and understanding

B. Evidence of Carnality

1 Corinthians 3:3-4

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

1. Envying = To feel uneasiness, mortification, or discontent at the sight of superior excellence, reputation, or happiness.

What we have not poisons what we have…. Our urge to acquire things is due less to the passion to possess them than to the vanity of feeling superior to those who envy our possession of them…. Envy transmutes other people’s base metals into gold…. Our envy is the yeast that swells the fortune of others…. No form of hatred is as keen as envy. It magnifies the importance of our enemy—and belittles our own.

Paul Eldridge

2. Strife = contention in anger

3. Divisions – standing apart.

4. The heart is betrayed by their speech. “I belong to…”

Matthew 12:34

…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

5. Carnality comes as we split, following men or movements, not Christ and His Word.

III. The Treatment of Spiritual Indigestion

è A proper understanding of how God uses people will help us not to divide over them.

A. Realize that Christian leaders belong to God.

1 Corinthians 3:5

5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

1. These men are both ministers = servants

2. These men were both responsible for bringing people to belief.

3. God offers Salvation to all people, but they must hear the Word before they can believe.

Romans 10:17

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

B. Realize that Christian leaders are doing the work of God.

1 Corinthians 3:6

6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

1. Planting = sowing the seed – EVANGELISM

2. Watering = seeing the seed germinate, watching the plant grow, seeing fruit develop, watching that plant reproduce. – DISCIPLESHIP

3. We fight today over which one is more important, evangelism or discipleship.

4. God’s design is to see a seed planted, germinate, grow, and produce fruit.

Matthew 13:23

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

C. Christian leaders depend upon the Power of God.

1. God is the One to get the credit, not the men.

1 Corinthians 3:7

7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

2. The one who waters and the one who plants are laboring for the same goal, fruit in the lives of the believers.

1 Corinthians 3:8

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

3. Each laborer will be rewarded according to his own effort, not whether he was planting or watering.

1 Corinthians 3:8-9

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

Conclusion

Have you struggled with the scriptures lately? Do you find that the only messages that resonate in your soul are ones on basic salvation stories, even though you have been saved a while?

Perhaps you are suffering from Spiritual Indigestion. Identify the envy and division in your heart. Realize that we all serve the same God and will answer to Him. God really wants to use all of us. He is waiting, leaning over the banisters of Heaven, hoping that you will turn from the strife that divides and embrace His love that unites! He loves you more than you will ever know and wants to heal us all of our Spiritual Indigestion.

Ten Ways to Recognize True Love

February 11, 2010Sunday Morning SermonsDon

I Corinthians 13:4-7

Preached Sunday Morning, February 14, 2010

Introduction:

This morning we were reminded of the fact that love is needed in all of our Christian activities. We saw that a soul winner without love is just noisy. We saw that even if a person proclaims God’s revelation by unveiling mysteries, expounding knowledge and demonstrating faith; without love he is nothing. We saw that sacrifice must be accompanied by true agape love, or there will be no reward.

With all of this in mind, it is imperative that we learn how to recognize true love. This kind of agape love is not an emotion. It is characterized by a series of choices made. Ask God to examine your heart and expose your true motives as we study ten ways to recognize true agape love.

I. Agape love is long suffering

1 Corinthians 13:4 – Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

A. It puts up with slights and neglects

2 Timothy 2:25-26 – 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

B. Will not get easily offended

Psalm 119:165 – Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

II. Agape love is kind – searches for opportunities to do good to the object of love

Luke 6:34-36 – 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

III. Agape love envies not

A. Envy is an indicator of the presence of evil

James 3:14-16 – 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

1 Peter 2:1 – Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

B. Is others focused

Philippians 2:3 – Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

IV. Agape love subdues pride and vainglory

A. Does not brag

B. Is not proud

Proverbs 13:10 – Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

V. Agape love does not misbehave

1 Corinthians 13:5 – Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

A. Is courteous

1 Peter 3:8 – Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

B. Will never tempt to sin with the phrase: “If you love me…”

VI. Agape love does not seek her own – is others-centered

1 Corinthians 12:25 – That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

Philippians 2:4 – Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

VII. Agape love is not easily provoked, or hot-tempered

Proverbs 14:17 – He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

James 1:19-20 – 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

VIII. Agape love thinks no evil

A. Is not suspicious or mistrusting in nature

Genesis 31:32 – With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

B. Often suspicion betrays the one of whom people should be suspicious!

2 Samuel 10:1-5 – And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. 2 Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. 3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it? 4 Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. 5 When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

