Wise Men Still Seek Jesus :: 12/20/15 AM

Wise Men Still Seek Jesus

Matt. 2:1-12

I. Hungering Desire

                A. An Exposure to the Light

God will meet you at the point of your desire.

It is the will of God to reveal Himself to man.

·         John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Notice what it says in verse 7:

·         Vs. 6-8 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

                B. An Exploration of the Light

Exposure to the light produced an exploration of the light.

Amazing how some people are exposed to the heavenly light and have no interest in learning more.

These men – these WISE men not only were EXPOSED to the light, but they EXPLORED it.

Wise men seek truth – foolish men avoid it; ignore it; pay it no attention.

It is foolish to experience a HEAVENLY REVELATION and not take the time to pursue better understanding.

They had to study – to research – to ask questions in order to learn the MEANING OF THE LIGHT.            

                C. An Excitement to the Light

Their EXPOSURE to the light produced an EXPLORATION of the light, which produced and EXCITEMENT.

Their words – “We have seen his star in the east, and ARE COME TO WORSHIP HIM!”

What they learned motivated them to get closer – to know more – to pursue the ONE that the Light represented!

II. Hindering Difficulties

Mark it down – pursuing heavenly light will not be easy.

Satan is a foe of anyone seeking truth, and light, and answers.

                A. The Trip – vs. 2

It was a long way from the East to Jerusalem.

No doubt they had multiple opportunities to turn around and forsake their hunt for the King of the Jews.

               

                B. The Truth

We do not know what all they knew.

We do know several things:

                1. He wasn’t their king – He was the King of the Jews. – vs. 2

                2. He was a young child – – vs. 8 He wasn’t old enough to be able to do anything for them as far as they knew.

Yet they kept pursuing the One that the light represented.

How many people would still seek God if they thought He wasn’t even there for them, or could do anything for them?

                C. The Treachery – vs. 7, 8

There was a king and a host of soldiers that had murderous intentions that tried to manipulate them.

They became entangled in a web of deceit, conspiracy, and even personal danger – yet they continued on their search!

III. Holy Discovery

                A. New Worship – vs. 11

                                1. It was an Excited Worship – vs. 10 “…they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”

NOTE: This was prior to actually meeting the King of the Jews.

This was just of the PROSPECT of meeting Him!

                                2. It was an Expensive Worship – vs. 11 Gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

They didn’t come asking Him for things.

They came BRINGING Him things – expensive things.

                B. New Warnings – vs. 12

Isn’t it interesting that up until now, they had not received any additional revelation from God.

They’d seen his light, spent an enormous amount of time pursuing it, and God had never spoken to them.

NOW – that they had met the Son of God – the King of Kings, they were recipients of Divine communication.

I wonder how people live their lives every day without those personal warnings and instructions from God??

                C. New Way – vs. 12b

An encounter with God will change your path.

It will produce a “new way” and a “new walk”.

You won’t go to the places you used to go, and you won’t walk the same roads you used to walk!

Conclusion: Are you a wise man?

Breath of Heaven :: 12/20/15 PM

Breath of Heaven (The Virgin Birth)

Matthew 1:18-25

Introduction: To say just a few words about this holiday, there has been a great misconception of what is to be celebrated at Christmas time.

·         Christmas has been Confused- (Santa Claus)

·         Christmas has been Commercialized (Largest marketing season of the year)

·         Christmas has been Corrupted - (parties; drinking; drunkenness)

·         Christmas has been Condemned (politically incorrect; danger of offending someone)

Biblical history records some spectacular births:

(1) The birth of Isaac to a 100 year old barren woman who laughed at the though of having a child was no doubt a

miraculous event.

(2) In the book of Judges we read of a man named Manoah whose wife experienced a miracle, and would give birth to a man named Samson, the mightiest man of all Scripture.

(3) Samuel the prophet was born in a miraculous way. His mother Hannah was unable to bear children, and the Lord touched her and she brought forth the greatest prophet of the Old Testament.

(4) Just 6 months before the birth of Jesus, a barren woman named Elizabeth gave birth through the power of God, and she called the name of her son John. John the Baptist would be the forerunner of our Lord. The Bible

said that he was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb.

·         The Miraculous Birth of Isaac was Glorious. He was called the Son of Promise. But Jesus Christ was born the Son of God that would promise to all eternal life.

·         The Miraculous Birth of Samson was Glorious. He was called the Mightiest man in the Bible. But Jesus Christ was born the Mighty God that would deliver the world.

