Hope for the Dysfunctional Family Part 3 :: 2/28/16 PM

Part 3

Ephesians 5:25-33

The husband’s relationship with his wife sets the tone for the entire family.

A dysfunctional husband/wife relationship will produce a dysfunctional family.

Our best course of action is to follow the precise examples that Christ gave us in the Word of God.

Notice Christ’s example: Ephesians 5:25-33

I. Paying the Price – vs. 25 …and gave himself for it

There is a price.

The price is personal.

The price is – you.

No amount of buying, gifts, treats, substitutes will work.

If we are to love our wives correctly, we must give of ourself.

·         Eph. 5:28  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

The price for a good marriage is giving yourself.

NOTE: He didn’t TRADE, OR SWAP, OR NEGOTIATE A BARGAIN.

He gave himself.

We had nothing to offer!!

II. Purging and Perfecting – vs. 26, 27  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

This speaks of the process by which the Lord works in us and on us to make us what we should be.

That same process works in a marriage.

No woman that gets married is the ultimate wife.

You can’t order or manufacture a PERFECT WIFE.

But over time, you can work with her and help her become that ‘GLORIOUS’ bride that you desire.

As her husband, it is not only your opportunity, but it is your obligation to be patient with her and help her become the glorious, perfect wife.

You may ask, “How long will that take?”

Let me ask you something, Sir. How long will it take Christ to make you glorious and perfect?

How does Christ sanctify and cleanse us? What method does He choose to use?

“…with the washing of water by the word,”

How does a husband help his wife become a better wife? Through COMMUNICATION.

·         Not ugly looks.

·         Not throwing things.

·         Not name calling.

·         Not huffing and puffing and threatening to blow the house down.

·         Not making unkind and unfair comparisons.

·         Not by ignoring her, or walking out or running off.

·         It is done through communication...

SANCTIFY: To make holy, consecrate, sanctify, to dedicate, separate, set apart for God

Note the order of these verses.

Verse 26 and 27 FOLLOW verse 25!

He gave himself for it – THAT HE MIGHT.

Trust me men – if you don’t love them, and give yourself, YOU MIGHT NOT!!

This means treating her like she’s special – she’s set apart – she’s different.

She’s important. She’s precious!

III. Provision and Passion – vs. 29 …but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church

He compares his love for us, to a man’s love for himself.

·         Eph. 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh;

He broke it down into two categories; he used two words to describe that care of one’s self.

A. Nourisheth -  to nourish up to maturity, to nourish; to nurture, bring up

This is the same root word as NOURISHMENT.

This speaks of feeding.

This done by a steady diet of food to keep one’s self going.

·         Not random, isolated meals, but regular, consistent nourishment.

·         Healthy food.

·         Necessary food.

·         Not junk food.

B. Cherish - to warm, keep warm; to cherish with tender love, to foster with tender care

The visual image here is one that is cold, and he looks for warmth.

This speaks of a genuine concern for their wellbeing and comfort.

This means doing what is necessary to see that they are take care of.

Conclusion:

If we are that are husbands are going to do our part to have a home that is working properly, we must get serious about our role and do everything that Christ instructs us to do.

We can’t expect our wives to do right if we aren’t doing right.

We can’t expect our children to do right if we aren’t doing right.

We can’t expect God to bless our home if we are not doing what we know to do!

Do You Want To Walk On Water? :: 2/28/16 AM

Do You Want To Walk on Water?

Matthew 14:22-33

Intro:

                A. Their Directive – Get in and go!

                B. Their Destination – unto the other side

                C. Their Difficulties – vs. 24 But the ship was in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves for the wind was contrary

No matter how many times I read this story, or hear it preached, I still am amazed at Peter. I try to figure out what he was thinking. I do my best to put myself in his place and understand what exactly was going through his mind.

I. Peter’s Realization – walking on water was a possibility

                A. Something he’d never thought possible was possible

There is nothing that will jolt a person any more than realizing that what they thought was impossible is not.

                B. Something he was as knowledgeable of as anybody alive was not at all what he thought it was.

Peter grew up and worked on that sea.

He was a professional fisherman.

He’d spent thousands of hours on that water.

If there was anybody that was an expert on the Sea of Galilee, it was Peter.

Yet, that night, he realized that there was a whole lot more about that Sea than he ever imagined.

