THE MESSAGE OF THE RISEN LORD!

Philippians 2:5-11

INTRODUCTION: "We serve a risen Savior!" Thus begins one of our hymns. On
this day which the world sets aside to remember the resurrection of our Lord, let us
consider his coming to this earth and what he gave up to provide a way of salvation
for us. Let us remember again what we are to remember all year long.

BODY

I. OUR LORD'S HOME

A. Our Lord came from Heaven, the dwelling place of God.

1. He had lived from all eternity with the heavenly Father.

2. John 16:27_28_ " "for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved
Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. {28} "I came forth from the
Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the
Father."

3. Before conception, you did not exist. Before the Holy Spirit conceived Jesus in
Mary's womb, He did exist. 

a. John 8:56_58_ " "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it
and was glad." {57} Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old,
and have You seen Abraham?" {58} Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to
you, before Abraham was, I AM."
B. Our Lord was equal with the Father from eternity.
1. Philippians 2:6_ " who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to
be equal with God,

2. John 1:1-2

3. Colossians 1:15_17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all
creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on
earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or
powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all
things, and in Him all things consist.

4. Hebrews 1:3 - " (Christ) who being the brightness of His glory and the express
image of His person,..." 

II. OUR LORD'S HUMBLING.

A. Our Lord emptied himself
1. Philippians 2:7 - "but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a
bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men."

2. He left Heaven for earth.

3. Jesus could have stayed in Heaven, and enjoyed the entire splendor which comes
with being God the Son. Instead, he chose to leave behind the glory that was His,
and come to earth. 

4. Our Lord did not give up his divinity. He did give up His Heavenly glory. He
did give up His Heavenly riches. He did give up the independent use of His Godly
authority and became subservient to and dependent on the Father.

B. Our Lord had to learn what it was like to live as a man.

1. In Heaven there was no pain, no sorrow, and no discomfort. But he felt all of
these!
a. Matthew 8:20 - And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air
have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." 

b. Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus suffered the pain of fasting and thirst for 40 days.

c. John 19:28 - "I thirst"

d. John 11:35 - "Jesus wept."

2. Jesus learned for the first time what it was like to have his will disagree with his
Father's.
a. Hebrews 5:7_9 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers
and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him
from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet
He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been
perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

b. Matthew 26:39 - He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying,
"O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I
will, but as You will."

III. OUR LORD'S HUMILIATION

A. Our Lord suffered the humiliation of the cross.

1. Galatians 3:13 - Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having
become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"),

2. There is no pretty way of execution, but the cross was especially terrible. A
condemned man would be scourged first and then forced to carry his own means of
execution. Then he would be either strapped or nailed to the cross and raised up,
being suspended in the air. Already in a weakened state, the condemned man
would slowly suffocate. Sometimes it took days to day. The condemned man
would sometime hallucinate because the oxygen supply would be cut off to the
brain. Sometimes the legs would be broken to hasten death. This was considered
humane means of hastening death. 

B. Our Lord suffered agony for us.

1. Humiliated by his enemies.
a. Matthew 26:65_68 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, "He has spoken
blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have
heard His blasphemy! 66 "What do you think?" They answered and said, "He is
deserving of death." 67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck
Him with the palms of their hands, 68 saying, "Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the
one who struck You?"
2. Betrayed by his dearest friend.
a. Luke 22:54-62
3. Mocked and beaten by pagan soldiers.
a. Matthew 27:27-31
4. Suffered on the cross.
a. Hung between two thieves, reviled by his enemies, abandoned by his friends,
suffering intense physical pain. 
5. The greatest agony, being separated from his Father. 
a. Matthew 27:45_46 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was
darkness over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud
voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have
You forsaken Me?"

6. Isaiah 53:3_5 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and

acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was
despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried
our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But
He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The
chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 

IV. OUR LORD'S HONOR.

A. Our Lord's was given honor above every other being in the Universe.
1. "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is
above every name," (verse 9)

2. Through the power of the resurrection, Jesus is now Lord of Lord and King of
Kings.
3. Acts 17:31 - "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world
in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this
to all by raising Him from the dead."

4. Revelation 19:11-16

B. What a glorious homecoming that must have been, when the King of Kings
return to his home!
1. Ephesians 4:8_10 Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led
captivity captive, And gave gifts to men." 9 (Now this, "He ascended"; what does it
mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who
descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might
fill all things.)

2. 1 Peter 3:21_22 There is also an antitype which now saves us; baptism (not the
removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God),
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the
right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to
Him.

3. Hebrews 12:2 - 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 has sat
down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

CONCLUSION: God's people remember Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection each
Lord's day in the Lord's Supper, until the Lord returns. We do not need one special
day each year to prompt us to do what we do all year. Our Lord left Heaven,
emptied himself, and lived a life among men, and then went to the cross to die for
us. He was raised from the dead and returned gloriously to Heaven! 

YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD!

INTRODUCTION: We live in an age of depersonalization. Everyone is known by

an account number and not by name. Our communities are not communities
anymore, but rather just a grouping of lonely castles. People don't know their
neighbors and feel alone. People at work no longer stay at the same job all their
lives but move every year or two, thus discouraging friendships.

There's good news today! You are important to God! He values you highly!

BODY
I. YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD BECAUSE HE CREATED YOU IN HIS
IMAGE.

A. You are God's highest creation.

1. Psalms 8:4-8 "What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man
that You visit him? 5- For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And
You have crowned him with glory and honor. 6- You have made him to have
dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, 7-
All sheep and oxen; Even the beasts of the field, 8- The birds of the air, And the
fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas."
B. The Bible speaks of mankind as the offspring of God.
1. Acts 17:26-29 ""And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell
on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the
boundaries of their dwellings, 27- so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope
that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of
us; 28- for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own
poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' 29- Therefore, since we are the
offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver
or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising."

2. Genesis 1:27- "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He
created him; male and female He created them."

3. Genesis 9:6- ""Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For
in the image of God He made man."

II. YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOUR

EVERYDAY NEEDS.
A. God providentially cares for the needs of mankind.
1. Matthew 5:45- ""that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes
His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the
unjust."

2. Acts 14:17- ""Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He
did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with
food and gladness.""

B. God has put the seasons and the rain on the earth to care for all of us.
1. Acts 14:17- ""Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He
did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with
food and gladness.""

III. YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD BECAUSE HE LOVED YOU SO MUCH

THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON TO DIE FOR YOUR SINS.
A. We are all lost and in need of salvation.
1. Romans 3:23

2. Romans 6:23- "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord."

3. Ephesians 2:1-3 "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2- in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to
the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of
disobedience, 3- among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of
our flesh, fulfilling the 
desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as
the others."

B. Jesus coming to earth to die for our sins is the expression of God's love for you.
1. John 3:16

2. Romans 5:10- "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God

through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be
saved by His life."

3. Ephesians 5:2- "And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself
for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."

4. 1 John 4:10- "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and
sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

IV. YOUR IMPORTANCE TO GOD IS SEEN IN THE FACT THAT HE HAS

YOUR NAME AND LIFE RECORDED IN HIS REMEMBRANCE..
A. God has a record of everyone who has ever lived. He knows us all by name.
1. Revelation 20:12-13 "And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God,
and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life.
And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were
written in the books. 13- The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and
Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one
according to his works."

2. 2 Corinthians 5:10- "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has
done, whether good or bad."

B. If we are Christians, we can rest assured that God knows us personally as His
children.
1. Matthew 10:29-31 ""Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one
of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. 30- But the very hairs of
your head are all numbered. 31- Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than
many sparrows."

2. 2 Timothy 2:19- "Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this
seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the
name of Christ depart from iniquity.""

CONCLUSION: In this world it sometimes is easy for us to think that no one cares
about us. So many feel alone in a crowd. But there is no need to feel all alone. God
cares about us! He wants us to accept His friendship. He sent His Son so that we
might be forgiven. 

