2 Kings 22:1-23:3 - Dust On the Bible!

TOPIC: Scripture; Apostasy, Bible, Consecration, Covenant, Word (of God)
TITLE: DUST ON THE BIBLE: Go Find The Book!

TEXT: 2 Kings 22:1-23:3

(1) Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. (2) And he did right in the sight of the LORD and walked in all the way of his father David [and] he did [not] turn aside to the right or to the left.

CONTEXT: Manasseh’s evil reign had brought Israel to its knees. Though money was everywhere it only flowed in the hands of the rich, the privileged, or the powerful. The poor were considered a necessary evil. The nations’ leaders were self-serving.

Politicians were corrupt to the core, even good politicians lack ethical and moral depth. Religious figures were no better … it was rare that good was done publicly in the name of the Lord. False religions and cults abounded. Right was wrong and wrong was right; black was white and up was down.

When King Josiah, the grandson of Manasseh, was 18 (perhaps as old as 26) he began a project to restore the run-down, cluttered temple that had been abandoned during his father’s horrible reign.

Hilkiah, the High Priest, had done some Temple Spring-cleaning and discovered a hidden copy of the law of Moses. He turned it over to the scribe Shaphan who had been sent by the king to prepare the administration of the Temple for the needed improvements.

Shaphan read the scrolls and reported to the king on what had been found. The king, a righteous man, ask that they be read to him. After they were read he came under conviction for his nation and himself. The result was a mighty revival.

TRUTH CLAIM: There is an old gospel song that has a stanza which says, “Dust on the Bible, Dust on the Holy Word, the words of all the prophets and the sayings of our Lord.” (Kitty Wells)

How is it possible that we allow dust to collect on God’s Holy Word? I continue to be amazed at how little Bible reading goes on among God’s people; I am equally amazed at how often I am asked questions that are fundamental in nature.

And yet right here in Scripture is an example of a prior time when the same thing was taking place.

Now please don’t misunderstand, I would much rather the questions be asked than not asked. It just surprises me that certain questions are asked by solid believers. And I am equally surprised at how few people want to know more about the Bible.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What Does the Story of Israel’s Rediscovery of God’s Word Suggest To You And Me?

EXPANDED OUTLINE:

I. IT SUGGESTS WE SHOULD NEVER NEED TO REDISCOVER GOD'S WORD! (vv. 3-8a)

Now it came about in the eighteenth year of King Josiah that the king sent Shaphan, the son of Azaliah the son of Meshullam the scribe, to the house of the LORD saying, "Go up to Hilkiah the high priest that he may count the money brought in to the house of the LORD which the doorkeepers have gathered from the people. And let them deliver it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the LORD, and let them give it to the workmen who are in the house of the LORD to repair the damages of the house, to the carpenters and the builders and the masons and for buying timber and hewn stone to repair the house. Only no accounting shall be made with them for the money delivered into their hands, for they deal faith-fully."

(8a) Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD."

What place does the Word of God have in your life? Is it abandoned in your home like it was in Israel in the days of the evil king Manasseh?

[BIBLES] Bibles per capita in the world as a whole is estimated at less than half of a Bible per person. Yet in the USA we average over five bibles per household. An average household is 2.2 people. That’s over two Bibles per person in America.

More Bibles are used as coffee table decorations or bookshelf fillers than are used in Bible study.

God did not ordain the written word in order that we have a record of what He has said, nor as a book of dos and don’ts, nor as a reference work. The Bible is God’s way of reminding us of who He is and that His word is sure and true!

GO FIND THE BOOK! GO FIND THE BOOK!

The old saying, “Out of sight, out of mind!” applies to the Word of God. It was not the cause of Israel’s rebellion, nor the cause of their unrighteousness. Their hardened hearts and stiff necks were the cause of their apostasy.

When the word of God was rediscovered by His people they were reminded of Him, when they were reminded of Him they were reminded of their great apostasy, when they were reminded of their condition they were brought under conviction.

Now just because someone is brought under conviction does not mean they will change, change comes about after a person has broken and pleaded for forgiveness.

GO FIND THE BOOK! GO FIND THE BOOK!

II. IT SUGGESTS WE SHOULD GO READ THE BOOK TO KNOW ITS CONTENTS! (vv.8b-10)

(8b) And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan who read it. And Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought back word to the king and said, "Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the LORD." Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king saying, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.

GO READ THE BOOK! GO READ THE BOOK!

