Philippians 1:9-11
Preached Wednesday March 20, 2013

Introduction:

Selfishness and the “Poochie Lip” often attack us as we slog through this sin cursed world. Our study through this Epistle written by Paul while he was in a roman prison helps us to readjust our thinking.

? Joy is mentioned 4 times
? Rejoice mentioned 8 times
? Glad mentioned 3 times

The key to finding this joy is found by having a Christ-like mindset.

Chapter 1 – The Single Mind
Chapter 2 – The Submissive Mind
Chapter 3 – The Spiritual Mind
Chapter 4 – The Secure Mind

Chapter 1 tells us that we should have a single mind focused on the Gospel. If we are preoccupied with both the blessings of and the spreading of the Gospel, it would make sense that inner joy would be a natural result of that kind of mindset. The first thirteen verses of this chapter center around the “Fellowship of the Gospel”. The term fellowship means a joint participation in a common interest and activity. So to fellowship with believers should be more than just having food… it is action shared to reach a common goal. The beginning of this chapter shows us that as we are single minded toward the gospel, we should be sharing together in common interest and activity of the gospel. We first discovered that both the servants, those involved in vocational ministry, and the saints, have the same fellowship. They are united to help each other serve God and spread the Gospel through the local assembly. The path to Christian joy is found through a single mind focused on the Gospel. The best way to accomplish that is to have joint participation, fellowship, shared action around the common activity of the gospel within the local church. There are three facets of this single minded fellowship of the Gospel that we have been examining are these:

• The fellowship of Praise – Philippians 1:3-6
• The fellowship of Grace – Philippians 1:7-7, 12-13
• The fellowship of Prayer – Philippians 1:9-11

Tonight we will discover that Christian joy can be experienced as we share a single mind focused on the fellowship of intercessory prayer.

I. Pray that love may abound.

Philippians 1:9 (AV)
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

A. The Love that God produced.

1 John 4:16 (AV)
16 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.

B. More and more = running over like a cup that can no longer contain

C. Love based on experiential knowledge of Jesus. Something that can only grow through spending time getting the experience Jesus.

Romans 5:5 (AV)
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

D. In Judgment = sensitive moral perception – insight

Ephesians 5:17 (AV)
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

E. All of this will enable you to love others more.

II. Pray that believers will approve excellent things.

Philippians 1:10 (AV)
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

A. Approve = discern what is best = from the Greek – testing

Romans 12:2 (AV)
2 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.

B. Excellent = spiritual concepts and actions which involve delicate and keen distinctions.

III. Pray that believers would reflect praise back to God with their lives.

Philippians 1:10–11 (AV)
… that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

A. Sincere = distinct, unmixed, pure – nothing distracting or polluting your commitment to Jesus.

B. No Offence = not cut against/ not stumbled upon.

Romans 16:17 (AV)
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

C. Endurance – Paul prays for this kind of stability and commitment to last till the day of Christ.

D. Filled with the fruits of righteousness

Colossians 1:5–6 (AV)
5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

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

1. This fruit came through Jesus

2. This fruit will praise Him.

Matthew 5:16 (AV)
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Philippians 1:7-8, 12-13
Preached Wednesday March 13, 2013

Introduction:

As we fight our way through this sin cursed world, it seems that joy can be hard to come by. Discouragement and apathy assault the mind of a believer and cause him to faint in the battlefield. Last week we discovered that Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi was written while he was in a Roman prison. We saw that in spite of Paul’s bonds, this book reveals some keys to obtaining and maintaining joy in the life of a believer. The main thought of the book of Philippians is that the path to Christian joy is found though a Christ-like mindset.

Chapter 1 tells us that we should have a single mine focused on the Gospel. If we are preoccupied with both the blessings of and the spreading of the Gospel, it would make sense that inner joy would be a natural result of that kind of mindset. The first thirteen verses of this chapter center around the “Fellowship of the Gospel”. The term fellowship means a joint participation in a common interest and activity. So to fellowship with believers should be more than just having food… it is action shared to reach a common goal. The beginning of this chapter shows us that as we are single minded toward the gospel, we should be sharing together in common interest and activity of the gospel. Two weeks ago we saw that both the servants, those involved in vocational ministry, and the saints, have the same fellowship. They are united to help each other serve God and spread the Gospel through the local assembly.

