All These Things Are Against Me

Went to a preachers’ fellowship meeting last Tuesday, hosted by Astatula Baptist Church and Pastor Travis Lane. Heard some good preaching and enjoyed some good fellowship. Two of the speakers I had heard much about but had never heard preach: Glenn Riggs, pastor of Starlight Baptist Church in Orlando, FL, and Mickey Carter, pastor/founder of Landmark Baptist Church and College in Haines City, FL.

It was a blessing to hear an old saint (Bro. Carter) who has fought long and hard still standing strong on the word of God and excited about the Lord’s return.

Bro. Riggs preached from Genesis 42:36, where Jacob makes a statement many of us feel we can identify with from time to time: “All these things are against me.” He made some great points from the passage, so I wanted to pass along my notes.

INTRODUCTION: It sure looked this way in Jacob’s life at this point, but things are not always what they seem. Because “as [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7),” our attitude is so important.

1. There are and will be times in our lives, especially in the ministry, when it seems as if “all things are against us.” But it’s never quite as bad as we think it’s going to be.

2. In such times, we must never forget the lessons of the past. Many examples of God’s blessing and intervention in Jacob’s life. “In times like these it always help to remember that there have always been times like these” (Paul Harvey).

3. Our disadvantages often turn out to be our greatest opportunities. Nothing Jacob said in this verse was true. “Joseph is not.” He was. Bro. Riggs put it this way: “In fact, you ain’t gonna believe how is Joseph is.” Next, “Simeon is not.” But he was. And “ye will take Benjamin away.” That’s not at all what happened. In reality, God was about to turn everything around and do something great in Jacob’s life.

In Genesis 42:36, Jacob said, “All these things are against me.”

But in Romans 8:28, the Bible says, “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.” Then in verse 31, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

Praise the Lord!

Bearing Burdens

Sorry it's been a while since I've posted. Quick entry here. Brother James preached an excellent message last Sunday morning from Galatians 6 on the subject of bearing burdens. Click here to listen.

Give some thought to these convicting questions from Job 26:2-4.

• How hast thou helped him that is without power?
• How savest thou the arm that hath no strength?
• How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom?
• How hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?
• To whom hast thou uttered words? And whose spirit came from thee?

May the Lord richly bless your service in His name.

A New Mark To Press Toward

Bro. James brought a challenging and convicting message from Philippians chapter 1 on New Years’ Eve. Here’s the gist of the sermon.

Philippians 1:21-24 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

As Christians, we can understand what Paul expressed as his desire to depart and be with Christ. We all have a certain longing for the day when we are absent from this body and present with our Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Many times, when faced with a terminal illness or the onset of old age or some tragic accident, God’s children testify of a readiness to take that journey through the valley of the shadow of death, knowing the Good Shepherd will lead them safely through.

Oftentimes, they also testify of what makes that departure so difficult. Understandably it’s the loved ones they’ll be forced to leave behind – a husband, a wife, a child, a grandchild, a parent, etc. We know that death is but a temporary separation for those who know the Lord, but the love we have for the people with whom we share our lives day in and day out kind of serves to counter that whole desire to depart and be with Christ thing. And I don’t believe there’s anything necessarily wrong with that.

Here’s what’s amazing about Philippians 1. Paul was in a strait betwixt two. His desire to depart and be with Christ is evident throughout the book of Acts and the other epistles he penned, but he was torn between that and the need to abide in the flesh. But by what? What tied him to this earth when he had a “far better” situation awaiting him in heaven? It wasn’t a husband. It wasn’t a wife. It wasn’t a son or daughter. It wasn’t father or mother. But it was a love as strong as FAMILY for his brothers and sisters IN CHRIST. Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful FOR YOU.

The passage goes on to read, And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue WITH YOU all for YOUR furtherance and joy of faith; That YOUR rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming TO YOU again.

To Paul, “Brother” was more than a name he used when he couldn’t remember someone’s name. It meant FAMILY. And the love he had for his spiritual brethren was enough to tie him to this earth. “Yeah, I’d sure like to go to heaven and be with the Lord, but if it means a temporary situation from my brothers and sisters, then I’ll just stay down here a while longer. I’ve gotta help further their joy and their faith.”