God’s people not only discovered the word but they uncovered the word. They rolled open the scrolls and read what God had said to His people. They rejoiced to hear from the living God. They came from every corner of the nation to hear form their Lord.

In general they broke as a nation and repented of their errant way of life. The turned from their evil ways and determined to follow after their God.

GO READ THE BOOK! GO READ THE BOOK!

A dusty Bible says it has not been read. A dusty Bible says “I don’t care what God says.” A dusty Bible says “I know everything it says, it can offer me nothing new.” A dusty Bible says, “This book is old fashioned, it doesn’t apply to today, it’s not relevant.

III. IT SUGGESTS WE SHOULD HEAR THE BOOK! (vv. 11-20)

And it came about when the king heard the words of the book of the law, that he tore his clothes.

Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king's servant saying, "Go, inquire of the LORD for me and the people and all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found, for great is the wrath of the LORD that burns against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us."

So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter); and they spoke to her.

And she said to them, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'Tell the man who sent you to me, thus says the LORD, “Behold, I bring evil on this place and on its inhabitants, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read. Because they have forsaken Me and have burned incense to other gods that they might provoke Me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore My wrath burns against this place, and it shall not be quenched.”

But to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD thus shall you say to him, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘Regarding the words which you have heard, because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you," declares the LORD. Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, neither shall your eyes see all the evil which I will bring on this place."'" So they brought back word to the king.

GO HEAR THE BOOK! GO HEAR THE BOOK!

The Bible says, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." [Romans 10:17]

GO HEAR THE BOOK! GO HEAR THE BOOK!

IV. IT SUGGESTS WE SHOULD SHARE THE BOOK! (vv. 23:1,2)

Then the king sent, and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. And the king went up to the house of the LORD and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests and the prophets and all the people, both small and great; and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant, which was found in the house of the LORD.

The Gospel of John begins by identifying the Lord Jesus Christ as the Word, the writer of Hebrews identifies Him as the Living Word!

GO SHARE THE BOOK! GO SHARE THE BOOK!

V. IT SUGGESTS WE SHOULD OBEY THE BOOK! (23:3)

And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant.

We need to heed: “When all else fails, follow instructions.” When we survey the panorama of contemporary American life we must conclude that we have failed. We need to read the instructions and determine where we have gone wrong.

GO KEEP THE BOOK! GO KEEP THE BOOK!

The Bible says,

But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.

James 1:25

GO KEEP THE BOOK! GO KEEP THE BOOK!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE:

[DAVID AND GOLIATH] The Rev. Frank Morgan reported in a recent issue of Reader’s Digest that …

“My daughter’s boss, Gene, a commercial appraiser of short stature, arrived in court with a bulging briefcase. The lawyer for the other party was a Goliath of a man who, when he caught sight of Gene, cried out across the courtroom, ‘Well, little man, what have you got in that briefcase?’

Without looking up, Gene replied, ‘Five smooth stones.’”

Let me suggest to you that the quickness of this man’s response was a function of his personality and character: his self-esteem was in place, he was confident and he knew his bible.

PRINCIPLES

1. It is possible for God’s people to abandon His word!
2. It is possible for religion to go on without His word!
3. God abandons those who abandon His word! Scripture suggests that God blesses those who humble themselves, pray, fast, repent, and turn from their evil ways!
   
4. Scripture suggests that leaders must be involved in revival and spiritual awakening!
5. Scripture emphasizes the hearing of the Word!
6. The bottom-line is man’s heart!

Notice the godly man’s has a heart for the upkeep of the Lord’s house! The godly man searches widely for the truth in God’s word! The godly man is not only a hearer of the word but an effectual doer as well!

2 Kings, Christianity, Expository, Homiletics,
Preaching, Sermon Outlines, Sermons

DEUTERONOMY 8:1-10: Stop! Look! Listen! Think!

TOPIC: Blessing; Obedience, Preparation, Sanctification, Voice (of God)
TITLE: "Stop, Look, Listen and Think! Hear the voice of God!"

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Why did God encourage Israel to stop, look, listen and think?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. That they might profit from their past! (v. 2a)
II. That they might be perfected in their present! (v. 6)
III. That they might be possessors of His promises in their future! (vv. 7-10, 16b)

TRUTH CLAIM/CONTEXT: [Cf. Deuteronomy 1:1-14] Israel's forty years in the wilderness has come to an end; Moses' life is also at an end; God tells Moses to confront His children with His words . . . one last time.

They are to leave the plain of preparation and go to the land of promise to possess it!

