Luke 9:18-20 KJV: THE ONE - Just Another Senator

NOTE: The following is a message prepared to be delivered on Radio Panorama in South African by a good friend, Cornelius Claassen. Cornelius and his family minister in Welcomen, South Africa, a gold fields Township.

TOPIC: The Second Coming
TITLE: THE ONE - Just Another Senator

TEXT: Luke 9:18-20 [KJV]

And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, "Whom say the people that I am?" They answering said, "John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again."

He said unto them, "But whom say ye that I am"? Peter answering said, "The Christ of God."

TRUTH CLAIM/CONTEXT: November 2008 and the American Nation has elected a new President – Senator Barack Hussein Obama – an historical event – the first American of African decent to be elected to the highest office in their democratic government.

A little known fact is that Senator Barack Obama visited South Africa two years ago.

The American Embassy informed the South African Government before hand of his proposed visit. They even warned the South African Government that the Senator had Presidential aspirations.

Senator Barack Obama visited many of the Townships in our country – places that the average visitor to South Africa never visits.

There was hardly any newspaper or TV coverage of his visit. Only one South African Government Official was prepared to meet with the Senator from Illinois.

Our Leaders were just too busy! Too many other important people to be met! Too many other important things to do! This was just another American Senator visiting South Africa!

Little did they realize that this man was to become the next freely elected leader of the most powerful nation on earth.

They were warned but they chose to ignore the possibility that he might become President of his country!

Today, many regret the decision they made two years back to ignore the Senator from Illinois:

"If only – if only we had known who it was that was visiting South Africa – things would have been done differently!"

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How does our text compare the opinion of man versus the opinion of a believer?

Should Barack Obama decide to visit South Africa again, I am convinced that things would be different, much different – he will receive red carpet treatment!

But it is too late now – the damage is done!

We thought that he was just another Senator from America!

So many regrets: "If only we had acted differently ... if only we had not ignored him!"

There are some important Spiritual lessons that we can learn from this event and what happened two years ago!

2000 years ago Jesus came to this earth.

Nearby the city of Bethsaida Jesus spoke to a multitude of about 5000 men about the Kingdom of God

Matthew tells us in his Gospel account – there were about 5000 hungry men, besides women and children!

Jesus took five loaves and two fishes and blessed them and broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before this multitude.

What a miracle:

And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

Luke 9:17 KJV

Friend I want to remind you:

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Hebrews 13:8 KJV

What Jesus did 2000 years ago – He is still able to do today!

Please don’t lose hope! Whatever your need or problem may be today – Jesus is able to help you!

Put your trust in Him! Prayer moves the hand of Him through whom all things are possible!

I. WHO MEN SAY HE IS!

Jesus leaves behind the crowd!

While He was alone praying, His disciples with Him He asked them:
"Who do men say that I am?"

They answered and said:
"Some say – John the Baptist!"
"Some say – Elijah!"
"Others say – One of the old prophets who has risen again!"

If I ask you today: Who do men say Jesus is? What answer would you receive?

If we ask our Muslim friends they will answer: He was a prophet! They will acknowledge that Jesus was born of a virgin! The only person ever known to be born of a virgin!

And she (Mary) who guarded her virginity. We breathed into her of Our spirit (Gabriel), and made her and her son a sign for the worlds.

Sura 21:91

They acknowledge that Jesus was a sign for the worlds! They even acknowledge that Jesus preformed many miracles! They will acknowledge that He was preferred above other Messengers of God -

Of these Messengers, We have preferred some above others. To some Allah spoke; and some He raised in rank. We gave (Prophet) Jesus, the son of Mary, clear signs and strengthened him with the Spirit of Purity (Gabriel). Had Allah willed, those who succeeded them would not have fought against one another after the clear verses came to them. But they differed among themselves; some believed, and others disbelieved. Yet had Allah willed, they would not have fought against one another. Allah does whatever He will.

Sura 2: 253

BUT they will insist – He was nothing more than a prophet!

Who do men say that Jesus is?

Some will tell you that Jesus was a good Teacher!
His teaching are worth following!
But that is as far as they will go – a good Man – a good teacher!

II. WHO BELIEVERS SAY HE IS!

Jesus then asks:

He said unto them, "But whom say ye that I am?" Peter answering said, "The Christ of God."

Luke 9:20 KJV

I want you to notice something very carefully:

But who do you say I am?

We need to answer this question!

Friend, what is important is not -

Who your parents say Jesus is!
Who you family say Jesus is!
Who your friends say Jesus is!
Or even Who your Church says Jesus is!

The question is Who do you say – Jesus is?

Peter answered: "The Christ of God!"

John the Baptist called out:

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

John 1:29 KJV

Remember when Jesus was baptised:

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Matthew 3:16-17 KJV

Jesus told His disciples during the night that He was betrayed:

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

John 14:6 KJV

The only way to the Father!

The only way to enter the Kingdom of God is by going through the door, into the Lord's sheep pen, and enter into Jesus!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: To leaders of South Africa, Obama was a mere human being, just another Senator from America; little did they know that the Senator from Illinois would become the next President of the most powerful nation in the World!

If they had only known!

Friend I want to remind you of something in closing -
The Bible says:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

2 Corinthians 5:10

In that day will you call out: If only I realized Who Jesus was!

Today, I was fulfilled my duty as a Preacher of the Gospel!

Jesus is the Son of God – the Saviour of the World!

Listen to the words of Scripture:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 KJV

What must we do?

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:9

Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

Acts 2:38-39 KJV

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

Acts 4:12 KJV

Dear friend, do not hesitate to go out to see Him for yourself, do not hesitate one microsecond - seek Him, ask Him to be your Savior and your Lord, seek His forgiveness and live for all eternity with Him.

Homiletics, Luke,
Preaching, Second Coming, Sermons

ZEPHANIAH 3:1-2 Examine Thyself!

