Biblical Vengeance :: 6/29/16 PM

Biblical Vengeance

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written,Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Intro: Vengeance is a word we are all familiar with; whether we realize it or not.

We have all seen children get hurt playing with other children, and then go out of their way to inflict the same hurt or pain on the one that “caused” them to get hurt.

The Definition of Vengeance: The infliction of pain on another, in return for an injury or offense. Such infliction, when it proceeds from malice or more resentment, and is not necessary for the purposes of justice, is revenge, and a most heinous crime. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

Explain the difference in Vengeance; Justice (Rom. 13:1-4) and Self-Defense – (Luke 22:35-38)

The First mention Principle:

Genesis 4:15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.

What we can learn about God’s perspective on Vengeance from the First Mention Principle:

1. Vengeance isn’t justified – no matter how serious the offence. (in this case; murder)
2. Vengeance is a serious offense to God – worthy of 7-fold punishment
3. God will go out of His way to protect the victim of vengeance; not the one doing it.

I. God’s Restriction - Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves,

• 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
• Proverbs 26:27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
• Ecclesiastes 10:8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.

II. God’s Recommendation - but rather give place unto wrath

• Give place - to give something to someone; to grant, give to one asking, let have  (Casting all your care upon him…)
• Wrath - anger, the natural disposition, temper, character movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but esp. anger

• Matt. 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
• 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
• 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
• 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
• 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
• 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
• 44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
• 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
• 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
• 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
• Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil;
• Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

III. God’s Reassurance - Vengeance is mine; I will repay saith the Lord.

• Psalms 94:1 O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
• Deuteronomy 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
• Deuteronomy 32:41 If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.
• Hebrews 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

• Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

The Drawbacks of Payback

1. Living a Life of Disobedience – no matter how you slice it; vengeance is unscriptural and un-Christlike.  How can we profess to be “Bible believers” and call the Bible our “Final Authority for all matters of faith and PRACTICE” if we act like heathens and treat people in a way that is contrary to Scripture??

2. Living a Life of Defilement – Heb. 12:15 – when vengeance is oozing out of our pores, it defiles everybody around us.  Our bitterness and vengeance becomes our defining quality.  It affects everybody.

3. Living a Life of Distraction – Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields.  Why did Christ say that?  Because we are always looking at ourselves; our hurts, our pain, our needs, our wants, our problems, and don’t look at the world around us.

Conclusion: Bottom line – let it go, and let God sort it out. Spend your time doing something constructive. Like making things right in your own life!!

THE ONLY POSITIVE USAGE OF THE WORD VENGEANCE:

• 2 Corinthians 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

FINAL POINT TO MAKE: Nobody in the world causes your more problems, more heartaches, more frustration, more conflict than YOURSELF! 

So turn your attention to your own faults and failures; get yourself right with God and quit focusing on making everybody around you pay for what they’ve done when you are your own worst enemy!!

Growing in Grace Series :: 6/26/16 PM

Growing In Grace Part VI

The Enemies of Growing In Grace

Intro:  We have looked at:

1.       The Expectations of Growing In Grace

2.       The Essentials of Growing In Grace

3.       The Evidence of Growing In Grace

4.       The Environment of Growing In Grace

Tonight I want us to look at the ENEMIES of Growing in Grace. There are multiple causes for God’s people never becoming full grown, mature, flourishing, fruitful Christians.  It would be impossible in the message to list them all.  However, there are several that stand out in my mind.  There are some powerful enemies that stand in the way of your progress and advancement in the kingdom of God.  Beware!

I. Principalities and Powers

In this series, we’ve learned that Growth is Expected, and Essential.  Rest assured Satan will try to stop it.

·         Eph. 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

New levels – new devils.

Most Christians do not have the stomach or spiritual strength for a prolonged Satanic attack.

When you begin to WANT to grow, and when you begin to START to grow, expect Satanic opposition.

Satan doesn’t mind you standing your ground, as long as you’re not gaining ground.

We have gone from trying to be master swordsmen (Eph. 6) to being master shieldsmen.

If it’s a full-time job to “keep the faith”, then you’re just using your shield – playing defense.

When you start advancing on enemy territory, you will face opposition like never before.

II. Pleasure and Prosperity

·         Heb. 11:24 – 26  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Why did it take Moses “full forty years – Acts 7) to come to years?

He was 40 years old before he was willing to make a conscience choice –

·         Pain or pleasure?