His years of experience and his knowledge of that Sea went out the window.

He was like a little boy – seeing something for the first time.

God has a way of humbling us and showing us a way where there was no way.

One of the biggest failures of Christians today is their inability to acknowledge that THEY DON’T KNOW EVERYTHING!

Preconceived ideas are one of the most effective lies of Satan.

EXAMPLE:

·         Your marriage is doomed.

·         You cannot raise well behaved, godly, children.

·         You cannot lead a sinner to Christ.

·         You cannot stand up against the crowd.

·         You cannot afford to tithe.

·         You cannot be a leader.

·         You cannot make a difference.

·         You cannot be an overcomer.

·         You cannot – you cannot – IT CAN’T BE DONE!!!

NOTE: It CAN be done – it’s being done. It has been done by others. With God all things are possible!

That night on the sea, Peter the expert became Peter the student. He learned something new!

II. Peter’s Request – bid me come unto thee on the water

                A. It was a Sincere Request – Lord, if it be thou… He only wanted to do it if God was in it.

                B. It was a Specific Request – on the water. He wasn’t satisfied just swimming to Jesus.

                C. It was a Satisfied Request – vs. 29 And he said, Come…”

I’ve heard preachers preach that Peter got out of the will of God. That is absolutely impossible!

Jesus said “Come”.  Jesus didn’t say “Stay!”.

III. Peter’s Risk – And when Peter was come down out of the ship…

                A. In spite of the Seriousness of the Storm – the waves, the wind

                B. In spite of the Security of the Ship– staying on the boat was his safest option

I can’t help but believe that the other disciples were begging him to stay on the ship.

They were telling him how foolish he was to want to walk on water.

They were reminding him of the many people that had drowned in that sea.

They were telling him how deep that Sea was. (141 feet deep) (They were in the middle of it vs. 21)

                C. In spite of the Suggestions of his Senses – his getting out of the boat violated every sense in his body

Sight, hearing, smelling, taste, and touch – all five senses were telling him to STAY ON THE SHIP!

But Peter took the risk.

IV. Peter’s Reality – vs. 29 …and he walked on the water…

Say what you want to – Peter walked on the water.

Peter defied all human logic.

Peter defied all laws of nature.

Peter defied all odds.

PETER WALKED ON WATER.

V. Peter’s Rescue

·         Distractions interfered with his Delight

·         Fear of the wind intruded on his Faith in the Word. (Jesus had said Come!)

·         Terror robbed him of the thrill.

He allowed the VERY SAME elements that kept the others on the boat, to make him sink.

The very same elements that his senses overcame to enable him to walk on water is what pulled him down.

NOTICE – as he was BEGINNING TO SINK, he cried, Lord save me.

He asked God for help IMMEDIATELY.

He didn’t make excuses.

He didn’t blame God.

He didn’t blame the others.

He didn’t get proud of the success he’d just experienced.

He asked for help immediately.

God reached out, took his hand and helped him back to the boat.

I do not believe that Jesus drug him through the water.

Conclusion: I want to ask you just one question: Do you want to walk on water?

Are you interested at all in God doing the impossible in your life?

Are you prepared to admit this morning that you don’t know it all, and that God might want to show you something new?

Don't Lose Your Edge! :: 2/24/16 PM

Don’t Lose Your Edge!

·         Eccl. 10:9  Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.

INTRO: This phrase is used a lot when referring to an athlete that at one time was very successful and effective, but after a while, cooled off and became an average player.  We say he has lost his “edge”. The understanding is that one has lost the qualities or skills that made them successful in the past

I. Notice the Wear - vs. 10 If the iron be blunt…”

The Dullness is a result of:

            A. Availability – it was available, and the owner was able to put his hand on it and use it.

            B. Activity­ – the iron got dulled because it was active; it was not sitting idle.  It was INVOLVED.

            C. Adversity – see verse 9; constant contact with foreign objects.

NOTE:

The possibilities of getting hurt by stones increase if you work with them.

The possibilities of getting injured while cutting wood increase if you actually do it.

I’ve heard people say, “I got hurt at church”.

That will happen if you are involved in the church.

·         If you attend faithfully, and show up, and get involved, you will probably get hurt at church.

·         If you pass out tracts, you will eventually have somebody wad one up and throw it on the ground.