TOPIC: Apostasy; Self-examination

TITLE: Examine Thyself!
TEXT: Zephaniah 3:1-2

“Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, The tyrannical city! She heeded no voice; She accepted no instruction. She did not trust in the LORD; She did not draw near to her God.”

CONTEXT: After the reigns of David and Solomon, the nation Israel fell into a declining spiral of arrogance, apostasy, intrigue, idolatry, collapse, lamentation, searching, revival, and restoration … only to repeat the process.

Verse 1 says they had become an oppressive, rebellious, and defiled (blood-stained) society [the Hebrew says: filthy and polluted].

In verses1-5, Israel is judged according to the privilege granted her … as are all nation before and since. Her ruling classes had rejected any critique of their behavior or beliefs.

Israel trusted in her wealth, her military, and her alliances.

In verses 2:1-3:8, we see the earth and all her nations judged according to her privilege.

The verbs in verse 2 are participles, and carry the sense of present and continuous practice.

TRUTH CLAIM:

"Then the LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, 'I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now My eyes shall be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.'"

2 Chronicles 7:12-16

The value of Zephaniah for the church is prophetic ... remember - God is unchanging (immutable)!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What does God hate to find in his people ... what really grieves Him?
CONCISE OUTLINE:
Each of the following phrases is negative …

I. He hates to find a people who will not listen!
II. He hates to find a people who will not learn!
III. He hates to find a people without an eternal foundation!
IV. He hates to find a people who do not fear Him!

Notice the first two are indicative of Israel’s stubbornness; while in the second two the Hebrew is reverse, implying a particular kind of rebellion.

The ultimate question is “Will any nation which behaves in this way survive God’s wrath!” But today's question is simply -

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What does God hate to find in his people ... what really grieves Him?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:
I. He hates to find a people who will not listen!

Who are independent and self-reliant; who have misunderstood His blessings as a sign of their own cleverness!

Israel was that kind of people!

Consider our present post-Christian Era.

II. He hates to find a people who will not learn!

Who have no desire to learn or grow.

Israel was that kind of people! Refusing the Lord’s discipline!

Consider our present post-Christian Era.

III. He hates to find a people without an eternal foundation!

Who have a foundation of sand, who are not built upon The Rock. [Matthew 7:24-27]

Israel was that kind of people!

Consider our present post-Christian Era.

IV. He hates to find a people who do not fear Him!

Who will not draw near to Him in awe and reverence!

Who will not humble themselves before their Creator.

Israel was that kind of people!

Involves the acts of worship and service, prayer and praise.

They took the Lord's name in vain … in an irreverent or dishonoring way.

Consider our present post-Christian Era.

APPLICATION: Israel, especially her leaders, didn’t see the relationship between their current problems and God’s displeasure … thus they did not see their actions or philosophies as sin. Kind of like a pharaoh who did not know Joseph [Exodus 1:8].

Why? Because ...

“[the righteous man’s] delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

Psalms 1:2

... and ours is not! No wonder our righteousness is like a filthy rag.

The leaders of Israel were not God-fearers. Only in name! A violation of the commandment not to take the name of God in vain.

I personally fear Western Civilization (and most of the church) has fallen into a declining spiral just as Israel did … I fear she –

1) no longer heeds the voice of God or anyone else; heeding only its own voice

2) is no longer educable in the sense of receiving instruction

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:17

God’s word has become anathema to them.

3) no longer has a rock foundation ...

You see we’ve always known that we can’t expect every American to have saving or even living faith in God; but if the nation herself, meaning the majority of the people and the “ruling class,” were to have a solid moral and God fearing foundation … well??)

4) no longer fears God or even accepts His existence, and will not draw near to Him.

It can be said: “Any ship of state manned by a blind crew will certainly end up on the rocks but not on the Rock.” [quote me on that]

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

James 4:8

CHALLENGE: We must focus on things above, not on things of this world.

The final discipline of God, the one which has brought the true promise of peace to all men, fell on the shoulders of the Lamb of God, His “suffering servant” our Savior.

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5

Apostasy, Christianity, Expository,
Homiletics, Outlines, Preaching,
Sermons, Zephaniah

HAGGAI 1:4 Good Stewards Demonstrate Good Stewardship!

TOPIC: Stewardship; Consecration, Giving, Tithing

TITLE: STEWARDSHIP - Good Stewards Demonstrate Good Stewardship!
TEXT: Haggai 1:4

"Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?"

INQUIRY: What principles of stewardship are provided to the church?

TRUTH/CONTEXT: Jesus turned the concept of devotion to God on its ear when He ignored the Ten Commandments in favor of “the two greatest commandments”:

“And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And He said to him, ‘“YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.” This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” On these two commandments de-pend the whole Law and the Prophets.’”

Matthew 22:35-40

Take close note that “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

But the question remains, “How do we do this?” One way is in our stewardship!

Like it or not, the local church is the outward representation of the Temple of God in our world … through it we give testimony of our devotion/consecration to our Lord. When that testimony suffers due to a lack of attention, or when our homes receive more attention than the House of God, something is wrong in Zion!

Christians in this country seem to feel it’s wrong to preach on money. But the church runs on money.

Some feel money should be discussed at business meetings or on Sunday evenings or in Deacon’s Meetings but … you don’t come to Business Meetings or to Sunday Evening services and deacons aren’t elders.

[SAGA OF LAURA MAY] This is Laura May the church lawn mower (I actually brought the machine in). In reality, I am the lawn mower; I use this machine to mow the church grounds (and it's not my job).

Laura May is a unique model: she’s a three-wheeled, oil-leaking, grass-clogging, backbreaking, hard-starting, pigeon-toed, 7 year old hag that is too old and too expensive to fix. And my family gave the money to the church to buy her in the first place.