FOUR THINGS GOD DOES NOT KNOW!

INTRODUCTION: One of the characteristics of God is His omniscience, i.e. that

He is all knowing! But did you know that there were some things God did not
know?

BODY

I. GOD DOES NOT KNOW ONE SIN THAT HE DOES NOT HATE.

A. The Psalms describes God's attitude toward sin.

1. Psalms 5:4-6 "For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor
shall evil dwell with You. 5- The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate
all workers of iniquity. 6- You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The
LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man."

2. Psalms 45:7- "You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God,
Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your
companions."

3. Proverbs 6:16-19

B. God hates even the "small sins" that we sometimes think are trivial.
1. Zechariah 8:17- "Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor;
And do not love a false oath. For all these are things that I hate,' Says the LORD.""
C. What attitude, then, should we take toward sin?
1. Psalms 119:104, 128- "Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I
hate every false way....Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider
to be right; I hate every false way."

2. Romans 12:9- "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what
is good."

3. Psalms 101:3- "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of
those who fall away; It shall not cling to me."

4. Proverbs 8:13- "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and
the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate."

5. 1 Corinthians 13:6- "(love) does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;"

II. GOD DOES NOT KNOW EVEN ONE SINNER THAT HE DOES NOT
LOVE.
A. As intensely as God hates sin, He just as intensely loves those sinners who have
rebelled against Him.
1. Ezekiel 33:11- ""Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure
in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn,
turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'"

2. John 3:16

B. God wants all those who have departed from His way to return and be saved!
1. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4- who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

2. 2 Peter 3:9, 15- "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count
slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but
that all should come to repentance. 15- and consider that the longsuffering of our
Lord is salvation; as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given
to him, has written to you,"

C. A couple word pictures of the love of God.

1. The Shepherd and the sheep- Luke 15:4-7

2. The Loving Father- Luke 15:20-24

D. This is why God sent His Son, to provide a means for salvation from sins.
1. Romans 5:8- "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we
were still sinners, Christ died for us."

2. 1 John 4:10- "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and
sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
III. GOD DOES NOT KNOW ANY METHOD, OTHER THAN THE GOSPEL,
THAT WILL SAVE.
A. The Gospel is God's means of salvation for all mankind.
1. Romans 1:16- "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power
of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the
Greek." 
B. It is through that gospel that God provides salvation from sins and a relationship
with Him, in the church.
1. Ephesians 1:3-10, 20-23.
C. It is that method of salvation, the Gospel system, that we must remain loyal to,
not depart from, and not change and modify!
1. Galatians 1:6-9
IV. GOD DOES NOT KNOW ANY BETTER TIME THAN NOW FOR YOU TO
SUBMIT TO THE 
GOSPEL.
A. God has only promised one opportunity for salvation - TODAY!
1. 2 Corinthians 6:2- "For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in
the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold,
now is the day of salvation."

2. James 4:14- "whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is
your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."

B. Christians must not get complacent about their salvation. We must work and be
faithful TODAY!
1. Romans 13:11-14 "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to
awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12-
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of
darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13- Let us walk properly, as in the
day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and
envy. 14- But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to
fulfill its lusts."

2. John 9:4- ""I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night
is coming when no one can work."

 CONCLUSION: If you are a sinner you need to realize that God hates your sinful
ways but loves you so much that He sent His son to die for you. Only today is
promised so that you may respond to the Gospel plan of redemption. Why not
listen to Ananias as he says to Saul: "'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be
baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'" (Acts 22:16).

Special thanks to Jim Sasser for the original sermon. 

 "IN GOD WE TRUST"

INTRODUCTION: For many years our currency has had the phrase "In God We
Trust." inscribed on one side. It is designed to demonstrate that our country has
placed it's trust in God to guide it through the most difficult times in the past and
hopefully, will in the future. "In God We Trust" first appeared on U.S. coins after
April 22, 1864, when Congress passed an act authorizing the coinage of a 2-cent
piece bearing this motto. Thereafter, Congress extended its use to other coins. On
July 30, 1956, it became the national motto.

The Christian should have a special appreciation for this phrase. It should be "In
God We Trust" in every area of our life.

BODY

I. TRUST GOD TO FORGIVE.

A. God wants to forgive us.

1. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4- who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

2. 2 Peter 3:9- "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count
slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but
that all should come to repentance."

B. God has provided a means for our forgiveness, the blood of Jesus.
1. Ephesians 1:7- "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of His grace"

2. Romans 3:24-26

3. Hebrews 7:25- "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who
come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."

II. TRUST GOD TO KEEP US SAVED.

A. God has provided all we need to remain faithful.
1. 2 Peter 1:2-3 "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God
and of Jesus our Lord, 3- as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain
to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and
virtue,"

2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is

profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for 
correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17- that the man of God may be
complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
B. God has promised that we will not be tempted above our ability to bear.
1. 1 Corinthians 10:13- "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is
common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond
what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that
you may be able to bear it."
C. We can rest assured that God will be with us in the most difficult of our
problems if we only lean of Him.
1. You see, God cannot remove all the problems that we have in this life. If he did
He would take away the freedom of choice of mankind. Christians are not
promised escape from misfortune.
a. Job 14:1- ""Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble."

b. 2 Timothy 3:12- "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer
persecution."

2. But What God does is help us through the most difficult of our problems to
deliver us whole as Christians on the other 
side of troubles.
a. John 16:33- ""These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have
peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have
overcome the world.""
III. TRUST GOD TO KEEP HIS WORD ABOUT HEAVEN AND HELL.
A. God has promised Heaven to all His faithful.
1. John 14:1-3 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in
Me. 2- In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3- And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be
also."

2. 2 Corinthians 5:1- "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed,
we have a building from God, a 
house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

3. Colossians 1:5- "because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of
which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,"

4. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a
shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead
in Christ will rise first. 17- Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall
always be with the Lord."

B. But He has also promised that the lost will go to a Devil's Hell.
1. Matthew 13:41- "The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather
out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42-
and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of
teeth."

2. Matthew 18:8- "If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from
you. It is better for you to enter into 
life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the
everlasting fire. 9- And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from
you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes,
to be cast into hell fire."

3. Matthew 25:41- ""Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from
Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:"

4. Matthew 25:46- ""And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the
righteous into eternal life.""

5. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 "and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the
Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8- in flaming fire
taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey
the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9- These shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence 
of the Lord and from the glory of His power,"

6. You cannot believe in a Heaven and at the same time disbelieve God when he
talks about Hell.

IV. HOW CAN WE KNOW THAT WE CAN TRUST IN GOD TO KEEP HIS
PROMISES?
A. We can know because it is against the very nature of God to lie.
1. Titus 1:2- "in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before
time began,"

2. Hebrews 6:18- "that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God
to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of
the hope set before us."

3. Romans 3:4- "Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is
written: "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You
are judged.""

4. God simply does not have the capacity to lie because it is against His very
nature.
B. We can trust God because He has given us a revelation of His Will.
1. Acts 27:25- ""Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as
it was told me."

2. Paul believed God because He had given him a revelation of His will.

3. Ephesians 3:3- "how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I
have briefly written already, 4- by which, when you read, you may understand my
knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5- which in other ages was not made known
to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles
and prophets:"

4. "Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so!"

C. We can trust God because we have record of a multitude of kept promises.

1. Solomon: 1 Kings 8:56- "Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His
people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of
all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses."
a. He brought the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage after 400 years, just
like he said - Genesis 14:13 and 
Acts 7:6.

b. He allowed His children to be in captivity to the Babylonians for 70 years, and

then delivered them - Jeremiah 
25:11-12 and Daniel 9:2.

2. He kept His promise concerning the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem - Micah
5:2 and Matthew 2:1-6.

3. He kept His promise concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus - Isaiah 53.

4. He kept His promise concerning the beginning the church in Jerusalem - Isaiah
2:1ff and Acts 2.

5. He kept His promises concerning the fall of Babylon, Tyre and Sidon, Egypt,
Assyria, Rome, and the destruction of 
Jerusalem. Not one promise was not kept!

