The Opportunities of the Church :: 7/19/15 AM

The Opportunities of the Church

Matthew 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Intro: We live in exciting times.  Never before has the church of the living God had the opportunity to impact civilization like it does today.  It is crucial that we adopt the correct mindset in these last days.

There are three basic approaches to the challenges that we face today.

                1. The Defensive Mindset – spending our time and efforts trying to avoid the enemy onslaught

                2. The Maintain Mindset – picture a turtle; pulling its head in its shell and trying to remain neutral

                3. The Offensive Mindset – taking the battle to the enemy and using our God-given power to make a difference

Today, the wickedness and the depravity is increasing at an unbelievable pace.

However, it would be a mistake for us to think that it’s worse now than it has ever been.

It would be a horrible tragedy for the church to believe that we are at a disadvantage.

Notice the conditions in the day of Noah:

·         Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually…The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.  And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

Notice the conditions in the day of the prophet Samuel

·         Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Notice the conditions in the day of Elijah

·         I Kings 19:14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. NOTICE GOD’S REPLY: Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

There has always been wicked times; discouraging times; overwhelming times for the believer.

But to think that because God’s people are outnumbered means we can’t be overcomers is a huge mistake!

God has us in a place where we can make an eternal contribution to the kingdom of God.

Jesus said – THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT.

I. The Opportunity to Shine

The darker the hour, the brighter the light.

·         Romans 13:11  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

·         Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

II. The Opportunity to Sow

·         Psalm 126:5  They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

In the 17 square miles of Dundalk, there are over 64,000 residents.

In a 7 mile radius of this church there are over 400,000 people.

There’s more souls in a 7 mile radius of this church than there is in some countries.

NOTE: There’s over 50 countries with less population than Baltimore MD!

The population of Baltimore is 625,000 souls.

The cost of printing tracts is cheaper than ever before.

The opportunities we have to spread the gospel is unparalleled in our generation.

We have:

·         Printed page

·         Scriptures – John/Romans, Bibles

·         Bus Ministry – these busses will seat about 40 kids each. They should be full every Sunday!

·         Liberty to knock doors and walk the streets

·         Opportunities to put ads in the paper/magazines/etc.

·         Website/Livestream (482 views of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness)

·         Radio stations

·         Write books/pamplets/articles/etc.

There are thousands of people looking for answers; looking for the truth; looking for help; looking for relief.

We have what they need. ARE WE SOWING THE SEED?

We are setting aside SEPTEMBER for OPERATION SATURATION MONTH.

We will pray and trust God to allow our church to distribute 25,000 packets in the month of September.

We will need volunteers to help put packets together and distribute gospel tracts and literature.

III. The Opportunity to Send Missionaries

·         Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

In centuries past, travel and navigation was a massive challenge.

It wasn’t until 1492 that civilization learned that the earth was round.

Today, we can put a missionary anywhere in the world in less than 24 hours.

God is calling men to preach and He is calling families to serve in foreign lands.

The church is more equipped to help them than ever before.

Missionaries are traveling thousands of miles and visiting hundreds of churches trying to raise the money to reach the lost with the Gospel while God’s people blow their money on entertainment, sports, hobbies, fun, food, and other temporal things.

Let’s reach the world while we still have the chance!!

Conclusion:

ILLUSTRATION: Coach Bear Bryant had an old scout that was approached by a young man wanting to become a scout to recruit players for the University of Alabama football team. He told him, “If you see a player that gets knocked down and doesn’t get back up, that’s not the guy we want. If you see a guy get knocked down and he gets back up and then he gets knocked down and stays down, that is not the guy we want.  If you see a guy get knocked down and he gets back up and then he gets knocked down and he gets back up and then he gets knocked down and he doesn’t have the heart to get back up, that is not the guy we want. If you see a guy get knocked down and he gets back up and then he gets knocked down and he gets back up and then he gets knocked down and he doesn’t have the heart to get back up…” The young scout interrupted him excitedly and said, “That’s not the guy we want, right??” NO!! shouted the old scout. “We want the guy who’s knocking everybody down!!”

It is high time for the church to go on the OFFENSIVE. We need to stop hiding in the corner! We need to stop trying to fly under the radar! We need to charge the gate of hell and rescue the perishing and care for the dying.