Laura May is only one thing that is broken down around here. We have two doors over at the Annex that need repairs; a parking lot that’s hurting; a room divider that needs to be refurbished; painting; etc.

You say, “How am I to know something is needed?” Well, through stewardship! GET INVOLVED!

INQUIRY: What principles of stewardship does the Bible provide to the church?
EXPANDED OUTLINE
I. PRINCIPLE #1: The quality of His house is paramount to God! [Haggai 1:4 (3-6)]

"Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?"

A. Poor stewardship results in a poor return on investment.
B. Implied is God’s jealousy.
C. E.g., the Tabernacle and the Temple were both works of art and expensive.

II. PRINCIPLE #2: The quality of His family is paramount to God! [Matthew 10:37 (34-39)]

"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”

A. Oh, yes it does!
B. But men, we are not to neglect our families. [1 Timothy 5:8]

III. PRINCIPLE #3: The quality of our devotion is paramount to God! [Luke 12:21 (16-21)]

"So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

A. You plan for your retirement in vain.
B. You calculate your rewards in vain.

IV. PRINCIPLE #4: The quality of our gifts is paramount to God! [Malachi 1:6 (6-9)]

"'A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?' says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name.”

A. Old Testament priests are NT saints believers.
B. God is not referring to tithes but offerings.

V. PRINCIPLE #5: The quality of our hearts is paramount to God! [2 Corinthians 9:7 (6-15)]

“Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.”

A. Giving in tithes and offerings is to bring joy.
B. I did a favor for a neighbor but he was determined to give me something for doing so … it took the edge off my joy.

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Is your home in good condition and repair while His house lies desolate? Do your relatives receive more of your time and devotion than the Lord does? Where is your treasure laid up? Is the Lord honored and respected by your offerings? Do you give as you have prospered?

Did you notice that there is an implied promise with each of these passages?

Other principles are taught in the Bible but the Lord wanted you to remember these.

I am unaware of any member, past or present, who has planned a part of his or her estate to go to this church; there may be, but I am unaware of any. This church ought to be an heir of your estate.

Your giving is not to be the tithe alone. Giving is from all the blessings of God: financial, material, time, talent, and prayer.

Giving is one of the great joys of life in Christ!

Christianity, Expository, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons, Stewardship

ZECHARIAH 4:10 - Great Things Come in Very Small Packages!

TOPIC: Christmas; Attributes (of God), Nature (of God), Temple (construction)

TITLE: GREAT THINGS COME IN VERY SMALL PACKAGES - The Great Temple of God Began with a Baby! [Adapted from Chas. Haddon Spurgeon’s Morning & Evening Devotional; November 26, “Evening”]
TEXT: Zechariah 4:10 (8-10) [Companion reading Isaiah 9:6]

“For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet, in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.” [KJV]

"For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumbline in the hand of Zerubbabel – these are the eyes of the LORD which range to and fro throughout the earth." [NAS]

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What do we find for ourselves in our verse?
CONCISE OUTLINE:

I. WE FIND THERE IS COMFORT AND HOPE HERE
II. WE FIND THERE IS CERTAINTY AND SECURITY HERE
III. WE FIND THERE IS PATIENCE AND PERFECTION HERE

TRUTH/CONTEXT: Small progress marked the beginning of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem by the hand of Zerubbabel; but none should despise it then or now, for God had raised up and will raise up one who will persevere until the headstone is brought forth with shouting. The plumbline was in good hands.

“'For behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave an inscription on it,' declares the LORD of hosts, 'and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.'”

Zechariah 3:9

So different are men and Jehovah: God regards highly the inicio pequeño (Sp. small beginnings) of His work (Ezra 3:12 priests and Levites wept at the start of the new temple; Haggai 2:3, Haggai condemns those who compare the new temple to the old); men impatiently covet the turnkey, and despise the early work. God, it says in the Hebrew, “rejoicingly” regards it, and shall continue to do so to the end.

Wasn’t the work begun in you a small thing for God to begin?

For man the issue is significance … so often we only see what is big in our eyes. Why do so many clamor for entertainment and community rather than worship and relationship?

Significance is the answer! Some see Christianity as significant only to the extent it is a means to a temporal and social end; she is, however, significant only as a means to an eternal end.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What do we find for ourselves in our verse?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:

I. WE FIND THERE IS COMFORT AND HOPE US HERE

A. Here is every believer’s comfort … rejoice that His work of grace (be it oh so small at first) was begun at all.

B. Isn't the plumbline held by the very best hand? The hand of The Master Builder? Will you not be plumb and square when His is finished with you?

C. One greater than Solomon has taken up the building of His eternal temple, and He shall won't fail nor be discouraged until the last living stone is set in the wall.

"And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

1 Peter 2:4-5

[CHEOPS] It is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the World still standing today. It has four anchoring cornerstones and a chief cornerstone at its peak.

Is God’s eternal temple not greater than the Great Pyramid of Khufu. Is Christ Himself not the Chief Cornerstone?

II. WE FIND THERE IS CERTAINTY AND SECURITY FOR US HERE

A. If the plumb were in the hand of any human, we might be justified in fearing for God’s Temple. But the eternal work of the Christ prospers in His hand.

"Thus He showed me, and behold, the Lord was standing by a vertical wall with a plumb line in His hand. The LORD said to me, 'What do you see, Amos?' And I said, 'A plumb line.' Then the Lord said, 'Behold I am about to put a plumb line In the midst of My people Israel. I will spare them no longer.'”

Amos 7:7-8

B. His work didn't and doesn't proceed irregularly, or without skill. Because the Master's hand wields a divine instrument, an eternal blueprint was laid out, and the work will continue to the end. And, it is a step-by-step, patient effort, for …

"We’re His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so we’d walk in them."