The path to Christian joy is found through a single mind focused on the Gospel. The best way to accomplish that is to have joint participation or:

• Fellowship= shared action around the common activity of the gospel within the local church.
• There are three facets of this single minded fellowship of the Gospel that we will explore in the next few weeks.

• The fellowship of Praise – Philippians 1:3-6
• The fellowship of Grace – Philippians 1:7-7, 12-13
• The fellowship of Prayer – Philippians 1:9-11

Tonight we will discover that Christian joy can be experienced as we share a single mind focused on the fellowship of Grace in the Gospel.

I. The Fellowship of Saving Grace

Philippians 1:7 (AV)
7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.

A. We are assured that God will continue the work He started.

Philippians 1:6 (AV)
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:

B. So it is only meet = just – for Paul to meditate on how both he and the saints he led to Christ share that same promise of longevity.

C. It is only natural that both the servant and the saint would share the common bond of a sinner saved by Grace.

1 John 3:14 (AV)
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

D. Not only does Paul share the bond of having similar salvation, but the Philippians monetarily fellowshipped in his ministry.

II. The Fellowship of Sustaining Grace.

Philippians 1:7–8 (AV)
7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

A. Partakers of the same Grace = unmerited favor / Divine enablement

B. Grace that enabled them to endure suffering.

Acts 16:23–25 (AV)
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

2 Corinthians 12:7–9 (AV)
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

C. Grace that enabled them to defend the Gospel = Judicial logical argument for the case of the Gospel.

Ephesians 6:18–20 (AV)
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Colossians 4:3 (AV)
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

D. This common bond creates the deep emotional tie between fellowshipping, co-laboring believers seen in verse 8.

III. The Fellowship of Saturating Grace – with the Gospel

Philippians 1:12–13 (AV)
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

A. Some were afraid that because of the adversity Paul experienced, the Gospel was hindered and Satan was winning.

B. Furtherance = metaphor of the tree clearers that would proceed a conquering army. God was using these experiences to clear the way for more effective Gospel advancement.

C. The Palace Guard heard the Gospel.

1. This was God’s design from the beginning.

Acts 9:15 (AV)
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

2. All was working according to God’s perfect plan.

Romans 8:28 (AV)
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Philippians 1:3-6
Preached Wednesday March 6, 2013

Introduction:

As we fight our way through this sin cursed world, it seems that joy can be hard to come by. Discouragement and apathy assault the mind of a believer and cause him to faint in the battlefield. Last week we discovered that Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi was written while he was in a Roman prison. We saw that in spite of Paul’s bonds, this book reveals some keys to obtaining and maintaining joy in the life of a believer. The main thought of the book of Philippians is that the path to Christian joy is found though a Christ-like mindset.

Chapter 1 tells us that we should have a single mine focused on the Gospel. If we are preoccupied with both the blessings of and the spreading of the Gospel, it would make sense that inner joy would be a natural result of that kind of mindset. The first thirteen verses of this chapter center around the “Fellowship of the Gospel”. The term fellowship means a joint participation in a common interest and activity. So to fellowship with believers should be more than just having food… it is action shared to reach a common goal. The beginning of this chapter shows us that as we are single minded toward the gospel, we should be sharing together in common interest and activity of the gospel. Last week we saw that both the servants, those involved in vocational ministry, and the saints, have the same fellowship. They are united to help each other serve God and spread the Gospel through the local assembly.

The path to Christian joy is found through a single mind focused on the Gospel. The best way to accomplish that is to have joint participation, fellowship, shared action around the common activity of the gospel within the local church. There are three facets of this single minded fellowship of the Gospel that we will explore in the next few weeks.

• The fellowship of Praise – Philippians 1:3-6
• The fellowship of Grace – Philippians 1:7-7, 12-13
• The fellowship of Prayer – Philippians 1:9-11

Tonight we will discover that Christian joy can be experienced as we share a single mind focused on the fellowship of Praise in the Gospel.