·         The Miraculous Birth of Samuel was Glorious. He was called the Greatest Prophet that ever lived. But Jesus Christ was born Prophet, Priest, and King.

·         The Miraculous Birth of John the Baptist was Glorious. He was called by Jesus Himself the Greatest Man that Ever Lived. But Jesus Christ was born the God-Man that would save the human race from sin. Taking all of these miraculous births into consideration, there is one birth that rises to the top of them all, the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.

I. The Birth that Brought Deity vs.18-20

·         By the undeniable testimony of Scripture, Jesus Christ was conceived by God, and born of a virgin.

·         Notice the phrase in vs.18, "When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together," You will also note what was said in Prophecy in vs.22-23. Vs. 24-25 also proves the case of Virgin Birth.

·         Joseph and Mary experienced no sexual contact before their marriage.

·         That is a virtue that the Bible places great value on, virginity until marriage, and monogamy in marriage. I'm afraid that if God were to look for a candidate to supply a virgin birth today, the search would be strenuous.

·         It was Mary's testimony of virginity that protected her and Jesus from the accusation of Jesus being born by some other man.

·         Notice that word "virgin" in vs.23. That word occurs only 34 times in Scripture. In every use of that word, it means a woman that has never been involved sexually.

·         Jesus is never called the Son of Joseph, and Joseph is never referred to as His Father.

II. The Birth that Brought Dispute

                A. It was Jesus claim about the manner of His birth that caused the Jewish leaders of His day to seek to kill Him. He had to die because of how He was born.

·         John 5:18 said, "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God."

                B. That did not come to Jesus as a surprise. In Acts 2:23, "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:"

                C. All through the life of Jesus He was slandered by the accusation that He was the illegitimate son of Mary by Joseph, or by some other man.

·         John 8:38-42 said, "I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me."

When the Jews said, "We be not born of fornication; we have one Father" they were insulting the claim of a Virgin Birth.

 They were insinuating that Jesus was an illegitimate child, and that Mary had relationships with many men, in so much that Jesus did not know who His Father was.

Religious polls of the last few years have revealed a continuing decline in the people who believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. It causes us to ask the question: How important is the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ? It is the central fact of Christianity. The whole foundation of Theology is built on the Virgin Birth.

                                1. To deny the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ is to deny His Deity.

                                2. To deny the Deity of Jesus Christ is to deny His Sinless Life.

                                3. To deny the Sinless Life of Jesus Christ is to deny His Sinless Sacrificial Death.

                                4. To deny His Sinless Sacrifice is to deny His Triumphant Resurrection.

                                5. To deny His Triumphant Resurrection is to deny His Glorious Return.

                C. Science has brought us no explanation for the Virgin Birth. History has brought us no explanation for the Virgin Birth. Man has brought us no explanation for the Virgin Birth. It is not to be explained. It is to be believed.

                D. You may wonder how we can believe such an unexplainable truth, that Jesus Christ was 100% Man and 100% God, born of a virgin:

                                1. The same way that I believe in the Trinity.

                                2. The same way that I believe in the Inspiration of the Scriptures.

                                3. The same way that I believe in Heaven.

                                4. The same way that I believe in Eternal Security.

                E. All of these foundational truths of our faith stand and fall together. You can believe one without believing them all, and yet you cannot believe them all and leave just one out.

III. The Birth that Brought Deliverance vs.21

Illustration. In the Christmas song of Mark Lowry, "Mary Did You Know," the question is asked of Mary,

"Mary did you know that your Baby Boy will one day walk on water? Mary did you know that you Baby Boy will save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new? This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you?"

Illustration: Like a dying, mangled dog lying in the street that has been hit by a car is totally helpless, we were too.

·         He became our High Priest – who can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities

·         He became our Horrible Past – who became sin for us who knew no sin

·         He became our Hiding Place – come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest!

Make no mistake about it friend, Jesus came for the purpose of deliverance. The name "Jesus" means Saviour.

                A. He Delivered us from the Power of Sin.

Paul said, "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."

                B. He Delivered us from the Penalty of Sin.

Paul said, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

                C. One day, He will Deliver us from the Presence of Sin.

Jude said, "Now unto him that is able to….. present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy"

God Is Still Right :: 12/6/15 AM

God Is Still Right

Romans 3:4  God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar;

Intro: These past few days, Bible-believing Christians have been attacked for believing in a God that hears and answers prayer. Romans 3:1 tells us that we have an advantage if we believe God, rather than man. Unlike the nation of Israel, we accept Jesus and His word as "the oracles of God". In 2015, God is still right!