The Meaning of Sacrifice :: 7/12/15 AM

The Meaning of Sacrifice

I Kings 17:1-16; Romans 12:1 “present your bodies a living sacrifice…”

Intro: We hear the word SACRIFICE used often. Most often, we equate the word SACRIFICE to the Old Testament sacrifices; sheep, turtledoves, bullocks, goats, oxen, etc.

We also hear the word in conjunction with the those that have fought for our country. Those that are in the military that have left family, friends, jobs, country to go fight for our freedom; those that have died fighting for our freedom are commended and honored for their SACRIFICE.

In our text today, Paul said – present your bodies a living sacrifice.

Definition of Sacrifice: The forfeiture of something highly valued, such as an idea, an object or a friendship, for the sake of one considered to have greater value or claim.

è Illustration: I love golf, and enjoy playing golf.  But giving up golf to serve God wouldn't be a great sacrifice, because I hardly ever play!  Sacrifice doesn't mean giving up something; it means giving up something that means a lot to you, in order to please God.

God set the standard for true sacrifice.

His love for you prompted Him to sacrifice His Son.

He gave His very best for us – the very worst.

His love for us was DEMONSTRATED BY HIS SACRIFICE.

QUESTION: How much do we love the Lord?

What does it mean to present our bodies as a LIVING SACRIFICE?

This widow woman sets an example of what it means to SACRIFICE.

I. The Prerequisites of Sacrifice

Before God ever asks somebody to make a sacrifice, it's important that they have prepared themselves by:

                A. Working toward fulfilling responsibilities. - the widow woman was there gathering of sticks:

It was her responsibility to provide for that son of hers.  Her husband was dead.  Though she was working and laboring, it was not a sacrifice – it was her obligation!  Many think that if they go to church and tithe and live right, that it is a sacrifice.  No, it's their responsibility! (reasonable service)

                B. Working toward fulfilling request. - Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

She really didn't owe this stranger anything.  She could have sent him away.  Instead, she gave him what he asked for.  Of course, this was a sacrifice in itself, because it hadn't rained in years.  This was a test.  If she wasn't willing to make a small sacrifice, then she wouldn't be willing for the one that was to come.  It was easy for him to ask, but hard for her to do.

è Request: such as filling in as a Sunday School teacher, work day at the church, getting involved in things you don't really have time for....

II. The Practice of Sacrifice

                A. Willing to forfeit her resources. - Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.

It was her oil, meal and 2 sticks!  This request he asked of her would wipe her out!  This was all she had.  He wasn't asking someone to give out of their abundance, he was asking her to give everything!

è Illustration: The self-storage industry in the United States generated more than $24 billion in annual U.S. revenues (2014 - estimate).

                B. Willing to fight rebellion - I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son,

He was asking her to take food out of her mouth, as well as her son's!  How could he do that?  How dare he do that? She had to fight the resentment in her heart toward his request. She simply turned around and went into the house and obeyed his request.

III. The Purpose of Sacrifice

                A. God wants to reward you – she was going to die anyway; what was one more meal?

Because of his promise, that after her sacrifice, she would have enough, she obeyed.  He didn't promise her an amazing abundance; just enough for the next meal.

                B. God wants to refine you – Zarephath means "refinery"

Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

"forth as gold" means something splendid, valuable, brilliant.

She was a hard working woman, and busy doing what she was supposed to do.  However, God had something he wanted to do for her, so he put her through the fire.  She came forth as pure gold, and God used her obedience to sustain herself, her son, and the man of God! AMEN!!

What Was Right About Who Was Left :: 7/8/15

What Was Right About Who Was Left

Judges 7

Intro: In chapter 6, notice Gideon -

                1. He was Hurting – vs. 13 …why then is all this befallen us? (answer is verse 1)

                2. He was Hunting – vs. 13 …where be all his miracles?

                3. He was Honored – vs. 14-16

                4. He was Hesitant – vs. 17, vs. 27, vs. 36-40

                5. He was Humbled – 7:2 – he started with 32,000 and ended with 300

Was it Gideon’s fault? No – see verse 2 – God was humbling them to use them.

See verse 7 – “by the three hundred will I save you…”

So… What Was Right About Who Was Left?