I. Praise God for His personal work

Philippians 1:3 (AV)
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

A. “My God” shows confidence of personal nature of Paul’s relationship with God.

Philippians 4:19 (AV)
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Romans 1:8 (AV)
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

1 Corinthians 1:4 (AV)
4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

B. Every time the saints are remembered, their individual stories drive Paul to pray. All saints share miraculous stories of praise.

1. Their state before salvation
2. The way God orchestrated the gospel presentation. John 6:44
3. The way God opened their eyes.
4. The way God started to develop signs of spiritual life within them.
5. The implications of their spiritual development.
6. God’s design placing them as a perfect fit within the Body of the local church.

II. Praise God for the privilege of interceding for the saints.

Philippians 1:4 (AV)
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

A. He can pray for the sheep like Jesus did.

John 17:9–10 (AV)
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.

B. He can pray knowing that God already has a plan for His saints.

Romans 8:29 (AV)
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

James 5:14–16 (AV)
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

III. Praise God for the fellowship of the Gospel

Philippians 1:5 (AV)
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

A. Fellowship – joint participation in a common activity

B. The single minded focus is the Gospel and all the action that surrounds the Gospel.

C. The Philippians had been helping Paul do the work of the Gospel.

Acts 16:15 (AV)
15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Philippians 4:10 (AV)
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

Philippians 4:15 – 16 (AV)
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

IV. Praise God for the confidence we can have in His work.

Philippians 1:6 (AV)
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:

A. Confident = a settled persuasion

B. The work that God did to reach the saint will continue to protect and perfect the saint. Salvation is up to God’s work not our perserverence.

C. The Day of Jesus Christ = the rapture

1 John 3:2 (AV)
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Ephesians 6:13-17
Preached  Wednesday February 13, 2013

Introduction:

Last week we learned that the best way to weather an intense barrage from the enemy is just to do what it takes to stay standing. The unseen forces of darkness are working systematically to render born-again believers silent. Satan will deceive, distract, discourage, or discredit a believer in order to keep him form reaching others for Christ. We saw that even if we get knocked down, we must spring back to our feet. We must be prepared to stand.

This week we will learn the practical things that we must do in order to defend ourselves while we take our stand. There are important pieces of equipment we must have in place in order to defend ourselves properly. We will learn the parts and importance of our spiritual armor as well as our issued weapon in the army of the Lord.

I. Protect your loins

Ephesians 6:14 – Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
A. “Loins” pictures the seat of generative power
B. A shot to the pelvic region stops the attacker’s ability to stand or advance
C. Put on truth
1. This belt holds everything else in place
Ephesians 4:14-15 – 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the               sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all               things, which is the head, even Christ:
2. Truth and error cannot co-exist

John 8:32,44 – 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 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.
John 17:17 – Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 14:6 – Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
3. Challenge every statement and thought to determine its source
II. Protect your center-mass
A. Breastplate = covers from neck to waist or below
1. This is a vital area to your spiritual health
2. This is a big target. “Aim small, miss small; aim big, hit big.”
B. Righteousness = the character or quality of being right or just
1. Positionally
Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Isaiah 61:10 – I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

2. Practically

Acts 24:16 – And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
III. Protect your feet
Ephesians 6:15 – And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

A. Feet = ability to be agile in the battle

Romans 10:15 – And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

B. Protected with preparation

1. Preparation = the state of readiness
1 Peter 3:15 – But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

2. Gospel = good tidings
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 – 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 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.
3. Peace = harmonious relationship
Romans 5:1-2 – Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

IV. Your most important armor

Ephesians 6:16-17 – 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

A. Shield of faith
1. Faith = firm persuasion
2. Quench Satan’s darts of doubt

Proverbs 18:10 – The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 30:5 – Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

1 Peter 5:8-9 – 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

B. Helmet of salvation – vital to life – protect your proper and clear thinking. Filter every attack through the truth of your position in Christ.

Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

C. Sword – the Word of God

1. The only weapon of offence
2. A powerful weapon
Hebrews 4:12 – 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.

Ephesians 6:10-13
Preached Wednesday February 6, 2013

Introduction:

A modernistic preacher announced in defending his liberal theological position, “I’m not afraid of the devil.” “That is not what matters so much,” one of his acquaintances replied. “Let me ask you a more important question: Is the devil afraid of you?”

As born-again Christians, like it or not, we are involved in a heated battle between the forces of darkness and the forces of light. In the first of this two-part message, we will endeavor to expose the unseen forces of darkness that are at work trying to render believers fruitless and powerless for God. Next week we will study the armor and weaponry that will defeat these dark forces.

It is time that we stand against the dark forces that oppose the will of God. This is a time for Christians to be called to arms in this spiritual battle.

I. Christians are called to Stand

Ephesians 6:10-11 – 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

A. Be strong in the Lord
1. Clothe one’s self with strength as one puts on a garment
2. Passive voice = be continually strengthened
1 John 4:4 – Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Romans 8:37 – Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 – 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

B. Be strong in the power of His might
1. There is no being stronger than God
Ephesians 3:16 – That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

2. He wants to demonstrate that power through you

2 Chronicles 16:9 – For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

C. Put on the whole armor of God

1. Put on = envelope in, hide in
2. We need all the armor = Greek wording pictures a heavily armed soldier
3. This armor enables you to stand = stand one’s ground in a battle
Romans 13:12 – 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.

2 Corinthians 10:4 – (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

4. Stand against the wiles of the Devil – “wiles” = methodeia = cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery

Ephesians 4:14 – That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Some characteristics of the snake make it an appropriate prototype of Satan. A rattlesnake only two minutes old can strike effectively. Snakes can engulf prey on the ground, through water, or hidden to afford perfect camouflage so that their presence is not detected. Night-foraging snakes have eye pupils that are vertical like a cat’s, enabling them to see in the dark.

II. Christians are called to Stand Against the Forces of Darkness

Ephesians 6:12 – 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.

A. We are in a wrestling match – wrestling = “a contest between two in which each endeavors to throw the other and which is decided when the victor is able to press and hold down his prostrate antagonist, namely, hold him down with his hand upon his neck.” – Thayer

An old deacon who used to pray every Wednesday night at prayer meeting always concluded his prayer the same way: “And, Lord, clean all the cobwebs out of my life.” The cobwebs were those things that ought not to have been there but had gathered during the week. It got too much for one fellow in the prayer meeting, and he heard the old deacon one time too often. So when the man make that prayer, the fellow jumped to his feet and shouted: “Lord, Lord, don’t do it! Kill the spider!” That’s what needs to happen.

B. Our opponents are not human

John 12:31 – Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

2 Corinthians 4:4 – In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

C. We wrestle principalities and powers

1. Literally – “first ones and authorities”
2. The hierarchy of demons
Colossians 2:15 – And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

D. Against rulers of darkness

1. World rulers of darkness
2. On the earth

Colossians 1:13 – Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

E. Against spiritual wickedness in high places = lower atmosphere where the demons work

Ephesians 2:2 – 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:

** Illustration of “prepare to stand” drill teaching kids to stand without exposing their backs.

III. The winner is the last one standing

Ephesians 6:13 – 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.

A. Use all your armor
1. This command is in the aorist imperative tense, giving the snese of military snap and curtness

1 Peter 4:1-2 – Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

B. Prepare for the evil day

1. A particular period of time
2. “A day of violent temptation and assault”

Ecclesiastes 12:1 – Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Suppose you had been house hunting in a development of new homes, and when you found an empty one you tried to get into it. If the house was full, occupied by people, you wouldn’t dare try to get in. That’s exactly what Satan does. He looks for vacuums. He looks for empty houses. They may be clean, but if God is not within you, having made you His temple, you can be sure the devil is going to occupy you.

