Sermon Archives
Below are outline to the sermons God allowed me to preach in 2005/2006. I moved them from my website to here.
Mountaintop Faith
1. Introduction
a. The idea for this sermon came to be as a result of our trip to North Carolina. We were visiting Mt. Mitchell on the way up the fog was pretty bad and all we could see was mountain on one side, treetops on the other and nothing in front of us and I leaned some things and thought “hey, that will preach” so here we go:
2. Thoughts on the Way up:
a. If we had stopped we would have never got there! Those who turn back miss the blessing.
b. If we listened to conventional wisdom we would have stopped. When we stopped by the visitor center they said the mountain was open but did not recommend we continue our way up there.
c. We are not called to follow worldly wisdom but Gods.
d. Foolishness v. Faith
i. We are to follow God. That means we will not always make sense to the world but that is OK. Jesus’ family thought He was beside Himself (Mark 3:21 gr. Existemi-to be out of one’s senses: insane . And what has he done till this time? Healed the sick and cast out demons [cf Mark 2:1-12 & 3:7-12]) and we are called to be a peculiar people.
1. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: -1 Peter 2:9
2. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. –Titus 2:14
a. (4047), “an obtaining, an acquisition,” is translated “(God’s own) possession” in Eph. 1:14, RV, which may mean “acquisition,” KJV, “purchased possession”, 1 Pet. 2:9, RV, “’ own possession,” KJV, “a peculiar (people).”
b. per-ee-poy´-ay-sis; acquisition (the act or the thing); by extens. preservation:— obtain (-ing), peculiar, purchased, possession, saving.
3. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. –Luke 6:26
ii. We are not to tempt God.
1. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. –Matthew 4:5-7
2. Visitation Dogs: I was out on visitation Saturday a couple of weeks ago and when I turned up the street and saw two dogs out. One I knew was friendly and I had no problem with the other I knew was mean and would bite. It would not have been faith to walk out there but foolishness.
iii. The difference: Who is asking you to do it? And why?
e. We can’t see where we are going, God never promised to show us the whole picture. His Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105) not a spotlight to light up the world. God only shows us the next step. How would the disciples have reacted if they knew when they started what would they have done? What would you have done?
i. Peter was to be crucified upside down, James fellied alive and John boiled in oil and yet lived before being sent to Papmos, if they were allowed to see their end from the beginning would they have had the strength to stay their course?
f. Remember what the definition of faith is? Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. –Hebrews 11:1
g. The biggest reason we do not have power is we are not going all the way to the top or God is my pilot not my co-pilot.
i. If I were driving we would have never gotten there.
ii. Bicycle for two story (See link to the left).
h. In the end it will be worth it.
i. Peter, James and John saw the transfigured Jesus. Moses saw God and lived.
i. You cannot live on the mountaintop; you have to go back down. Moses came back to a camp in sin (Exodus 32:15-29), Jesus came down to disciples who did not have the power to cast out a demon. (Matthew 17:14-21).
3. Application/Conclusion
a. Do not give up. We are to follow God not man and that may mean we do things differently than we have in the past.
i. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. –Philippians 3:13-15
b. Follow hard after God. Take up the cross and follow Jesus; desire God like the hart desires water. (Psalm 42:1-As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.)
c. Look for opportunities not excuses.
i. A few closing thoughts: Throw out thinking like “we never done it this way before”, it is a death knell; The church is not the mission field, the world is. We need to find a way to reach them. We need to reach out and touch others where they live and make an impact on their lives for Jesus. If we desire to reach the top of the mountain we cannot limit God. (visitiation example: I went for the easy job because I was rather busy with other things but God rebuked me and to surrender to what He wanted which appears to be on the cold call team. Not my personal first choice but the choice was simple: to obey or not.
d. This message if for the Christian. If you are not a Christian why not come down now and I would love to show you in the Bible how to accept Jesus as your Saviour.