God is still right...

I. About the Cause for Suffering

People today are blinded to the reasons for the pain and suffering in the world.

They see headlines all day filled with reports of crime, death, pain, suffering, injustice, bigotry, racism, murder, assault, kidnappings, robberies, extortion, drugs, corruption, starvation, malnutrition, child abandonment, divorce, human trafficking, prostitution, rioting, protests, slander, lies, cover-ups, scandals, and the list goes on and on.  320 homicides in Baltimore as of this morning…

What is the reason for this? What is the cause for this?

Man has many ideas about who’s fault it is.

Experts and people with college degrees and fancy titles offer a lot of reasons and ideas.

But God is still right about the cause for suffering.

The reason is SIN.

·         Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

·         Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death…

II. About the Cure for Society

The cure for society is not more laws.

The cure for society is not bigger government. Or no government.

The cure for society is not confiscating everybody’s guns.

The cure for society is not an armed militia with stockpiles of weapons and ammunition.

The cure for society is not open borders or closed borders.

The cure for society is not a new president or a new Congress or a new Senate or a new world order.

The cure for society is not new judges and fair and unbiased law enforcement.

The cure for society is Divine intervention.

The cure for society is real, biblical repentance.

The cure for society is a Holy Ghost revival among God’s people.

·         2 Chronicles 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

III. About the Conditions for Salvation

·         John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

·         Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

It’s not church membership.

It’s not baptism.

It’s not good works.

It’s only through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Simplicity of Christianity :: 12/2/15 PM

The Simplicity of Christianity

2 Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

Intro: One thing I am sure of after 23 years of ministry – Satan has succeeded in making the Christian life so complicated that many believers simply throw their hands up and say “What’s the use!”

God never intended the Christian life to be perceived as complicated. In fact, He desires the opposite.

I. An Approach of Faith

The key factor that separates Christians from non-Christians is the simple fact that we are “believers”.

We approach God with an attitude of faith, rather than an attitude of skepticism or criticism.

Notice what Jesus said about this “approach of faith”.

·         Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

·         James 2:23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

We simply believe God.

We believe His Word.

We believe in His Sovereignty.

We believe in His Authority over us.

We believe in our complete incapability to function apart from Him.

·         John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

We accept that fact as a reality, and we choose to put our faith and trust in One that is greater than us.

We choose to put our faith in One that is more powerful than us.

We choose to put our faith in One that knows more than us.

We approach this whole subject of God and Jesus and the Bible with an approach of faith.

That’s where it starts.

It is not complicated in and of itself. It only becomes complicated when we allow Satan to insert DOUBT.

·         Illustrate: Telling a child that there is candy in a box. As he starts to open it, someone tells him there is a snake inside that will bite him. Watch him hesitate, maybe even walk away from the box. What happened? His faith in the reward was replaced with doubt and fear. 

Satan does that very thing to God’s children all day long, every single day.

Believing God is not difficult or complicated until Satan lies and deceives and inserts doubt.

So – what is the solution? Stop listening to Satan and go back to listening to God!

II. An Attempt to Follow

One thing is certain. No one can walk the Christian walk without some help.

God has provided that help.

He’s actually made it so simple, that even a child can do it.

·         1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Just like a child following in his father’s footsteps in the snow, we are to follow Christ’s steps.

No doubt He set the bar pretty high. He lived a perfect life, never sinned, he never stumbled.

But if our Christian life is all about following His steps, then the least we could do is ATTEMPT to follow!

Notice what Job said about this:

·         Job 23:11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

The mark of a disciple of Christ – following!

·         Matthew 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Complicated? No. At least not until Satan shows up and offers another path.

When Satan offers another course, or another direction that appeals to the natural man, then it becomes complicated.

Then obedience is not so easy. Living according to His word is not as appealing.

Solution: Stop entertaining Satan’s path and go back to following Jesus.

Quote: Complexity is in the conflict; not the compliance.

III. An Appreciation of Fellowship

The Christian life is very simple when you understand one truth: how we life affects our fellowship with God.

Once we begin to value His presence and His power in our life, we will find it easier and easier to life a life that will insure His sweet fellowship.

·         1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

·         1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

Once believers realize that it is not their relationship, but their fellowship that is in jeopardy by their haphazard life, then they begin to find that maintaining sweet fellowship with Christ is not complicated.