Here in chapter 8, God has Moses challenge the people to think (a.k.a.: reflect) upon their past, their present and their future.

The question we will want to answer is WHY?

[RR Crossing] In the mid-west, as a youth, I recall rail crossing signs . . . each looked like a big, white, letter ex. Three arms had a single word written on it: one read, STOP; another, LOOK; the third, LISTEN; while the last was unmarked.

Considering those who take liberties at railroad crossings today perhaps that fourth arm should read, THINK! The money and effort consumed in the attempt to prevent accidents at these crossings is staggering. Why? Because . . .

1. people don't focus on what is important in life
2. people don't think before they act and
   
3. people are prone to take risks . . . ignoring consequences!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Why did God encourage Israel to stop, look, listen and think?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

I. That They Might Profit from Their Past! (v. 2a)

"And you shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years . . . "

Deuteronomy 8:2

A. "all the way which the LORD your God has led you"
B. What was God's purpose for wanting to remind them of this?

1. Read v. 3 (to be humbled, to hunger, to understand)
2. Read v. 4 (clothing=provision)
3. Read v. 5 (to know in their heart that God, as any good father, was at work in their discipline and that it was for their own good)

"Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days."

Proverbs 19:20

II. That They Might Be Perfected in Their Present! (v. 6)

"Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God . . . "

v. 6a

Why?

A. "to walk in His ways"
B. "to fear Him"

III. And That They Might Be Possessors of His Promises in Their Future! (vv. 7-10, 16b)

"... to do good for you in the end."

v. 16b

How?

A. By ...

"bringing you into a good land . . . "

v. 7a

B. To ...

"a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land where you shall eat food without scarcity, in which you shall not lack anything; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper."

vv. 7b-9

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Now that we've answered the question "How?" let's answer the question "Why?"

So that . . .

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you."

v. 10

So how did things turn out? Not well, as we know. People tend to get familiar with things and then take them for granted . . . like trains at rail crossings.

[HEAVENS] In a book by H.G. Wells, Wm. Clissold, one of his characters is quoted as saying: "There was a time when my little soul was uplifted at the starry enigma of the sky. That's absolutely gone. I remember looking at the stars one might, and I was in ecstasy . . . but now I can go out to look . . . [like I would] at the pattern on the wallpaper [on a theater wall]." [H. G. Wells; in Outlines and Illustrations, MacPherson, p.46]

But you don't do that with God. Israel and all they experienced were "examples for us, that we should not crave" what God does not want for us! [1 Corinthians 10:6]

God challenged Israel to remember what He had done for them but , by the end of their 40 year camping trip, they had taken Him for granted and still longed for the garlic and onions of Egypt.

READ ALOUD: Deuteronomy 8:11-20

As a nation we have the same dilemma . . . do we look at the history of our great nation and see the hand of God in every blessing. And we claim its wealth comes from the power of our own hand?

In the light of God's unchanging character, would He encourage us to STOP, LOOK, LISTEN, and THINK about this latter day failure? Would He want us to look forward and consider His promises in the shadow of this time?

1. If so, what lessons would He have us learn?

[LIVING STONES] That we aren't bricks made by human hands in a kiln over a few hours. We are "living stones." [1 Peter 2:5]

Stones take ages and ages to form in the crucible of the earth's crust; followed by ages of washing and weathering . . . to smooth out the roughness and round them. This is done to so they can be clearly differentiated from plain old rough, ragged rocks.

Francis de Sales said, "This [life] is but a quarry where the living stones of the heavenly Jerusalem are cut and washed."

God is preparing us to be good "Christians"; He is preparing us for our place in the wall of His eternal Holy Temple.

2. If so, what commands are we to keep?

We are not of the law but of righteousness by faith!

"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."

John 14:15

"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love ..."

[John 15:10a

This is the paradox of obedience: We can't keep His commandments unless we first acknowledge His authority to command; yet we cannot (it seems) acknowledge His right to command unless we begin by desiring to keep them.

"For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day."

2 Timothy 1:12

3. If so, what promises have we been given?

"seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, . . . for by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust."

2 Peter 1:3a,4

"But it isn't as though the word of God has failed. For they're not all Israel who are descended from Israel; neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED. That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants."

Romans 9:6b-8

Above us are the blinking reminders of our heavenly future; below us is the dust of our earthly past; and in between . . . ???