·         Amusement or affliction?

·         Riches or reproach?

·         Sin or suffering?

Rarely do we see young, immature individuals make this choice.  Several stand out in my mind that made the right choice early on, but this is rare.

·         Joseph at age 17 stood against his older brethren. Gen. 37:2

·         David as a shepherd boy stood against his older brethren and the king to face Goliath. I Sam. 17

·         Jesus in Luke 2 forsook his friends and family to do his “Father’s business”.

·         Timothy and Titus were young men, thrust into the ministry as an example of the believer

Most people have to grow up in order to get the proper perspective on sinful pleasures, playing and fun.

Until they do, they will not grow in grace and knowledge.

It’s not that they don’t love God, it is simply a matter of them loving themselves more.

·         Luke 12:34  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

III. People and Peer-pressure

Satan will make sure that there are people in your life that he can use to hinder your growth.

It will not be the biker gangs, the drug rings, the bootleggers or the prostitutes.

It will not be the ecumenical, liberal, apostate crowd.

Most of the time it will be people that believe just like us, but have no desire to grow or advance.

They will give you a false sense of security when you compare yourself.

Peer-pressure has no age limit!

If you allow those around you that are not growing, improving, becoming more like Christ to influence you, then you will discover that relationship is being used by Satan to hinder your growth.

If they belittle or laugh at your growing, or try to dissuade you from what God’s leading you to do, BEWARE!

IV. Pride

The hardest thing for some people to say is, “I’m doing something wrong.  I need help.

If you are losing ground in your personal walk with God, ADMIT IT!

If you are losing ground in your home, ADMIT IT!

If you are losing ground in the church or in your area of ministry, ADMIT IT!

Once you CONFESS the need to grow, then you need to CHANGE something.

You cannot keep doing what you’re doing if it is not working!

Living in a state of denial is counterproductive to growth!  Diagnose the problem and fix it!

·         If lost people aren’t getting saved, find out why!

·         If young people have no desire to serve God, find out why!

·         If marriages are crumbling, find out why!

·         If visitors are not coming back, find out why!

·         If your prayers aren’t getting answered, find out why!

·         If God’s not moving in the services, find out why!

·         If your Bible reading is dead and dry and boring, find out why!

·         If repeated trips to the altar yield no change, find out why!

·         If the birds aren’t singing and you’ve lost your joy, find out why!

Many people simply have too much pride to admit that they need help in an area.

·         Proverbs 29:23  A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

·         Isaiah 57:15  For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

·         James 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Conclusion: When it comes to growing in grace, realize that all of hell will stop at nothing to prevent it from happening.  Recognize the roadblocks to growth, and go forward for God!

One Thing I Know :: 6/26/16 AM

One Thing I Know

John 9:25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one

thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

Intro: This verse reveals some interesting insight into the heart of the blind man.  It reveals a frustration, yet a dogmatic confidence.

Though he said “ONE THING I KNOW”, he actually revealed about three things that he was sure of. 

When he made this statement, he actually said, “One thing I know….

I. My Comprehension is Limited

The Bible says a lot about God opening up our understanding, making known the mystery of the Gospel, etc.

God is a God of enlightenment; of revelation; of light; of knowledge and instruction.  But you won’t comprehend everything about God – if you could, you would be God. If you did, you wouldn’t need faith.

• Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

But it also has verses like this that reveal just how limited our comprehension will be.

• Romans 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor.

Paul the apostle walked with God for over 30 years and still said, “That I may know him…”

            A. They asked him about the HOW – vs. 10, 11

God’s methods are unorthodox and unexplainable (spit and clay in the eyes???)

There’s a few things that I can hardly comprehend.

• How did his virgin mother Mary conceive of the Holy Ghost?
• How did God become flesh and dwell among us?
• How did God increase in wisdom and in favor with God? Luke 2:52
• How could people that Jesus had fed, healed and loved hate Him so bad?
• How could the scribes and leaders of His day be so wrong about Him?
• How could Judas spend 3 ½ years with him and still not believe?
• How could Jesus have picked him as a disciple in the first place?
• How could God turn his back on Himself?
• How could Jesus – the resurrection and the life – die?
• How does the blood of a man that died 2,000 years ago wash sin away today?

            B. They asked him about the WHERE – vs. 12

Good question.  Where is Jesus? This answer could get interesting.

