Tom Hamilton 5-12-18
A story would have made a great news story
years ago. A case in the days of Solomon where a baby died in the night
and a woman took another woman’s baby claiming it to be hers.
Imagine
the picture of Solomon surrounded by guards doing his every bidding
including executing immediately in front of Solomon. So when he said to
cut the baby in two you can see a guard would have had his sword pulled.
And Solomon knew the love of a mother when offered to give the baby to
the other woman. He knew she was the true mother.
Honoring your parents is important. Before not to murder.
““Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”
Exodus 20:12 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/exo.20.12.nkjv
““And he who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.”
Exodus 21:15 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/exo.21.15.nkjv
““And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.”
Exodus 21:17 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/exo.21.17.nkjv
It might be easier to be mad at your father. They are usually the disciplinarian. Mothers are usually more nurturing.
The
Bible tells us one of the important thing for teaching them is the
parents teaching them to do things the right way. Sometimes it comes at a
price. Kids have to learn from experience. Even though you teach them
they still end up doing things they shouldn’t.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 1:7 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/pro.1.7.nkjv
“Who
can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart
of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She
does him good and not evil All the days of her life. She seeks wool and
flax, And willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant
ships, She brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet
night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her
maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she
plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her
arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not
go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her
hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she
reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her
household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes
tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband
is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. She
makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the
merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in
time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the
law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, And does
not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her
blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done
well, But you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is
passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her
of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the
gates.”
Proverbs 31:10-31 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/pro.31.10-31.nkjv
“Now
Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I
have acquired a man from the LORD.” Then she bore again, this time his
brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of
the ground. And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought
an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought
of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected
Abel and his offering,”
Genesis 4:1-4 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.4.1-4.nkjv
Stop
and think right here. Their parents taught their children of God. Cain
started out on the right path but at some point the children have to
make their own way. It’s not like Cain didn’t know.
“So the LORD
said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?
If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin
lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over
it.” Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when
they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and
killed him.”
Genesis 4:6-8 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.4.6-8.nkjv
“And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.”
Genesis 5:3 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.5.3.nkjv
If Adam is 130 years old that would mean Eve is 130 years old and her she is having another child.
“And
Haran died before his father Terah in his native land, in Ur of the
Chaldeans. Then Abram and Nahor took wives: the name of Abram’s wife was
Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran the
father of Milcah and the father of Iscah.”
Genesis 11:28-29 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.11.28-29.nkjv
Abrams name was change and so was Sarai
“Then
God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her
name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her and also
give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother
of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.””
Genesis 17:15-16 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.17.15-16.nkjv
Here Abraham’s laughed at hearing Sarah would have a child at 90 and yet Eve was having children at 130
“Then
Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a
child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah,
who is ninety years old, bear a child? ””
Genesis 17:17 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.17.17.nkjv
“Then
they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” So he said, “Here, in the
tent.” And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the
time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Sarah was
listening in the tent door which was behind him.) Now Abraham and Sarah
were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of
childbearing. Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I
have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” And the
LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear
a child, since I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the
appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and
Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,”
for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!””
Genesis 18:9-15 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.18.9-15.nkjv
“For
Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time
of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son
who was born to him—whom Sarah bore to him— Isaac. Then Abraham
circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had
commanded him. Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac
was born to him. And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who
hear will laugh with me.” She also said, “Who would have said to Abraham
that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old
age.””
Genesis 21:2-7 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.21.2-7.nkjv
See how it says Sarah born. Because Abraham had another son with Hagar.
“And
Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham,
scoffing. Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and
her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son,
namely with Isaac.” And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham’s
sight because of his son. But God said to Abraham, “Do not let it be
displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your
bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in
Isaac your seed shall be called. Yet I will also make a nation of the
son of the bondwoman, because he is your seed.” So Abraham rose early in
the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her
shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away. Then she
departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba.”
Genesis 21:9-14 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.21.9-14.nkjv
You can remember here that they almost died and God saved them.
Here
we see a woman who taught her son. When you read about Isaac you can
see he doesn’t have many faults and you know his parents taught him of
God.
“Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the
mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the
son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. And he
had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other
Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. This man
went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of
hosts in Shiloh. Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the
priests of the LORD, were there. And whenever the time came for Elkanah
to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to
all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he would give a double
portion, for he loved Hannah, although the LORD had closed her womb. And
her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because
the LORD had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up
to the house of the LORD, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and
did not eat.”
I Samuel 1:1-7 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.1.1-7.nkjv
“Then
Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you
not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten
sons?” So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in
Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of
the tabernacle of the LORD.”
I Samuel 1:8-9 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.1.8-9.nkjv
Interesting how her answers were not recorded. Or did she even answer.
“And
she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in
anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will
indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and
not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male
child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no
razor shall come upon his head.” And it happened, as she continued
praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in
her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore
Eli thought she was drunk. So Eli said to her, “How long will you be
drunk? Put your wine away from you!” But Hannah answered and said, “No,
my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor
intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. “Do
not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance
of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” Then Eli answered
and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which
you have asked of Him.” And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor
in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no
longer sad.”
I Samuel 1:10-18 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.1.10-18.nkjv
“So
it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a
son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him
from the LORD.” Now the man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer
to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and his vow. But Hannah did not go up,
for she said to her husband, “ Not until the child is weaned; then I
will take him, that he may appear before the LORD and remain there
forever.” So Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to
you; wait until you have weaned him. Only let the LORD establish His
word.” Then the woman stayed and nursed her son until she had weaned
him. Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three
bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the
house of the LORD in Shiloh. And the child was young. Then they
slaughtered a bull, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, “O my
lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here,
praying to the LORD. For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted
me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to
the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they
worshiped the LORD there.”
I Samuel 1:20-28 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.1.20-28.nkjv
What is the age for being weaned. Is it 2 years. Or up the 5 years. He could get up and walk.
Samuel lived up to his name
“Then Elkanah went to his house at Ramah. But the child ministered to the LORD before Eli the priest.”
I Samuel 2:11 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.2.11.nkjv
“Now the sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the LORD.”
I Samuel 2:12 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.2.12.nkjv
They were raised up right but became corrupt.
“But
Samuel ministered before the LORD, even as a child, wearing a linen
ephod. Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it
to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the
yearly sacrifice. And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, and say,
“The LORD give you descendants from this woman for the loan that was
given to the LORD.” Then they would go to their own home. And the LORD
visited Hannah, so that she conceived and bore three sons and two
daughters. Meanwhile the child Samuel grew before the LORD.”
I Samuel 2:18-21 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.2.18-21.nkjv
“Now
the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the
LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. And it
came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and
when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, and before
the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of
God was, and while Samuel was lying down, that the LORD called Samuel.
And he answered, “Here I am!” So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for
you called me.” And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he
went and lay down. Then the LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel
arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” He
answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” (Now Samuel did not
yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him.)
And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to
Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived
that the LORD had called the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie
down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak,
LORD, for Your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his
place. Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times,
“Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
Then the LORD said to Samuel: “Behold, I will do something in Israel at
which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. In that day I will
perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from
beginning to end. For I have told him that I will judge his house
forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made
themselves vile, and he did not restrain them. And therefore I have
sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be
atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” So Samuel lay down until
morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel was
afraid to tell Eli the vision. Then Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel,
my son!” He answered, “Here I am.” And he said, “What is the word that
the LORD spoke to you? Please do not hide it from me. God do so to you,
and more also, if you hide anything from me of all the things that He
said to you.” Then Samuel told him everything, and hid nothing from him.
And he said, “It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him.” So
Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to
the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had
been established as a prophet of the LORD. Then the LORD appeared again
in Shiloh. For the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word
of the LORD.”
I Samuel 3:1-21 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1sa.3.1-21.nkjv
“Now
there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister,
Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw
His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His
mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold
your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own
home.”
John 19:25-27 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/jhn.19.25-27.nkjv
Even near death Jesus thought of his mother
“but
the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is
written: “Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than
she who has a husband.””
Galatians 4:26-27 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gal.4.26-27.nkjv
“But
now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I
profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by
prophesying, or by teaching? Even things without life, whether flute or
harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the
sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? For if the trumpet
makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? So likewise you,
unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be
known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are,
it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is
without significance. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the
language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks
will be a foreigner to me. Even so you, since you are zealous for
spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you
seek to excel. Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may
interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my
understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray
with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will
sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the
place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he
does not understand what you say? For you indeed give thanks well, but
the other is not edified. I thank my God I speak with tongues more than
you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my
understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a
tongue.”