Ephesians 2:10

C. If walls were run up without professional oversight, we might expect them to be out of plumb; but this plumbline was dropped from heaven above, there is no truer plumb than the one in Father’s hand.

[FREE HOUSE] Would you like a contractor to tell you he’ll build you a new home free of charge? The only catch is you must live in it for all eternity. Would you trust it or him?

D. Jesus oversees the construction of His spiritual temple so that it is built securely, well, and forever! His eyes are on it.

III. WE FIND THERE IS PATIENCE AND PERFECTION FOR US HERE

A. Man rushes about and seeks profit in all his labors; Jesus is patient and equitable. He will use His plumbline on us; that which is found out of plumb will be torn down, every stone of it.

B. Thus the failure of so many flattering works and the uprooting of so many glamorous enterprises and organizations. Likewise the lives of so many skilled and gifted men and women.

C. It isn’t our job to judge the Lord's church, since Jesus has a steady hand, and a true eye, and can use the plumbline perfectly. Shouldn’t we rejoice to see judgment left to him?

D. The plumbline is in active use in our passage - it was in the builder's hand; a sure indication he intends to push forward to completion.

E. Consider this …

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 1:6

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Oh Jesus, how blessed we would be if we could just get a vision of You at Your great work each and every Christmas and not get lost in the things of Christmas.

Oh Jerusalem, that beautiful city of God, her walls remain in ruin! Rise up, oh rise up, You King of kings and Lord of lords, Oh Glorious Builder, and build Your Bride, a small thing in our sight, but a great thing in Yours ... Oh the rejoicing at Your coming.

Oh sheep of His pasture, see with eyes that see, the day of the small things is not just rebuilding the earthly temple, it is the continued building of God’s heavenly Temple. It was begun by a baby but it was finished by the God-man Jesus Christ. [John 19:30]

• God is the one who began all creation with a small word, “Let there be!” [one word in Hebrew]
  
• It is He who made the human race from dust; then began over with eight people
• He who began the languages of the earth with a single tongue
• He who slew Goliath with a single stone
• Who raised Joseph from his prison, David from the sheepfold, Daniel and Jeremiah from their pits
• Who stopped Balaam with a lowly ass
• Who raised up “the greatest born of a woman” as His forerunner
• Who turned the world upside down with fishermen, a tax collector, sinners, and a Sadducee-tentmaker
• Who Himself was first a carpenter
  
• Who asked us, “Would you be great? Then become least.”

Doesn't it make perfect sense that the God of the heavenly Temple would use a small thing (such as the baby Jesus) to save the world from its sins?

Christianity, Christmas, Expository,
Homiletics, Outlines, Preaching,
Sermons, Spurgeon, Zechariah

HABAKKUK 3:2 - A Call to Revival

TOPIC: Revival; Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration, Righteousness

TITLE: A CALL FOR REVIVAL
TEXT: HABAKKUK 3:2

O LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of the years!

Dr. James Dobson writes in his book, When God Doesn't Make Sense:

A missionary in Africa returned home to find a huge python loose in his front room. He rushed to his truck and retrieved his .45 pistol. He shot the beast in the crown of its head. The snake thrashed so violently that the missionary was chased from his home for some time. Finally, there was silence. He went inside and found the interior of his home destroyed.

Satan too has received a blow to his head but his death throes are destroying the world.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What should the cry of our hearts be?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. A CRY FOR VICTORY IN REVIVAL!
II. A CRY FOR A VISION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS!
III. A CRY FOR A VANISHMENT OF REBELLION!

TRUTH CLAIM: The scenery of man's existence today is the same as the scenery of Israel's existence yesterday. The fruit of rebellion for both cultures is the same.

They provoked God and we cannot deny that we are too; the only thing we have to make these last days tolerable is our relationship with God!

America must repent; yet it only will if the people of God get as concerned about righteousness as the prophet Habakkuk.

God is calling out to His people ...

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What should the cry of our hearts be?
EXPANDED OUTLINE
I. A CRY FOR VICTORY IN REVIVAL! (3:2)

Stephan Olford defines revival: "the sovereign act of God, in which He restores His own backsliding people to repentance, faith, and obedience."

"O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years"!

[STEW] Revival is like putting last night's stew on the stove. What you have is something that was real good yesterday! But this was put in the refrigerator, and now it is cold, thick, chunky, and feels too heavy to eat.

The fire under it begins to chase away the chill first. Then it begins to lose its lethargy and begins to thin and warm. Soon with some stirring it becomes a warm, fluid, consistent source of nourishment and strength, as it was intended to be. Churches are like that, the faith is like that.

Once in awhile God needs to put us on the judgment's front burner.

II. A CRY FOR A VISION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS! (1:13)

"Your eyes are too pure to behold evil, and You can not look on wickedness with favor."

Like the revivals of old we need a vision for the righteousness of God ...

The last revival of any consequence in the US was in 1905.

"If My people who are [1] called by My name will [2] humble themselves, and [3] pray and [4] seek My face, and [5] turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14

I know this, if I owned a home and a contractor offered to restore my home, free of charge, I'd be a fool to deny him. Why then do we deny God this response?

We are a people without a national vision.

"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Matthew 26:41

III. A CRY FOR A VANISHMENT OF REBELLION! (1:3)

"Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see wickedness?

The prophet was complaining to God about what appeared to be evil loose in the world without restraint. It seemed that God did not care.

Our nation is in the midst of a cultural war of intense proportions. The power of darkness is at the controls of a nation gone nuts.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following list of ills is from 1994.]