Conclusion: Living the Christian life is not complicated.  It is actually very simple. What makes it complicated is when we allow Satan to tempt us to do something that we know will hinder our joy, our peace, our fellowship, and we actually entertain those thoughts and listen to him. Then he messes up everything. 

Broken But Fixed :: 11/29/15 AM

Broken but Fixed

Psalms 57:7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: 

Intro: In this chapter, we find David has just fled the cave after encountering Saul and his army.  The story is found in I Samuel 24.

1. The Calamities – vs. 1 – until these calamities be overpast

David here is BROKEN. Here’s a list of reasons:

·         He is the target of a nationwide manhunt.

·         The king that he loved is trying his best to kill him. (he had been his armor bearer)

·         He’s been separated from his best friend Jonathan and forbidden from being with him.

·         He had to leave his wife in the bed and sneak out the window to flee for his life.

·         He’s been anointed by God to be the next king but his being treated like a criminal.

·         His refuge (the cave) had been invaded by the enemy and he was on the run again.

·         His haven had been defiled and desecrated by Saul. (I Sam. 24:3 “cover his feet”)

·         He had the opportunity to kill Saul in the cave, but didn’t.  Didn’t matter.  He’s still running.

2. The Company – vs. 4 – my soul is among lions

While in the cave; he was surrounded by bloodthirsty men; seeking his very life.

I lie among them that are set on fire – look at James 3:6 (the tongue is set on fire of hell)

He was surrounded by people that couldn’t shut their mouth.

They kept slandering him – trying to cut

3. The Conspiracy – vs. 6 – they have prepared a net for my steps

His every step was being watched, anticipated and they were scheming accordingly

They were trying to trip him; catch him; cause him to stumble and fall; stop him

4. The Confession – vs. 7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed:

YET: Even while his soul was bowed down, his heart was fixed.  His heart was broken, but fixed.

Fixed: to be firm, be stable, be established, be secure, be enduring

How could his heart be overwhelmed and broken and FIXED at the same time?

IT WAS BECAUSE HE HAD…

A. A Soul that Trusteth – vs. 1 – my soul trusteth in thee

B. A Shadow that Hideth – vs. 1 – in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge

C. A Spirit that Crieth – vs. 2 – I will cry unto God most high

D. A Sovereign that Performeth – vs. 2 – unto God that performeth all things for me

E. A Savior that Saveth – vs. 3 – He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach

F. A Song that Praiseth – vs. 7 – I will sing and give praise - (vs. 9) …I will sing unto thee among the nations.

David Wrote A Letter :: 11/18/15 PM

David Wrote a Letter

II Sam. 11:14-25

Intro: One of the most horrible stories in the Bible is the story of David and Bathsheba. David – a man after God’s own heart, is about to plunge into the lowest state that a God-fearing man can plunge – he simply failed to fear God.

David’s downfall started with…

                A. The Shirking of his Duty – vs. 1 …at the time when kings go forth to battle…David tarried still

He wasn’t where he was supposed to be, doing what he was supposed to be doing, and look what happened!

We have many in our churches today that are backing down, stepping down, backing up, when they should be advancing.

We can’t expect to defeat the devil if we are disengaging while he is engaging.

It’s not time to retire – it’s time to re-fire!

The shirking of his duty led to…

                B. The Satisfying of his Desires – vs. 2-4 

The Three Steps of Sin:

1.       He Saw

2.       He Enquired

3.       He Took

And just when he’d thought he had gotten away with it, it resulted in…

                C. The Shame of his Deed – vs. 5 she was pregnant with the child of their adultery.

If there ever was an example of the “Young and the Restless”, it was David after getting that news.

If there was ever an example of “Desperate Housewives”, it was Bathsheba after realizing she was having a baby.

Instead of getting right with God, David kicked into damage control mode. 

He sent for Uriah, and tried to cover up his sin.  It didn’t work. Uriah wouldn’t play along with his little scheme.

So, David did one of the most unbelievable things imaginable.

He sat down, and he wrote a letter.

·         2 Samuel 11:14  And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab…

I. It was a Letter of Blood

The letter that David sent Joab was Uriah’s death sentence.

David was VERY aware of WHAT he was doing, and HOW it would turn out.

That was made very obvious in verse 19-21 when Joab prepped the messenger for his report.

David had seen this happen before, and knew what he was doing.

David’s sin was premeditated and he knew the seriousness of his sin, but he did it anyway.