I Corinthians 14:6-19 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1co.14.6-19.nkjv
Just like children Paul had to guide and teach the church.
Being a mother is a special thing. The mother tried to put their children in the right path and hope they stay on it.
When Christ returns there are going to be a lot of people that need nurturing and help.
Christ emphasized motherhood. Even as he was dying he thought of her
Mother’s Day is coming up. Hug you mom. And children the best gift you can give is to obey your parent.
Sunday, May 13, 2018
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Sermon: Unity in the Church by Balo Elizondo
Balo Elizondo. 3-3-18 (Special thanks to Rachelle Alexander for taking notes on these sermons)
Unity in the church. Do we have to agree on everything all the time. Is there one true church
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
Ephesians 4:1-6 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/eph.4.1-6.nkjv
We have all received gifts. We did not make them they were given to us
“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
Ephesians 4:7-16 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/eph.4.7-16.nkjv
This is not the hierarch but gifts from God. We need to all come to God in unity. We still have a long way to go to get to the unity of faith.
Passover will be here soon. We are examining ourselves but we should also do it as a congregation
“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified. Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.”
II Corinthians 13:5-10 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/2co.13.5-10.nkjv
“till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
Ephesians 4:13-16 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/eph.4.13-16.nkjv
Each part of the body of Christ is supposed to do something and each is different.
“This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,”
Ephesians 4:17 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/eph.4.17.nkjv
This is the world we live in. Full of vanity and ones self.
“having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;”
Ephesians 4:18 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/eph.4.18.nkjv
This shows that God is not calling everyone.
We should not harden our heart. What does that mean? It is a blindness of the heart.
A man who has a blind heart sees no beauty in truth or sensible appeals. People are to blame for the blindness of their understanding. If it was just mere inferiority of the intellect that would be different.
The whole thing requires is to have a better heart. The heart needs to be purified. Let the heart be pure and the understanding is clear.
What was Christ thinking before he was crucified.
“Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.””
John 17:1-26 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/jhn.17.1-26.nkjv
Loving the truth of God and acting on it. That is what defines us.
“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
Revelation 12:9 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/rev.12.9.nkjv
He is still deceiving us.
“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”
Revelation 12:10-11 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/rev.12.10-11.nkjv
Through the blood of the lamb. We have to keep questioning ourselves. What things are we still holding on to that we can’t give up.
“Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Revelation 12:12-17 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/rev.12.12-17.nkjv
Keep the commandments and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. We need this in the end times. Some of his people will be protected and some won’t.
Some organizations claim to be the one and only church, not allowing them to get in touch with others. That won’t work in the end, at the place of safety.
The church is made up of those who have accepted Christ and been baptized by immersion.
The church is scatter through out the earth.
God is going to work with who he wants to work with. We don’t even know how many there are.
Christ speaks a lot about his joy being fulfilled.
The spiritually relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ is the corn stone of our beliefs.
““I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
John 15:1-5 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/jhn.15.1-5.nkjv
We have to remain being attached to the vine. We have to make the decision to allow God to work through us.
“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
John 15:6-11 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/jhn.15.6-11.nkjv
Are we full of joy? This is what he wants.
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”
John 15:12-14 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/jhn.15.12-14.nkjv
There is a condition to bring a friend of Jesus.
It is one spiritually body. Not one organization. God is not limited by man He can work with whomever he wants. All those in Christ will be keeping his commandments.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
I John 1:1-3 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1jn.1.1-3.nkjv
How is our relationship with the Father and Jesus Christ. This is the question for before Passover.
“And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
I John 1:4-10 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1jn.1.4-10.nkjv
What happens is we are walking in the light is We can see what needs to change. If we are in darkness or in blindness we can’t see.
“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”
I John 2:1-11 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1jn.2.1-11.nkjv
We are to hate the sin not the sinner. We should not have hatred in our hearts toward any person. We can’t have bitterness in us. How do we handle those who have hatred to us? Pray for those who despise and hatefully use us. We have to forgive them with our whole heart.