Well, between:

"there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

1 Timothy 2:5

And we have taken to heart the promise of Jesus our Lord, our God, and our Savior: "lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." [Matthew 28:20]

Christianity, Deuteronomy, Expository,
Homiletics, Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

RUTH: 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 ...

4:14-15

Link - RUTH - David's Great Grandmother!

Christianity, Easter, Expository,
Homiletics, Judges, Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

RUTH 4:14-15: David's Great Grandmother!

TOPIC: Kinsman Redeemer; Commitment, Loyalty, Promises (of God), Providence, Redemption, Trust

TITLE: RUTH - David's Great Grandmother!
TEXT: Matthew 1:5b & Ruth 4:14-15

“and to Boaz was born Obed by Ruth”

“Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed is the LORD who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may His name become famous in Israel. May He also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.’”

Ruth is a tender story of loyalty and trust; of purity and providence; with a prophetic purpose.

The importance of Ruth is found in the whole of the book … not the verses - very few verses are memory verses.

Possibly during a time of idolatry and immorality; during the period of the Judges … probably just before Gideon was a judge; during a time of intense famine.

Ruth demonstrates selfless character in her loyalty to Naomi and Naomi’s God ...

“Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God”

1:16

Naomi, a widow of the tribe of Judah dutifully followed husband and sons to Moab to survive, leaving all behind.

In Moab, each of her men dies in turn, leaving her a widow and caretaker of two Moabite daughters-in-law … without a redeemer. And Naomi is selfless in her concern for her daughter-in-law.

It’s About God’s Redemptive Plan!

A picture of the grafting in [Romans 11] of the Church ...

Chapter one has Naomi (Israel) and Ruth (Church) in the Land of Moab (world).
Chapter two has Ruth, without a people, gleaning in Boaz’ field (pasture or harvest field of God).
Chapter three has Ruth counseled by Naomi (Law); then on Boaz’ threshing floor (place of offering/sacrifice; winnowing and grace); by law Boaz becomes Ruth’s kinsman redeemer.
And Chapter four has Ruth and Naomi in the home of Boaz (redeemer of both); thus continues the royal line of David.

Tragedy and hardship end in joy and restoration.

Ruth provides no obvious commandments or manifested miracles, no wars or rebellions, no achievements or victories … only Naomi’s redemption from affliction ... an unusual book in the canon (i.e., without a kinsman redeemer). Highlights the providential and permissive aspects of God’s will.

Reveals mortar binding “living” stones to Chief Corner Stone; Ruth is a story central to the Good News.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Where Does the Book of Ruth Lead a Faithful Believer?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. It Leads Us to Trust the Power of God!
II. It Leads Us to Trust the Providence of God!
III. It Leads Us to Trust the Protection of God!
IV. It Leads Us to Trust the Promises of God!
V. It leads us to …

Who is this woman Ruth? A Moabitess, foreigner, stranger; daughter-in-law of Naomi; a childless widow. Moabites were out of Lot’s oldest daughter, through incest with her father; thus, Ruth is not only a woman and a foreigner but the off-spring of immorality and incest.

Soon to be wife of Boaz, her kinsman redeemer; a son of Rahab and David’s grandfather; one of five ladies in the genealogy of Jesus [Matthew 1:1-14]:

• Tamar, the Canaanite mother of Perez and Zerah, through her unlawful relationship with her father-in-law Judah
• Rahab, the harlot, non-Israelite, protector of Joshua’s spies; mother of Boaz, the father of Obed, the son of Ruth
• Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, taken in adultery by David, wife rooted in murder, the great-grandson of Ruth
• and Mary the wife of Joseph and the virgin-mother of Jesus, conceived and born out of wedlock

Ruth: the great-greatx10 grandmother of Jesus, along with Esther, she becomes one of Israel’s most blessed and beloved women.

Ruth is the female counterpart of Job; feeling hopeless, Naomi returned to Israel … not knowing what the future held. Then one of her two daughters-in-law professed allegiance to Naomi and her God, the Living God, the God of the living!

In spite of circumstances, Ruth was faithful to Naomi’s God; so God was faithful to redeem the family.

INQUIRY: Where Does the Book of Ruth Lead a Faithful Believer?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:

I. It Leads Us To Trust The Power of God!

God is mentioned 20 times; 3 names – Jehovah (LORD) 15x, Elohim (God) 2x, the other is Shaddai (Almighty) 2x … both times in this passage

She said to them,

"Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted (Heb = mara) me?"