• Mothers and fathers are put into jail because they have disciplined their children with the rod, their children taken away. But 4,000 unborn children are murdered each day.
• We spend millions in the war on drugs but the very legislators who write the laws are drunken bums who are regularly stopped for drunk driving.
• We spend billions on other nation's poverty and race problems but spend very little to solve the same problems in our own back yard.
• We spend millions to import democracy when our own government continues to pass more and more legislation aimed at limiting our democratic freedoms.
• Our denomination prints millions of pieces of literature on the errors of alcohol and tobacco yet we have churches in the east, the south and in Colorado where the pastor is not free to preach on these evils because church leaders work in those industries.
• We have a war on pornography that our Attorney General refuses to join and an administration which is favorably disposed to the worst kind of pornography, homosexuality.

[Just today (18 October 2007) Disney decided to purge the word "God" from its Radio Disney advertising; in Portland, Maine, the schools are now authorizing birth-control pills for middle schoolers as young as 11; the president of France separated from his second wife; and Robert Roberts, son of Oral Roberts, took leave from his duties as CEO of Oral Roberts University under a huge cloud of alleged improprieties.]

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: When an acquaintance asked what he should do to start revival in America Billy Graham is said to have responded, "Go home, draw a circle around yourself, and begin there."

Friends, in these horribly difficult "last days," that is very good advice!

"Righteousness exalts a nation; but sin's a reproach to any people."

Proverbs 14:34

I remember when I lived in a cabin up in the woods above Santa Cruz, California, and used to take the ash in the fireplace (after being gone all day), stir it up, push some paper on it, and blew a little. Poof, fire!

We're not incapable of catching fire if the Holy Spirit comes our way but we must all recognize the dearth of embers in our hearth.

Christianity, Expository,
Habakkuk, Homiletics, Outlines,
Preaching, Revival, Sermons

JONAH 4:1-11 Taking Our Medicine - Avoiding the Jonah Syndrome!

TOPIC: Lost; Evangelism, Witness
TITLE: TAKING OUR MEDICINE
TEXT: JONAH 4:1-11

Then the LORD said, “Do you have good reason to be angry?"

[WITNESS] I was told of a couple who attended a neighborhood wedding reception and had a great time talking with a young man. After a while they were joined by another couple they were friendly with. Shortly, the young man excused himself and went to join a younger group. The couple apologized for not introducing him or knowing his name. "That's all right," they said. "We already know him, he's our son."

This illustrates the problem we have in our modern society; these folks were courteous but never got to know their guest well enough to introduce him to others by name.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How may we avoid the Jonah Syndrome?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. BY FOCUSING MORE ON GOD’S NATURE!
II. BY FOCUSING MORE ON COMPASSION!
III. BY FOCUSING MORE ON THINGS ABOVE!

TRUTH CLAIM: When we're frustrated with the sad state of affairs in our world, we are often close to calling God's character and even his nature into question.

For God has clearly told us to "love your neighbors as we love yourselves." He has also given us the parable of the "good Samaritan" for the same reason.

Only when we are sincerely seeking the redemption of our fallen neighbors, rather than their destruction, will we truly understand how God was "slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness" [4:2] toward all men!

Only when we serve God unconditionally will we ever understand how God is "a gracious and compassionate God" [4:2] toward all men!

CONTEXT: Jonah was a normal everyday human being from a normal station in life; but he was RUNNING FROM GOD.

God was just not doing things Jonah's way. Jonah lived his life pretty much like God asked him to! But, oh these Ninevites? UGHHHH!!!!!!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How may we avoid the Jonah Syndrome?
EXPANDED OUTLINE
I. BY FOCUSING MORE ON GOD'S NATURE!

God is not willing that any perish:

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward you, not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

This is characteristic of Him and consistent with His nature.

When we disobey and stay home, after He has clearly said "GO," we stand in the way of the salvation of others.

We should not be surprised when the heathen behave the way they do.

Their only hope is to hear and to accept the Good News ... to be born-again.

Are we nothing more than contemporary Jonahs?

II. BY FOCUSING MORE ON COMPASSION!

Jonah actually wanted these Ninevites to suffer and die. Yet, he knew who God was:

So he prayed to the LORD, and said, "Ah, LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my country? Therefore, in order to forgo this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that Thou art a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and One who relents from concerning calamity.

Jonah 4:2

Judgment he preached, judgment he wanted!

Are we guilty of the Jonah Syndrome? Do we seek their judgment or their salvation?

III. BY FOCUSING MORE ON THINGS ABOVE!
Jonah eventually obeyed, but without his heart in it.

God no more wants "grim obedience" than a parent does from a child, an boss from an employee, nor a teacher from a student.

Remember, Jonah was sent because the Ninevites' "wickedness has come up before Me!" (1:2)

What is our part in warning the lost? We fear what we would loose something (respect, friends, jobs, neighbors, family) if we became more zealous for the lost, yet they are not ours in the first place.

In fact, that which we have we will lose if we don't obey!

"... what profit is it to a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then recompense every man according to his deeds."

Matthew 16:26,27

APPLICATION: Are we not a great deal like Jonah with respect to this evil and adulterous generation? Are they not our Ninevites?

Are we not complaining because of their effect on our cozy little lives? Are we not more concerned about our shelter and shade than the souls of those who are not like us?

We must become more concerned for others than for ourselves!

The plant that withered is thought to have been a castor oil plant; perhaps the significance is truly profound? Perhaps God has some foul medicine we need to swallow!

Chastisement, Christianity,
Expository, Homiletics, Jonah,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

HOSEA 14:8 - Believer's Fruit: Where does it come from?

TOPIC: Fruitfulness [Discipleship; Sanctification]

TITLE: BELIEVER’S FRUIT: Where does it come from?
Adapted from - Spurgeon's Morning & Evening Devotions, “Morning” September 8

TEXT: Hosea 14:8b

I am like a luxuriant cypress; From Me comes your fruit.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How is that the fruitless are able to bear fruit?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. WE BEAR FRUIT BY WAY OF OUR UNION WITH GOD!
II. WE BEAR FRUIT BY WAY OF GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL PLAN!
III. WE BEAR FRUIT BY WAY OF GOD'S GENTLE CONSERVATION!