Peace
Key Text: Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27; Galatians 5:22-23I. Introduction
a. From last week? -Corruption in Jonah 2:6 is 7845. shakh’-ath; from 7743; a pit (espec. as a trap); fig. destruction:— corruption, destruction, ditch, grave, pit. Not diafqorav , dee-af-thor-ah´; decay:— corruption
b. Peace, the thing that always seems to be just beyond our reach. Like a donkey chasing a carrot we all seek peace but nothing seems to bring it:
c. School started and the parents think there will be peace with the children gone to school and they will be busy with studying and homework. While this may bring some solitude, it is not peace
d. Money does not bring peace. The Bible spends more time cautioning us about money than extolling having money. (Get illustration from book)
e. Even an uncomfortable forced cease fire does not bring peace to the Middle East as the UN has not yet learned that terrorist cannot be trusted and are not to be negotiated with.
II. What is peace?
a. OT 7965: Safety µ/lv; , shaw-lome’; from 7999; safe, i.e. (fig.) well, happy, friendly; also (abstr.) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace:— × do, familiar, × fare, favour, + friend, × great, (good) health, (× perfect, such as be at) peace (-able, -ably), prosper (-ity, -ous), rest, safe (-ty), salute, welfare, (× all is, be) well, × wholly (first ref Genesis 15:15)
b. NT 1515: security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous); Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is.
III. Getting Peace
a. John 14:27-Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
i. What manner it is left: Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. That is, (1.) “I do not compliment you with Peace be unto you; no, it is not a mere formality, but a real blessing.’’ (2.) “The peace I give is of such a nature that the smiles of the world cannot give it, nor the frowns of the world take it away.’’ Or, (3.) “The gifts I give to you are not such as this world gives to its children and votaries, to whom it is kind.’’ The world’s gifts concern only the body and time; Christ’s gifts enrich the soul for eternity: the Christ gives a good part that shall never be taken away. (4.) The peace which Christ gives is infinitely more valuable than that which the world gives. The world’s peace begins in ignorance, consists with sin, and ends in endless troubles; Christ’s peace begins in grace, consists with no allowed sin, and ends at length in everlasting peace. As is the difference between a killing lethargy and a reviving refreshing sleep, such is the difference between Christ’s peace and the world’s.
IV. Keeping Peace
a. Isaiah 26:3-Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.
i. Mind is stayed
a. Stayed: to be totally supported by.
ii. Thou wilt keep him in peace, peace, in perfect peace, inward peace, outward peace, peace with God, peace of conscience, peace at all times, under all events; this peace shall he be put into, and kept in the possession of, whose mind is stayed upon God, because it trusts in him. It is the character of every good man that he trusts in God, puts himself under his guidance and government, and depends upon him that it shall be greatly to his advantage to do so. Those that trust in God must have their minds stayed upon him, must trust him at all times, under all events, must firmly and faithfully adhere to him, with an entire satisfaction in him; and such as do so God will keep in perpetual peace, and that peace shall keep them. When evil tidings are abroad those shall calmly expect the event, and not be disturbed by frightful apprehensions arising from them, whose hearts are fixed, trusting in the Lord, Ps. 112:7. 2. It is the matter of a precept (v. 4): “Let us make ourselves easy by trusting in the Lord for ever; since God has promised peace to those that stay themselves upon him, let us not lose the benefit of that promise, but repose an entire confidence in him. Trust in him for ever, at all times, when you have nothing else to trust to; trust in him for that peace, that portion, which will be for ever.’’ii
iii. This vase is stayed on this podium. It is completely supported by it. As long as my mind stays centered and supported by Him I am ok.
iv. Trusteh in thee: To confide in any one, to set one’s hope and confidence upon any one. (but of rare occurrence)
1. To trust to the point of salvation. There is nothing I can due but trust Christ and be centered in Him
2. The safety comes in when I trusted Him I know it is forever and He wants what is best for me. Everything that comes my way I know is for my best. Nothing can separate me from Him.
b. Gal 5:23- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. & John 15:4,5- Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
i. It is interesting that Jesus choose a branch to describe his disciples. A branch is unique that it cannot support life of itself. If the branch is separated from the vine it dies and it cannot bring forth fruit. Peace is a fruit of the spirit it we get fruit by abiding in the vine (put grapes in vase).