Sometimes people don’t even know they have done something hateful to us!
“Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
I Corinthians 13:8-13 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1co.13.8-13.nkjv
Think about how much more knowledge we have now compared to the 1st century church. Everything we want to know about the Bible, we have. We are very blessed to have the whole Bible. We can still see through the glass darkly but we are blessed with more. We seem to argue most about prophecy.
Does unity mean we will agree on everything? No. The greatest thing we need to have is love.
“He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”
I John 2:10-11 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/1jn.2.10-11.nkjv
Blinded because of the hardness of the heart.
How is our unity as brethren? Something to ask before Passover.
“Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.”
II Corinthians 13:7-10 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/2co.13.7-10.nkjv
This should be the true goal of a minister, your perfection.
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”
II Corinthians 13:11-14 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/2co.13.11-14.nkjv
Peace is the bond with brethren.
So may God give us wisdom, love and passion. So we can grow in Christ but reconcile with others. May he help us shine our light to help us and others see the way.
Sermon: Rizpah (Grief and Loss) by Rich Griffith
Sermon Rizpah.
Grief and loss.
Movie called “a man called ove”. It opens up with an old guy who is unhappy and goes around telling people what to do. He is strict. His wife had died a few months before and he was fired from his job at the railroad station.
He keeps trying to kill himself but he keeps getting interrupted because everyone needs help. Then he goes to the railroad station he’s going to jump in front of a train because t then a guy has a seizure and falls on the tracks. The others around take pictures of him on the tracks. Then Ove rescues him and then waits for the train again.
There are ways to help. Sometimes we say the wrong thing. What should we do? We should listen
“So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.””
John 11:17-24 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/jhn.11.17-24.nkjv
This state makes no sense if we immediately go to heaven after we die. She knows about the resurrection.
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.””
John 11:25-27 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/jhn.11.25-27.nkjv
That is the cornerstone
“And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.” Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept.”
John 11:28-35 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/jhn.11.28-35.nkjv
Even though he was Messiah and knew he could be resurrected he still wept. Why? The emotion of the moment.
““O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ ””
Matthew 23:37-39 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/mat.23.37-39.nkjv
Have you watched animals protect the young? That instinct to love and protect is something animals have.
Life has its twists and turns. We don’t know what will happen in life. It’s important to remember you are not alone, Jesus is with us.
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/heb.4.14-16.nkjv
Jesus experienced this grief and loss as well as being alone and betrayed. We need to focus our self’s on God.
“Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better.”
Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/ecc.7.2-3.nkjv
There is wiser to be found while we mourn. It serves a valuable function in the life of men. Grief is temporary.
“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”
Psalms 30:5 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/psa.30.5.nkjv
Sometimes it seems like the trial will never end. But trials are temporary.
It can be time and chance or it could be from God. God sends afflictions. God is faithful but he won’t if you turn your back on him.
When people are in trials people will abandoned them because they don’t know how to deal with it. But God is there when we need him the most.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads 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 You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.”
Psalms 23:1-6 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/psa.23.1-6.nkjv
When we are in the shadow of death, we shouldn’t fear. We should turn to God because he will be with us.
************************
Different translations of psalms 56:8
“You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?”
Psalms 56:8 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/psa.56.8.nkjv
“You know how troubled I am; you have kept a record of my tears. Aren't they listed in your book?”
Psalms 56:8 GNB
http://bible.us/296/psa.56.8.gnb
“My wandering Thou hast counted, Thou--place Thou my tear in Thy bottle, Are they not in Thy book?”
Psalms 56:8 YLT1898
http://bible.us/821/psa.56.8.ylt98
“Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record?”
Psalm 56:8 NIV
http://bible.us/111/psa.56.8.niv
***************************
“Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah”
Psalms 46:8-11 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/psa.46.8-11.nkjv
Without God, what hope is there?
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/rom.8.28.nkjv
In other words, all the hindsight and looking back we see things different. God looks at it different. All the failure can be used by God.
5e lessons of this life will be carried with us for eternity. Some people sin get away with sin, because others never knew. But you remember.
