AUDIO LINK:
HOW WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED?
PROVERBS 13: 22
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
A story is told of the red marbles. A man was in the country store in Idaho where he grew up when he saw a boy admiring a basket of picked peas. The boy was clean, but obviously poor. He was very thin, bare footed, his cloths were well worn, and at best hand-me-downs. Mr. Miller, the owner, spoke to the boy by name.
“Hellow Berry, how are you today?”
“H’lo, Mr. Miller, thank ya. Just admirin’ them peas. They sure look good.”
“They are good, Berry. How’s your mother?”
“Fine. Gittin stronger alla time.”
“Good. Anything I can help you with?”
“No sir. Jus’ admiring them peas.”
“Would you like to take some home to your ma?” asked Mr. Miller.
“No sir. Got nuthin’ to pay for em’ with.”
“Well, what have you got to trade me for some of those peas?”
“All I got’s my prize marble.”
“Is that right? Let me see it” said Mr. Miller.
“Here tis. She’s a dandy.”
“I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this ones blue and I sorta’ wanted a
red. Do you have a red one like this at home? Mr. Miller asked.
“Not zackly but almost.”
“Tell you what. Take these peas and next trip this way let me look at the red
Marble” Mr. Miller told Barry.
“Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.”
Mrs. Miller had been standing and listening, came over to help the man. With a smile she told him there were two other boys like Berry in their community. All three are in very poor circumstances. “Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever” said Mrs. Miller. “When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn’t want a red one after all and sends they home with another bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.
He left the store with a smile thinking what a kind man. He was impressed. Years passed and he moved away, but he never forgot this man that bartered for marbles.
Several years later he was visiting friends in that Idaho community and was told Mr. Miller had died. His friends were going to the viewing and he asked to go along. Upon arrival at the funeral home he got in line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer what words of comfort he could.
Ahead of him in line were three young men. One was in his Army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark blue suites, white shirts, and ties. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing with a smile next to her husband’s casket. Each one hugged her, kissed her cheek, spoke briefly, and moved to the casket.
She watched, misty eyed, as each young man stopped and put his own warm hand on the pail cold hand in the casket. Each left quickly while wiping their eyes.
Our turn came to greet Mrs. Miller. He told her who he was and he was reminded of the story of Mr. Miller’s bartering for the marbles. Mrs. Miller took my hand and we stepped closer to the casket.
She said, “The three young men that had just left were the boys she had told me about. They just told her how much they appreciated the things Jim traded them and now at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size...they came to pay their debt.”
“We never had a great deal of wealth of this world,” she said, “But right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho.”
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her husband and there, underneath, were three shinny red marbles.
It is said:
We will not be remembered by our many words, but by our kind deeds…Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath…
It’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.
HOW WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED?
I. Proverbs 22: 1 Will You Leave A Good Name?
1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
Your gold and silver cannot buy a good name, not even in Washington
A. Ecclesiastes 7: 1 Solomon says A good name.
1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
A good name will follow you through eternity.
B. Matthew 12: 35 – 37 A good man brings good things.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Our deeds, our words, redeem us or condemn us.
C. Revelation 20: 12 and 15 Are you written in the book of life?
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Have you obeyed Christ that he might add you to the book of life?
II. Hebrews 11: 6 Will You Leave A Faith To Live By?
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
You must not only have faith, but you must share that faith that others might see God.
A. Romans 10: 12 – 17 Paul to the Romans teaches faith.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
You cannot leave a faith you do not have. You cannot have faith without the knowledge of the Bible. Faith works good and is seen in the life of the believer.
B. 2 Timothy 2: 15 Paul told Timothy to study the teachings of Christ and his resurrection.
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
In studying God’s word we have nothing to be ashamed of and we can know the truth and understand it.
Do we have a Godly faith to leave behind?
III. Ephesians 6: 1 – 9 Will We Leave A Deep Love For God, His Word, His Son, His church ? Paul writes:
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
This is Christian love. A love that never fails. A love that endures forever.
A. James 4: 7 – 10 Obey God and the devil will run.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
You cannot resist the devil without Christ. Christ is our strength and our savior. Christ will lift you up. Will we be remembered for obeying God and Christ?
B. Luke 10: 25 – 29 Jesus ask a lawyer what the law of Moses said.
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said to him, What is written in the law? How do you read it? And answering, he said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. And He said to him, You have answered right, do this and you shall live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
Jesus told him the parable of the good Samaritan. How much less should we love the Lord? If we love him with our all it will certainly effect people left behind when we are gone.
C. Romans 8: 38 – 39 Paul says he is persuaded not to be separated from the love of God.
38 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 creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Is there anything that separates us from God’s love.
Should we not change that? Now we know we should, but when will we?
How we are remembered depends on us.
God has provided His only son.
Jesus died for our sins and arose again, overcoming death.
He has gone to heaven to prepare a place for the faithful.
Are we faithful to God? Are we living a life pleasing to God?
Are you a Christian today?
Are you a faithful Christian today?
Will you one day be remembered for your faithful, obedient, and God like life that you lived? Will there be memories like that of Mr. Miller?
Do you need to come to Jesus?
Will you obey Him tonight?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
WORKING TOGETHER
AUDIO LINK:
WORKING TOGETHER
1 SAMUEL 17: 12 – 18: 9
12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.
13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
14 And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.
15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.
16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.
17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;
18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.
21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.
23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.
24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.
25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.
26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.
28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
30 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.
32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.
48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
52 And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.
53 And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.
54 And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.
55 And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.
56 And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is.
57 And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.
58 And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.
18 : 1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.
3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.
6 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.
7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
David had amazed Saul. Saul had never seen a youth like this. He took him in as his own son. Soul’s son Jonathan accepted him and loved him. All was well till Saul became jealous of David’s fame.
What does David show us that we can learn from?
1. David was an obedient son.
a. 1 Sam. 17: 14 David was the youngest of eight sons.
b. 1 Sam. 17: 20 David was a shepherd.