                  1. He’s at the right hand of the Father

• Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
• Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

                        2. He’s in us

• Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
• 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 

I’m not talking about BELIEVING or FAITH: I’m talking about comprehension.  You and I can’t comprehend an OMNIPRESENT God.

            C. They asked him WHAT SAYEST THOU OF HIM? – vs. 17

His answer was correct, but it wasn’t complete!

We can BEGIN to describe Him, but we can’t completely describe Him!

The half has not been told to us.  We are limited in our comprehension of how to describe Him!!

Word are not descriptive enough. He is altogether lovely!

He is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.

Our vocabulary is limited; not to mention our comprehension!!!

There is no way we could accurately and completely describe HIM!!

            D. They asked him about Jesus being a sinner – vs. 24, 25

We know from Scripture that Jesus was INCAPABLE of sin.

• Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
• 1 Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

But we also know Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

We know that he is holy – and that the angels of Heaven cannot look at him; they cover their faces and say to each other “HOLY HOLY HOLY”.

But we also know that he had the sin of the world upon Him; that He became sin for us.

Comprehension is limited!!!

            E. They asked him what Jesus did to him – vs. 26

Can you explain or describe what all happened to you when Jesus touched you?

Have you yet to comprehend what all Jesus did to you?

• He gave you the faith to believe.
• He convicted you of your sin.
• He drew you unto himself.
• He called you to repentance
• He birthed you into His family.
• He forgave you of all your sin.
• He wrote your name in the Lamb’s book of Life
• He grafted you into the Vine.
• He gave you eternal life
• He sent the Comforter to dwell within you.
• He made you an heir to the inheritance.

We could go on and on and on with what Jesus did – but we can’t comprehend it all!!!!

When he made this statement, he actually said, “One thing I know….

II. My Condition was Lousy – I was blind

His life was one of:

            A. Darkness – he couldn’t see anything; his eyes were immune to the light

            B. Dependence – he was at the mercy of those around him for direction and sustenance

            C. Disability – he was severely handicapped. Everybody recognized him as the blind man.

            D. Depravity – he sat by the wayside begging

            E. Disorientation – he didn’t know east from west; north from south; He lived in confusion.

When he made this statement, he actually said, “One thing I know….

III. My Cure was Life-changing – but now I see.

            A. His cure was Undeniable – vs. 20, 21

            B. His cure was Unprecedented – vs. 32

            C. His cure was Unexplainable – vs. 27

Conclusion: You may not comprehend everything involved in the salvation process, but if you know that you are blind, I can promise you that God can give you sight this morning!!

God specializes in changing lives.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Thanks to Calvary I’m not the man I used to be.  Thanks to Calvary things are different than before.

Growing In Grace Part 5 :: 6/19/16

Part V

The Environment of Growing In Grace

               

Intro:  We have examined the growing process from several various perspectives. We looked at the growth of a newborn baby in the message “The Expectations of Growing in Grace”.  We looked at the growth of a plant in the message “The Evidence of Growing in Grace”.  Though we have gleaned some great truths from these messages, we are neither newborn babies nor plants.  We are Christians, and we are interested in growing as a Christian – growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  How is this possible?

Granted, this message is based on the assumption that the Christian has a DESIRE to grow.

It doesn’t matter how conducive the environment is for growth, the Christian must want to grow in grace.

I want to direct your attention to several key elements in this verse.

The verse could be broken down 3 different sections:

                                1. The Attitude of Growing (grow in grace)

Grace is a very misunderstood and distorted doctrine.  Here are a few basic facts about GRACE:

                The grace of God can be perverted.

·         Jude 1:4  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

This describes the crowd that use the grace of God as a license to sin; a get-out-of-hell-free card; a blanket OK from God to live anyway they want to and still be “saved”.

This crowd describes the so-called “gay Christian community”.  “Christian rock and roll musicians, contemporary musicians, gospel quartet musicians, even some country music artists that can get up and sing about how much they love God and how much God loves them, and then crawl on their bus and get drunk, smoke, fornicate, cheat on their wives and still sing about the Amazing Grace of God.

The grace of God can be abused.

·         Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.

This describes the average Christian that sins all they want to, and then come crawling to God on an altar on Sunday morning and get forgiveness, time after time after time. 

They sin deliberately and then want to cash in their “where sin did abound, grace did much more abound” coupon.

The grace of God can be frustrated.

·         Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

The grace of God can be frustrated by people in several different ways.

                The Calvinist frustrate grace with a doctrine known as Sovereign Grace (or Irresistible Grace).