God can take all the loss and tragedy and use it for their good when we are in grief we should pour our hearts out to God
When Rizpah was out protecting those bodies for 6 months there was a spiritual battle going on as well one woman was battling it. She was grieving before God
So when we speak and cry out to God we should pour out our heart to God it is appropriate. In private and in public.
Sometimes tragedy causes people to isolate themselves. We were not designed by God to be alone. We are social creatures. We are meant to have relationships.
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”
Romans 12:10-13 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/rom.12.10-13.nkjv
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”
Romans 12:15-16 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/rom.12.15-16.nkjv
God is there for us even when we feel like we are alone. We need to help others. Even in the valley of the shadow of death God is with us.
Grief and loss.
Movie called “a man called ove”. It opens up with an old guy who is unhappy and goes around telling people what to do. He is strict. His wife had died a few months before and he was fired from his job at the railroad station.
He keeps trying to kill himself but he keeps getting interrupted because everyone needs help. Then he goes to the railroad station he’s going to jump in front of a train because t then a guy has a seizure and falls on the tracks. The others around take pictures of him on the tracks. Then Ove rescues him and then waits for the train again.
There are ways to help. Sometimes we say the wrong thing. What should we do? We should listen
“So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.””
John 11:17-24 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/jhn.11.17-24.nkjv
This state makes no sense if we immediately go to heaven after we die. She knows about the resurrection.
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.””
John 11:25-27 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/jhn.11.25-27.nkjv
That is the cornerstone
“And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.” Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept.”
John 11:28-35 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/jhn.11.28-35.nkjv
Even though he was Messiah and knew he could be resurrected he still wept. Why? The emotion of the moment.
““O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’ ””
Matthew 23:37-39 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/mat.23.37-39.nkjv
Have you watched animals protect the young? That instinct to love and protect is something animals have.
Life has its twists and turns. We don’t know what will happen in life. It’s important to remember you are not alone, Jesus is with us.
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/heb.4.14-16.nkjv
Jesus experienced this grief and loss as well as being alone and betrayed. We need to focus our self’s on God.
“Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better.”
Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/ecc.7.2-3.nkjv
There is wiser to be found while we mourn. It serves a valuable function in the life of men. Grief is temporary.
“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”
Psalms 30:5 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/psa.30.5.nkjv
Sometimes it seems like the trial will never end. But trials are temporary.
It can be time and chance or it could be from God. God sends afflictions. God is faithful but he won’t if you turn your back on him.
When people are in trials people will abandoned them because they don’t know how to deal with it. But God is there when we need him the most.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads 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 You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.”
Psalms 23:1-6 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/psa.23.1-6.nkjv
When we are in the shadow of death, we shouldn’t fear. We should turn to God because he will be with us.
************************
Different translations of psalms 56:8
“You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?”
Psalms 56:8 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/psa.56.8.nkjv
“You know how troubled I am; you have kept a record of my tears. Aren't they listed in your book?”
Psalms 56:8 GNB
http://bible.us/296/psa.56.8.gnb
“My wandering Thou hast counted, Thou--place Thou my tear in Thy bottle, Are they not in Thy book?”
Psalms 56:8 YLT1898
http://bible.us/821/psa.56.8.ylt98
“Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record?”
Psalm 56:8 NIV
http://bible.us/111/psa.56.8.niv
***************************
“Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah”
Psalms 46:8-11 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/psa.46.8-11.nkjv
Without God, what hope is there?
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/rom.8.28.nkjv
In other words, all the hindsight and looking back we see things different. God looks at it different. All the failure can be used by God.
5e lessons of this life will be carried with us for eternity. Some people sin get away with sin, because others never knew. But you remember.
God can take all the loss and tragedy and use it for their good when we are in grief we should pour our hearts out to God
When Rizpah was out protecting those bodies for 6 months there was a spiritual battle going on as well one woman was battling it. She was grieving before God
So when we speak and cry out to God we should pour out our heart to God it is appropriate. In private and in public.
Sometimes tragedy causes people to isolate themselves. We were not designed by God to be alone. We are social creatures. We are meant to have relationships.
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”
Romans 12:10-13 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/rom.12.10-13.nkjv
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”
Romans 12:15-16 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/rom.12.15-16.nkjv
God is there for us even when we feel like we are alone. We need to help others. Even in the valley of the shadow of death God is with us.