1. A shepherd kept his sheep safe.
2. A shepherd slept with the sheep.
3. A shepherd would die for his sheep.
4. 1 Sam. 17: 20 David did not leave his sheep unattended.
c. David loved his brothers.
1. David was put down by his brothers.
2. David was treated as the youngest brother.
3. 1 Sam. 17: 28 Eliab, his oldest brother makes fun of him in front of everyone.
a. Why did you come?
b. Who did you leave the sheep with?
c. You had to come see the battle.
d. David was used to this. He said, “what have I done?.”
d. David took food to his three brothers as his father told him to do.
2. David believed in God.
a. 1 Sam. 17: 23 David heard the giant Goliath.
1. David saw the fear of the people.
2. David asked twice what would happen to the man that killed the giant.
b. Do we have the faith of this young shepherd?
1. Heb. 11: 6 One must have faith to please God.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
2. Mt 17:20 How much faith must I have?
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
3. Lu 17:6 The grain of a mustard seed?
And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
3. David had respect for authority.
a. 1 Sam. 17: 31 Saul sent for David and he went.
b. Saul told David that he could not fight against this giant.
1. David was a youth.
2. The giant was a man of war from his youth.
c. When we accept the discouragement of others we have defeated ourselves.
d. Too often we defeat ourselves.
1. I cannot teach a class.
2. I cannot lead a prayer.
3. I cannot tell someone about Jesus.
4. I do not have to attend worship on Sunday night or Wednesday night.
5. What little I have to give would not make a difference.
6. Bible class is for the young people so I do not attend.
7. I cannot set for two hours at worship, but I can set all day at home.
e. 1 Sam. 17: 26b David ask who this Philistine thought he was, defying the army of the living God?
for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
4. David believed God had taken care of him and would do it again.
a. 1 Sam. 17: 34 David had killed a lion and a bear protecting his sheep.
b. 1 Sam. 17: 37 David said God had delivered him.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
c. Do you believe God has delivered you. Do you believe he will continue to deliver you?
d. David took five stones and a sling to face the giant with a sword, a spear, and a shield. David had God.
e. The giant disdained David. He scorned him, made fun of his youth, his reddish and fair appearance.
d. 1 Sam. 17: 46 David boldly said:
46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.
e. The giant came forward and David ran toward him.
f. With one stone and God, David slew the giant.
1. Philippians 4: 13 Paul had faith like David. He says:
13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
2. What can you do?
3. Do you have Christ?
4. Do you have faith as a mustard seed?
5. Are you obeying God today?
David worked together with God, his father, Saul, Jonathan, and many others in his life.
David was victorious because he not only obeyed his early father, he obeyed God.
David had a faith that caused him to believe and obey God.
Do you have that faith?
Have you obey Jesus Christ in baptism?
You can overcome your giants in life with God and Christ.
WORKING TOGETHER
1 SAMUEL 17: 12 – 18: 9
12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.
13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.
14 And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.
15 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.
16 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.
17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;
18 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
19 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
20 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.
21 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.
22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.
23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.
24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.
25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.
26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.
28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
30 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
31 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.
32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.
48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
52 And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.
53 And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.
54 And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.
55 And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.
56 And the king said, Enquire thou whose son the stripling is.
57 And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.
58 And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite.
18 : 1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.
3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.
6 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.
7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
David had amazed Saul. Saul had never seen a youth like this. He took him in as his own son. Soul’s son Jonathan accepted him and loved him. All was well till Saul became jealous of David’s fame.
What does David show us that we can learn from?
1. David was an obedient son.
a. 1 Sam. 17: 14 David was the youngest of eight sons.
b. 1 Sam. 17: 20 David was a shepherd.
1. A shepherd kept his sheep safe.
2. A shepherd slept with the sheep.
3. A shepherd would die for his sheep.
4. 1 Sam. 17: 20 David did not leave his sheep unattended.
c. David loved his brothers.
1. David was put down by his brothers.
2. David was treated as the youngest brother.
3. 1 Sam. 17: 28 Eliab, his oldest brother makes fun of him in front of everyone.
a. Why did you come?
b. Who did you leave the sheep with?
c. You had to come see the battle.
d. David was used to this. He said, “what have I done?.”
d. David took food to his three brothers as his father told him to do.
2. David believed in God.
a. 1 Sam. 17: 23 David heard the giant Goliath.
1. David saw the fear of the people.
2. David asked twice what would happen to the man that killed the giant.
b. Do we have the faith of this young shepherd?
1. Heb. 11: 6 One must have faith to please God.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
2. Mt 17:20 How much faith must I have?
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
3. Lu 17:6 The grain of a mustard seed?
And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
3. David had respect for authority.
a. 1 Sam. 17: 31 Saul sent for David and he went.
b. Saul told David that he could not fight against this giant.
1. David was a youth.
2. The giant was a man of war from his youth.
c. When we accept the discouragement of others we have defeated ourselves.
d. Too often we defeat ourselves.
1. I cannot teach a class.
2. I cannot lead a prayer.
3. I cannot tell someone about Jesus.
4. I do not have to attend worship on Sunday night or Wednesday night.
5. What little I have to give would not make a difference.
6. Bible class is for the young people so I do not attend.
7. I cannot set for two hours at worship, but I can set all day at home.
e. 1 Sam. 17: 26b David ask who this Philistine thought he was, defying the army of the living God?
for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
4. David believed God had taken care of him and would do it again.
a. 1 Sam. 17: 34 David had killed a lion and a bear protecting his sheep.
b. 1 Sam. 17: 37 David said God had delivered him.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
c. Do you believe God has delivered you. Do you believe he will continue to deliver you?
d. David took five stones and a sling to face the giant with a sword, a spear, and a shield. David had God.
e. The giant disdained David. He scorned him, made fun of his youth, his reddish and fair appearance.
d. 1 Sam. 17: 46 David boldly said:
46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.
e. The giant came forward and David ran toward him.
f. With one stone and God, David slew the giant.
1. Philippians 4: 13 Paul had faith like David. He says:
13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
2. What can you do?
3. Do you have Christ?
4. Do you have faith as a mustard seed?
5. Are you obeying God today?
David worked together with God, his father, Saul, Jonathan, and many others in his life.