6. 2 Corinthians 1:19-20 "For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached
among you by us; by me, Silvanus, and Timothy; was not Yes and No, but in Him
was Yes. 20- For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the
glory of God through us."

CONCLUSION: Trust God to keep His Word! He will always be true and faithful.
He will be truthful to you when no one in the world will!
 RISE AND GROWTH OF THE SECTS
INTRODUCTION: THREE GREAT SECTS OF THE JEWS AROSE DURING
THE INTERTESTAMENT PERIOD.

A. Pharisees

B. Sadducees

C. Essenes

THERE WERE OTHER GROUPS THAT TENDED TO BE MORE POLITICAL

THAN RELIGIOUS.
A. Zealots extreme nationalists
1. Simon the Zealot (Luke 6:15)
B. Herodians-supported Herod and the Idumaean dynasty.
 
BODY

I. THE ESSENES

A. Their way of life and moral code.

1. Was given their name because of their saintliness.

2. Regarded a reverent life as the only true sacrifice.

3. Thought to shun the ownership of private property.

4. Responsible for the Dead Sea Scroll.

5. By Jesus' time they had isolated themselves from society in general.

B. Public role in Society.

1. Never played an important role in public

2. They protested against the High Priesthood of the Maccabean princes.

3. Refused participation in the Temple service.

4. Did much in feeding the needy.

II. THE PHARISEES

A. Beginning roots
1. From the Nehemiah and Ezra the idea of separation became a dominant factor.
a. Separation developed-but became mostly flesh and blood.
2. A group soon developed that opposed everything foreign-even if it might right.
B. Character of Phariseeism
1. Tended to elevate the mass of accumulated tradition up to the level of the
written word.
a. Wouldn't eat anything that was not tithed.
2. Believed in the resurrection of the dead, human probation, and the future
judgment..

3. Descended rapidly into a "holier than thou" attitude.

 
C. Role in national life.
1. Almost all of the scribes were Pharisees.

2. Became popular with the masses.

3. Tended to be rebellious against foreign domination of the nation.

4. Were bitterly opposed to the Sadducees.

 
III. THE SADDUCEES
A. Beginning roots.
1. Developed from the Greek era when there arose a group of national leaders who
favored compromise and a "get along" attitude with their enemies.

2. The Sadducees were the original party of privilege

a. The majority of the Priests and national leaders were Sadducees.

b. They were interested in not rocking the boat.

3. The High Priesthood and half of the Sanhedrin were controlled by them.

4. They were always in the minority in the Jewish population

B. Their beliefs and character.

1. They denied the inspiration of all the books of the Old Testament except the
Pentateuch (first five books).

2. They didn't believe in the resurrection or the after-life.

3. They denied the existence of angels.

4. they were as cold and moderate as the Pharisees were hot and extreme.
Conclusion: These groups, especially the Sadducees and Pharisees despised each
other. Their fighting eventually cost the nation it's existence. Indeed the only thing
the Sadducees and Pharisees could agree on during the period was the need to
execute the lord. But in their course they unwittingly prepared the way for the lord
of glory and the establishment of his church. 
  

A STUDY OF TYPES 
What is a Type?
What is a type? Literally speaking, the word type comes from the Greek word
tuptein, to strike. In Webster's dictionary, type is defined as "to figure, to represent
by a model or symbol beforehand. In the context of our study of the Bible we
consider both the type and antitype. In our study of the Bible a type is a person,
place, thing, or event that is a foreshadowing of a future person or event. The
antitype or thing the type foreshadows is greater and clearer to understand. For
example, a rubber stamp is a type. It is not clear and simple to understand.
However, its antitype, that print that appears when the rubber stamp is pressed on
paper, is much clearer than the type. The type was a shadow, or promise of the
revealed antitype to come. There are dozens of types of Christ in the Old
Testament. 

We must never expect the type and antitype to be the same. We cannot therefore
see a type-antitype relationship in every detail of a certain person, place, or thing.
We should not seek types out of every verse in the Old Testament. The Scriptures
must not be twisted just to bear out our desire to make a type out of a rather
insignificant person or event in the Old Testament. On the other hand, we must not
limit ourselves to only the types that are so denominated in God's word. Although
we are always safe in those we can prudently use others, provided the context
allows it. Remember too, that the antitype is always superior to the type. If it were
not, there would be no need of the type. The antitype is always clearer and more
revealing. 

In our study we will study types in three areas. First, we will consider some types
of Christ. Secondly, we will consider some types of Christ's death. Third, we will
consider some types concerning Christians. These we will present are by no means
exhaustive. In fact we will only consider the tip of the iceberg concerning types.  
  
  
 Types of Christ 
 Adam

Paul writes in Romans 5:14, "Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses,
even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression,
who is the figure of him that was to come." We learn in verse 15 that the one to
come is Christ. Thus Adam was a type of Christ. Being a type of Christ, Adam has
much in common with him. But like all types, Adam is dissimilar in many
respects. 

In Luke 3:38 Adam is called the "son of God." Jesus is, or course, also called the
"Son of God." Adam's sonship is physical. He was created by God out of the dust
of the earth. Therefore in the physical sense, God is Adam's father. Jesus' sonship
on the other hand is spiritual. He is God's "only begotten son." He is not a created
being, for by him all things were created (Colossians 1:15). He was not subordinate
but took on the role of a son. Although both were "sons of God" the sonship of
Christ is far superior. 

Adam was miraculously born (Genesis 2:7). This is true also of Christ (Matthew
1:18-25). Adam was formed out of the dust of the earth. God created him full
grown. Jesus on the other hand was born of a virgin. He was conceived of the Holy
Spirit. Adam's birth was a shadow of Christ's birth. 

Adam loved his bride, Eve. He cared for her and was concerned (Genesis 2:23-25).
Just as Adam loved his bride Jesus loves his bride, the church. Paul writes in
Ephesians 5:25, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church,
and gave himself for it" We again see the superiority of the antitype. Adam loved
his wife because she was given to him by God. Adam loved his wife because she
was given to him by God. Christ loves his church enough to purchase it with his
blood. 

Through Adam's disobedience, sin entered the world. But through Christ salvation
has entered the world. Because of Adam brings sin into the world spiritual death
also came into the world. When Christ came into the world he brought spiritual life
into the world (verse 21). Through Adam physical death entered the world (verse
12). Through Christ the hope of eternal life in Heaven entered the world (1
Thessalonians 4:13-15). Adam was a type of Christ. Many of the characteristics
Christ was to exhibit. But like all types there are some differences.

Melchizedek
Hebrews 7:3 says that Melchizedek was "made like unto God." Chapter seven
draws several definite similarities between Melchizedek and Christ. It is amazing
how many ways that Melchizedek and Christ are so similar to each other,
especially considering how little we know about Melchizedek. The only
information of any substance we have concerning Melchizedek outside of Hebrews
chapter seven is found in Genesis chapter fourteen. 

Melchizedek was called the "King of Peace" (Hebrews 7:2), primarily because of
his being the King of Salem, which means peace. Christ is called the "Prince of
Peace", because of the spiritual peace he brings to all who follow him. 

Melchizedek is a priest forever (Hebrews 7:3) as is Christ (Hebrews 7:17).

Melchizedek is not a priest forever in the sense that he is going to live forever. He
is a priest forever in that we have no record of the beginning of his priesthood or an
end. Melchizedek has no recorded mother or father. Therefore in the sense of not
knowing his beginning or end, he is a priest forever. Jesus continues in his priestly
role forever (Hebrews 7:24). 

Melchizedek was not a priest after the law of Moses. He was not of the tribe of
Levi. He was not even a Jew. In fact Melchizedek was a priest long before the law
came into effect. Similar words are spoken in Hebrews 7:14, 16 concerning Christ.
"For {it is} evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake
nothing concerning priesthood. Who is made, not after the law of a carnal
commandment, but after the power of an endless life." Jesus could not be a priest
after the law of Moses. He was not of the tribe of Levi. His priesthood had to be a
different priesthood-the priesthood of Melchizedek. 