1. abide (meno): in reference to state or condition: to remain as one, not to become another or different iii.
c. My peace cannot be taken away but can be given away by not staying, not abiding.
d. Pay Day illustration: I lost my peace by allowing my mind to stay on the paycheck and things tumbled down from there (we had an announcement that our paychecks would be late, rumored not till Tuesday and my mind went wild looking to find a way back toward safety were I could pay my rent and put gas in my car till I got my check. I got paid on time but God showed me that the mind will always find a way toward peace (safety) but it is only temporary. Only God’s peace is not and it does not come by what I do but by keeping my mind on Him and abiding in Him and His Word).
V. Application/Conclusion
a. If you are not saved you cannot have this peace. Why not trust Jesus now as your Saviour?
b. What is robbing you of your peace today? Why not turn to Jesus and cast your cares upon Him, for He careth for you.
Support Your Local Pastor
Text: Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Thessaloians 5:12-13
I. Introduction
a. We have made an important decision in calling a pastor to our church.
b. These verses can apply to any church leader but we will be focusing on the pastor tonight.
II. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. –Hebrews 13:7
a. Remember Them: 3421 mnemoneuo { mnay-mon-yoo’-o} from a derivative of 3420; TDNT - 4:682, 596; v AV - remember 19, be mindful 1, make mention 1; 21 GK - 3648 { mnhmoneuvw } to be mindful of, to remember, to call to mind; to think of and feel for a person or thing; to hold in memory, keep in mind. Also to make mention of.
b. Remember them—their preaching, their praying, their private counsel, their example
c. Remember them (7–8). This may refer to leaders now dead, but their ministry goes on. Remember what they taught you, how they lived, and what they lived for. Church leaders may come and go, but Jesus is the same; and they must fix our eyes on Him
d. Follow their Faith: 3401 mimeomai { mim-eh’-om-ahee}: middle voice from (a “mimic”); TDNT - 4:659, 594; v AV - follow 4; 4-to imitate: any onei
e. Consider the end of their conversation: 391{ an-as-trof-ay’} from 390; TDNT - 7:715, 1093; n f AV - conversation 13; 13 manner of life, conduct, behavior, deportment i
f. Remember the past don’t live in it but learn from it. Remember those who came before. What they taught us and imitate the good of their faith and teaching.
g. Remember also our new pastor is human. There will be a honeymoon period but there will be a day where he may say something you disagree with, not say hi in the hall, remember he has many responsibilities.
III. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. –Hebrews 13:17
a. Obey:
b. Submit
c. Obey is passive and more simply means be persuaded; but it can also mean trust, believe, obey, or follow. In fact, in the very next verse this word is translated trust: for we trust we have a good conscience. Our author seems to suggest that we ought to believe, trust, or be persuaded by our leaders. The next command is to submit , or yield. Kent sees the first verb as denoting an assent to another’s direction, whereas the latter denotes a yeilding of one’s contrary opinions in favor of another’s opinion (p. 288). The leader must not imagine that this passage authorizes him to dictate. God has given to the leaders the work of overseeing, not by being an overlord but by being an example
d. Think about your kids. They can obey and not submit. Think of little ______(fill in name here) Take out the garbage…in a minute Mom. After three or four times he picks up the garbage, stomps out the door muttering something and puts the trash out. Did he obey? Yes. Did he submit? Not really.
e. As undershepherds, the elders watch out for the souls of the flock. They will have to give account to God in a coming day. They will do it either joyfully or sadly, depending on the spiritual progress of their charges. If they have to do it sadly, that will mean loss of reward for the saints concerned. So it is to everyone’s benefit to respect the lines of authority, which God has laid down.
f. Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. –1 Cor. 13:13-15
IV. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. –1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
a. Know Them: or recognize and appreciate the spiritual leaders.iv
b. Know them. take the time to get to know them,
c. Labor With Them: Moses, Aaron, Hur, Joshua and the Israelites. The pastor is suppose to work but we are to work with him
d. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword-Exodus 17:10-13
e. Esteem Them Very Highly in love for their works sake:
f. Be at peace: 1514 { i-rane-yoo’-o} from 1515; TDNT - 2:417, 207; v AV - have peace 1, live peaceably 1, live in peace 1, be at peace 1; 4-GK - 1644 { eijrhneuvw }to make peace; to cultivate or keep peace, harmony; to be at peace, live in peace i
g. We are not speaking of the fundamentals of the faith (like the virgin birth, Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection for our sins.) or the Baptist distinctives (like the autonomy of the local church or the two ordinances [Baptism & Communion]) but the lesser matters that are more personal preference than conviction.
i. I like what Curtis Hudson said: There are things I would die for. There are things I would fight about that I would not die for. There are things that I would fuss over that I would not fight over. There are things not worth fussing about. (and if we think about it most fall into the last category)
ii. Think of the mountain goat. If two of them come head to head on a narrow path they don’t butt heads. One lays down so the other can step over.
iii. So we have to work at keeping peace. It will not happen all by itself.