David was victorious because he not only obeyed his early father, he obeyed God.
David had a faith that caused him to believe and obey God.
Do you have that faith?
Have you obey Jesus Christ in baptism?
You can overcome your giants in life with God and Christ.
ORDINARY PEOPLE DOING AN EXTRA ORDINARY JOB
AUDIO LINK:
“ORDINARY PEOPLE DOING AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB”
MATTHEW 10: 2-6
Intro:
I hope everyone has enjoyed this weekend. Our purpose in coming together in this setting is to get away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and spend time with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
However, we also had a secondary reason for coming here. We wanted to think about ways in which we might work together more effectively. In the Lord’s Church, for whatever reason, we have a hard time working as one. This weekend, we are attempting to remove the walls which keep us from accomplishing more for the Kingdom.
If you will, I want to ask you to look at Matthew 10: 7. There Christ is speaking to his newly called disciples, and he instructs them saying: “And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The command is to go and preach. What I need you to see is that Christ here is addressing this group as a whole, and not them as individuals. They are all to go and preach. They are to work together to carry out this very important mission.
This weekend, we have heard three lessons from Stephen, John, and Wayne describing the character of three of the apostles. The amazing thing is that they were each assigned the same task, but they were all very different individuals.
One of the most common reasons given for why we don’t accomplish more in the church today is that we are all too different to get anything done. We are often overheard saying: “I just cannot work with that person.” This morning, as we come to the final hours of our 2nd annual recharge, I want to tie our three lessons into a bow for you. I want to suggest to you that if the twelve apostles could work together despite their differences, then we can and should learn to labor alongside one another today.
What I would like to do is share with you the reasons why they should not have been able to coexist together, and then point out what it was that enabled them to stand as one.
I. THE APOSTLES: WHY IT SHOULDN’T HAVE WORKED, AND WHY IT DID
1. First, owing to their backgrounds, they should not have worked together.
A. They were fishermen, Preachers, Government Employees, Fanatical Jewish Nationalist, and Laborers.
B. Their past occupations should have dictated that they could not possibly work successfully together.
C. Keep in mind that these different jobs would have necessitated differing educational levels as well.
2. However, it wasn’t just their backgrounds that could have prevented success, they each had different temperaments.
A. John 18: 10 there were those who were loyal.
B. John 1: 41there were those who were evangelistically minded.
C. Luke 9: 51-56 there were those who were zealous.
D. John 20: 28 there were those who were skeptical.
E. Matt 9: 9 there were those who were looking for a change.
F. Matt 26: 14-16 there were even those who were sneaky and conniving.
3. Despite all these differences, the twelve apostles worked together to achieve some amazing results.
A. Acts 2: 41 because of their efforts, 3,000 sols were saved.
B. Acts 6: 1-7 because of their efforts needs were met.
C. Rom 15: 25-26 because of their efforts, the household of faith expanded.
4. How did they do it?
A. Acts 1: 14, 2: 1 they accomplished great things because they were, “all in one accord.”
B. Their differences didn’t matter, because their bond was stronger.
II. US: WHY WE HAVE TROUBLE WORKING AND WHAT SHOULD HELP US
1. As With the apostles, we are from vastly different backgrounds.
A. We come from different occupations.
B. We come from different educational backgrounds.
C. We were born in different generations.
D. Not to mention the fact that some of our number were not raised in the church.
2. Let’s Acknowledge the fact that we all also bring different temperaments to the congregational table.
A. There are some of us who are..well..opinionated.
B. There are others of us who are content to allow others to make all the descisions.
C. Some of us are laid-back, while others are “uptight.”
3. With all these differences, how can we possibly hope to work together?
A. Ephesians 4: 4-6 we must be united!
B. If there is one body, spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father, then those who believe in this oneness must be united as one as well!
“ORDINARY PEOPLE DOING AN EXTRAORDINARY JOB”
MATTHEW 10: 2-6
Intro:
I hope everyone has enjoyed this weekend. Our purpose in coming together in this setting is to get away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and spend time with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
However, we also had a secondary reason for coming here. We wanted to think about ways in which we might work together more effectively. In the Lord’s Church, for whatever reason, we have a hard time working as one. This weekend, we are attempting to remove the walls which keep us from accomplishing more for the Kingdom.
If you will, I want to ask you to look at Matthew 10: 7. There Christ is speaking to his newly called disciples, and he instructs them saying: “And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The command is to go and preach. What I need you to see is that Christ here is addressing this group as a whole, and not them as individuals. They are all to go and preach. They are to work together to carry out this very important mission.
This weekend, we have heard three lessons from Stephen, John, and Wayne describing the character of three of the apostles. The amazing thing is that they were each assigned the same task, but they were all very different individuals.
One of the most common reasons given for why we don’t accomplish more in the church today is that we are all too different to get anything done. We are often overheard saying: “I just cannot work with that person.” This morning, as we come to the final hours of our 2nd annual recharge, I want to tie our three lessons into a bow for you. I want to suggest to you that if the twelve apostles could work together despite their differences, then we can and should learn to labor alongside one another today.
What I would like to do is share with you the reasons why they should not have been able to coexist together, and then point out what it was that enabled them to stand as one.