Ruth 1:20-21

Though her faith waned, it was strong enough to recall that God is Almighty and a doer of great things

II. It Leads Us To Trust The Providence of God!

God has two wills – the one with which He permits us our will; the other is fixed in relation to decreed providence.

This wonderful but brief volume reveals an unforgettable example of God’s providential concern for those who put their trust in Him.

It teaches us not to lose faith, no matter the circumstance or hardship … for His providential will includes those who love Him and are called according to Hid purpose [Romans 8:28].

Twenty times the verb “redeem” is used; and this in a book with only four chapters.

This book makes a special contribution to the truth that God alone chooses whom He will redeem; He is under no obligation to redeem any He chooses not to! (E.g., Orhah)

“He makes the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children.”

Psalms 113:9a

The bible tells us ...

“the LORD enabled her to conceive [lit. gave her con-ception] and she gave birth to a son.”

Ruth 4:13

III. It Leads Us To Trust The Protection of God!

She believed deeply God’s eye was on the sparrow and she knew His eye was on them … she knew nothing surprises God … He is not only powerful but omniscient as well.

When all seemed lost and unfair, she turned to the teachings of her people

Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, ‘My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maids you were? Behold, he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight.’

Ruth 3:1-2

IV. It Leads Us To Trust The Promises of God!

When the OT asserts God is Israel’s redeemer, it points to His providential and covenant promises … and who is “the promised of God”?

“Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet of My head; Judah is My scepter.”

Psalms 60:7

Thus says the Lord!

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”

Genesis 49:10

So the blessing of Jacob on Judah, his son.

“… it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah … .”

Hebrews 7:14

“Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife, Naomi; and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem in Judah.”

Ruth 1:1,2

Compare this with others –

"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.“

Micah 5:2

“And I began to weep greatly, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look into it; and one of the elders said to me, ‘Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.’”

Revelation 5:4,5

Speaking of the Day of the Lord and judgment …

"Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments …”

Deuteronomy 7:9

APPLICATION: Naomi is a picture of Israel while Ruth is the gentile; separated from God and her destiny, without a son to carry on the family’s name.

Naomi has this on her mind:

“Why has this happened to me? What have I done to be without an heir to my husband’s name? Why have I been cut off?”

Was it not the God of Israel, the God of promise that she trusted? Had not blessings been promised and now withheld from this child of YHWH?

For her day, Ruth was an exception to the rule: not a member of “the chosen people of God,” faithful and loyal, and unselfish; she was moral, self-controlled, and spiritual; as well as civil and mature.

CHALLENGE: Are you an exception to the rule for your day? Have you considered what you will be remembered for? Has your faith carved a testimony out of your life? Have you turned from trusting your faith in God to trusting your works?

The Bible says some things about you and me providentially … and has some promises for those who love the Lord and called according to His purpose [Romans 8:28]!

Those who have been redeemed by Almighty God, who were “not a people but are now the people of God” [1 Peter 2:10] should be transformed by their experience, and show this quality of God’s love to others!

1. It was God’s faithfulness to Israel that attracted Naomi to Him; and
2. it was her faithfulness to Him that attracted Ruth to her
3. It was Ruth’s faithfulness to her mother-in-law and her God that attracted Boaz to her; and
   
4. It should be that our faithful and public testimony would attract others as well!

The lost should be attracted to us as the moth is to the light bulb, not to death but to life, life everlasting!

Christianity, Expository, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Ruth, Sermons

NUMBERS: Full Sermons

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

6:23-27

INVOKING GOD'S NAME - Remembering the Lord's Blessing!

14:8-9

WORDS TO LIVE BY - Facing the Unknown with Emmanuel?

quick link: NUMBERS Seed Archive (INACTIVE AT THIS TIME)

Expository, Homiletics, Numbers,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

ISAIAH 49:8-9 Quintessential Treaty!

TOPIC: Covenant; Faithfulness (God's), Promises (of God)
TITLE: CHRIST - THE QUINTESSENTIAL TREATY - A Covenant of Peace Between God & Man! [Adapted from Spurgeon's Morning & Evening; January 3, "Morning"]

TEXT: Isaiah 49:8

Thus says the LORD, “… I will … give You for a covenant of the people …”

TRUTH CLAIM: In this day, when truth is so urgently needed in our great nation, a drought has struck this land, a desolate vacuum of integrity has descended upon this people.

If there were ever a day when the sweet, reviving moisture of God’s Word was needed by His people, it would have been in the centuries prior to Christ’s first coming.