Wow! Talk about convicting! I don’t know about you, but I don’t even come close to measuring up to that mark. God grant that my attachment to this earth be due to more than just flesh and blood relationships. God give me that kind of love for my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Isaiah 35 – 11.6.09

Isaiah 35 is one of if not my #1 favorite chapter in this great book of Bible prophecy. That probably has something to do with the fact that the Lord blessed me with its truth and prophetic significance as I was reading through my Bible not long after I had gotten serious about studying and preaching God's word.

The chapter gives us a glimpse at some of the blessings of the kingdom that Jesus Christ will establish when He returns to this earth in a future day. Read through these 10 verses, then we'll note 4 of the blessings of the millennial kingdom.

Isaiah 35:1-10 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

1. A NEW GEOGRAPHY

The chapter says that the deserts will blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The parched ground will become a pool and the thirsty land springs of water. Lebanon (inland mountains, forests), Carmel (hills, seacoast), and Sharon (plains, seacoast) will become even more glorious and excellent.

I don't know about you, but I've often been amazed at the glory and beauty and grandeur of God's creation – on this earth that is under a curse! On this earth that Romans 8 says groans and travails in pain waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. I can't imagine how beautiful and how perfect this place will be when that curse is lifted and creation is restored to Eden-like conditions.

Ezekiel 36:35 And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.

2. A NEW BODY

Weak hands will be strengthened; feeble knees confirmed; blind eyes opened; deaf ears unstopped; lame legs made to leap; the tongue of the dumb made to sing. Again, the Bible says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), but what a day that will be when we exchange this vile body for one made like to the glorious resurrection body of Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20-21)! What a day that will be when this corruptible puts on incorruption and this mortal puts on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:51-53)!

In Christ's millennial kingdom, we'll have no need for walking canes, reading glasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs, hospital beds, medicine cabinets, vitamin supplements, or doctor's offices. We'll have been made whole by the Great Physician.

3. A WAY OF HOLINESS

As Christians, there are 3 great enemies with whom we do battle on a daily basis: the world, the flesh, and the devil. According to Isaiah 35, all 3 will be eliminated and excluded from Christ's millennial kingdom.

Verse 9 says no lion (1 Peter 5:8) shall be there. Revelation 20 says that Satan will be bound for the duration of the 1,000 years. Praise the Lord! Then verse 8 speaks of a way of holiness, and it says the unclean shall not pass over it (the world). But in addition to that, the wayfaring men (you and me), though fools, SHALL NOT ERR THEREIN.

Today, I am a child of God. My soul is saved, but my flesh is not. No matter how hard I try, I constantly err (Romans 7:18-23). But when Jesus Christ returns my son-ship will be made manifest (Romans 8:19; 1 John 3:1-2) and I will receive the adoption, to wit, the redemption of the body (Romans 8:23; Ephesians 1:13-14). Jesus Christ will deliver me from the body of this death (Romans 7:24-25) and walking on the way of holiness in Christ's millennial kingdom I couldn't sin if I tried!

4. EVERLASTING JOY

Everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

The wonders of the kingdom that Jesus Christ will return and establish: a new geography, a new body, a way of holiness, everlasting joy, world-wide peace – and more! But Isaiah 35:9-10 says it's only for the ransomed and redeemed. The glories of this kingdom are reserved only for those who have submitted to the righteousness of Jesus Christ and been saved from sin by His marvelous grace.

If you're part of that company, then REJOICE (1 Peter 1:3-6) and busy yourself in the service of THE KING (Revelation 19:11-16).

World Peace – 11.3.09

If the Bible is true (and it is), then there is a coming day in which the Lord Jesus Christ will return to this earth. Upon His return, He will destroy His enemies; He will establish His kingdom; He will sit on the throne of His father David at Jerusalem; He will right all that is wrong; and He will accomplish what no man has ever been able to accomplish (or ever will) – He will bring WORLDWIDE PEACE! And we will rule and reign with Him for 1,000 years.

Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

That's why it's important for us to place our hope and your faith not in political figures but in the Son of God. Recently, our president was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize. It was openly acknowledged, even by our liberal news media, that the prize was not given as a reward for anything Mr. Obama has done but rather in hopes that the award will help him to accomplish something that would one day make him deserving of it. So they gave him the Nobel Peace Prize for bringing "hope to the international community," but the fact of the matter is that he doesn't have anything else to bring. Men can soothe their hearts with cries of peace (Jeremiah 6:14) as long as they want, but until this world repents of its wickedness (Isaiah 57:21) and gives glory to God in the highest (Luke 2:14) there will not be peace on earth.

Isaiah 2:1-4 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

That last bit about beating swords into plowshares and spears into pruninghooks is the theme of a statue at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York City – and we all know what a wonderful job that organization has done at achieving that goal since its formation in 1945. Not surprisingly, they have lost the truth of the passage by lifting it out of its context (which is what always happens when you do so). The fact of the matter is that no one will start making farming equipment out of their weapons until the Lord comes to judge the nations; the mountain of God's house is exalted and established; and all people flow unto Jerusalem so that Jesus Christ can teach us of His ways.

Now, worldwide peace is not the only characteristic of this 1,000 year kingdom that is to come. Isaiah 35 gives us a one chapter summary of the glories of that kingdom. We'll take a look at that next time.

PRAISE THE LORD, I'M ON THE WINNING SIDE!

Ecclesiastes 7:17 – 10.26.09

Here's one that I didn't preach but had ready just in case…

Ecclesiastes 7:17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

1. Every man has an appointment with death (Hebrews 9:27; Romans 5:12).

2. Nobody knows when that appointment is.

3. The timing of that appointment is ultimately up to God (Ecclesiastes 8:8; Revelation 9:6).

4. There are some things one can do that can have an effect on the timing of that appointment (Ecclesiastes 7:17; Psalm 55:23; Proverbs 11:19).

I. OBEY AND HONOR YOUR PARENTS – Ephesians 6:1-3

A. Obey (your actions)

1. To comply with the orders or instructions of a superior; to do that which is commanded or required and to forbear doing that which is prohibited; to submit to the government of; to be ruled by; to submit to the direction or control of authority.

2. It is the duty of your parents, preacher, teacher, etc. to tell you what to do. It is your duty to obey.

B. Honor (your attitude)

1. To revere; to respect; to treat with deference and submission, and perform relative duties to; to reverence; to manifest the highest veneration for; to entertain the most exalted thoughts of; to dignify; to raise to distinction or notice; to elevate in rank or station; to exalt

2. God requires both obedience and honor.

3. Rebellion will get you nowhere but an early grave.

II. FEAR GOD – Proverbs 3:1-2; Proverbs 3:13-16; Proverbs 9:10-11; Proverbs 10:27

1. It is a holy awe or reverence of God and his laws, which springs from a just view and real love of the divine character, leading the subjects of it to hate and shun everything that can offend such a holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience.

2. It is a RESPECT for God's holiness and a RECOGNITION of His judgment that RESULTS in my desire to please Him, which leads to length of days.

III. HATE COVETOUSNESS – Proverbs 28:16

A. It is an inordinate desire for the possessions of another (Exodus 20:17). It is making a god out of stuff (Colossians 3:5).

B. We must beware that we're not deceived into thinking this life is all about the pursuit of stuff – or that it will make us happy (Luke 12:15).

C. Covetousness stems from a heart that is not satisfied with God's provision (Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:6-8).

Play the Men – 10.23.09

The children of Ammon saw that they stank before David b/c of what they had done to his servants (see the opening of chapter 10) so they hired 33,000 men to fight against Israel. Joab goes out to battle and finds himself surrounded by a strong and valiant enemy. Not sure if he has what it takes to defeat them, he divides the host with Abishai…

2 Samuel 10:11-12 And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.

… and it seemed good to the Lord to grant the Israelites the victory.