V. Application/Conclusion
a. We have called a pastor and he will lead us but we have to take an active role in supporting him. Everything mentioned here today is a verb, we need to take action.
(i)Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1995.
(ii)Henry, Matthew, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers) 1997
(iii)Warren W. Wiersbe, With the word Bible commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1991 by Warren W. Wiersbe
(iv)Jerry Falwell, executive editor; Edward E. Hinson and Michael Kroll Woodrow, general editors, KJV Bible commentary [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1994.
(v)William MacDonald; edited with introductions by Arthur Farstad, Believer’s Bible commentary: Old and New Testaments [computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1995 by William MacDonald.
As A Man Thinketh
Proverbs 23:5-10, Deuteronomy 30:19-20
KJV-R (Webster) Proverbs 23:5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:
7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.
9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:KJV-R (Webster) Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
I. Introduction:
a. My Momma hates negative thoughts. She use to call them self-fulfilling prophecy. The Bible puts it this way: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he-Proverbs 23:7 Not what he will be, but what he is. We need to take a look at the man in the mirror and start with him. What habits do we need to change, what thought patterns.
b. Thinketh-8176. RˆÁŠÆ~.A primitive root. To split or open, i.e. (literally, but only as denominative from H8179 = RˆÁŠÁ~) to act as gate-keeper (see H7778 = Rˆ¸ŒŠ~)~; (figuratively) to estimate. Think.
II. Don’t Look Now, Your Attitude is Showing
a. The Attitude of Anger: KJV-R (Webster) Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: -Eph 4:26
i. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be p ut away from you, with all malice: -Eph 4:31
ii. Anger-3709. oÈrghÉ~.From G3713 = oÈreÂgomai~.Properly desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy) violent passion (ire, or ~ abhorrence); implication punishment.Anger, indignation, vengeance, wrath.
b. The Attitude of Unforgiveness But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
c. The Attitude of Pride: Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. –Proverbs 16:18
d. The Attitude of “Blame”: Genesis 3:9-19. It’s not my fault, but my parents, the government, my bosses, or even yours God.
III. Adjusting You ‘Tude
a. Follow the Old Landmarks: 10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: -Proverbs 23:10
b. Choose Life: 19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. –Deut 30:19-20
IV. Conclusion/Application
a. Are you saved? If you are not saved this does not apply.
b. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for your actions and seek forgiveness.
All Things
Key Text: Romans 8:28-29; John 21:15
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. - Romans 8:28-29So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. –John 21:15
I. Introduction
II. All Things?
a. Like buttermilk biscuits (1 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup water, 4 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, package quick rising yeast, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/3 cup shortening, 2 tablespoons melted butter)
b. Heat needed: it does not matter how well the batter is blended, until heat is applied nothing happens.
III. How? Not Unconditional
a. To them that love God
i. I found 3 nouns and 5 verbs for love in the New Testament, not only do we need the right kind of love, we need to keep it moving! We need to demonstrate, not just say (soul not just mental, insert Bro. Walt’s sermon here!)
1. Agapao (v.) to love ardently, supremely, perfectly (see also John 3:16 and 19 (As Christ loved us, as the Father loved the Son.)
2. Phileo (v.) like, to be fond of, feel friendship for.
ii. Love is action (not like Fred and Ethyl)
iii. We need to have the perfect sacrificial love for Jesus like He had for us. (He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. –John 3:18-19).