I. THE APOSTLES: WHY IT SHOULDN’T HAVE WORKED, AND WHY IT DID
1. First, owing to their backgrounds, they should not have worked together.
A. They were fishermen, Preachers, Government Employees, Fanatical Jewish Nationalist, and Laborers.
B. Their past occupations should have dictated that they could not possibly work successfully together.
C. Keep in mind that these different jobs would have necessitated differing educational levels as well.
2. However, it wasn’t just their backgrounds that could have prevented success, they each had different temperaments.
A. John 18: 10 there were those who were loyal.
B. John 1: 41there were those who were evangelistically minded.
C. Luke 9: 51-56 there were those who were zealous.
D. John 20: 28 there were those who were skeptical.
E. Matt 9: 9 there were those who were looking for a change.
F. Matt 26: 14-16 there were even those who were sneaky and conniving.
3. Despite all these differences, the twelve apostles worked together to achieve some amazing results.
A. Acts 2: 41 because of their efforts, 3,000 sols were saved.
B. Acts 6: 1-7 because of their efforts needs were met.
C. Rom 15: 25-26 because of their efforts, the household of faith expanded.
4. How did they do it?
A. Acts 1: 14, 2: 1 they accomplished great things because they were, “all in one accord.”
B. Their differences didn’t matter, because their bond was stronger.
II. US: WHY WE HAVE TROUBLE WORKING AND WHAT SHOULD HELP US
1. As With the apostles, we are from vastly different backgrounds.
A. We come from different occupations.
B. We come from different educational backgrounds.
C. We were born in different generations.
D. Not to mention the fact that some of our number were not raised in the church.
2. Let’s Acknowledge the fact that we all also bring different temperaments to the congregational table.
A. There are some of us who are..well..opinionated.
B. There are others of us who are content to allow others to make all the descisions.
C. Some of us are laid-back, while others are “uptight.”
3. With all these differences, how can we possibly hope to work together?
A. Ephesians 4: 4-6 we must be united!
B. If there is one body, spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father, then those who believe in this oneness must be united as one as well!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
TROUBLESOME TIMES ARE HERE
AUDIO LINK:
TROUBLESOME TIMES
PSALMS 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
David did not say , I think the Lord is my shepherd, nor did he say, I hope the Lord is my shepherd.
David did not say, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I am fearful that thou aren’t with me.
David did not say, I hope to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Romans 8: 31 Paul says to believe in God’s power to provide for us.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
David said, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
David said, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.
David said, Surely, goodness, and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
What do we say?
I. Why Me Lord?
A. James 1: 13 James says God tempted no one.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
Why do we blame God? Because we have heard it all of our lives.
1. Matthew 5: 43 – 45 Jesus says you have heard.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
God does not bring evil on anyone. Bad things happen to all people. Sometimes the result of their own doing and sometimes from the doing of others, and sometimes because of no one. Sometimes bad things just happen. We cannot blame anyone and never God.
2. Matthew 7: 24 – 27 Jesus says the wise are doers of the word. The foolish do not.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Just because it rains on you does not mean you are wise. You may not be wise enough to come in out of the rain. To disobey God or blame God for your problems is foolish. If your life is not built upon God you will fall and great will be the fall.
B. 1 Corinthians 10: 6 – 13 Why Is It So Much Worse For Me?
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
We often think we are the only one suffering when we are not. We think our problems are greater than anyone else when they are not.
1. 2 Corinthians 4: 15 – 16 Physically we die a little ach day, but spiritually we are stronger each day, if in the Lord.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Faint not, never give up in the Lord.
2. 2 Corinthians 4: 17 – 18 Paul calls it a light affliction.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
We are human. We can see the temporal things much easier. Paul says look to the eternal things.
3. 2 Corinthians 11: 23 Paul says he knew what suffering was.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
He list the afflictions he had endured.
II. Philippians 4: 11 What Should I Do? Paul says learn from your suffering.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
If we can learn from our suffering to be content we can be an example and teach others that are suffering.
A. 1 Timothy 6: 6 – 8 Paul tells Timothy contentment is great gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Learn to be content but never become complacent. Never become self satisfied with ourselves.
1. Galatians 5: 26 Paul says do not envy one another.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
We are not in competition with one another for salvation. We are to help, encourage, and strengthen one another in the Lord.
2. Hebrews 5: 12 – 6: 3 We need to be careful not to go backwards and become weaker, but to go forward and grow in the Spirit and knowledge.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
Let us strive to do better, let us never give up, and all can be done if God permit.
3. Philippians 4: 13 Paul reminds us of what we can do for the Lord.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
That which we do in the service of the Lord is eternal.
III. 1 Peter 4: 15 – 19 Peter concludes by saying continue in well doing.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Keep on keeping on in the Lord.
A. Ecclesiastes 12: 13 – 14 Solomon is given credit for the conclusion of the matter.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
God knows the secret things of our life. We will not fool God in the judgment.
Are you right with God? You know and God knows. Troublesome times are less troublesome if we obey God and keep his commandments. Do you need to come to Jesus?
TROUBLESOME TIMES
PSALMS 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
David did not say , I think the Lord is my shepherd, nor did he say, I hope the Lord is my shepherd.
David did not say, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I am fearful that thou aren’t with me.
David did not say, I hope to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Romans 8: 31 Paul says to believe in God’s power to provide for us.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
David said, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
David said, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.
David said, Surely, goodness, and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
What do we say?
I. Why Me Lord?
A. James 1: 13 James says God tempted no one.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
Why do we blame God? Because we have heard it all of our lives.
1. Matthew 5: 43 – 45 Jesus says you have heard.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
God does not bring evil on anyone. Bad things happen to all people. Sometimes the result of their own doing and sometimes from the doing of others, and sometimes because of no one. Sometimes bad things just happen. We cannot blame anyone and never God.
2. Matthew 7: 24 – 27 Jesus says the wise are doers of the word. The foolish do not.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Just because it rains on you does not mean you are wise. You may not be wise enough to come in out of the rain. To disobey God or blame God for your problems is foolish. If your life is not built upon God you will fall and great will be the fall.
B. 1 Corinthians 10: 6 – 13 Why Is It So Much Worse For Me?
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
We often think we are the only one suffering when we are not. We think our problems are greater than anyone else when they are not.
1. 2 Corinthians 4: 15 – 16 Physically we die a little ach day, but spiritually we are stronger each day, if in the Lord.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
Faint not, never give up in the Lord.
2. 2 Corinthians 4: 17 – 18 Paul calls it a light affliction.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
We are human. We can see the temporal things much easier. Paul says look to the eternal things.
3. 2 Corinthians 11: 23 Paul says he knew what suffering was.
23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
He list the afflictions he had endured.