As Christian men, we must recognize that we are in a real battle with a real enemy; that there is much at stake (Ephesians 6:10-12; 1 Peter 5:8) and that we have a duty to our God, to our families, and to our churches. And in order to stand firm in this fight, there are times when we will have to take courage and PLAY THE MEN.

I. FROM THE BIBLE, WHAT "A MAN" IS SUPPOSED TO BE/DO

A. A hard worker who provides for the needs of His family

1. Work is not a part of the curse. God gave man a job to do in the garden (Genesis 2:15).

2. Hard labor was made a part of the curse for man's benefit (Genesis 3:17-19). A man is not afraid to break a sweat, get his hands dirty, and go out and break his back to put food on the table (Psalm 104:23).

3. Nothing worth having comes in the absence of hard work. It is good to work with one's hands (Ephesians 4:28). In all labor there is profit (Proverbs 14:23).

4. A man that won't work and provide for his family is worse than an infidel (1 Timothy 5:8) and is not fit to be in fellowship with God's people (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).

B. Protect, nurture, and love his family

1. A real man is a gentleman. He loves his wife and isn't ashamed to admit it or to show it. He follows Christ's example in giving of himself for her (Ephesians 5:25-33).

2. He treats her with honor as the weaker vessel (1 Peter 3:7).

3. He diligently strives to please his wife (1 Corinthians 7:33).

4. He doesn't leave the child rearing completely to the wife, but takes an active role in the raising and disciplining of children (Ephesians 6:4).

C. Leads his family

1. Being the head of the home does not mean that the man is superior to the man anymore than Christ's submission to the Father makes Him inferior to the Father (1 Corinthians 11:3).

2. It does mean that he is ultimately responsible for the spiritual, physical, emotional welfare of his family and will give account to God for his handling of that responsibility (Hebrews 11:17).

3. A man should be willing to make the final decision in a given matter and must take initiative to lead his family in the right direction.

II. WHY IT WILL TAKE A REAL MAN TO SERVE GOD

A. To do right despite the inevitable opposition

1. Self-denial is essential in following Christ (Luke 9:23; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27)

2. We are commanded to endure hardness (2 Timothy 2:3)

3. We are promised persecution (2 Timothy 3:12; Matthew 5:11-12)

B. To focus on what's truly important

1. Too many men don't do what they're supposed to do because they're too distracted with toys, hobbies, games, sins, the pursuit of material wealth, etc.

2. A real man will establish the proper priorities in his life (2 Timothy 2:4; Matthew 6:33).

C. To keep doing right no matter what

1. Men don't quit (1 Corinthians 16:13).

2. God is searching for a man to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30).

Henry Varley once said, "The world has yet to see what god will do with and for and through and in and by the man who is full and wholly consecrated to Him."

When DL Moody heard that, he answered in his heart, "By the grace of God, I will be that man."

What It Means To Be A Christian – 10.21.09

Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

I. A BELIEVER ON JESUS CHRIST

Acts 11:21 – These people had turned from all else and believed on Jesus Christ ALONE for the salvation of their soul

A. Someone who denies the deity of Christ is not a Christian (1 John 2:22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7-11)

B. Someone who is trusting their works – on any level – is not a Christian (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; Romans 3:19-28; Galatians 2:21)

II. A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST

Acts 11:26 – They were called Christians. The fact that they believed on Jesus Christ was evident in their day to day lives (assembling, learning the scriptures, exhorting one another, preaching the word (vv. 19-26).

One cannot be a Christian without being saved, but one can be saved without being a Christian. A Christian is a saved person who lives like it.

This is what the world needs. There are enough religious people who claim to be Christians and aren't. And there are enough saved people who claim the name of Christ but bear no resemblance to their Heavenly Father.

Galatians 1:4 – The Bible never says that Jesus came to save me from hell. The Bible says Jesus came to save me from my sin, so I could be delivered from this present evil world. Missing hell and gaining heaven is a glorious blessing that's included.

Ephesians 2:8-10 – I am not saved by my works, but I am saved in order to do good works. Religion gets this backward. Religion says grace > good works > salvation. The Bible says grace > salvation > good works.