·         If you go soulwinning, you will eventually have someone slam a door in your face.

After a while, the adversity and controversy and activity can make you DULL!

A dull ax makes a lot of noise, but doesn’t make a lot of difference!

II. Notice the Whetting – vs. 10 “…and he do not whet the edge…”

            There are some secrets to sharpening with a whetstone.

·         There must be ABRASION.

Whetstones are measured in degrees of GRIT

Picture of the Bible, or a man of God or another believer that has a backbone!!

The grit that is used depends on how fine a surface you are dealing with.

A rough, hard surface requires more grit than a fine, highly polished surface.

As a pastor, I have to make sure I don’t ruin these innocent, highly polished children with a grit that is too rough.

But I have to make sure that I have enough grit for those of you that have come from rough, sinful backgrounds.

·         There must be LUBRICATION. 

Whetstones have to stay OILED. Picture of the Holy Ghost.

The best way to keep your edge is to hang around people that are Spirit filled – not carnal and worldly.

·         There must be REPETITION.

One swipe won’t get it done; you will have to do it repeatedly.

It has to be done OFTEN.  Takes time!

The whetting process must keep up with the wearing process!

III. Notice the Working – vs. 10 “…then must he put to more strength…”

NOTE: The more you work without sharpening your edge, the stronger your flesh will become.

You will eventually be able to operate without the edge.

You will sweat, and labor, and toil, and work, but you can do it without the edge if you go long enough.

Why not keep your edge, and let God do the work?

·         With your edge, there will be more progress.

·         With your edge, there will be more profit.

Work smarter – not harder!!!

·         Colossians 1:29  Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Hope for the Dysfunctional Family Part 2 :: 2/21/16

II. The Order of the Family

                A. The Husband – that is the Head of the Home

·         Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Whenever a man fails to lead his family, a dysfunctional atmosphere is immediately created.

Many wives are forced to lead their family because their husbands are either unwilling or absent.

Some men prefer to pass that mantle of leadership over to their wives, whether they are willing or unwilling.

Men’s failure to lead their family is the cause for much of the shipwrecked homes in America.

They are to lead:

            1. Spiritually

·         Joshua 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

·         Mark 3:27 No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

           2. Financially (the curse on Adam was to work;

·         1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.)

3. Emotionally

·         1 Peter 3:7  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel…

4. Discipline and Training of the Children

·         Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

·         Hebrews 12:7, 9 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence:

Four Facts About Hell :: 2/21/16 AM

Hell

Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Intro: After preaching the Word of God now for almost 23 years, there is not a subject that I dread preaching about any more than the subject of Hell.  Every time I preach it, I do so with a heart full of dread and heaviness.  I would rather preach on almost anything than on this topic. But as a God-called preacher, I cannot avoid preaching on this.

I have four simple points this morning that I want you to remember. They are not alliterated. The outline is simple and to the point.

In our text, there are several key words that I want to draw your attention to before I get into the four points of the message.

                A. Notice the word – WICKED. This word means “guilty of a sin”.

                B. Notice the word – TURNED INTO. This means there is a Higher Power that is putting them into Hell.

                C. Notice the phrase – ALL THE NATIONS – there is no discrimination in Hell!

                D. Notice the phrase – THAT FORGET GOD. This is about your relationship with God.

Let’s look at four simple facts from the Bible about Hell.

I. Hell is Real

·         Moses wrote about hell.

·         Samuel wrote about hell.

·         Job talked about hell.

·         The Psalmist David wrote repeatedly about hell.

·         King Solomon warned about a place called hell.

·         Isaiah preached about hell many times.

·         Ezekiel the prophet described hell many times in his writings.

·         Amos, Jonah and Habakkuk all referred to a place called hell.

·         Jesus Christ referred to hell more than any other preacher in the Bible.

·         James wrote about hell.

·         Peter wrote about hell.

·         John the Revelator had a vision of hell.

·         Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Here we find the Antichrist being thrown into the lake of fire, along with the false prophet.

We have no problem with believing that these two terrible people were cast alive into the lake of fire.

Then, further down, John the Revelator saw the devil being condemned to hell also.

·         Revelation 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

We all rejoice in the fact that Satan, the Deceiver and archenemy of God will be cast into the lake of fire, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

But the story does not end!