C. Stand!

1. Follow the above advice
2. Get ready for resistance
3. Do not move

Acts 26:22 – Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

Ephesians 4:7-10
Preached Wednesday September 26, 2012
Introduction:

Often when we accept gifts without understanding the cost, sacrifice, and thought behind those gifts, we do not value or use them as we should. Last week we discovered 7 things that bind us together as believers:

• One Body – the Church
• One Spirit – The Holy Spirit
• One Hope of our Calling – Eternity with Jesus
• One Lord- Jesus Christ
• One Faith – the only way anyone gets to Heaven.
• One Baptism – picturing the one faith
• One Father – that adopted all who believe into His family

Now that we have seen the things that unite us, we will consider what makes us unique. You see, God loved the world, but he also loves and calls us individually. He knows our strengths, and our weaknesses. He has given us gifts unique to our personal make up in order for us to fill a specific purpose in a specific Church at a specific time. We often take these gifts and abilities for granted. Today let us value these spiritual gifts for what they are, spoils of war.

I. God has divided the spoils of war according to His perfect design.

Ephesians 4:7 (AV)
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

A. There is one grace manifesting itself in different gifts or abilities.

B. Grace = enablement

C. According to the measure – dividing out- proportion

D. According to your designed function within the body – the Local Church.

Romans 12:4–6 (AV)
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

1 Corinthians 12:4–6 (AV)
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

E. The purpose of these gifts is to build the local church.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (AV)
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

II. These gifts are spoils of war, won at the resurrection.

Ephesians 4:8 (AV)
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
A. Referred to in the Old Testament
Psalm 68:18 (AV)
18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.

B. Led Captivity Captive – moved the redeemed Old Testament Saints from Paradise to Heaven with God the Father.
2 Corinthians 5:8 (AV)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Philippians 1:23 (AV)
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

C. Secured gifts at His ascension
John 20:17 (AV)
17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Hebrews 9:11–14 (AV)
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Hebrews 9:24–28 (AV)
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 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.

D. Historically after a king won a significant battle he would bring back spoils
1. Enemy prisoners to display to the people.
2. Rescued those captured by the enemy.
3. David speaks of this in Psalms.
Psalm 68:18 (AV)
18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
Colossians 2:14–15 (AV)
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

III. These gifts were purchased at a great price.
Ephesians 4:9–10 (AV)
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
A. Jesus descended into the lower parts of the earth.
1. Not just the incarnation
2. Not just the grave
3. He went into the Heart of the earth.
Matthew 12:40 (AV)
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

4. He went into a special prison in Hell.
1 Peter 3:18–20 (AV)
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

B. He ascended in order to fulfill all this – He applied the Blood on the mercy seat.

Ephesians 4:1-3

Preached Wednesday September 12, 2012

Introduction:

We have all heard the testimony of great people, experts in their field, who experienced an epiphany and realized, “I was born for this”. “This is what I was created to do”. In our Passage this evening, the Apostle Paul makes a big shift in his letter to the Ephesians. Wuest explains it this way:

“God says in chapters 1-3, ‘I have made you a saint.’ In chapters 4-6 He says, ‘Now live a saintly life’.”

Our passage tonight follows Paul’s passionate prayer that the saints at Ephesus would personally grasp the great love that God has for them. Now based on what we have already discovered is the saint’s position and calling in the Heavenly Zone, the Apostle begs believers to walk in a way that would harmonize with that calling. Tonight, my friend, after learning of God’s great love that drew us to Himself, it is time that we walk the call.

I. Walk with the right motivation.

Ephesians 4:1 (AV)
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

A. Worthy – axios = “equal weight – one’s calling and conduct should be in balance.

Philippians 1:27 (AV)
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

B. Called into fellowship.

1 Corinthians 1:9 (AV)
9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

II. Walk with the right attitude
Ephesians 4:2 (AV)
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

A. Lowliness – Humility
1. Pride promotes disunity.
John 3:30 (AV)
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Romans 12:3 (AV)
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
2. The making of our self small is pride in the disguise of humility – the esteeming of ourselves as small is the beginning of humility.
B. Meekness – the opposite of self assertion, rudeness and harshness. One’s emotions are under control, but he is not weak.
Matthew 11:29 (AV)
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 21:12–13 (AV)
12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

C. Longsuffering – patience – does not give up in the face of human conflict.
2 Timothy 4:2 (AV)
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