II. Philippians 4: 11 What Should I Do? Paul says learn from your suffering.
11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
If we can learn from our suffering to be content we can be an example and teach others that are suffering.
A. 1 Timothy 6: 6 – 8 Paul tells Timothy contentment is great gain.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Learn to be content but never become complacent. Never become self satisfied with ourselves.
1. Galatians 5: 26 Paul says do not envy one another.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
We are not in competition with one another for salvation. We are to help, encourage, and strengthen one another in the Lord.
2. Hebrews 5: 12 – 6: 3 We need to be careful not to go backwards and become weaker, but to go forward and grow in the Spirit and knowledge.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
Let us strive to do better, let us never give up, and all can be done if God permit.
3. Philippians 4: 13 Paul reminds us of what we can do for the Lord.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
That which we do in the service of the Lord is eternal.
III. 1 Peter 4: 15 – 19 Peter concludes by saying continue in well doing.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Keep on keeping on in the Lord.
A. Ecclesiastes 12: 13 – 14 Solomon is given credit for the conclusion of the matter.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
God knows the secret things of our life. We will not fool God in the judgment.
Are you right with God? You know and God knows. Troublesome times are less troublesome if we obey God and keep his commandments. Do you need to come to Jesus?
Friday, March 5, 2010
THE PEDESTRIAN POINT OF VIEW
AUDIO LINK:
“THE PEDESTRIAN POINT OF VIEW”
(2 CORINTHIANS 5: 5-7)
INTRO:
This past week I received a really cool gift. It was a new Cain. This one is 62 inches long, and has a telescoping extension, with a marshmallow tip. I’m certain that most of you have seen someone using a white cane. However, you might not know some of the history behind the blind traveler’s best friend.
The origin of the white cane can be traced back to a man by the name of James Biggs. Mr. Biggs was an artist who lived in Bristol. After he had lost his sight owing to an accident, Mr. Biggs decided that he would need some method of traveling about his neighborhood safely. One day, while walking around his home, he realized that the dark colored walking stick which he was using would be difficult for others to see. So, he had the idea to paint his stick white so that it would be more visible.
The idea finally came to the U.S. in the early 1930’s. The Lions Club began to encourage the use of the white cane as an identifier.
On October 6, 1964, a joint congressional resolution was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The resolution proclaimed October 15 as White Cane Safety Day.
Many of you have mentioned that you have spotted me walking around town with my cane. I have been using a cane since high school. In that time, I have been able to make a couple observations.
Last week, as I was walking to work, something occurred to me. It hit me that some of the same observations which I have made in regards to pedestrian travel are also applicable to our spiritual life.
Today I want us to examine these observations, and see how we can use them to help us in our Christian walk. The thing I want you to keep in mind is that just as I walk to reach my physical destinations, we are all engaged in a spiritual walk. I want to help you to see two things that, if applied, will assist you on that walk.
I. IT IS DANGEROUS OUT THERE
Let me start by pointing something out to you concerning the wording on this point. Notice I said, “It IS Dangerous Out There.” It is not a maybe, or a could be, or even a possibly: no I am telling you as a child of the living God that it is dangerous out there. As a blind person, I want to let all of you drivers know something. I’m fairly certain that I can drive better than the majority of you. I have bore witness to some of the most head scratching things while walking around different cities. I’ve seen drivers on sidewalks, cars speeding through stop signs, people ignoring the real law on making a right on red and just going whenever they want to go. Needless to say, each of these situations presents danger to pedestrians. The question which we need to ask and answer is, “What are the dangers which pedestrians face in their walk?”
The first danger which we need to address is a lack of preparedness. When I set out from the house, or work, or a store, or anywhere else, I need to be prepared. Now, some of that preparation took place years ago. As a student at the Tennessee School for the Blind, I received what is known as Orientation and Mobility training. IN layman’s terms, those who conduct this training are there to help people with disabilities learn to function independently as a mobile person. In the course of the training, we were shown how to use a cane, travel on city buses, call for taxis, and even shop with confidence in many different types of stores.
Here’s what you need to understand. Before I attended TSB, I had no clue how to function as a blind person. I was thirteen when I went there to school, and up until that point, I was perfectly happy to allow others to work for me, rather than doing things for myself. However, thanks to men such as Wayne Soben and Frank Alexander, I am now prepared for almost every conceivable situation which I will face as a blind traveler. Without that training though, the danger factor is ratcheted off the charts.
This same idea holds true for our Christian lives. When you and I step out into the world, danger is all around. Consider the fact that Paul pointed out the alarming concept that we are in a war. (Ephesians 6: 12) Think about the fact that Peter warns us to be sober and vigilant, for our enemy the Devil is looking to devour us. (1Peter 5: 8) Folks, we are walking around in a world that stands in opposition to almost everything that we believe, and everything that the Bible teaches. If we aren’t prepared to deal with what’s out there, then we will go down!
Let’s think about Paul’s words to Timothy in 2Tim 2: 15. There Paul states: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Here Paul encourages the young evangelist to prepare himself for the work which lay ahead. If Timothy wanted to be approved, then Timothy needed to be prepared.
The danger for us is that many of us simply don’t want to take the time to study, to learn, or even to listen. We won’t read for ourselves, nor will we take the time to truly listen to that which others have studied and prepared to present to us.
Brethren, if we hope to fend off part of the danger which lurks out in the world, then we must be prepared.
The second danger which exists in terms of our walk through this world is distraction. When I’m walking, I need to be totally focused on what’s going on around me. If I’m on the phone, or listening to headphones, or even daydreaming, it is the same as thumbing my nose at the danger all around me. When I take the kids with me they understand that there are certain times when they must be completely quiet. As we are crossing a street, or standing waiting on a traffic light to change, they know that I need them to be both still and quiet, so that we can be safe.
Again, this lesson is also to be seen in our spiritual life. If you and I are not focused on what’s happening around us, then we are likely to be caught up in the sin of this world. Let’s look at a couple of Biblical examples of those who became distracted by the wants, ways, and wishes of this world.