Finally, we see that the priesthood of Melchizedek was superior to that of the
Levitical priesthood. We know that the priesthood paid tithes to Melchizedek
through Abraham (Hebrews 7:9). In the same respect Christ's priesthood is
superior to the Levitical priesthood. For, If therefore perfection were by the
Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need
{was there} that another priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not
be called after the order of Aaron?" (Hebrews 7:11) We know that Christ need not
have to offer sacrifice for his sins because he has no sin. And he has offered the
great sacrifice for our sins, himself.  
  
  

Solomon
King Solomon can also be thought of as a type of Christ, though a more feeble one
than the other two listed. In 2 Samuel 7:13-15 God promised to David that his
kingdom would be forever, and that after his loins one would raise up a house to
the Lord. This prophesy is thought to have a dual fulfillment. The first fulfillment
is found in Solomon (1 Kings 8:18-20). Solomon built a house unto the Lord and
sat upon the throne of Israel. Christ also built a house (Matthew 16:17-18). He is
also a king. Solomon's house that he built and kingdom which he ruled over were
physical. However Christ's house which he built and kingdom which he ruled over
was spiritual. Solomon's house to the Lord and his kingdom was a shadow of
Christ's spiritual kingdom that was to come.  
  
  

TYPES OF CALVARY 
The Paschal Lamb

The first and foremost object that is a type of Calvary is the paschal lamb
sacrificed for the Passover. In Exodus chapter 12 we read of the preparation of the
Passover feast. The Jewish heads of household would choose a lamb without spot
or blemish (verse 5). Then after killing the lamb the blood was collected and
painted on the posts of the doors (verse 7). The blood was proof that the children of
Israel were obedient to God. When God passed over he would not strike the house
that had the blood of the lamb on the doorpost (verse 13). The blood of the lamb
delivered Israel from the great night of terror in Egypt. 

In 1 Corinthians 5:7, Paul makes a similar statement concerning Jesus, "..Christ,

our passover is sacrificed for us." We are subject to death and punishment just like
the Jews long ago. Christ was perfect, without spot or blemish. He was killed so
we would not have to suffer spiritual death. His blood cleanses our sins if we obey
him. God will pass over us on the day of judgement if Christ's blood has cleansed
us from our sins. But not only Jews but gentiles also can secure the blessings of the
lamb.  
  
  

The Brazen Serpent

In Numbers chapter 21 we read of the children of Israel being punished for their
disobedience, by God sending serpents with poisonous venom to bite the Israelites.
God commanded Moses to prepare a serpent made of brass and raise it up in the
midst of the camp. All who were bitten by a serpent were commanded to look on
the raised serpent in order to be healed. The brazen serpent was a foreshadowing of
the lifting up of Christ on Calvary. Jesus said in John 3:14-15, "And as Moses
lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." We see
that the serpent was raised up from the earth. Christ too was raised up at Calvary.
He was raised up on the cross. We see that the brazen serpent was the remedy for
the fiery serpent's bite (Numbers 21:8). In the same way Christ's death is the
remedy for the poisonous bite of sin (Romans 5:6-10). The cross is the antitoxin
for the poison venom of sin. We know that there were no other remedies offered by
God the poison snake bite. There were no alternate cures. We know that there are
no other remedies offered other than the cross of Christ. Jesus told us long ago,
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Jesus is the way to be cured from sin, there is no
other. And finally, just as those who looked on the serpent were cured, those who
did not by faith look upon the serpent died. The cure was there but the Father did
not force the people to accept it. They accepted the cure by their own free will.
Jesus sets forth the same principle when he issued the great commission in Mark
16:15, 16. Here we see the contrast. The remedy for sin is the death of Christ and
obedience to his gospel. All that take advantage of the remedy will be cured from
the sting of sin. All those who don't take advantage of the cure will die from the
poison of sin. However, we are not forced to take the cure for our sins, we can die
if we choose. 
  
  
 

PAUL'S PETITION TO GOD

INTRODUCTION: William Lee once wrote, "It is not the arithmetic of our
prayers, how many they are: nor the rhetoric of our prayers, how eloquent they are;
nor the geometry of our prayers, how long they be; nor the music of our prayers,
how sweet our voice may be; nor the logic of our prayers, how argumentative they
may be; nor the method of our prayers, how orderly they may be -- which God
cares for. Fervency of spirit is that which availeth much."

In the concluding part of Ephesians chapter three Paul bows the knees in petition to
God on behalf of his brethren in Ephesus. It is a deeply moving, fervent prayer. 

BODY 
I. PAUL BOWED THE KNEES IN PETITION TO GOD. (Verses 14-15).

A. It was a bowing of the knees to the Father. 

1. Paul does not address this prayer to the creator of the universe, or the one who
was above all, through all, and in you all, as he did at other places. Here is uses
that fact that God is our dear loving father. He is concerned for us. He cares for His
people.
2. The is the grand and glorious truth that Christians enjoy a special relationship
with Jehovah as His child.

3. Romans 8:15- "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but
you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father.""

4. Galatians 4:6, 7- "And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His
Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!' 7- "Therefore you are no longer a
slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."

B. What is the significance of bowing the knees?

1. It clearly does not mean that it is the only position of petition before the Father.
a. Abraham stood while interceding God concerning Sodom (Genesis 18:22).
David sat in prayer (1 Chronicles 17:16). Jesus fell on his face and prayed to God
(Matthew 26:39).
2. What would bowing the knees before God signify?
a. It shows an attitude of submission. We are coming before one who is greater
than ourselves, one who has dignity and authority. It would show that Paul, even
though he calls God Father, shows that he has deep respect for the Father.
(1.) Psalms 95:6, 7- "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before
the LORD our Maker. 7- "For He is our God, And we are the people of His
pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice:"
b. It is a sign of intense emotion. Paul is not just casually wording empty words
before the throne of God. It intensely desires that the Father grant his pleadings. 
(1.) Ezra fell on his knees and stretched out his hands in confession to the Lord in
behalf of the people of God (Ezra 9:5-6).

(2.) Paul knelt down and prayed with the Ephesian elders on his departure from
them (Acts 20:36).

II. PAUL PRAYED THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE THE STRENGTH THEY
NEEDED (Verse 16).
A. Paul was not praying that they might have physical strength.
1. It was the "inner man" or spirit that the Holy Spirit would strengthen.

2. It is this part of man which will remain, which is really important.

a. 2 Corinthians 4:16- "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward
man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."
b. 1 Peter 3:4- "rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible
beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God."
B. How does that strength from the Holy Spirit come?
1. Most people think that this means that the Holy Spirit will give a person direct
power through a miraculous working. If that is the case, then we would lose any
freedom of choice. God, like the Calvinists hold, will simply give blessings
through the Spirit to whomever He chooses without any submission on the part of
the one being blessed.

2. However, this is simply not how Paul tells us that the Spirit works.

a. Ephesians 6:11-17
III. PAUL PRAYED THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE THE SAVIOR IN THEIR
HEARTS. (Verse 17).
A. He wants Christ to dwell in their hearts.
1. He was to be a permanent resident, not a part-time guest.

2. He is to be enthroned as Lord of our lives.

3. Colossians 3:16- "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

B. Christ is to live in and through us.

1. Galatians 2:20- ""I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in
the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

2. Colossians 1:27- "To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the
glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of
glory."