II. It was a Letter of Betrayal – vs. 14

David’s sin was not a secret sin; it involved many other people.

His sin betrayed the trust and confidence that other people had in him.

He sent the letter by the hand of Uriah; a trusting friend of integrity and character.

David’s deed took advantage of a friend, betrayed the trust of someone that looked up to him.

·         2 Samuel 11:14  …that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah.

Sin is always so selfish and uncaring for those that are hurt by it.

David’s quest to hide his sin made him quick to hurt his servant

When we sin, we ALWAYS hurt others.

As parents, our children are looking up to us, and they trust us.  How often does our sin hurt them?

Our brothers and sisters in the Lord have confidence in us, but our sin hurts them many times.

III. It was a Letter of Bondage

After the deed was done, the letter REMAINED IN THE HAND OF JOAB.

Every time David saw Joab, he no doubt thought about that letter he had sent him.

Every time Joab saw David, or Bathsheba, or Solomon, he thought about that letter that David had sent him.

David had ZERO INFLUENCE over Joab after that.

Joab did exactly what he wanted, and David couldn’t do anything about it.

·         In chapter 18, Absalom is hanging from a tree, and Joab rebukes a man for obeying the king (vs.11)

Then he proceeds to go directly against the king and kills Absalom in verse 14. And David let him by with it.

Then he rebukes David for weeping over the death of his son in 19:5, and David let him by with it.

·         In chapter 23, we see a long list of mighty men; men of valour and renown.  But Joab’s name is missing.

I’ve many times thought it was Joab’s lack of loyalty that was the reason, but now I wonder if it was the fact that he still had the letter from David – and it limited him from reaching his full potential.

The fact that the letter had been written put David in bondage.

The fact that Joab knew about it put him in bondage.

EXAMPLE: Those around us that see us living in sin will forever remember it.

What if the cashier down at the 7-Eleven shows up Sunday under conviction, and she sees one of the members that has been parked by the magazine section?  Do you think she will be confused or still under conviction?

What if the boys on the job you’ve been telling dirty jokes to shows up, will it hinder your ability to worship?

What if your kids see you at home living like a heathen, and then watch you at church worshipping; will it help them?

Sin always puts people in bondage!!

Conclusion: Notice verse 25: David’s weak attempt at damage control!!

1.       Let not this thing displease thee.

2.       Make thy battle more strong.

3.       Overthrow it.

4.       Encourage thou him.

How???  After his sin, he’s trying to get others to just go on like it didn’t happen??

Every day of your life, you are writing a letter. 

Who’s reading it? 

Who’s holding YOUR letter?

Finish Strong Series Part 1 :: 11/15/15 PM

Part I

A Strong Faith

 2 Timothy 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Intro: Paul the Apostle is an excellent example of what it means to finish strong.

He started out strong. He started out with power and might.  Notice his beginning.

·         Acts 9:22  But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

He got saved and was baptized in verse 18, and in verse 20, he’s preaching Christ.

In verse 22, he increased in strength.

To say that Saul started out strong is an understatement!

How was he able to finish as strong as he started?

He had a strong faith.

                A. Faith in God’s Path – I have finished my course vs. 7

His first words as a believer were, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

His last words were, “I have finished my course.”

Paul was fully persuaded that God had a specific plan for his life.

He trusted God completely with that plan.

That plan involved: (II Cor. 11)

·         labours more abundant,

·         stripes above measure

·         in prisons more frequent,

·         in deaths oft.

·          of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

·         thrice was I beaten with rods

·         once was I stoned

·         thrice I suffered shipwreck

·         a night and a day I have been in the deep

·          In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

·         In weariness and painfulness,

·         in watchings often

·         in hunger and thirst

·         in fastings often

·         in cold and nakedness.

Yet Paul never lost faith in the fact that God had a very specific plan for his life.

He was able to finish strong because he maintained a strong faith in God’s Plan for his life!

                B. Faith in God’s Precepts

Paul’s reaction to God’s first command to him was simple, obedience.

He stumbled, and needed a hand to guide him, but he made it his priority to do exactly what God told him to.

Acts 9:8  And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

He learned from day one NOT TO WALK BY SIGHT; but by faith.

NOTE: Saul couldn’t SEE WHERE HE WAS GOING, but he KNEW where he was going!

Saul said to his servants, “I can’t SEE where I’m going, and I need all the help you can give me, but I know EXACTLY where I’m supposed to be!”