First, think about the account of Sampson. One of The last judges of Israel, Sampson is one of the more memorable figures in the Old Testament. Chosen to lead the nation of Israel out of the hands of the Philistines, Sampson was a Nazarite.
If we were to attempt to classify this man, we would find that he doesn’t fit into our mold of a “Godly Man.” During his time, he killed thousands, sought to deceive many, and displayed a nasty temper. Yet the Lord chose him to be a deliver of his people.
Sampson, a man of remarkable strength, was fine until “she” came along. The “she” in question was a woman by the name of Delilah, a Philistine. She, after prompting by the lords of the Philistines, began to strive to find out the secret of his strength. Sampson, though he tricked her a few times, eventually allowed himself to become distracted from his real goal. This of course led to his capture, disfigurement, and imprisonment. Every one of Sampson’s problems can be traced back to his lack of focus.
Secondly, I want you to notice Aaron, the brother of Moses, and the spokes person for the Lord in Egypt. From all accounts, Aaron was a good man. While in Egypt, he followed the commandments of God. He did as instructed, and served the Lord well. In my eyes, the problem really arose when Moses went up into Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments.
In Exodus 32: 1, we see that the people become panicked over the fact that Moses hasn’t returned. They decide that he will not be coming back, so they go to Aaron, and insist that he make them a new god to worship. Much to our surprise, in Exodus 32: 2, Aaron agrees. He is distracted from the mission given to him by God. Moses and Aaron were to be out front, leading and setting the example for the Children of Israel. I’m not certain what distracted him. Maybe it was the fact that he was getting all the attention, or perhaps it was that he too was thinking that Moses wasn’t coming back. Regardless the reason, the fact of the matter is that he took his eyes from the goal, and fell from the path.
Folks, the same exact thing can and will happen to us if we become distracted. We are no different than Sampson and Aaron in the since that we lose our focus. There are those times in life when we simply fail to stay on task.
In fact, John warns of certain things which can and will distract us in this world. 1John 2: 16, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” When we allow pride, lust, and a desire for “stuff” to distract us from that which God has told us to do, we put ourselves in serious danger. Just so we are clear, let me state for you the reason for our existence.
Ecclesiastes 12: 13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
There it is spelt out in very simple words. When you go out into this world, and the distractions start, you now know where your focus should be. We are here to serve God.
I want to encourage you to keep in mind that there is danger out there, but if you stay focused, and see to your preparation, you can overcome our enemy.
II. THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE OUT THERE
As I’ve already mentioned, I have been a walker for a while now. I have traveled sidewalks in Nashville, Louisville, Columbus, Minneapolis, ST. Louis, Gainesville, Orlando, Dyersburg, and the booming metropolis of Bartow Florida. With this experience to pull upon, I can tell you without hesitation that there are some really good people in this world.
I cannot count the number of times that I have in countered people who were willing to help me as I travel around. There have been those who have helped me across big roads. There have been those who have held up traffic in order to help me across. There have been those who have pulled over to offer me a ride on cold days, rainy days, hot days, and sunny days. In each of these cases, there aid and assistance has been greatly appreciated.
There are two things I want you to know concerning these good folks. The first is that there are some good people out there who are misled. There is a common problem which I face. The problem occurs when people in cars try to stop and let me go across, not understanding that when their car is running, it prevents me from hearing. Therefore I cannot decide if it is clear both ways. I appreciate them stopping, but their attempts to do good are a little misled.
I want to say something that might make a few people mad. I never like making folks mad, but I do want to help people think about their actions. Church, we have a problem. Somewhere along the way we have forgotten the admonishment found in 1Corinthians 16: 14. There we are told: “Let all your things be done with charity.” Have you noticed that when we correct someone, or attempt to help them to see the truth, that we no longer do it in a spirit of love? We do it with pride, and arrogance, and a need to be seen as spiritually superior!
Brethren, let me speak openly with you for a moment. I’m talking about those in the denominational world. I’m talking about good people, earnest people, devoted people, God-fearing people who are trying to do the right thing: but have been misinformed as to the truth of God’s word. Now, rather than going to them and offering them loving correction, we want to argue, debate, and prove to them that we are right and they are wrong.
The amazing thing is that we are given an example in scripture of how we can and should correct those good people who have been misled.
In Acts 18: 24, we find a man by the name of Apollos coming into the city of Ephesus. What I want you to see is the character description given to us of this man. Verse 24 reveals to us that he was well-spoken, and that he was “mighty in the scriptures.” Furthermore, in verse 25, Apollos is said to be instructed in the way of the Lord, fervent in spirit, and speaking and teaching diligently the things of God.
However, there was a problem. As good as he was, as diligent as he was, as fervent and devoted as he was, he didn’t know the whole truth. How do we know this? We know this because he only knew the baptism of John, not the redemptive baptism of Christ.
It is at this point where a decision had to be made. Those who knew the truth could choose to do nothing, they could choose to ridicule him, they could choose to hold a debate, or they could go to him and offer loving correction. Fortunately there were two servants of God who chose this latter option.
Aquila and Priscilla, friends of the Apostle Paul, did provide us an example for helping good people find the truth. IN verse 26, we read that they “took him unto them and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” What a great example. They simply brought him in, and taught him the truth.
Folks, there are some very good people out there who just need the word taught to them more perfectly. I want to encourage you to be their Aquila and Priscilla.
Finally this morning, I want you to understand that there are also good people out here who will help you. There have been so many moments when I needed help, and help was provided in the form of a good person.
Here’s the catch. Sometimes I had to ask for that help. I have gone into stores, restaurants, churches, classes, colleges, and many other places where I did not know where to go or what to do, but when I asked someone to help me, help was provided.
We as Christians are in the same boat. We often need help, and there are those who are willing to help us. It might be help understanding the scriptures, or someone to pray with us, or a shoulder on which we can lean, or many other things. The good news is that help is there, we just need to humble ourselves and ask. Did you catch the key word? Yeah, I said you would need to humble yourself. Often we allow pride to come between us and the help we need. We would do well to remember that, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16: 18)
Let’s consider the example of Jairus. Luke 8: 40 we find Christ in a certain city, and as usual there is a crowd around him. Out of this crowd comes a man whom we would not expect to ask for help. He is a “ruler of the Synagogue.” This would indicate that he was a man who didn’t often say “I need help.” In this case, he didn’t hesitate.