IV. PAUL PRAYED THAT THEY MIGHT BE STABLE IN LOVE (Verse 17).

A. Our Lord pleaded that we have lives dedicated to loving one another.
1. John 13:34, 35- ""A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another;
as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35- ""By this all will know that
you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.""
B. Our love must be stable and sure. We must not by hypocritical, claiming to love
God, while hating others.
1. 1 Peter 1:22- "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through
the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure
heart,"

2. 1 John 4:20, 21 - "If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a
liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God
whom he has not seen? 21 - And this commandment we have from Him: that he
who loves God must love his brother also."
3. Romans 12:9, 10 - "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to
what is good. 10 - Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in
honor giving preference to one another;"

V. PAUL PRAYED THAT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO SEE THE POWER OF

CHRIST'S LOVE. (Verse 18-19a) 
 

A. Look at the dimensions of Christ's love.

1. Romans 8:38-39 "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor
principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39- "nor height
nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of
God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

2. There is no force powerful enough to pull away the faithful Christian from the
love of Christ.

B. The duration of Christ's love.

1. The love of Christ is never ending. It will not fade away by reason of time or
space. In fact it is the one thing that will be lasting in this world.

2. 1 Corinthians 13:8- "Love never fails."

C. The distinctiveness of Christ's love

1. Divine love is different than the love that we have for one another.

2. Romans 5:6-8 "For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died
for the ungodly. 7- or scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a
good man someone would even dare to die. 8- But God demonstrates His own love
toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

a. God's love doesn't depend on our ability to love Him back.

b. God's love is not limited to just his friends.

c. God's love is demonstrated by an act of unbelievable sacrifice.

D. The mighty power of Christ's love.

1. It turned a tax collector to a disciple.

2. It turned unlearned fishermen in to powerful proclaimers. 

3. It turned a persecutor in to the persecuted.

4. The love of Christ is life changing.

a. 2 Corinthians 5:14 - For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus:
that if One died for all, then all died;
VI. PAUL PRAYED THAT THEY MIGHT BE COMPLETELY FULFILLED IN
THEIR RELATION  
SHIP WITH THEIR GOD. (Verse 19b)
A. What does Paul mean when he says that we should be "filled with all the
fullness of God?"
1. This seems to mean that they should be completely satisfied.

2. It seems to be a completely being "filled to the brim" with the blessings of God,
our Father.

3. When understood in the context of the passage it shows that Christian's life
should be totally wrapped in his relationship with God. This would be the Christian
who has received power and might from the Holy Spirit through the Word, has
fully appreciated the love of God with its life changing power, and patterned their
love life after God. They are filled completely with love and appreciation for the
person of Jehovah God.

B. What do the Scriptures say? 

 
1. Ephesians 5:18 - And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be
filled with the Spirit,

2. Psalms 17:15 - As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be
satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

3. Matthew 5:6

4. Colossians 1:9 - For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease
to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in
all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

VII. PAUL IS CONFIDENT THAT GOD CAN MAKE US WHAT WE SHOULD

BE. (Verse 20).

A. We can rest assured that God has the ability to make us what we need to be. 
 
1. Philippians 3:21 - who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed
to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue
all things to Himself.
2. Romans 4:21 - and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was
also able to perform.

3. "Exceedingly abundantly" is a "super superlative." That is, it is used to

demonstrate an over abundance of ability on the part of God.

4. Philippians 4:19 - And my God shall supply all your need according to His
riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

5. Ephesians 1:19 - and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us
who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

B. We can also rest assured that God can use us in the church to do all that He
wants us to do.
1. John 14:12-14 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works
that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to
My Father. 13 - And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father
may be glorified in the Son. 14 - If you ask anything in My name, I will do it."

2. Ephesians 2:10

CONCLUSION: God is able to do wonderful things in and through us, if we will

only submit to Him, love Him, and appreciate God and all that He has do for us.
James gives us the key. "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." ( James
4:8).

HOW OUR GOD ANSWERS PRAYER

INTRODUCTION: We’ve talked about prayer for the last two weeks. The Christian can
have confidence that God hears his prayer. We know that God commands us to pray. And He
also assures us that He answers our prayers. How does God answer those prayers. But the real
question is, "How does God work in this world?" There are two extremes. Some say that God
predestines every little action. If this were true there would be no need to pray. But the other
extreme states that God has wound up the world once like a clock and now is far removed
from this earth. This other extreme is also false.

Our God has changed His mind about a certain deed promised (Genesis 18:32). God
promised to cause all things to work together for our good. (Romans 8:28). God can
manipulate natural law. God indeed answers prayer. But how does he answer the prayers of
His saints. 
  
 

BODY
I. OUR GOD ANSWERS PRAYER THROUGH HIS INSPIRED WORD.

A. Have you ever prayed for patience or comfort.

1. Romans 15:4 - "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that
we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."
B. Do you pray that someone might come to a knowledge of the truth?
1. Acts 8:25- "So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to
Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans."

2. Romans 10:17

3. 2 Timothy 3:16- "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,"

C. Have you ever prayed for knowledge?

1. Psalms 119:130- "The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the
simple."

2. 2 Timothy 2:15- "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not
need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

3. God will not give you knowledge supernaturally. 

  
 

II. OUR GOD ANSWERED PRAYER THROUGH NATURAL LAW.

A. We pray for our daily bread.
1. Matthew 6:11 - "Give us this day our daily bread."

2. But we work and depend on the goodness of God’s blessings.

3. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 "For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If
anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among
you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such
we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat
their own bread."

B. We pray for physical healing.

1. We know that God does not miraculously heal anyone today.
a. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 "Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail;
whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then
that which is in part will be done away."
2. But we are confident that God can manipulate natural law through doctors, nurses, etc. to
heal the sick.

3. Romans 8:28 
  
 

III. OUR GOD ANSWERS PRAYER THROUGH PEOPLE AND SITUATIONS.

A. Paul needed protection form the Jews.
1. God gave it through the Roman law.
a. Acts 21-23
2. Matthew 6:13- "And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For
Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
B. We pray for opportunities.
1. 1 Corinthians 16:7- "For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a
while with you, if the Lord permits. But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great
and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries."

2. Colossians 4:3- "meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the
word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,"

3. What we do with those opportunities is up to our free will. 

  
 

IV. OUR GOD ANSWERS PRAYER IN HIS OWN MIND.

A. Forgiveness of sins.
1. God will answer our prayer for forgiveness as alien sinners when we comply with His
truth.

2. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21

B. How do we know our sins are forgiven?

1. Acts 22:16

2. Romans 1:16

C. How does Christians know that they are forgiven?

1. 1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
V. WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON’T PERCEIVE AN IMMEDIATE ANSWER FROM
GOD?
A. Make sure you meed scriptural requirements.
1. 1 John 5:14- "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything
according to His will, He hears us."
B. Even though God has not answered our prayers immediately, rest assured that God will
answer your prayer.
1. James 1:5-8 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and
without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for
he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man
suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in
all his ways."
C. Set forth to put your prayers into action.
1. "Pray at the end of a hoehandle."

2. "Pray like everything depends on it and work like everything depends on it."

D. Don’t lose confidence in God if the answer turns out to be NO.

1. 2 Corinthians 12:7- "And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the
revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be
exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it
might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is
made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that
the power of Christ may rest upon me."

2. God know best, just as we know what is best for our children.

3. God’s Strange Answer

"He was a Christian, and he prayed. He asked for strength to do greater things, but he was
given infirmity that he might do better things.

"He asked for riches that he might be happy; he was given poverty that he might be wise.

"He asked for power that he might have the praise of men; he was given weakness that he
might feel the need of God.

"He had received nothing that he asked for; all that he hoped for. His prayer seems
unanswered, but he is most blessed."

 
CONCLUSION: Prayer is not an exact science. We can’t take it apart and
understand all the workings of it in a couple of easy lessons. But we can be assured
that God hears us, wants to answer our prayers, and truly cares for us.  
 

Copyright 1999 by Grady Scott may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.  

HOW SHOULD WE LIVE IN THIS WORLD?

INTRODUCTION: One writer, when commenting on why Christians seem to have

little impact in the world, said, "It has never ceased to amaze me that we Christians
have developed a kind of selective vision which allows us to 
be deeply and sincerely involved in worship and church activities and yet almost
totally pagan in the day in, day out guts of our business lives and never realize it."