CONTEXT: In this "in your face" book of prophecy, we find Israel as Jehovah's adulterous wife, repudiated, but ultimately purified and restored. The prophet's distinctive message is summed up in one Hebrew word Lo-ammi, "not my people," and amplified by its antonym, Ammi, "my people."

Scofield says,

"Israel is not merely apostate and sinful--that is said also; but her sin takes its character from the exalted relationship into which she has been brought."

Though directed at Ephraim, the teaching is to all Israel; and so too the context fits our present Western Civilization, especially the Western Church, like a glove and certainly better than O. J.'s glove.

The context for our focal text is Israel's ultimate restoration, and like Job, blessing in the Latter Days. Oh, if they'd only have listened to their Mishua (my transliteration).

TRUTH CLAIM: Henry Blackaby in his classic curriculum on discipleship, Experiencing God, reminds us we are often so focused on our own work for God we fail to notice God is working far and away from us.

In 14:8 we understand ...

We need go no farther than God for the supply of all our wants; not merely the protection implied by the shadow of the cypress, but that which the cypress doesn't have, namely, fruit, all spiritual and temporal blessings.

It may be also implied, that whatever spiritual graces Ephraim seeks for or may have, are not of themselves, but of God (Psalm 1:3; John 15:4-5, 8; James 1:17). [Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; edits are from The CRIB]

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How is that the fruitless are able to bear fruit?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

I. WE BEAR FRUIT BY WAY OF OUR UNION WITH GOD!

A. United with the Root!

The fruit of the branch is directly traceable to the root; sever the connection, the branch dies, and no fruit is produced.

Every bunch of grapes have been first in the root, it has passed through the stem, and flowed through the sap vessels, and fashioned itself externally into fruit, but it was first in the stem.

B. Christ is the Root! [Isaiah 11:10]

By virtue of our union with Christ we bring forth fruit; every good work was first in Christ, and then produced in us.

C. Root is the Source!

Believers, cherish your priceless union with Christ [Romans 6:5-9]; for it must be the source of all the fruitfulness which thou can hope to know.

If you aren't joined to Christ, you will be poorer than a barren tree indeed.

II. WE BEAR FRUIT BY WAY OF GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL PLAN!

A. Nature by God's Design!

When the dew-drops fall from heaven, when the cloud looks down from on high, and is about to burst forth with its treasure, when the sun swells the berries of the cluster, each heavenly gift may whisper to the tree and say, "From Me comes your fruit."

B. Not All is Supernatural!

The fruit owes much to the root – that is essential to fruitfulness – but it owes very much also to external influences.

C. Our Daily Bread!

How much we owe to God's providential and creative grace, from which he provides for us constantly; to this we owe our all of usefulness or virtue.

III. WE BEAR FRUIT BY WAY OF GOD'S GENTLE CONSERVATION!

A. Divine Grooming!

The gardener's sharp-edged knife promotes the fruitfulness of the tree, by thinning the clusters, and by cutting off superfluous shoots.

B. Divine Pruning!

So is it, Christian, with that pruning which the Lord gives to thee.

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. "

John 15:1-2

APPLICATION: Believers today seem to have forgotten these elementary truths. They've become powerless in the forgetting - forgetting that our union with Christ has made us powerful and wise not powerless and ignorant.

CHALLENGE: Since our God is the author of our spiritual and natural graces, let's give him all the glory and all the praise of our common salvation. And then let's live like the blessed and mighty children of the King we are! Amen! And amen!

Christianity, Expository,
Homiletics, Hosea, Last Days,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

DANIEL 10:14, 18-19: How prophecy strengthens us!

TOPIC: Prophecy; Character, Conduct, Promises (of God), Understanding

TITLE: "A PROPHETIC WORD -- How prophecy strengthens us!"

TEXT: Daniel 10:14, 18-19 [2-19]

"Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future."
...
"Then this one with human appearance touched me again and strengthened me. He said, 'O man of high esteem, do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous!' Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, 'May my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.'"

TRUTH CLAIM/CONTEXT: Daniel, great man of faith, broken hearted over Israel, "mourning" for his nation; weak from fasting, his strength fails him in the presence of an angelic messenger; but the messenger gave him "understanding of what will happen to [his] people in ... the days yet future" and he was strengthened.

Even though the strengthening was by way of an angelic visitor's touch, it was the prophet's faith (belief) which allowed him to be effected ... he believed the messenger's words ... "as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength."

Now (Chapters 11 & 12) Daniel was about to become familiar with the promises of God concerning Israel.

It is God's intention His words strengthen those who hear them, same as Daniel [Romans 10:17]; God intends His words to influence us.

We conclude prophetic messages are intended to "strengthen" or influence or change those who receive them by faith.

We need strengthening as much as Daniel; we too are weary of the continuing powerlessness and decline of the church (the true Church being our Israel).

As Scofield said in his classic Addresses on Prophecy -

"there is implied in the influence of any truth, the fact that it is really believed to be true." [Addresses on Prophecy, C. I. Scofield, A.C. Gaebelein Publ. (NY 1910) p. 3]

Scofield also wrote elsewhere,

"The church ... has failed to follow her appointed pathway of separation, holiness ... and testimony to an absent but coming Christ; she has turned aside from that purpose to the work of civilizing the world, building magnificent temples, and acquiring earthly power and wealth, and in this way, has ceased to follow in the footsteps of Him who had not where to lay His head." [C. I. Scofield, The Biggest Failure of the Church Age]

Oh how true; both then and now.

God inaugurated a plan for the ages; He has revealed this plan to His people in His Word (His Son, John 1:14).