We are told in Luke 8: 42 that Jairus had a daughter, and she was very sick. I want you to see what he did there in verse 41. He laid himself at Jesus’s feet, and admitted that he needed help.
I know we try to make this hard, but really it is that simple. You need to look at your life, decide what you need, and ask for the help of your brothers and sisters. After all, we are told to, “Pray one for another.” (James 5: 16)
“THE PEDESTRIAN POINT OF VIEW”
(2 CORINTHIANS 5: 5-7)
INTRO:
This past week I received a really cool gift. It was a new Cain. This one is 62 inches long, and has a telescoping extension, with a marshmallow tip. I’m certain that most of you have seen someone using a white cane. However, you might not know some of the history behind the blind traveler’s best friend.
The origin of the white cane can be traced back to a man by the name of James Biggs. Mr. Biggs was an artist who lived in Bristol. After he had lost his sight owing to an accident, Mr. Biggs decided that he would need some method of traveling about his neighborhood safely. One day, while walking around his home, he realized that the dark colored walking stick which he was using would be difficult for others to see. So, he had the idea to paint his stick white so that it would be more visible.
The idea finally came to the U.S. in the early 1930’s. The Lions Club began to encourage the use of the white cane as an identifier.
On October 6, 1964, a joint congressional resolution was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The resolution proclaimed October 15 as White Cane Safety Day.
Many of you have mentioned that you have spotted me walking around town with my cane. I have been using a cane since high school. In that time, I have been able to make a couple observations.
Last week, as I was walking to work, something occurred to me. It hit me that some of the same observations which I have made in regards to pedestrian travel are also applicable to our spiritual life.
Today I want us to examine these observations, and see how we can use them to help us in our Christian walk. The thing I want you to keep in mind is that just as I walk to reach my physical destinations, we are all engaged in a spiritual walk. I want to help you to see two things that, if applied, will assist you on that walk.
I. IT IS DANGEROUS OUT THERE
Let me start by pointing something out to you concerning the wording on this point. Notice I said, “It IS Dangerous Out There.” It is not a maybe, or a could be, or even a possibly: no I am telling you as a child of the living God that it is dangerous out there. As a blind person, I want to let all of you drivers know something. I’m fairly certain that I can drive better than the majority of you. I have bore witness to some of the most head scratching things while walking around different cities. I’ve seen drivers on sidewalks, cars speeding through stop signs, people ignoring the real law on making a right on red and just going whenever they want to go. Needless to say, each of these situations presents danger to pedestrians. The question which we need to ask and answer is, “What are the dangers which pedestrians face in their walk?”
The first danger which we need to address is a lack of preparedness. When I set out from the house, or work, or a store, or anywhere else, I need to be prepared. Now, some of that preparation took place years ago. As a student at the Tennessee School for the Blind, I received what is known as Orientation and Mobility training. IN layman’s terms, those who conduct this training are there to help people with disabilities learn to function independently as a mobile person. In the course of the training, we were shown how to use a cane, travel on city buses, call for taxis, and even shop with confidence in many different types of stores.
Here’s what you need to understand. Before I attended TSB, I had no clue how to function as a blind person. I was thirteen when I went there to school, and up until that point, I was perfectly happy to allow others to work for me, rather than doing things for myself. However, thanks to men such as Wayne Soben and Frank Alexander, I am now prepared for almost every conceivable situation which I will face as a blind traveler. Without that training though, the danger factor is ratcheted off the charts.
This same idea holds true for our Christian lives. When you and I step out into the world, danger is all around. Consider the fact that Paul pointed out the alarming concept that we are in a war. (Ephesians 6: 12) Think about the fact that Peter warns us to be sober and vigilant, for our enemy the Devil is looking to devour us. (1Peter 5: 8) Folks, we are walking around in a world that stands in opposition to almost everything that we believe, and everything that the Bible teaches. If we aren’t prepared to deal with what’s out there, then we will go down!
Let’s think about Paul’s words to Timothy in 2Tim 2: 15. There Paul states: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Here Paul encourages the young evangelist to prepare himself for the work which lay ahead. If Timothy wanted to be approved, then Timothy needed to be prepared.
The danger for us is that many of us simply don’t want to take the time to study, to learn, or even to listen. We won’t read for ourselves, nor will we take the time to truly listen to that which others have studied and prepared to present to us.
Brethren, if we hope to fend off part of the danger which lurks out in the world, then we must be prepared.
The second danger which exists in terms of our walk through this world is distraction. When I’m walking, I need to be totally focused on what’s going on around me. If I’m on the phone, or listening to headphones, or even daydreaming, it is the same as thumbing my nose at the danger all around me. When I take the kids with me they understand that there are certain times when they must be completely quiet. As we are crossing a street, or standing waiting on a traffic light to change, they know that I need them to be both still and quiet, so that we can be safe.
Again, this lesson is also to be seen in our spiritual life. If you and I are not focused on what’s happening around us, then we are likely to be caught up in the sin of this world. Let’s look at a couple of Biblical examples of those who became distracted by the wants, ways, and wishes of this world.
First, think about the account of Sampson. One of The last judges of Israel, Sampson is one of the more memorable figures in the Old Testament. Chosen to lead the nation of Israel out of the hands of the Philistines, Sampson was a Nazarite.
If we were to attempt to classify this man, we would find that he doesn’t fit into our mold of a “Godly Man.” During his time, he killed thousands, sought to deceive many, and displayed a nasty temper. Yet the Lord chose him to be a deliver of his people.
Sampson, a man of remarkable strength, was fine until “she” came along. The “she” in question was a woman by the name of Delilah, a Philistine. She, after prompting by the lords of the Philistines, began to strive to find out the secret of his strength. Sampson, though he tricked her a few times, eventually allowed himself to become distracted from his real goal. This of course led to his capture, disfigurement, and imprisonment. Every one of Sampson’s problems can be traced back to his lack of focus.