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Sermon Tom Hamilton (1-27-18)
We don’t get out of this alive. What are the most important things in your life?
Looking at the Bible we see Adam introduced sin into the world.
“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.””
Genesis 2:16-17 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/gen.2.16-17.nkjv
“If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, Till my change comes.”
Job 14:14 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/job.14.14.nkjv
“For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten.”
Ecclesiastes 9:5 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/ecc.9.5.nkjv
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
Hebrews 9:27-28 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/heb.9.27-28.nkjv
“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.”
I John 3:4-6 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/1jn.3.4-6.nkjv
“As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;”
Romans 3:10 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/rom.3.10.nkjv
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/rom.3.23.nkjv
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/rom.6.23.nkjv
There is good news and a way out. That is Jesus Christ. He paid the price for us.
“Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.””
Matthew 16:16 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/mat.16.16.nkjv
“For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.””
John 3:34-36 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/jhn.3.34-36.nkjv
“that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:15-16 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/jhn.3.15-16.nkjv
“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:37-47 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/act.2.37-47.nkjv
God is calling these people.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/eph.2.8-10.nkjv
“Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.”
Romans 5:14-15 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/rom.5.14-15.nkjv
“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.”
Mark 13:26-27 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/mrk.13.26-27.nkjv
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
I Thessalonians 4:14-18 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/1th.4.14-18.nkjv
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?””
I Corinthians 15:50-55 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/1co.15.50-55.nkjv
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
I Corinthians 15:57-58 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/1co.15.57-58.nkjv
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Galatians 5:22-26 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/gal.5.22-26.nkjv
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:33-34 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/mat.6.33-34.nkjv
““Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:17-20 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/mat.5.17-20.nkjv
“And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.”
I John 3:22-23 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/1jn.3.22-23.nkjv
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?”
Romans 6:1-3 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/rom.6.1-3.nkjv
“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”
II Peter 3:17-18 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/2pe.3.17-18.nkjv
In conclusion what is the most important thing for us to do in this life before we die? To repent and be baptized. After that live as righteously as you can. Seek God. Follow Christ.
We don’t get out of this alive. What are the most important things in your life?
Looking at the Bible we see Adam introduced sin into the world.
“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.””
Genesis 2:16-17 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/gen.2.16-17.nkjv
“If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, Till my change comes.”
Job 14:14 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/job.14.14.nkjv
“For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten.”
Ecclesiastes 9:5 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/ecc.9.5.nkjv
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
Hebrews 9:27-28 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/heb.9.27-28.nkjv
“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.”
I John 3:4-6 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/1jn.3.4-6.nkjv
“As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;”
Romans 3:10 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/rom.3.10.nkjv
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/rom.3.23.nkjv
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/rom.6.23.nkjv
There is good news and a way out. That is Jesus Christ. He paid the price for us.
“Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.””
Matthew 16:16 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/mat.16.16.nkjv
“For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.””
John 3:34-36 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/jhn.3.34-36.nkjv
“that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:15-16 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/jhn.3.15-16.nkjv
“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:37-47 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/act.2.37-47.nkjv
God is calling these people.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/eph.2.8-10.nkjv
“Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.”
Romans 5:14-15 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/rom.5.14-15.nkjv
“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.”
Mark 13:26-27 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/mrk.13.26-27.nkjv
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
I Thessalonians 4:14-18 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/1th.4.14-18.nkjv
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?””
I Corinthians 15:50-55 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/1co.15.50-55.nkjv
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
I Corinthians 15:57-58 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/1co.15.57-58.nkjv
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Galatians 5:22-26 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/gal.5.22-26.nkjv
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:33-34 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/mat.6.33-34.nkjv
““Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:17-20 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/mat.5.17-20.nkjv
“And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.”
I John 3:22-23 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/1jn.3.22-23.nkjv
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?”
Romans 6:1-3 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/rom.6.1-3.nkjv
“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”
II Peter 3:17-18 NKJV
http://bible.us/114/2pe.3.17-18.nkjv
In conclusion what is the most important thing for us to do in this life before we die? To repent and be baptized. After that live as righteously as you can. Seek God. Follow Christ.
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