Saul placed much importance on the commands and precepts of God from DAY ONE.

Notice his letter to Timothy near the end of his ministry.

He’s expressing a desire for the companion of his books, especially the parchments in verse 13.

The emphasis was on the WORD OF GOD!

SEE II Tim. 3:15-17, II Tim. 4:2-4

                C. Faith in God’s Person – Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me.

Paul spent his entire life trying to please ONE – his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

·         II Tim. 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

His first effort to join the church was met with rejection and fear.

In this letter (II Timothy 5), Paul made multiple references to the loneliness that comes with discipleship.

He’s begging for company in verse 9.

He’s naming those that had forsaken him in verse 10.

He’s asking for assistance in verse 11.

He exposes the troublemakers in verse 14 and 15.

He confesses the pain he endured at being abandoned by everybody in verse 16.

But in verse 17, he reveals the source of his faith and his ability to continue on.

He was serving GOD.

He was preaching Christ.

He was confident that God would deliver him and preserve Him.

Conclusion:

Paul wasn’t able to finish strong because he had hooked his wagon to a man, or a movement.

He hooked his wagon up to the Person of God, the Precepts of God and the Plan of God, and that was how he finished strong!!!

A Third Heaven Wind :: 11/15/15 PM

Third Heaven Wind

Psalm 135:5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.  He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.

Intro: In John 3, Jesus was talking to Nicodemus.  He used the wind as an illustration of a person being saved; or as He stated it, “Born of the Spirit.” When the wind blows, you might not can tell whence it cometh by the sound of it, but you can tell whence it cometh by the effects of it.

Old Testament Hebrew word for WIND (in our text) - ruwach pronounced, roo’- akh

I discovered that it is used in many different ways. For example, the one Hebrew word for “wind” is translated into the English as: Spirit or spirit, wind, breath, side, mind, blast, vain, air, anger, cool, courage, misc;

When a Third Heaven Wind blows, it will produce…

I. Help for the Helpless – (First Mention of the word Wind)

Genesis 8:1 And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;

Five months on that boat. 150 days. No doubt, they wondered what would happen to them.

They had just witnessed an unprecedented display of the wrath and judgment of God.

He had just drowned every living thing on the earth.

They had survived what the Bible calls ‘prevailing waters’ in Gen. 7:24.

No doubt they were beginning to feel forgotten and forsaken.

Then – they heard something that they hadn’t heard before.

They heard a wind pass over the earth.

I can hear Noah now telling his family – “God hasn’t forgotten us! He’s going to get us out of here!”

II. Defense for the Defenseless

God provided a way where there was no way!

They were boxed in – mountains on one side, the Red Sea on the other side, and Pharaoh’s army coming up behind them.

·         Exodus 14:21  And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

The children of Israel began to sing. By the way – this is the first song found in the Bible.

·         Exodus 15:9, 10  The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

III. Care in the Careless

·         Jonah 1:4  But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

·         See verse 12 - “…for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.”

Up until this point, Jonah had been fleeing from the presence of the Lord.

He’d done the opposite of what God had told him to do.

He’d done his own thing, gone his own way.

But a Third Heaven Wind descended on his life and he was stopped dead in his tracks.

He was forced to confront his disobedience and the trouble that it was bringing on those around him.

God knows how to get a careless person to start caring!

God knows how to give SHAME TO THE SHAMELESS. FEAR TO THE FEARLESS. LAW TO THE LAWLESS.

God sometimes has to put you in a place of suffocation in order to produce supplication.

IV. Life for the Lifeless

Turn to Ezek. 37

·         Ezek. 37:9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.

This is a prophecy concerning the nation of Israel. God will restore His people to their land.

But this is a picture of the power of God to breathe life into the lifeless.

When a wind from the Third Heaven blows, the impossible can be accomplished.

These bones were dry – very dry (vs. 2)

God asked - And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live?

When the Word of God is spoken, it has the power to take dry, dead bones and produce life.

V. Power for the Powerless

·         Luke 24:49  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

·         Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

·         Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

There’s no amount of education or personal experiences that will replace or substitute that THIRD HEAVEN WIND.

We live in a day and age where the power of God is missing.

We don’t need man-made wind.  We don’t need manufactured wind.

We need A THIRD HEAVEN WIND.

We need God to open up His treasury and bring the wind out of HIS storehouse.

If souls are going to be saved, we’ve got to get out of the way and let God do the work.

There is no substitute for the wind from God!