In ages past, He inspired men to keep a record, so that their experiences might be examples for those living in the present [1 Corinthians 10:11]; He inspired still others to speak words of prophetic mystery [Hebrews 1:1] concerning the future, so that men of every age would be inspired or condemned by them; He then spoke through His Son once, for all and for all time, in "these last days" [Hebrews 1:2-4]; and His Son declared "It is finished" [John 19:30]; We are also reminded the Law and the Prophets were fulfilled in Him [Luke 24:44].

God’s promises are revealed through prophecy; they are joined at the hip, and play a critical role in the strengthening of His people.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How does Daniel's context parallel ours?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

I. IT PARALLELS -

A. In That Both Face the Same Dilemma

1. The Jews were being held captive by Persia; we are being held captive by the world
2. Israel was rebelling; so is the Church
3. Daniel was "mourning" Israel [2, 3]; we are mourning the Church
4. He is feeling hopeless, he was losing his will to keep on keeping on [8, 9]; we often feel similar to this
5. Future revealed to Daniel; future revealed to us

II. IT DOESN’T PARALLEL -

A. IN THAT –

1. Daniel was reading his “books” [9:2]; we aren’t reading ours
2. He prayed and fasted [3, 4]; we aren’t doing much of the former and little of the latter
3. Daniel’s humility impressed God [12, 17]; what do you think God thinks of Gringo humility?
4. Christ came to give him understanding & strengthen him [14]; He’s departed from visible church, we’ve lost our understanding, and remain without strength
5. Daniel had ears that heard and eyes that see [8, 9]; we have neither
6. God held Daniel in high esteem [11]; no comment
7. Sent an angel to strengthen him [14, 18-19]; only sends angels to televangelists
8. Revelation renders Daniel speechless [15]; we can’t shut up
9. He confesses his own powerlessness [16]; the church is trying to impress God with all that it can do for Him

APPLICATION: One hundred years have passed since the writing of Scofield's now classic work: nothing has changed.

"There is a great deal of the study of prophetic truth, and a great deal of the hearing of the exposition of prophetic truth which has no effect upon conduct or character, simply because it is heard or studied without faith." [Scofield, p. 4]

Faith is the conduit for illumination [1 Corinthians 2:12-13] just as it is for saving grace [Ephesians 2:8].

And Paul cautions us to recognize that hope that is seen is not hope at all.

Now, shifting gears - what forms conduct and builds character?

"It is ... a believing understanding of prophetic truth which has an influence upon either character or conduct." [Ibid.]

Common sense reveals that conduct is what we do, how we conduct ourselves ... our behavior!

And our behavior (ultimately) finds its roots in character – character is who we are! Consider a good man habitually exhibiting bad behavior ... it is an oxymoron to think a man is good who regularly exhibits bad conduct.

Turn that around: consider a bad man habitually behaving morally and ethically ... another oxymoron.

Hopelessness or hopefulness, it's our choice. If the Word of God is errant, fallible, and not God-breathed, we're hopeless; there's no future in these.

If the Word of God is inerrant, infallible, and God-breathed, then we're hopefilled. There is prophetic truth in these; in these is hopefilled expectation from generation unto generation.

For hope is from expectation and it is born out of that expected or promised ... our promise is in God's prophetic word. If the word of God can’t be trusted; there is no hope because there is no promise.

To be familiar with God’s promises we must be intimate with His prophecies; this requires intimacy with the Author. Intimacy implies knowledge of both; this knowledge is formative … it forms who we are.

And knowledge of God’s promises brings expectation to the table.

[RETURN] A farmer had an old hound dog that he cherished. One day the dog disappeared, and several weeks passed without his return. In spite of this, the farmer continued to set out fresh food for the dog every day.

Finally, in curiosity, one of the farmer's neighbors asked why he continued to set out food for the dog when he obviously was not returning.

"He will be back," replied the farmer. "Because he knows I am here waiting for him. And when he gets here I want him to know he is welcome back."

Today we wait for Christ's return with great expectancy … it’s promised.

We don’t know the day or the hour, but we’re confident He is coming back; this knowledge should influence us to act accordingly.

Don't confuse reputation with character; a gifted gossip can ruin a good man's reputation but not his character; a gifted ad man can get an immoral man elected president.

Everything and more than what Daniel learned and "understood" is ours! We have Christ; and Christ said, "It is finished."

Peter writes that even the angels would like to look into what we know [1 Peter 1:12].

Hope comes from the expectation a thing will occur, a formative influence. Hope, for believers, is rooted in our salvation [Romans 8:24], a promise of God.

What and who we know are formative; where we are ignorant of a matter or a thing we are free from its formative influence.

That which we know intimately influences our character (and therefore our conduct) intimately.
We are not a religious people, we are a relational people; God desires an intimate relationship with each and every one of us.

CHALLENGE: So, if it’s behavior we wish to influence in our churches, and it’s character we wish to build in our people, we must begin first with our church and then with ourselves … just as Daniel did.

We must acknowledge our failure to have an intimate relationship with God, solid knowledge of His promises, and a faithful expectation of their coming fulfillment.

Then, and only then, will we be strengthened by the both the Author of our faith and the Promise Keeper Himself.

Christianity, Daniel, Expository,
Homiletics, Outlines, Preaching,
Prophecy, Promises, Sermons

DANIEL 5:1, 30: The River of Life!

TOPIC: Arrogance; National Apostasy, Over Confidence

TITLE: THE RIVER OF LIFE – How God Diverts The Plans of the Arrogant!
TEXT: Daniel 5:1 & 30

“Belshazzar the king held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles and he was drinking wine in the presence of the thousand.
….

That same night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain.”

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Does Babylon’s fall serve as an example for our day?
CONCISE OUTLINE

TRUTH/CONTEXT: Originally, Babylon was the city of Babel. [Genesis 11:1-9] Ultimately, it will become the Great Whore in the book of Revelation [Revelation 19:2]. The nation was used by God to punish Israel, again and again. In Revelation, it personifies the world and its wicked abominations.