Secondly, I want you to notice Aaron, the brother of Moses, and the spokes person for the Lord in Egypt. From all accounts, Aaron was a good man. While in Egypt, he followed the commandments of God. He did as instructed, and served the Lord well. In my eyes, the problem really arose when Moses went up into Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments.
In Exodus 32: 1, we see that the people become panicked over the fact that Moses hasn’t returned. They decide that he will not be coming back, so they go to Aaron, and insist that he make them a new god to worship. Much to our surprise, in Exodus 32: 2, Aaron agrees. He is distracted from the mission given to him by God. Moses and Aaron were to be out front, leading and setting the example for the Children of Israel. I’m not certain what distracted him. Maybe it was the fact that he was getting all the attention, or perhaps it was that he too was thinking that Moses wasn’t coming back. Regardless the reason, the fact of the matter is that he took his eyes from the goal, and fell from the path.
Folks, the same exact thing can and will happen to us if we become distracted. We are no different than Sampson and Aaron in the since that we lose our focus. There are those times in life when we simply fail to stay on task.
In fact, John warns of certain things which can and will distract us in this world. 1John 2: 16, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” When we allow pride, lust, and a desire for “stuff” to distract us from that which God has told us to do, we put ourselves in serious danger. Just so we are clear, let me state for you the reason for our existence.
Ecclesiastes 12: 13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
There it is spelt out in very simple words. When you go out into this world, and the distractions start, you now know where your focus should be. We are here to serve God.
I want to encourage you to keep in mind that there is danger out there, but if you stay focused, and see to your preparation, you can overcome our enemy.
II. THERE ARE GOOD PEOPLE OUT THERE
As I’ve already mentioned, I have been a walker for a while now. I have traveled sidewalks in Nashville, Louisville, Columbus, Minneapolis, ST. Louis, Gainesville, Orlando, Dyersburg, and the booming metropolis of Bartow Florida. With this experience to pull upon, I can tell you without hesitation that there are some really good people in this world.
I cannot count the number of times that I have in countered people who were willing to help me as I travel around. There have been those who have helped me across big roads. There have been those who have held up traffic in order to help me across. There have been those who have pulled over to offer me a ride on cold days, rainy days, hot days, and sunny days. In each of these cases, there aid and assistance has been greatly appreciated.
There are two things I want you to know concerning these good folks. The first is that there are some good people out there who are misled. There is a common problem which I face. The problem occurs when people in cars try to stop and let me go across, not understanding that when their car is running, it prevents me from hearing. Therefore I cannot decide if it is clear both ways. I appreciate them stopping, but their attempts to do good are a little misled.
I want to say something that might make a few people mad. I never like making folks mad, but I do want to help people think about their actions. Church, we have a problem. Somewhere along the way we have forgotten the admonishment found in 1Corinthians 16: 14. There we are told: “Let all your things be done with charity.” Have you noticed that when we correct someone, or attempt to help them to see the truth, that we no longer do it in a spirit of love? We do it with pride, and arrogance, and a need to be seen as spiritually superior!
Brethren, let me speak openly with you for a moment. I’m talking about those in the denominational world. I’m talking about good people, earnest people, devoted people, God-fearing people who are trying to do the right thing: but have been misinformed as to the truth of God’s word. Now, rather than going to them and offering them loving correction, we want to argue, debate, and prove to them that we are right and they are wrong.
The amazing thing is that we are given an example in scripture of how we can and should correct those good people who have been misled.
In Acts 18: 24, we find a man by the name of Apollos coming into the city of Ephesus. What I want you to see is the character description given to us of this man. Verse 24 reveals to us that he was well-spoken, and that he was “mighty in the scriptures.” Furthermore, in verse 25, Apollos is said to be instructed in the way of the Lord, fervent in spirit, and speaking and teaching diligently the things of God.
However, there was a problem. As good as he was, as diligent as he was, as fervent and devoted as he was, he didn’t know the whole truth. How do we know this? We know this because he only knew the baptism of John, not the redemptive baptism of Christ.
It is at this point where a decision had to be made. Those who knew the truth could choose to do nothing, they could choose to ridicule him, they could choose to hold a debate, or they could go to him and offer loving correction. Fortunately there were two servants of God who chose this latter option.
Aquila and Priscilla, friends of the Apostle Paul, did provide us an example for helping good people find the truth. IN verse 26, we read that they “took him unto them and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” What a great example. They simply brought him in, and taught him the truth.
Folks, there are some very good people out there who just need the word taught to them more perfectly. I want to encourage you to be their Aquila and Priscilla.
Finally this morning, I want you to understand that there are also good people out here who will help you. There have been so many moments when I needed help, and help was provided in the form of a good person.
Here’s the catch. Sometimes I had to ask for that help. I have gone into stores, restaurants, churches, classes, colleges, and many other places where I did not know where to go or what to do, but when I asked someone to help me, help was provided.
We as Christians are in the same boat. We often need help, and there are those who are willing to help us. It might be help understanding the scriptures, or someone to pray with us, or a shoulder on which we can lean, or many other things. The good news is that help is there, we just need to humble ourselves and ask. Did you catch the key word? Yeah, I said you would need to humble yourself. Often we allow pride to come between us and the help we need. We would do well to remember that, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16: 18)
Let’s consider the example of Jairus. Luke 8: 40 we find Christ in a certain city, and as usual there is a crowd around him. Out of this crowd comes a man whom we would not expect to ask for help. He is a “ruler of the Synagogue.” This would indicate that he was a man who didn’t often say “I need help.” In this case, he didn’t hesitate.
We are told in Luke 8: 42 that Jairus had a daughter, and she was very sick. I want you to see what he did there in verse 41. He laid himself at Jesus’s feet, and admitted that he needed help.
I know we try to make this hard, but really it is that simple. You need to look at your life, decide what you need, and ask for the help of your brothers and sisters. After all, we are told to, “Pray one for another.” (James 5: 16)
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