Titus 2:11-14 – Again, the grace of God means I have a blessed hope of entering heaven, but in the meantime it teaches me to live right. Jesus Christ gave himself to redeem us from iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.

2 Timothy 1:19-22 – Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ (Christian) depart from iniquity. Why did the angel tell Mary to call His name Jesus? "For he shall save his people FROM THEIR SINS" (Matthew 1:21). A Christian must depart from iniquity / flee youthful lusts AND follow after righteousness. Because righteousness is elusive (I have not attained so I press toward the mark, Philippians 3:12-14) and iniquity is in pursuit of me. If I'm standing still, I'm losing ground. I am not a Christian.

Purpose In Your Heart – 10.19.09

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Daniel was an intelligent, talented, attractive young man who was taken away from his parents, his people, and his temple by a nation who gave him a new name, taught him a new language, and placed him in the court of a heathen king. Yet he stayed clean and pure and true to God throughout his entire life because early in his life he made a decision not to defile himself.

Likewise, if we are going to be blameless and harmless as the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation among whom we shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15), we must recognize that is not going to happen by accident or default. If we want to be used of God (2 Timothy 2:19-22), we must purpose in our hearts not to defile ourselves with…

I. Sexual immorality

Hebrews 13:4

God created marriage and is the designer of the blessings that go with it (i.e. the physical relationship between a husband wife, Genesis 1:28). But He has established some very definite boundaries in which that relationship can be enjoyed – one husband and one wife committed to each other for their entire lives – and gives a sure and certain promise of judgment to any who step outside of those boundaries in any way.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

To step outside of the boundaries God has established is to sin against one's own body. Again, if you get involved with something God has said to save for marriage, you're only going to get hurt. So FLEE fornication. The best way to keep from falling off a cliff is to stay away from the edge. The devil would have you get as close to the edge as possible, telling you all the while that you'll never "go too far," and all so he can push you off and laugh when you crash on the jagged rocks below.

1 Corinthians 7:1-2

God's idea for making sure that you keep yourself pure is HANDS OFF.

Romans 13:14

Make no provision for the flesh. Don't pack a lunch for lust. You CAN'T handle the temptation. If you think you can, that just proves how close you are to falling over the edge of that cliff (1 Corinthians 10:12).

II. Alcohol

Proverbs 20:1

You're stupid ("not wise") if you think drinking is cool. You're stupid ("not wise") if you think one drink won't hurt. You're stupid ("not wise") if you think it's OK as long as you don't get drunk. The devil laughs at your ignorance.

Proverbs 23:29-32

It's pretty hard to drink something you're not even supposed to look at. But everybody's doing it…it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder. But they'll make fun of me if I don't…it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder. But I know when to stop…it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder.

III. Music

1 Corinthians 15:33

Music is a powerful thing, and you're deceived by the devil if you think the music you listen to doesn't have a major effect on your life.

Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16

A Christian has no business listening to anything but music that glorifies God and encourages him/her to do what's right. A Christian has no business singing anything but music that glorifies God and encourages him/her to do what's right.

IV. Money

1 Timothy 6:9-10

Money is not the root of all evil – it's necessary for love. But if you LOVE money, if you make it your goal in life to get rich, then here's what you have to look forward to: temptations; snares; foolish and hurtful lusts; drowning in destruction and perdition; piercing yourself through with many sorrows.

Riches are uncertain (1 Timothy 6:17). They make themselves wings and fly away as an eagle toward heaven (Proverbs 23:5). So labor not to be rich (Proverbs 23:4). The richest man in the world said it was empty and meaningless (Proverbs 30:8-9; Ecclesiastes).

Life isn't about what you can get (Luke 12:15). It's about God and the people He puts in your life and relationships and memories and making a difference in eternity. So invest your time and effort into those things – not making another dollar – because godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6-8).

So work hard and provide for yourself. Work hard and provide for your family. If God gives you riches then praise Him for it and use that money for Him. But don't be deceived and defiled by the love of money.