                They believe that when God decides (or wills) to show grace toward a sinner, they can’t resist.

·         Titus 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

                2. The Academics of Growing - grow in knowledge

Growing will be a result of hearing more, learning more and incorporating more in your life.

Jesus was “full of grace and truth”.

·         2 Corinthians 9:8  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

·         Titus 2:11,12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

                3. Achievement of Growing - To him be glory

Growth is not to make us look good; it is to bring glory and honor to him.

Growth shouldn’t be motivated by selfish reasons or desire for vainglory.

Growth that elevates man, or man’s accomplishments is not growth, but is shrinkage.

It makes man larger than God, and man’s work larger than God’s work.

·         John 3:30  He must increase, but I must decrease.

·         II Cor. 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

I. There has to be Strong Exposition from the Scriptures

·         Not Radical

There’s nothing new under the sun. New doctrine doesn’t stimulate growth. Old doctrine does though!

·         Not Racist

I’m commanded to preach the Word. Not my white, rebel flag heritage.  That’s not Bible preaching.

·         Not Ranting

I’m not commanded to preach against presidents, and against voting, and against government.

I’m commanded to preach the exact opposite.  Pray for your leaders, pay your taxes.  Obey your authority.

The pulpit is not a soap box.  It’s a sacred desk; designed to expound Scripture; not my political views.

God’s word preached with power and without fear and favor will produce growth.

·         Titus 1:2, 3  In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

II. There hast to be Specific Enlightenment from the Spirit

·         John 16:12, 13 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

It’s imperative that the environment be a place where the Spirit of God has freedom and liberty to work.

An environment where the Holy Spirit is grieved is a place where people dry up and become stagnant.

If the Spirit is working, and pointing out things in people’s lives, they can continue to grow in grace.

·         Ephesians 4:29, 30  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

III. There has to be Serious Examples in the Sanctuary

You need to find somebody spiritual to get close to.  That means those you target may not be…

·         the popular people – that’s a proud reason

I Cor. 12:22, 23 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

·         the wealthy people – that’s a selfish reason

James 2:2-4 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;  And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

·         the fun people – that’s a carnal reason

1 Corinthians 10:7  Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

·         the same-age people – that’s a childish reason

Proverbs 16:31  The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.)

Find somebody that is growing and get close to them and help each other!

·         Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

NOTE:

If you are struggling to stay spiritual, don’t hang around carnal people!

If you are struggling to get a burden for souls, don’t hang around people that never soul win.

If you are struggling to get excited about church, don’t hang around people that are critical of our church.

If you are struggling to grow, don’t hang around people that are weak, unfruitful and withering.

If you want to pray more, fellowship with people that pray.

If you want to get more out of your Bible reading, fellowship with people that get help out of their Bible.

If you want to be a soulwinner, fellowship with people that are soul conscience.

If you want to get more sober minded about God, fellowship with sober minded people.

NOTE:

The surest way to grow is to find someone eager, excited, growing, sincere, praying, witnessing, and hook up with them.

Illustration: When they want to make a new arrow, they put a wet, crooked stick between 2 straight ones.

Hook up with some growing people and watch God take your walk to another level.

A Family for the Fatherless :: 6/19/16 AM - Father's Day

A Family for the Fatherless

Psalms 68:5, 6 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.  God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

I. The Plight of the Solitary

                A. Orphaned/Widowed

There is a unique pain to being orphaned or widowed. Only those that have experienced it can understand it.

God has always had a special place in His heart for those that have been orphaned or widowed.

His instruction was so specific, that his judgment for disobedience was the same as the crime:

·         Exodus 22:22-24  Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;  And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

In fact, the litmus test in the New Testament for true, genuine Christianity is given in James 1:

·         James 1:27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

                B. Abandoned

·         Psalms 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

Possibly the only thing more painful than being left alone because of the death of a father is the pain of being abandoned.

·         An estimated 24.7 million children (33%) live absent their biological father.

There are many adults that live every day with the pain of being forsaken by their parents.

Unresolved family issues, selfishness, unforgiveness, undefined expectations,

If there is anyone that can relate to being abandoned, it is the Lord Jesus Christ.

He only made 7 statements in all the hours that He hung on the cross, and one of them was:

·         Matthew 27:46  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

                C. Stolen/Enslaved

·         he bringeth out those which are bound with chains:

DID YOU KNOW? According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (citing U.S. Department of Justice reports), nearly 800,000 children are reported missing each year. That's more than 2,000 a day. The NCMEC says 203,000 children are kidnapped each year by family members.