How should we live as children of God?

BODY

I. WE SHOULD LIVE LIKE WE ARE NOT PERMANENT CITIZENS OF THIS

WORLD.

A. We are seeking a better land, where God is ready to receive us as His children.
1. We are like Abraham, who looked for a heavenly land.
a. Hebrews 11:13-16 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but
having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that
they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things
declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that
country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.
But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not
ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."
2. 1 Peter 2:11 - "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from
fleshly lusts which war against the soul,"
B. We should realize that this world is temporary, while those spiritual things are
real and eternal.
1. 2 Corinthians 4:18 - "while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at
the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the
things which are not seen are eternal."

2. 1 Peter 1:24-25 "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of
the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the LORD
endures forever."

C. We must not become entangled in the things of the world.

1. 2 Timothy 2:4 - "No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs
of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier."

2. 1 John 2:15 - "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves
the world, 1he love of the Father is not in him."

II. HOW DO WE LIVE TOWARD OUR GOD?

A. God's word tells us what is required of us.
1. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 ""And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God
require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love
Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and
to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you
today for your good?"
B. We are to put God above everything else in the world.
1. Matthew 22:37 - "Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with
all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'"

2. Romans 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that
you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your
reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable
and perfect will of God."

III. HOW DO WE LIVE TOWARD THOSE IN THE WORLD?

A. We are to live our lives righteously toward those who are outside the body of
Christ.
1. We are to be careful concerning our relationships with those who are not
Christians.

2. Colossians 4:5-6 "Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the
time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know
how you ought to answer each one."

3. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 "that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your
own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you
may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing."

4. 1 Peter 2:12 - "having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when
they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they
observe, glorify God in the day of visitation."

5. Titus 2:12 - "teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should
live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,"

6. We are to conduct ourselves in such a way as to not bring shame and reproach
upon the body of Christ. 
 

B. We are to live separate lives from the world.

1. This doesn't mean that we have nothing to do with the world, but it means that
our lives must be different from the sinful lives of the world.

2. 2 Corinthians 6:16-17 "And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?
For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them
And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.
Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not
touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.""

C. We are to love those who are lost.

1. Romans 10:1 - "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that
they may be saved."

2. Jude 22

3. We are to have a burning zeal for lost souls.

a. 1 Corinthians 9:22 - "to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I
have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."

IV. HOW DO WE LIVE TOWARD THOSE IN THE FAMILY OF GOD?

A. We are to have an attitude of love and compassion toward each other as brothers
and sisters.
1. 1 Peter 3:8 - "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one
another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;"
B. We are to forgive one another.
1. Ephesians 4:32 - "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, just as God in Christ forgave you."

2. Colossians 3:13 - "bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if
anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also
must do."

C. We are to have a genuine concern for a brother who turns from the way.
1. James 5:19-20 "Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and
someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of
his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins."

Conclusion: One army sergeant, who was addressing a group of soldiers going into
a foreign town on leave for the first time, wanted to impress upon them the
importance of proper behavior. He said, "Men, you are the United States. These
people will think either badly, or positively of our country, based on your
conduct!" This is true so often of Christianity. What people think of Christ and
Christianity is often based upon what they see in us. 
 "BE CAREFUL LITTLE TONGUE WHAT YOU SAY"

INTRODUCTION: This is one of the lines from a little children's song that we
often teach our kids and sometimes sing it during Vacation Bible School. We think
of it as a "kids' song" but it is far more than that! We should be very careful what
our tongue speaks! The uncontrolled tongue is especially harmful and dangerous to
the body of Christ.

BODY

I. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT CONTROLLING THE TONGUE?

A. The Old Testament warns us about avoiding gossip and evil speaking.
1. Leviticus 19:16- "'You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor
shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD."

2. Psalm 50:16-20

3. Proverbs 20:19- "He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore
do not associate with one who flatters with his lips."

B. The New Testament tells us to put away the wicked use of the tongue.
1. Ephesians 4:31- "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be
put away from you, with all malice."

2. Titus 3:1-2 "Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be

ready for every good work, 2- to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle,
showing all humility to all men."

II. WHY IS AN UNCONTROLLED TONGUE SO DANGEROUS?

A. Because words rashly spoken can have serious consequences.
1. Jephthah made a rash vow with an uncontrolled tongue which caused him great
grief.
a. Judges 11:30-40
2. It was because of rash speaking that King Herod ended up having John the
Baptist beheaded, even though Herod did not want it done.
a. Mark 6:22-28
B. Because it will affect the lives of individuals for a lifetime.
1. James 3:6- "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set
among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of
nature; and it is set on fire by hell."

2. It hurts the person you are talking about, his/her family, friends, neighbors, etc.
It can affect them for a lifetime.
3. Proverbs 26:20- "Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is
no talebearer, strife ceases."

C. A man who has an uncontrolled tongue brings pain and hurt upon himself.
1. Proverbs 21:23- "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from
troubles."

2. 1 Peter 3:10- "For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain
his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit."

D. It makes our religion useless in the sight of God.

1. James 1:26- "If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his
tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless."
III. GOSSIP AND MURMURING IS ESPECIALLY HARMFUL TO A
CONGREGATION OF THE LORD'S PEOPLE!
A. The Scriptures speak of the kind of person that will gossip and speak evil
among God's people.
1. Titus 1:9-11 "holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be
able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. 10- for
there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of
the circumcision, 11- whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole
households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain."
B. Murmuring against the church and it's work is destructive to the body and earns
the displeasure of Jehovah God..
1. God showed his displeasure at His people murmuring in the Old Testament.
a. Exodus 15:24- "And the people complained against Moses, saying, "What shall
we drink?""

b. Exodus 16:2- "Then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained
against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness."

c. Numbers 11:1- "Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for
the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned
among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp."

d. Numbers 14:27- ""How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who
complain against Me? I have heard the complaints which the children of Israel
make against Me."

2. 1 Corinthians 10:10-11 "nor complain, as some of them also complained, and

were destroyed by the destroyer. 11- Now all these things happened to them as
examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the
ages have come."
3. Philippians 2:14-15 "Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15- that
you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the
midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the
world," 

4. Jude 1:14-16 "Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men
also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15- to
execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their
ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh
things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. 16- "These are grumblers,
complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling
words, flattering people to gain advantage."

CONCLUSION: "I am more deadly than the screaming shell of the cannon. I win
without killing. I tear down homes, break hearts, wreck lives. I travel on the wings
of the wind. No innocence is strong enough to intimidate me, no purity pure
enough to daunt me. I have no regard for truth, no respect for justice, no mercy for
the defenseless. My victims 
are as numerous as the sands of the sea and often as innocent. I never forget and
seldom forgive. My name is Gossip."

II Peter
"The earliest references to this letter, in the writing of Origen, Eusebius, and
Jerome, show that there were some who doubted the apostolic authorship of the
letter, while others accepted it as apostolic. Eusebius, for example, did not say that
the letter was spurious but at the same time he was not prepared to grant it equal
footing with other books of the canon about which he had no question. Nor did
Origen say that it was spurious, only that its authenticity was disputed. . . . those
[of today] who accept the apostolic authorship point to a similarity in the two
letters in the use of certain words and phrases, the emphatic autobiographical
references, and similarity in teaching. The date of the letter is considered to be in
the early sixties of the first century since Peter died in A. D. 64 or 67."-Harper
Study Bible, Zondervan Bible Publishers, 1971.

Salutation (II Peter 1: 1-2.)

A. "To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours in the
righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ"-do we believe this?
B. Do we believe that we can (are able) to have a faith like Simon Peters? If not,
why not? Probably all of us utter the cry of the father of Mark 9- "Lord, I believe;
help thou mine unbelief." See Mark 9: 17-27. "I have some faith; even a little faith;
help me to believe more!" We cry.