It's important that you make up your mind about these things ahead of time. Daniel would have never survived in Babylon had he not purposed in his heart from the outset that he would not allow himself to be defiled.

Finding God’s Will – 10.16.09

Ephesians 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Romans 12:1-2 – KNOW the will of God

Ephesians 5:17 – UNDERSTAND the will of God

Ephesians 6:6 – DO the will of God

The will of God is a mystery, but it has been revealed. God not only wants us to know it, He commands us to know it. So how do we go about it?

I. Do what the Bible says.

There are many things clearly stated in the Bible as being "God's will." Here are a few:

A. Get saved – or get involved in getting others saved (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:3-6; John 6:39-40).

B. Get sanctified and learn to control your lusts (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4).

C. Submit to the authority God has placed in your life (1 Peter 2:13-16).

D. Learn to suffer for doing right and keep going (1 Peter 4:12-19).

E. Spend time with God's people (Romans 15:32; Hebrews 10:25).

F. Develop a thankful spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:18). It's a choice.

II. Learn to apply biblical principles.

A. God's word does not directly address every situation or issue we face in life. But God's word contains the principles we need to guide and direct our decision making (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 6:23).

B. This is what WISDOM is all about, and God calls it the principal thing (Proverbs 4:7).

C. We are commanded to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly IN ALL WISDOM (Colossians 3:16).

III. Trust God – Proverbs 3:5-7

IV. Learn patience – Hebrews 10:36

Many are too concerned with FINDING the will of God for their lives and not concerned enough about DOING the will of God as it's already revealed in His word. If you are doing what God has told you to do, God has promised to provide direction and blessing. It might be on His timetable instead of yours, so don't give up. Just keep doing right. God never fails on His promise.

An additional thought that was not included in the message is that if you're saved and have a desire to live for God and serve God and reach others and you have something that you want to do for God, but you're not sure if you should, don't be afraid to go for it. If you're not violating the word of God, don't waste your time trying to figure out if you're called, just do what's on your heart and let God call you back if He wants (Acts 16:6-10).

2 Important Questions – 10.14.09

Acts 9:5-6 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

• If you could talk to God tonight, what questions would you ask Him?
• Paul asked the 2 most important questions a man could ever ask of God.

I. WHO ART THOU, LORD?

• Paul wanted to know God (Philippians 3:7-10)

A. You can know about God by reading the Bible (1 Samuel 3:21)

1. Who He is

a. The CREATOR (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:11; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17)

b. The SAVIOR (Isaiah 43:11; Matthew 1:21; 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 John 4:14)

c. The JUDGE (Genesis 18:25; Psalm 50:6; Acts 17:30-31)

2. What He is like

a. HOLY, harmless, separate from sinners (Hebrews 7:26)

b. GOOD to all (Psalm 145:9)

c. JUST and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus (Romans 3:26)

d. FULL OF COMPASSION, gracious, longsuffering, plenteous in mercy and truth (Psalm 86:15)

e. God is LOVE (1 John 4:8), and He's a CONSUMING FIRE (Hebrews 12:29)

f. the SAME yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

3. What He is called (just to name a few)

ALMIGHTY GOD (Genesis 17:1); THE ALPHA & OMEGA (Revelation 1:8), THE ANCIENT OF DAYS (Daniel 7:9); THE AMEN (Revelation 3:14); THE COMFORTER (John 14:26); THE COUNSELOR (Isaiah 9:6); THE CREATOR (1 Peter 4:9); THE EVERLASTING FATHER (Isaiah 9:6); EMMANUEL (Matthew 1:23); THE FAITHFUL & TRUE WITNESS (Revelation 19:11); HEAVENLY FATHER (Matthew 6:9); THE GOOD SHEPHERD (John 10:11); THE GREAT SHEPHERD (Hebrews 13:20); my GREAT HIGH PRIEST (Hebrews 4:14); HOLY (Isaiah 57:15); my HELPER (Hebrews 13:6); my HOPE (1 Timothy 1:1); THE I AM THAT I AM (Exodus 3:14); JEALOUS (Exodus 34:14); JEHOVAH (Psalm 83:18); THE JUST (Acts 3:14); THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:11); THE LAMB OF GOD WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD (John 1:29); THE LAWGIVER (Isaiah 33:22); THE LIGHT (John 1:9); THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH (Revelation 5:5); THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (Jeremiah 23:6); our MAKER (Psalm 75:6); our MASTER (John 13:13); our MEDIATOR (1 Timothy 2:5); our MESSIAH (Daniel 9:25); THE PRINCE OF PEACE (Isaiah 9:6); the REDEEMER (John 19:26); the ROCK (1 Corinthian 10:4); the STAR (Numbers 24:17); the SCEPTER (Numbers 24:17); the SERVANT (Isaiah 42:1); the SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (Malachi 4:2); the TRUE GOD AND ETERNAL LIFE (1 John 5:20); THE WAY; THE TRUTH; AND THE LIFE (John 14:26); the WORD (John 1:1); WONDERFUL (Isaiah 9:6)!