John the Beloved, as he received this revelation from God, saw this:

·         Revelation 20: 11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

·         12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

·         13  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

·         14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

·         15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

II. Hell is Horrible

A. Because of the Flames

The First Mention Principle – First time we find HELL in the Old Testament:

·         Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

The First Mention Principle – First time we find HELL in the New Testament:

·         Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

B. Because of the Worms

·         Mark 9:44, 46, 48 Where their worm dieth not…

·         Acts 12:21-23 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.  And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

NOTE: The GREEK word for worms in Acts 12 is the exact same word for worm in Mark 9 – they are real worms – not memories, not haunted thoughts, not a metaphor for something else. They are worms!

C. Because of no Water

·         Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

D. Because of the Screams

·         Matthew 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

WEEPING – wailing, lamentation

GNASHING OF TEETH – biting, snarling, growling

E. Because of the Darkness

·         Matthew 8:12  But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness:

·         Matthew 25:30  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness:

III. Hell is Forever

Jesus preached about the eternality of hell.

·         Mark 9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

·         Mark 9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

·         Revelation 14:9  And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:  And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

IV. Hell is Optional

One of the most wonderful facts about Hell is that it is optional – you don’t have to go there.

·         Proverbs 15:24  The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

Yet, the Bible says that hell is swelling to accommodate the people going there.

·         Isaiah 5:14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

Jesus described life as a journey on one of two roads; a broad road and a narrow road.

He preached that YOU COULD CHOOSE which gate to enter into, and which path to travel on.

·         Matthew 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

There are many that enter in at the wide gate, and many that go on the broad way, that leadeth to destruction.

SO – YOU MAY ASK – WHY ARE YOU PREACHING ON HELL THIS MORNING?

It is because YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GO TO HELL!

I can help save you from hell by warning you!

·         Jude 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

The Purpose of Preaching Part 7 :: 2/17/16 PM

Part 7

It Comforts the Discouraged

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Quick Review: The reason that Preaching is so important is because it…

·         Message 1 – Conveys the Desires of God

·         Message 2 – Counteracts the Darkness

·         Message 3 – Corrects the Deception

·         Message 4 – Captivates the Distracted

·         Message 5 – Confirms the Disciples

·         Message 6 – Charts the Direction

Intro: One of the number one reasons that God’s people fall by the wayside is because of discouragement. 

Many times, Christians find themselves discouraged, frustrated, afraid and helpless.

But the Word of God – through the preaching will bring comfort and healing to those that are disheartened.

There’s nothing like a Biblical message with the anointing of the Holy Ghost on it to breathe new life into the heart and soul of a weary child of God.

·         NOTE: God knows where you are.  And He will ALWAYS meet you at your point of need.

The ravens brought bread and flesh to Elijah all the way down by the brook.

The 5,000 hungry men and women on the hillside sat down and ate right there on that hillside!

God knows what you need, and He always meets your need.

                I. The Causes of Discouragement

There are a wide variety of events and circumstances that can bring about discouragement.

                A. The Flesh

There’s very few things that can consistently cause a believer to lose courage like the daily struggles with the flesh.

Our daily failures and faults can over a period of time literally take the wind out of our sails.

·         Psalms 40:12  For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.

It is very frustrating when you do your best to make choose correctly, respond patiently, love perfectly, speak honestly, live godly, witness passionately, pray consistently, and to so often come up short.

Satan has a heyday in the mind and heart of a Christian that tries to live for God, and makes mistakes in the process.

                B. The Fight

If there’s anything that will grind on a Christian like constant opposition, I don’t know what it is.

There’s something about a spiritual Christian that LOVES AND CRAVES peace, fellowship and unity.

Whether the fight be with the world, Satanic forces or with carnal believers – fighting takes it out of us.

·         II Cor. 7:5  For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.  Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

                C. The Field

There’s nothing as fulfilling as laboring in the field with God.

There’s also nothing as discouraging as laboring in the field with God.

·         I Cor. 3:5-9 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry,

Though we understand that he that planteth and he that watereth is anything, that goes against the grain.

Even while you are serving, and sowing the seed, and watering the seed, you can grow weary.

                II. The Cost of Discouragement

                A. A Loss of Perspective

A discouraged person has taken their eyes off of God and are looking at themselves and their circumstances.