1. Man natural bend to love is not toward God but evil.
iv. Actions toward God: If ye love me keep my commandments –John 14:15
v. Actions towards others: A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. –John 13:34-45
b. Called according to His purpose.
i. Called-kletos (gk.) Called, invited (to a banquet); Invited (by God in the proclamation of the Gospel) to obtain eternal Salvation in the kingdom through Christ Jesus. Called to (the discharge of) some office, i.e. divinely selected and appointed .
ii. Purpose: prothesis {proth’-es-is}
A purpose, purpose of heart
IV. What is His Puropse?
a. Conforming to His Image
i. Conformed: summorphos {soom-mor-fos’}: having the same form as another, similar, conformed to.
1. biscuits are baked
2. diamonds are cut to show their beauty
3. Silver is heated to be refined.
4. The potter works the clay to make the vessel fit for his use
a. But now, O LORD, thou [art] our father; we [are] the clay, and thou our potter; and we all [are] the work of thy hand. –Isaiah 64:8
b. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make [it]. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay [is] in the potter’s hand, so [are] ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. –Jeremiah 18:4-6
5. Trees a pruned to bear more fruit.
b. Firstborn of many breathern: being a fruitful tree.
i. Fulfill the great commission: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen. –Matthew 28:19-20
V. Application/Conclusion
a. First Question: Are you called? Have you answered the invitation for salvation? Christ died for everyone but not everyone will be save.
b. Are you living live with His purpose in view or
Victory Over Temptation
I. Temptation is not sin
a. It is common to all men
b. God will make a way out
i. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it]. -1 Cor. 10:13
c. Jesus was tempted yet did not sin: For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. –Heb 4:15
II. Temptation unchecked leads to…
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. –James 1:14-15
a. Tempted: The thought of evil enters in (The seed is sown)
b. Drawn away by lust: Delight in viewing (The seed is watered)
c. Enticed: The will is weakened (The seed takes root)
d. Lust Conceived: Ready to yield
e. Sin: Act committed (brings forth fruit unto death)
III. Victory over Temptation
a. Endure: Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. –James 1:12
b. Battle back with your sword (Luke 4:1-13)
i. See Luke 4:1-13: Jesus was tempted 3 times: Food (lust of the flesh); Worldly power, satan offered the kingdom w/o the cross. (lust of the eyes), Pride of life (victory over death by jumping off the temple and living). All forms of temptation are covered here (For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. -1 John 2:16)
ii. satan departed for a season: he will come back
c. Reject the bad seed at temptation: That is what Jesus did
i. If seed is rejected at temptation they have no time to take root.
ii. Acid test: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things. –Philippians 4:8. If the thoughts are not along these lines, reject them. They are not of God.
iii. If not rejected now, they can take root and can be harder to remove (Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for [it is] time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. –Hosea 10:12)
d. Results: Blessed.
i. Not just money. Health, divine appointments, spiritual maturity.
Pure Religion
Text: James 1:19-27, I Corinthians 3:11, Luke 6:46, Matthew 5:18-20
I. The Foundation of True Religion
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ-1 Corinthians 3:11
a. Without the foundation, a house will fall. Without salvation works are just works, and profit nothing
II. Prelude To Pure Religion: God needs to work in us before He can work through us…
a. Walk Right: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. –James 1:19-21
i. Slow to speak-We have two ears, one mouth.
ii. Our wrath, anger does not work with the righteousness of God.
iii. Filthiness- Gr. Rhuparia: moral filthiness, impure, unholy affections, vileness, depravity.
iv. Superfluity- Gr. Perissia: Abundance (in this case of moral wickedness).
v. We are saved by the Word engrafted in our soul that we are saved and begotten.
b. Obedience: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. –Vs. 22-25 (And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? –Luke 6:46)
c. Talk Right: If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. –Vs.26
i. Religious- Carefully follower of belief vs. Religion- also worship. (Also in vs. 27)
ii. Control your tongue!
III. Pure Religion
a. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. –Vs. 27
b. Christian: ian=little Christ
c. Works come after salvation. Jesus loved others; He cared for their needs. We should do the same.
d. Unspotted from sin.
i. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. –1 Thes. 5:24
ii. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. –James 4:7-8
IV. Conclusion/Application
a. If you are not saved, you have works that end in damnation, why not today?
b. God goal is to transform us into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29) and He is willing to work through us to do it but we have to be willing vessels. He will not force His will on us. He wants us to speak like Christians, act like Christians, shining forth His love. We need to desire to have and give our lives over to Him.
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