B. You can believe the gospel and know Him personally.

1. God became a man and revealed Himself in the person of Jesus Christ (1 John 5:20)

2. Jesus came so we can know God. The way to do so is to believe. The promise is eternal life. (John 10:14, 26-28; John 17:3)

3. Hell awaits those who know about God but do not know Him personally (Matthew 7:22-23; 2 Thessalonians 1:8).

C. You can know Him better by spending time with Him – 2 Peter 3:18; James 4:8

II. LORD, WHAT WILT THOU HAVE ME TO DO?

A. This question naturally follows the honest asking and correct answering of the first.

1. He is the Lord and has every right to demand our service (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

2. He is all-wise and knows what is best for us (2 Samuel 22:31; Isaiah 55:6-9).

3. He is all-loving and wants what is best for us (Psalm 145:16).

B. Jesus Christ is our example (1 Peter 2:21). He came to do the Father's will (Hebrews 10:7; Luke 22:42).

C. We must make a conscious decision and effort to surrender our will to God's (Romans 12:1-2). This is our reasonable service.

• Paul wanted to KNOW God – "Who art thou, Lord?"
• Paul wanted to PLEASE God – "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"

I have decided to follow Jesus…

The world behind me the cross before me…

Though none go with me still I will follow…

No turning back, no turning back.

God is Good – 10.12.09

For the next couple weeks, I'm going to post (in order) short outlines of the messages I preached at the teen alive youth conference in Guyana – in hopes that these notes will be a blessing to some.

GOD IS GOOD

Psalm 145:9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

Exodus 34:6 – God is ABUNDANT in goodness and truth

Psalm 31:19 – His goodness is GREAT

Psalm 52:1 – His goodness ENDURETH CONTINUALLY

I. WHY YOU MUST RECOGNIZE THE GOODNESS OF GOD – THE REASONS

A. He is the source of all of life's blessings

1. Stated (Acts 17:22-28; James 1:17; 1 Timothy 6:17)

2. God's creation was very good (Genesis 1:31)

3. Man's sin brought sorrow and death (Genesis 3:16-17; Romans 5:12; James 1:14-15)

4. Sometimes our trouble is our own fault, sometimes it's the fact of life in a sin-cursed world

B. He gives comfort in all sorrow – Psalm 46:3; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Hebrews 4:14-16; Proverbs 18:24

C. He'll use the bad things in your life to make you a better person – Romans 8:28

D. He is the source of salvation – Hebrews 2:9, 14-15

II. WHY YOU MUST RECOGNIZE THE GOODNESS OF GOD – THE RESULTS

A. The goodness of God will lead you to repentance

1. Stated (Romans 2:4)

2. God's goodness means He must judge sin (Romans 2:3-6)

3. God's goodness in light of our unworthiness (Romans 5:6-8)

B. The goodness of God will lead you to obedience

1. God's commandments are for our good (Deuteronomy 10:13; Micah 2:7)

2. There is true joy in doing right (Psalm 16:11; Psalm 19:11)

3. If God is all-wise and all-loving, then I'm best off trusting Him enough to do what He says