IX. Agape love has pleasure…

1 Corinthians 13:6 – Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

A. Not in evil things

Romans 1:32 – Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

B. Only in truth

3 John 4 – I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

X. Agape love will last

1 Corinthians 13:7 – Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

A. Bears all things – putting a veil over sin

Proverbs 10:12 – Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

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

B. Believes all things – believing good about the object of love

Philippians 1:6 – Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

C. Never gives up hope for repentance and reform

D. Weathers all storms

Genesis 29:20 – And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

Man’s Theories vs. God’s Demonstration

February 4, 2010Sunday Morning SermonsDon

I Corinthians 2:1-16

Preached Sunday February 7, 2010

Introduction:

When an emergency medical technician arrives at the scene of an accident, he knows he may have only a few minutes to save a victim’s life. He will waste none of those minutes in combing the patient’s hair, brushing his clothes, or checking for marks of identification. He will move as swiftly as he can to the most critical wound and treat it with all of his skill. Something similar is demanded of the minister in the pulpit. He has 20 to 30 minutes to bring life to someone within his hearing, or in which to let him remain spiritually dead.

As we continue through our series on I Corinthians, “The Problem Church”, we find the apostle Paul continuing to teach the church at Corinth why there should not be divisions along lines of personality. It is so ridiculous to side with a man based on perceived abilities when God obviously does not use the same standard of measurement as we do.

We are impressed with degrees and pedigrees. We marvel when someone speaks and it is over our heads. Too often, we fundamentalist are surrendering our Bible-based convictions and trading God’s wisdom for that of professional students.

Today let us see the difference between man’s intellectual theories and God’s power demonstrated!

I. Don’t build on an intellectual prowess alone

A. The church is not built on human skill

1 Corinthians 2:1

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

1. Oration

2. Philosophical argument

B. The church is built on God’s testimony – definition = evidence given/experience based on fact

C. We must be careful not to get in the way

1 Corinthians 2:2-4

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

1. Paul felt inadequate

a. Weak

b. Fear

c. Trembling

2. Paul did not wait to feel able!

3. Paul avoided enticing words = well constructed arguments

4. Cults use those… you have something greater!

5. Paul had God’s power demonstrated

D. Everyone must know that the foundation is the power of God

1 Corinthians 2:5

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

1. In His revealed Word

2. In changed lives

3. In answered prayer

4. This will help to curb your pride.

John Hall says: “Settle in your mind that no sermon is worth much in which the Lord is not the principal speaker. There may be poetry, refinement, historic truth, moral truth, pathos, and all the charms of rhetoric; but all will be lost, for the purposes of preaching, if the Word of the Lord is not the staple of the discourse.”

II. God’s wisdom is flawless

A. Worldly princes could not grasp it

1 Corinthians 2:6-8

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

1. A hidden mystery

2. They would not have crucified Jesus

3. Do not be tempted to change the message in order for the princes to be able to understand. This is a spiritual matter.

B. Man on his own cannot plumb the depth of the wonders of God’s grace

1 Corinthians 2:9 – But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

1. By eye

2. By ear

3. By thought yet…

III. God’s wisdom can be spiritually understood

A. Inner secrets

1 Corinthians 2:10-11

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1. Man keeps secret in his inner being = his spirit.

2. God keeps His secrets in His Spirit

3. The only way to know the intimacies of God is to know the Spirit of God.

4. Born Again Christians have God’s Spirit!

1 Corinthians 2:12

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

B. Words spoken, then, are not crafted by man, but moved by the Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:13

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

1. The Spirit teaches

2. The Spirit compares spiritual (experience) with spiritual (God’s Word)

C. Unsaved man cannot comprehend God’s truth

1 Corinthians 2:14-16

14 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. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

1. God’s truth must be spiritually discerned

2. The spiritual has discernment to judge

3. Born Again Christians have the mind of Christ inside them!