 How should we go about increasing our faith? In what should we be trying to

have faith? Ourselves? Our spouses? Or Jesus Christ?
1. Romans 10: 17 
2. Related-see James 1: 5-8. 
3. Personal advice. When in doubt, don't fool with doctrinal issues. Read  The
Gospel of Mark again-and again, and again. Read about the miracles.
 How much confidence should we have in our standing with the Lord?
1. I John 5: 13-"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of
the son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may  believe
on the name of the Son of God." 
2. Romans 8: 31-35. Who can be against us? 
3. I John 1: 6-10 and/or ff. There is a companionship, a relationship. You're not
"in" one second and "out" the next, like a tricky ankle (of mine!). 
 

 True knowledge (II Peter 1:3 - 21).

o The growth of true knowledge

1. We have been granted ALL THINGS that pertain to life and godliness. Not will
be - have been. You're richer than you ever imagined. 
2. We have become partakers of the divine nature of God himself. We are taking
on His ways, learning His values, learning-if ever so slowly-to think in spiritual
ways, like God does. See I Corinthians 2: 6-16 for a further explanation of what it
is that we have. It's far more precious than we have any appreciation of.

3. Add some things:

A. Faith 
B. Virtue 
C. Knowledge 
D. Self control (Paul-"Oh wretched man that I am!" 
E. Steadfastness 
F. Godliness-yes, with God's help you can. Matthew 5: 48. 
G. Brotherly affection. "He who loveth not knoweth not God." 
H. Love. From phileo to agape.

 The ground of true knowledge.

o Being "in this body" II Peter 1: 13. See also Paul in II
Cor. 5: 1-10.
 o Peter was ready to "put off this body." He wasn't
suicidal or careless; he just knew that there was
something better waiting for him.
o The scriptures were not cleverly designed myths. II
Peter 1: 16-21.

What does verse 21 mean?

BACK TO BASICS 
(INTRODUCTION)
INTRODUCTION: Any great team will be strong in "the basics" of their sport, as
well as excelling with star players. It may be the great plays which excite fans, but
it is the basics of fielding, blacking, defense, etc. which will win championships.
Starting in two weeks, I will be preaching a series of lessons on the general theme
of "Back to Basics." These will deal with what we might call first principles that
many of us have heard before. Why do we need these kind of lessons?

BODY

I. WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A LACK OF A KNOWLEDGE OF "THE

BASICS."

A. Congregations over the brotherhood are plagued with members who simply do
not know the fundamentals of the faith.
1. Many do not know about the oneness of the church.

2. Many cannot show from the Bible how someone is saved from his/her sins.

B. Why do we need these kind of basic lessons?

1. It is obvious that many of us do not know these principles, have forgotten them,
or are ignoring them.

2. A disregard of these foundation principles lead to immaturity and makes us

susceptible to sin.

a. Hebrews 5:11_14 _ "of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since
you have become dull of hearing. {12} For though by this time you ought to be
teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of
God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. {13} For everyone who
partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
{14} But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by
reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

3. It leads to apostasy and spiritual destruction.

a. Hosea 4:1 _ "Hear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD
brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "There is no truth or mercy Or
knowledge of God in the land....My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for
Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your
children."

4. There is also two other reasons why we need these lessons in basics which we
sometimes overlook.

a. There are often a number of people in our assemblies who do NOT KNOW
these foundation principles. There are children grown up in our assemblies who
need to hear these for the for the first time. There is often visitors in our midst who
need to hear basic lessons of doctrinal matters.

b. It is also important to reiterate "where we stand" on many issues so all will know
that we have not changed.

II. WHAT DOES THE WORD SAY ABOUT THE BASICS?

A. Peter tells us that it is important to reminded brethren about the basics.

1. 2 Peter 1:10_14 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call
and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an
entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind
you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present
truth. 13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by
reminding you, 14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord
Jesus Christ showed me.
B. Paul tells us that he preached the "whole counsel of God" which certainly
included the basics.
1. Acts 20:26_27 _ ""Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the
blood of all men. {27} "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel
of God."
C. We are told to stand in the Old Paths.
1. Jeremiah 6:15_16 _ "Were they ashamed when they had committed
abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush.
Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They
shall be cast down," says the LORD. {16} Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the
ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'"
D. We need to be constantly reminded of these truth, lest we allow ourselves to slip
away.
1. Hebrews 2:1_ " Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we
have heard, lest we drift away.
III. HOW DO WE RETURN TO THE BASICS AND WHAT ARE THEY.
A. We return to the balanced diet in preaching and teaching.
1. Just as meat is needed for mature Christian basic studies are required for
growing brethren.

2. 1 Peter 2:1_2 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and
all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you
may grow thereby, 

3. Hebrews 5:14-6:2 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is,
those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and
evil. Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us
go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works
and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of
resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

4. There are some who teach nothing but first principles, never going beyond
baptism, the church, etc. On the other hand there are those who have not preached
and taught on basic themes in years, preferring to teach on "Christian living"
themes. Neither styles are not Biblical.

B. We need preachers who will preach the truth, regardless of those who might be
offended.
1. 2 Timothy 4:1_5 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ,
who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach
the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all
longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears,
they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from
the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure
afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
C. We need elders who insist on a broad, Bible based curriculum in the Bible
classes where the whole counsel of God is taught.
1. Acts 20:28_32 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among
which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God
which He purchased with His own blood. {29} "For I know this, that after my
departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. {30}
"Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw
away the disciples after themselves. {31} "Therefore watch, and remember that for
three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. {32} "So
now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able
to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

2. Elders are needed who insist on the truth being taught and make sure that the
basics of the word are given to growing Christians. We need elders who know that
any good house must have a foundation before it can rise.

D. What are some of the basics which we are speaking of? (Just a few)
1. Existence of God

2. Inspiration of the Bible

3. How to study the Bible

4. What must one do to be saved?

5. The blood of Jesus and what it does for the child of God.

6. The church and the Christian's relationship to it.

CONCLUSION: We need lessons that challenge us to reach deep into the meat of
God's Word. But we also need to be reminded every so often of the basic
underpinning of truth upon which we have built. "Therefore we ought to give the
more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let
them slip" (Hebrews 2:1 KJV).

STUDIES OF BASICS: 
Intoduction 
Existence of God 
Creation of Mankind 
Epistles- Christ's Messages to the Church 
Book of Acts 
The Inspiration of The Bible 
The Inspiration of The Bible (Part 2) 
The Life & Mission of Christ 
The New Testament 
The Book of Revelation -- Victory 
 
 NEVER FORGET THE GIFT!
        All of us have a special gift that we remember getting.  It may not be the cost. 
It may not be special because we needed it.  It is often times special because of
other reasons.  It might have been the last gift that someone gave us.  Perhaps it
was the first gift that newlyweds gave each other.  Maybe it was one from our
childhood.  For whatever reason, it is precious to us. 
        For me it wasn't a physical gift at all.  It was the gift of time. My Dad was in
Vietnam for much of the time that I was growing up.  I spent several Christmases
parted from him.  But I can remember one for which he came home 
on leave.  He gave me several presents, but the most special one was that he was
there.  I don't believe that he spent another Christmas with me while I was growing
up. 
        As Christians we should never forget the gift.  The gift I am speaking of is the
gift on the Son of God on the cross.   "Thanks be to God for His indescribable
gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15).  Human comprehension cannot begin to appreciate
what Jesus did on the cross of Calvary. Jesus never knew what it was like to suffer,
yet went to earth, took on human flesh, and suffered indescribable pain and
anguish.  
       As we go through this holiday season, be sure to not forget the gift. Remember
what Jesus has done for you. 
       When you are looking  for gifts for friends and family, remember the gift.
Remember that God gave His gift to us when we were yet in sin and enemies of
Him.  "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were 
still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).  People often base their giving on those
who will give them a gift in return.  But God gave when He knew that we were His
enemies in rebellion against Him.
        When you think about how much you love those of your family whom you
are buying gifts for, remember the gift.  "For God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life" (John 3:16).  Jesus put expressed that love when he said, "Greater
love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 14:13). 
As much as you love your wife, husband, or children, remember, God loved us
more! 
        When you start to total up the  cost of your gifts, remember the gift. "For you
know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your
sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become 
rich" (2 Cor. 8:9).  "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who,
being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but
made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in
the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled
Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross"
(Phil. 2:5-8).  There's no Visa or Mastercard in the world which can begin to
purchase what Jesus did for us on the cross.  How can one put a price tag on
forgiveness of sins and 
salvation? 
        When you begin to think, after your gifts are all opened, that you deserve
more than you get, remember the gift.  "For by grace you have been saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone
should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9).  We did not deserve salvation,  couldn't earn it, couldn't
pay enough for it, but can receive it through the beloved grace of God.  Never
forget, Christian, when you were baptized into Christ, you received the blessings of
God's wonderful grace. Remember the gift. 