                D. Rebels/Runaways/Vagabonds

·         …but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

DID YOU KNOW? According to the National Runaway Safeline (Formerly the National Runaway Switchboard,) between 1.6-2.8 million youth runaway each year in the United States. Children can begin running as young as ages 10-14.

II. The Pity of the Sovereign

Every one of us that were lost and in sin could be described as:

1. Abandoned – Satan has ALWAYS lured sinners in with his lies, then chews them up and spits them out!

·         James 1:14, 15  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

2. Enslaved – the Scripture describes the life of the unsaved as “bondage”.

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

3. Rebels

·         Isaiah 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;

                A. The Family of God

·         John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

·         1 John 3:1  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

               

                B. The Family of God’s People (the local church)

VERSE 1 - You will notice we say "brother and sister" 'round here, It's because we're a family and these are so near;
When one has a heartache, we all share the tears, And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear. 

CHORUS - I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God, I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, For I'm part of the family, The Family of God.

VERSE 2 - From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King, No longer an outcast, a new song I sing;
From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong, I'm not worthy to be here, but praise God I belong! 

III. The Permanence of the Setting

Notice the Finality – vs. 6 God setteth the solitary in families:

When God “setteth”, that is as final as it gets!

·         SETTETH - to dwell, remain, sit, abide, continue, (not a house guest; we are SET in families!)

There’s no danger of being forsaken!

·         Hebrews 13:5  …I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

·         John 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

·         We have been ADOPTED!

·         We have been ACCEPTED! - Ephesians 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

·         We have received AFFIRMATION from our Father – we will never be cast out!

Growing In Grace Part 4 :: 6/12/16 PM

Growing In Grace Series Part IV

The Evidence of Growing In Grace

Spiritual growth is impossible to disguise.  If you and I are growing in grace there will be some very obvious manifestations of God’s working in our lives.

Spiritual growth is evident in a variety of ways…

                A. Roots

                                1. Speaks of Stability

·         1 Thessalonians 3:13  To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

·         2 Thessalonians 2:17  Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

·         2 Thessalonians 3:3  But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

·         James 5:8  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

·         1 Peter 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

                                2. Speaks of Sustenance

Spiritual growth is evident when a person learns to “feed themselves”.

They no longer have to be spoon fed to survive.

Their roots are in God’s word and they can draw strength and nourishment throughout the week on their own.

·         Colossians 2:7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

                                3. Speaks of Spirituality

·         II Peter 1:4-8  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

                B. Resilience

·         re·sil·ient - adjective

                                1. springing back; rebounding.

                                2. returning to the original form or position after being bent, compressed, or stretched.

                                3. recovering readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyant.\

Paul gave a short list of some things that God’s people will have to deal with. 

·         2 Timothy 2:3  Thou therefore endure hardness,

·         2 Timothy 2:10  Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes,

·         2 Timothy 4:5  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions,

·         Hebrews 12:7  If ye endure chastening,

·         James 5:11  Behold, we count them happy which endure

·         1 Peter 2:19  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief

We live in a generation of Christianity that seemingly is short on resilience and endurance.

Growing in grace means being able to survive; overcome; bounce back, rebound!

                                1. To Warnings from the Word

·         Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

·         Matthew 13:21  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Show me a person that can take strong, Bible preaching and I’ll show you a person that is growing in grace.

In this generation, pastors have to “tip-toe through the tulips” to keep from offending Christians.

I’m not talking about lost people or new converts; I’m talking about seasoned believers are so sensitive.

It’s amazing to me how resilient people in the world can be.

We daily see and hear of people that overcome difficulty and obstacles in order to accomplish their dreams.

·         Employees can get chewed out by their boss, and they work harder to please him.

·         Athletes can get dressed down on national television by their coaches and they strive harder to achieve.

·         Soldiers receive insults and negative remarks from their superior officers and continue to improve.

But let a Christian get a strong warning or a rebuke from the Scripture and they bail out; looking for a break.

·         2 Timothy 4:3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

                                2. To Wind from the World

·         Ephesians 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

·         Psalm 1:3, 4  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

                C. Reach

                                1. Upward

·         Ephesians 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

·         Colossians 2:7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

·         1 Peter 2:5  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

                                2. Outward

·         Hebrews 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.