III. Walk with the right action.
Ephesians 4:3 (AV)
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
A. Endeavoring = take care, make haste to do one’s best.
B. Keep= guard with watchful care.
C. Unity =unanimity– agreement.
1. We cannot make unity through ignoring doctrinal differences in an ecumenical compromise.
2. We preserve those things that unite us into the same body.
3. Satan is the accuser, the divider.
4. As we resist pride and embrace humility, our common bond is reinforced and division is defeated.
Conclusion:
As born again people, we have an incredible calling. God reached out to us before the foundation of the world, loved us, drew us and planned that we would be conformed into His image. Every born again believer shares that background. We have all been brought from death unto life. Now that we understand our calling, we should walk in a way that harmonizes with it. We have nothing to brag about, so if our walk harmonizes with our call, we will be humble, not prideful. We are all sinners saved by grace, made to be saints. God has called us to the same Savior, by the same grace, and to the same Body of Christ. Satan would seek to set us against each other and destroy the unity that God has created. We will walk the call when we guard the unity to which we have already been called. Next week we will discover the seven fold cord of unity that binds us to each other.

Galatians 5:13-18
Preached Wednesday Evening March 21, 2012

Introduction:

Like a bird out of prison
That has taken its flight;
Like a blind man that God
Gave back his sight.
Like a poor wretched beggar
That’s found fortune and fame,
I’m so glad that I found out
He could bring me out
And show me the way

Thank God I am free, free, free
From this world of sin.
I’ve been washed in the blood of Jesus,
I’ve been born again.
Hallelujah, I’m saved, saved, saved
By His wonderful grace.
I’m so glad that I found out
He could bring me out
And show me the way.

We sing this great gospel song. Glory to God I am no longer a slave! The Blood of Jesus has loosed the chains of sin, broken the fetters of guilt, and opened the prison of dead works. I am free! The Apostle Paul has been clearly preaching the freedom of anyone who has received the Gospel. Paul has been warning of those who would seek to entangle you again to try to merit favor through works, rules, and ritual. You don’t have to be bound by that, you are free! You do not have to keep the Old Testament dietary laws, you are free! You don’t have to be circumcised or keep the Sabbath, you are free!

Ok, so I am free, what am I supposed to do with this freedom? Last week we learned that Satan is a wrestler who tries to get you off balance. If he cannot push you, he will push you, waiting for you to push back, then he will pull you in a different direction, but off the mark none the less. We started to discuss this strategy last week. Perhaps Satan would try to enslave you into a works mentality, a legalistic approach to your Christian life. If you resist, now he will step aside and let you go into a completely opposite direction, license.

We must be vigilant as believers and keep out attitudes and actions in check. We must steer clear of the slavery of legalism while avoiding the pitfall of license. In our passage this evening Paul gives some very clear instructions about avoiding this latter problem. You see, Satan hates your liberty and wants to move you from it into some kind of slavery. Tonight we are going to see what we are to do with our freedom. We will see how we can use our liberty wisely.

I. Do not squander your liberty on your flesh.
Galatians 5:13 (AV)
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

A. “Brethren” – this message is to fellow believers

B. As a believer you are called to liberty

1. We have been warned to guard that liberty
2. We have been extensively warned about those who would change the gospel, adding something to either obtain or maintain salvation.

C. “Only” – Paul is putting a qualifier on this freedom, a warning about Satan’s push/ pull wrestling style. Freedom from the law should not make you lawless.

D. “Occasion” = military term referring to a base of operations, a springboard or launching pad.

E. Flesh = unchecked affections and passions reflecting a “me first” attitude.

1 John 2:15–16 (AV)
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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.
1. Lust of the flesh – physical desires
2. Lust of the eyes – fantasy, covetousness
3. Pride of life – self promotion

? Liberty + Love = service to others
? Liberty – Love = slavery to sin.

John 8:34 (AV)
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
II. Use your liberty to fulfill the Spirit of the Law
Galatians 5:13–15 (AV)
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
A. “But” alla- strong contrasting connective – the opposite of using your liberty as a launching pad for your fleshly desires it to use it to serve one another selflessly.