·         NOTE Elijah under the juniper tree. Got is eyes on one woman and forgot the thousands of faithful men…

                B. A Loss of Passion

A discouraged person struggles to properly care for the needs of others because they are consumed with their wants.

A disheartened person is a half-hearted worker.

                C. A Loss of Power

A discouraged person is weak because they are operating in the power of the flesh, rather than in God’s strength.

·         Nehemiah 8:10  …for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

                III. The Cure for Discouragement

There are several obviously.

One of the best is praying in the Holy Ghost.

·         Jude 1:20  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

It takes an enormous amount of desire and hunger to pray in the Holy Ghost when you are discouraged.

One of the biggest lies Satan tells a discouraged person is that they CANNOT pray. Or that God doesn’t care.

Another is drawing strength from the Word of God, through personal devotions and preaching.

·         Psalms 119:49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

·         Psalms 119:81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

·         Psalms 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

·         Psalms 119:116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

·         Psalms 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

It has been my experience that Christians that suffer from chronic discouragement DO NOT LISTEN to preaching.

IF – they attend, they listen with half-hearted, self-pity and fail to allow the TRUTH of the Word so saturate their dry souls.

And the more preaching they miss, the more preaching it takes to bring them up to speed.

Many believers are living in a SELF-MANUFACTURED FAMINE because they intentionally abstain from preaching.

The Purpose of Preaching Part 6 :: 2/19/16 PM

The Purpose of Preaching Part 6

It Charts the Direction

II Tim. 2:1, 2

Introduction: Without a doubt, it is the preaching from the pulpit charts the direction that a church will take.  As we look around today, it is apparent that many churches are changing directions. Churches that once stood for the Old Time Way are now dropping “Baptist” from their name.  Their staff, their ministries, their congregation all reflect a definite change in direction.  They are doing things they would have never done before.  They are allowing things that they would have never allowed before.  They are inviting in preachers and musicians that they would have never had come in before. They are changing their Bible, their song books, their music, their church services to reflect a completely different direction than the direction that they originally started out.  Then on the other hand, you’ve got churches that have been standing in the Old Paths for decades without wobbling or wavering. What is the difference?  I would say that the biggest difference is the PREACHING.

                I. The Preaching Points

The direction of the church is greatly influenced by the direction of the preaching.

A. Preaching should point people to the Savior

·         2 Corinthians 4:5  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord;

·         Ephesians 3:8  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

All preaching should point people to Jesus Christ. If that is accomplished, that is success.

B. Preaching should point people to the Scripture

Getting people to search the scriptures and learn God’s word is ESSENTIAL to growing strong Christians.

·         Luke 24:44, 45 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

C. Preaching should point people to Sanctification

If the preaching doesn’t compel you to draw closer to the Lord, something is wrong.

Show me a pastor that backs off on sanctification and I’ll show you a church that is changing directions!

                II. The Preaching Persuades

It goes without saying, but a preacher can’t persuade someone else if he himself is not persuaded!

The reason many preachers and pastors change directions is because they were never fully persuaded themselves.

·         Turn to Acts 28:22-31

The fact of the matter is, Holy Ghost anointed, Bible preaching can change people’s mind; it can change their life.

It can change families, it can change philosophies, it can change opinions.

NOTE: Paul preached Jesus – both out of the law, and out of the prophets.

                III. The Preaching Protects

The fact of the matter is, solid Bible preaching will build a perimeter of defense in your life.

Bible preaching will keep the wolves at bay, and the leaven in the lump to a minimum.

It’s the failure to preach that opens the door for the devil to come in and destroy churches and lives.

·         Mark 3:24  And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.  And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

What we have today is wolves masquerading as sheep.

·         Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

We have hirelings pretending to be shepherds.

·         John 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.  But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

These verses are referring to the Lord Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd, but they will apply to the Under-shepherd.

A true man of God will sound the trumpet!

·         Ezekiel 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.  When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

So why does the Pastor preach so fervently, so passionately, so dogmatically, and so forcefully at times?

He is doing his best to put up a wall of protection around the flock of God to keep out the wolves!

When pastors stop preaching, people change directions.

When pastors stop preaching, families change directions.

When pastors stop preaching, churches change directions.

Conclusion: So why do we need so much preaching? Because it Charts the Direction!