A LESSON IN FORGIVENESS

Luke 15:11-32

INTRODUCTION: How many children do not feel like they are misunderstood,
maligned, and mistreated by his/her parents. Most outgrow these feelings and come
to understand that their parents are not as mean and unfeeling as thought.

But a few want to be independent so bad that they flee home and "spread their
wings" in high style. But it often happens that they misuse and abuse their new
found freedom and end up hitting the bottom. Such is the story of the "prodigal
son" in Luke 15. It is a lesson of sin, forgiveness, and envy. 
 

BODY

I. THE PRODIGAL SON AND HIS STORY (VERSES 11-19)

A. He felt chaffed by his Father's rules.

1. He asked for his inheritance. (Verses 11-12).

2. He thought that the independence he would gain from his inheritance would give
him true happiness.

a. He couldn't see happiness in his Father's house.

b. The same is often true of us. We feel confined by "unreasonable" curbs on our
freedom.

c. But Jesus is the only true source of freedom.

i. John 8:32, 36- ""And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free....36- Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
B. He went into a far country and wasted his inheritance 
(verses 13-14).
1. He learned the lesson that true happiness doesn't come from material wealth. It
is an illusion that slips away so easily.

2. He had to slip all the way to the bottom.

a. Many times a man has to "hit rock bottom" before he can come to God.
C. Finally, "he came to himself" (verses 15-19).
1. He finally realized his condition.

2. He had godly sorrow.

a. 2 Corinthians 7:10- "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation,

not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."
3. He resolved to go to his father and ask forgiveness. He would humble himself.

4. He had a penitent heart.

a. Matthew 5:4- "Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted."

b. James 4:9- "Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to
mourning and your joy to gloom."

II. THE LOVING FATHER'S STORY (VERSES 20-24).

A. The Father had been watching for the prodigal (verses 20-24).
1. The Father had seen him a great way off.
a. Perhaps he recognized his son's walk.
2. He had probably been watching for his return since he had left.

3. Was constantly desireous of his son's return.

4. This is the heavenly Father's attitude toward us as sinners.

a. 2 Peter 3:9- "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count
slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but
that all should come to repentance."

b. He loved us so much that he marked the way home. (John 3:16).

B. The Father's reaction (verses 21-24).

1. Came and fell at his Father's feet.
2. Joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents.

a. Luke 15:7- ""I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one
sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."
3. Wasn't showing justice, he was showing mercy.
a. Treated with honor even though he didn't deserve it.
4. God is the Father of mercies.
a. 2 Corinthians 1:3- "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of mercies and God of all comfort,"

b. Psalms 33:22- "Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope in You."

5. What would be the reaction of some fathers?

6. Our Father wants to receive us.

III. THE OLDER BROTHER'S STORY (VERSES 25-32).

A. He was envious of his brother.
1. He thought that his brother was receiving something that he didn't receive.
a. Galatians 5:21- "envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I
tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice
such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

b. Romans 13:13- "Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and
drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy."

B. He thought that the Father's love was earned by a record of service.

1. Our record of service doesn't merit God's love.
a. Ephesians 2:8- "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God,"

b. Titus 3:5- "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to
His mercy He saved us, through the 
washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,"

c. Matthew 20:1ff - parable of the laborers.

2. This attitude is identical to the Pharisees who thought that their good works
bought salvation while publican and sinners weren't good enough for salvation..
a. Luke 18:11ff
3. The Father doesn't love because the son merits love, but just because he is his
son.
C. The older brother was proud and haughty.
1. Many of us are proud and haughty, thinking that we do God a favor by serving
Him.

2. Psalms 101:5- "Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The
one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure."

3. Proverbs 16:18- "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a
fall."

CONCLUSION: The loving Father was waiting for His wayward son. He still
waits, eager to forgive His erring children.

"I WAS BLIND, BUT NOW I SEE"

INTRODUCTION: Jesus healed a blind man who had been blind from birth (John
9:32). Jesus then related this to spiritual blindness He says, John 9:39- "And Jesus
said, "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who  
do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.""

Undoubtedly, this man experienced great joy when he was able to see for the first
time. However, there is light that we experience for the first time when we
encounter the Light of the World. 
 

BODY 
 

I. THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD GUIDES OUR WAY.

A. The Word of God gives us light.

1. Psalms 119:105- "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path."

2. Psalms 119:130- "The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives

understanding to the simple."

B. The Lord's way is light.

1. Acts 17:27- ""so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might
grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;"

2. The Lord's light challenges us to walk in it and live a new way of life.

a. 1 Peter 2:9- "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you
out of darkness into His marvelous light;"
b. 1 John 1:7- "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

II. THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD REFLECTS OUR CHARACTER. 

 
A. When we look in the mirror of God's truth, we see ourselves as we really are.
1. James 1:23-24- "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a
man observing his natural face in a mirror; {24} for he observes himself, goes
away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was."
B. The poor in spirit see themselves as the are - poor, miserable, and blind before
the Father.
1. Matthew 5:3- ""Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of
heaven."

2. Revelation 3:17- ""Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have
need of nothing'; and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind,
and naked;"

III. THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD EXPOSES THE SINS OF THE WORLD.
A. The Light knows.
1. Ephesians 5:13- "But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light,
for whatever makes manifest is light."

2. Hebrews 4:12-13- "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than
any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints
and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. {13} And
there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the
eyes of Him to whom we must give account."

B. Jesus talks about this principle.

1. John 3:20-21- ""For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come
to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. {21} "But he who does the truth
comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in
God.""

IV. THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD SHINES IN THE HEARTS AND LIVES OF
GOD'S PEOPLE.

A. We are the children of light.

1. Ephesians 5:8- "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Walk as children of light"
B. We are to reflect Christ's light to a world in darkness.
1. Matthew 5:14- ""You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot
be hidden."
2. Philippians 2:15- "that you may become blameless and harmless, children of
God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom
you shine as lights in the world,"

3. All can reflect the light of Christ to those around us.

a. A well-known Bible teacher had just finished speaking to a large class of

businessmen on the Christian's responsibility to be a "light" in the world. He
emphasized that believers are to reflect the Light of the world, the Lord Jesus.
After the class, one of the members related to him an experience he had in his
home which had impressed upon this same truth. He said that when he went into
his basement he made an interesting discovery. Some potatoes had sprouted in the
darkest corner of the room. At first he couldn't figure out how they had gotten
enough light to grow. Then he noticed that the cook had hung a copper kettle from
the ceiling near a cellar window. She kept it so brightly polished that it reflected
the rays of the sun onto the potatoes. The businessman said to Brooks, "When I
saw that, I thought, I may not be a preacher or a teacher with ability to expound
Scripture, but at least I can be a copper kettle catching the rays of the Son and
reflecting His light to someone in a dark corner."
CONCLUSION: Have you experienced the light of the world? As a Christian, have
you fully appreciated the light that is in Christ -- like a blind man who sees for the
first time. 
  
 

Copyright 1999 by Grady Scott may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.