B. “Serve” douleo = serve as a slave, no room for self promotion

C. “Love” agape = highest form of selfless, Godly love.

D. To choose to selflessly love is to continue in the freedom you have been given.
Romans 6:1 (AV)
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Romans 6:15 (AV)
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
E. To selflessly love is to fulfill the law.
Romans 13:8–14 (AV)
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11 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. 12 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. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

F. Are you here primarily to be ministered to or to minister?

1. “Bite and Devour, Consume” = words used in classical Greek depicting wild animals in a life and death struggle.
2. Consume = spend wastefully, use up

III. Use your Liberty to walk after the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16–18 (AV)
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 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. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
A. “This I say then” = concluding connective. Paul is summing it all up by telling us the best way to use our liberty wisely.

B. Walk in the Spirit

1. Walk = day by day decisions to obey the Spirit of the law which is to love others – constantly choosing to serve others above yourself. It is a day to day renewal.

2. It is impossible to fulfill the desires of the Spirit and the desires of your flesh at the same time.

3. If you seek to fulfill the desires of the Spirit, the desires of the flesh will be weakened and rendered powerless.

Romans 12:2 (AV)
2 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.
C. It takes constant effort to walk after the Spirit because the Flesh and Spirit are at war with each other.
1. The inner conflict is actually an evidence of your salvation. With no Spirit, there would be no conflict.
2. It is your choice as to which one you will choose to obey at any given moment.
D. This is your freedom. You are no longer enslaved to the law, you are free to choose to follow the Spirit or to voluntarily enslave yourself back to your flesh.
Romans 6:11–14 (AV)
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Conclusion:
Satan is subtle. On the one hand he can get us to think that we need to do something to obtain or maintain salvation. On the other hand he can get us to use the freedom we have selfishly. I am free! I don’t have to quit smoking… so you become a slave of tobacco, no longer free. I am free! I don’t have to do any more ministry in church. Other people have to pick up the slack, and you have ignored the calling of the Holy Spirit only to be a slave to the selfish pursuit of your own leisure.
It is no accident you are here tonight. You needed this message. It is no accident that this message dove tails with Sunday Morning’s message, although I did not know it would when I preached Sunday’s message. God the Holy Spirit wants you to be free, but not to waste your freedom by using it as a launching pad to pamper your flesh. If God has put His finger on an area of your life, get it right before we continue in our prayer service. If you are a Born Again Christian, you are free! Use that liberty wisely.

Galatians 4:11-31
Preached Wednesday Evening February 29, 2012

Introduction:

We have been studying what happens when you allow someone to mess with the simple plan of salvation. The enemies of the truth would seek to infect believers with doubt, enslaving them once again, to the bondage of the law. Tonight we will see just how divisive this false teaching is. May we all be sober as we see the corrupting power of legalism.

I. Legalism turns a beloved pastor and spiritual leader into the feared enemy.

Galatians 4:12-16
12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. 13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. 16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

A. Paul begs for the restoration of intimacy with the believers. 12

B. Paul suffered and served with the saints in Galatia. 13

C. Paul was received with love and understanding in spite of his physical limitations. (probably his poor eyesight) 14-15

D. Paul preached consistent truth. 16

E. After being infected with legalism, this same truth drove a wedge between the pastor and people.

II. Legalism turns disciples into doubters

Galatians 4:17-20
17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. 18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, 20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

A. False teachers aggressively drove wedges between the believer and their pastor. 17-18

B. False teachers caused believers to doubt the love of their pastor. 19-20

III. Legalism turns freedom into bondage.

A. Legalists ignore the law they claim to believe.

Galatians 4:21
21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

B. Moses wrote a great picture of the relationship between the law and grace.

Galatians 4:22-27
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

1. Ishmael = the law – bondage
2. Isaac = grace – freedom

C. We are children of promise not bondage.

Galatians 4:28
28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

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

D. That which is fleshly has always persecuted that which is spiritual.

Galatians 4:29
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

E. Cast out the bondwoman = refuse to be placed under the bondage of works whether to obtain or to maintain salvation.

Galatians 4:30-31
30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.