The City of Babylon was built in such a way that the River Euphrates divided the city into Eastern and Western sections. The river literally flowed under its walls.

The city was about 120 stadia square (1.5 square miles) in area, with a surrounding moat and a double walled rampart (each approximately 25 feet wide by 40 feet in height; cited in NAC, p.167). According to Herodotus, Babylon was “considered impregnable”; it possessed “magnificent fortifications” and was “surrounded by a large moat” [the river supplied the moat; cited in EBC, pp.69, 70]

The fact that “the city had not been stormed by invaders in over a thousand years” may have led to overconfidence on the part of Belshazzar and his people. While the king and “leaders of government, society, the armed forces, and the priests … along with the king’s wives and concubines” … partied heartily, one of Cyrus’ commanders “diverted the waters of the Euphrates to an old channel dug by a previous ruler.” Soon the Persian army waded under the river gates and subdued the city. [Ibid.]

SURVEY THE TEXT – Daniel 5:1-30

• 1-4 Holy Vessels Profaned
• 5-9 Handwriting On Wall
• 10-18 Queen Suggests Daniel; Daniel Entreated
• 17-28 Daniel Interprets Handwriting (see especially 26-28)
• 29-31 Daniel Honored; Belshazzar Defeated

INQUIRY: How does Babylon’s fall serve as an example for our day?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

I. IN ITS DEFECTIVE DEPENDENCIES (Weapons/Wisdom) –

A. The Weapons of Man –

1. David’s Example –

“David said to [Goliath], ‘You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you.’”

1 Samuel 17:45, 46a

2. David’s Chorus –

“Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.”

Psalm 20:7

B. The Wisdom of Man –

1. Belshazzar sought to impress his guests.

“God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.”

1 Corinthians 1:27

2. Belshazzar sought to exalt himself.

“… let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position; and let the rich man glory in his humiliation … ”

James 1:9, 10

II. IN ITS DEGENERATE DISDAIN (Power/Possessions) –

A. The Power of God –

Like Herod and Ingersoll [Acts 12:21-23], Belshazzar challenged God’s authority and power.

“And on an appointed day Herod, having put on his royal apparel, took his seat on the rostrum and began delivering an address to them. And the people kept crying out, ‘The voice of a god and not of a man!’ And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.”

Acts 12:21-23

[LIGHTNING] Ingersoll stood on stage, shook fist at heaven, and dared God to strike him dead before he finished his blasphemous speech.

B. The Possessions of God –

1. That which is dedicated to the Lord belongs to the Lord; recall Phinehas and Hophni, the sons of Eli and their temple shenanigans.
2. We belong to the Lord, “if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you” [Romans 8:9], and now have the Temple and all of its utensils dwelling in us.

APPLICATION: Cyrus’ army diverted the protecting waters of a great nation and its king … likewise, God will divert man’s plans, and they will fall. Only the River of Life cannot be diverted.

Clearly, Babylon and its leaders weren’t busy seeking “the Kingdom of God” or “His righteousness.” Only Daniel exemplified that quality.

In the days prior to Jesus, John the Baptist’s voice was heard to cry out, “repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand”! Later, the apostles and disciples would echo the same cry to a world on the edge of destruction.

Since then Augustine, Constantine and Francis of Assisi carried on; followed by Zwingli, Huss and Wycliffe; also Knox, Calvin, Luther, Wesley, and Whitefield; next came the likes of Edwards, Finney, Moody, and Spurgeon; and now by Graham, Falwell, Land, Mohler, Smith, Laurie, Dobson, Wildmon, and others carry on the cry: “repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand”!

CHALLENGE: In our day as in theirs, some listen and some don’t, but the message goes on from faith to faith.

1. GREAT NATIONS – are made by God!
2. GREAT FORTRESSES –are made by man!
3. GREAT WEALTH – is possessed by man, but bestowed by God!
4. GREAT DEFEATS – are allowed by God –

a. At an unexpected time!
b. In an unanticipated way!
c. By an unappreciated enemy!

A nation cannot long rely on its weapons and wisdom in the absence of the protecting and sustaining hand of God; people and nations can go just so far before they call down God’s temporal wrath.

Arrogance, Christianity,
Daniel, Expository, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

MALACHI: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

3:8-11

BIGGEST, MEANEST THIEF IN THE WORLD - Expose on 21st Century Holy Pickpockets!

quick link to MALACHI: Seed Archive

Homiletics, Malachi, Preaching,
Sermons, Sermon Series

ZECHARIAH: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

4:10

GREAT THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES - The Great Temple of God Began with a Baby!

quick link to ZECHARIAH: Seed Archive

Homiletics, Outlines, Preaching,
Sermons, Zechariah

HAGGAI: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

Haggai 1:4

STEWARDSHIP - Good Stewards Demonstrate Good Stewardship!

quick link to HAGGAI: Seed Archive (INACTIVE AT THIS TIME)

Haggai, Homiletics, Preaching,
Sermons, Sermon Series

ZEPHANIAH: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

3:1-2

EXAMINE THYSELF - A Case for the Decline of Western Civilization!

QUICK LINK: ZEPHANIAH: Seed Archive

Apostasy, Homiletics, Preaching,
Sermons, Sermon Series, Zephaniah

HABAKKUK: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

2:4

RECKONED RIGHTEOUS - Faith is the victory!

3:2

A CALL FOR REVIVAL - A cry of the heart!

quick link to HABAKKUK: Seed Archive

Habakkuk, Homiletics, Preaching,
Sermons, Sermon Series

MICAH: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

6:1-8

YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD - What does the Lord take delight in?

quick link to MICAH: Seed Archive

Homiletics, Micah, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons, Sermon Series