I. Their Desire to Stay – vs. 3

                Their heart was in it in spite of:

·         Devastation – 6:4

·         Desolation – 6:5

·         Desertion – 7:3 23,000 turned and went back home

·         Demoralization – how are you supposed to fight without an army? Can so many be wrong?

               

II. Their Decision to Submit – vs. 17 Gideon told them, “Look on me, and do likewise…”

NOTE: Imagine a group of soldiers being handed a night light and a trumpet and told to “do what I do.”

Furthermore, Gideon had NO TRACK RECORD of leading men into battle.

What he was doing made absolutely no sense at all.

None of them even had a weapon!

I can hear them now if they had been Independent Baptist – “This man was sent here to destroy us…”

“We had 32,000 people willing to fight before he showed up and now look at us. Going into battle with a night light and a trumpet!!”

These 300 made a decision – to follow the man that God had put in as their leader.

III. Their Dedication to Shout – vs. 18-20

·         They were Outnumbered

·         They were Out of their League

·         They were Out of their Comfort Zone

ALL THREE HUNDRED OF THESE MEN WERE SHOUTING THE BATTLE CRY OF VICTORY.

IV. Their Determination to Shine – vs. 19, 20

·         In Spite of the Blows

·         In Spite of the Brokenness

·         In Spite of the Battle

·         Judges 6:24  Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

JEHOVAHSHALOM means the Jehovah is peace.

Good Works :: 7/5/15 PM

Good Works

Eph. 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Intro:

            1. The Problem – good works are not a substitute for saving faith; see Isaiah 64:6

            2. The Plan – vs. 10 we should walk in them

            3. The Product – there will be some evidence

God has provided what you and I need to enable us to produce good works.

·         II Tim. 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

I. Points Sinners to Christ

·         Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

·         I Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

II. Provokes Saints to Christianity

·         Hebrews 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

·         Titus 2:7  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

III. Proves Salvation to Critics

·         James 2:14-

·         Titus 2:14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

·         Titus 2:8  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

·         Titus 3:14 And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness :: July 5, 2015 AM Service

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Intro: Our Founding Fathers got together and wrote a document called The Declaration of Independence. It started out like this…

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.

After listing their long line of grievances against the Crown, they closed out this document with this statement:

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

This history changing document was signed by 56 men that mutually pledged their lives, their fortune and their sacred honor.

But long before our Founding Fathers put these words on a document, the Bible was given to us to reveal to us that it is the will of our Creator to have access to these very important elements – Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

I. Life

Life began in Genesis 1.

The Scriptures tell us that –

·         Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

At that point in time, man became PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY ALIVE.

But when man sinned, he died – spiritually.

·         Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

But God – the Giver of life – made provision for man to not just live physically, but to live spiritually.

For a man that is dead spiritually can never really live physically.

Here are the words of Scripture concerning the SOURCE OF LIFE.

·         John 5:40  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

·         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.

·         John 20:31  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

·         1 John 5:11  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

BOTTOM LINE: If you don’t have Jesus – you don’t have life!

·         Ephesians 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

·         Ephesians 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

·         Colossians 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

II. Liberty

On March 23, 1775 at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia, a young delegate stood to present his case that there should be local and statewide armed militia; both infantry and cavalry; to protect the citizens of Virginia from the impending threat of British troops. He stood and with passion presented his reasons for raising an armed militia. He closed out his passionate plea with these unforgettable words.

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

Today, Satan has bound men, women, boys and girls in the chains of oppression, slavery and bondage.

·         Galatians 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

It is only through the Lord Jesus Christ that people today can truly be made free.

·         John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

·         2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

·         Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

III. The Pursuit of Happiness

·         QUOTE: Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be. - Abraham Lincoln

Our Founding Fathers believed that ‘THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS” was an inalienable right.

However, they did not believe that it is the Government’s job to insure that everybody is “HAPPY”.

They believed you had the right to PURSUE happiness.

But- most people are looking for happiness in all the wrong places.

You won’t find happiness in the bottom of a bottle.

You won’t find happiness in an illicit sexual relationship.

You won’t find happiness in a drug induced state of being.

You won’t find happiness in a job, or money, or hobby, or friends.

The Psalmist David said, “Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.” Psalms 144:15

Jesus told his disciples after a message on Christian service in John 13:17 “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”