But, as we behold these days which precede His second coming, the tearless weeping of God’s children is heard as a silent roar and their parched brittleness cries out for the washing of His Word.

God’s Word is His promise, our covenant, our assurance of peace with God. And God has given His Word. Yes, He has given His Word; and the Redeemed of God must remember His Word.

… the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What then are some of His possessions which are now yours?
CONCISE OUTLINE:

I. The Power of Christ is ours!
II. The Love of Christ is ours!
III. The Justice of Christ is ours!
IV. The Acceptance of Christ is ours!
V. The Righteousness of Christ is ours!

Jesus Christ is this quintessential covenant; an agreement of peace between God and man. He Himself is the sum and substance of the promise and, as one of its gifts, He … the Lord of lords, the King of kings … is the equity of every believer.

O my friends, YES! Yes, yes, yes! This people needs, and this nation needs, the cool, wet wash of heaven’s Living Water. But we (you and me and all of our redeemed brothers and sisters) do not! We have His promise!

Can you estimate what you have received in Christ? "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily …" [Colossians 2:9]

1. Consider that word “Godhead” and all its infinity! (How does the finite explore the borders of endlessness?)
2. Meditate then upon His loveliness and all His perfection. (How do the unattractive and imperfect enter in to His glory?)

For all that He (Jesus Christ), as God and man, ever had or will have, is yours - out of sovereign, spotless grace, it has been given over to you for your personal possession forever.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What then are some of His possessions which are now yours?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:

I. The Power of Christ is ours!

Does He have power?

His power is yours to sustain and strengthen you, to overcome your enemies, and to preserve you even to the end.

Paul said Jesus was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead [Romans 1:4]; being baptized into His death we are also baptized into His resurrection [Romans 6:1-11].

II. The Love of Christ is ours!

Does He have love?

Well, there is not a drop of love in His heart which is not yours; you may dive into the immense ocean of His love, and you may say of it all, “It is mine.”

God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

III. The Justice of Christ is ours!

Does He have justice?

It may seem a stern attribute, but even that is yours, for He will by His justice see to it that all which is promised to you in the covenant of grace shall be most certainly secured to you.

BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL is WELL-PLEASED; I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.

Matthew 12:18

IV. The Acceptance of Christ is ours!

Does He have acceptance?

All that He has as perfect man is yours. As a perfect man the Father’s delight was upon Him. He stood accepted by the Most High.

… a voice came out of the heavens: "Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased."

Mark 1:11

O believer, God’s acceptance of Christ is your acceptance; for do you not know that the love which the Father set on a perfect Christ, He sets on you now? For all that Christ did is yours.

V. The Righteousness of Christ is ours!

Does He have righteousness?

That perfect righteousness which Jesus wrought out, when through His stainless life He kept the law and made it honorable, is yours, and is imputed to you.

Paul said …

whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:7-11

If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.

1 John 2:29

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Our blessed Jesus, as God, is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent. Will it not console you to know that all these great and glorious attributes are altogether yours?

Our blessed Lord, as perfect man, is our substitute, our blood atonement. Does it not give you hope and peace to know that He did these things for you and that they are altogether yours?

Christ Himself is our peace and Christ is our the covenant, but you must be in Him to be a part of the agreement.


[TRUST] Have you ever watched people try to feed the squirrels in the parks; the animal doesn’t seem to trust the human. Even though the man leaves a peanut for the squirrel again and again, it doesn’t trust him … again and again.

No matter how patient the man was the squirrel is not quite persuaded. Some people are like that, “Almost persuaded.”

Covenant, Homiletics, Isaiah,
Preaching, Promises, Sermons

DEUTERONOMY: Full Sermons

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

8:1-10

STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! THINK! - Recognizing the Sovereignty of God to Command!

33:27

FOUNDATION FOR LIVING LIFE TO ITS FULLEST - Fear Not For He Is With Us!

CrossLinked: Spurgeon's Morning & Evening Proclaimed Series (November 11 "Morning")

quick link: DEUTERONOMY Seed Archive

Deuteronomy, Expository, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

EXODUS - Seed Archive

Exodus 3:10 [Matthew 28:19-20]

TOPIC: Calling; missions
TITLE: EVERY MAN A MOSES: Called To Bring God’s People Out!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How is the call to Moses similar to the Great Commission's call to the saint of today?

I. In that both call us to God!
II. In that both send us out from God!
III. In both we bring the enslaved to God!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: The world, like Israel, is in bondage. Each of us has been called to come to God, that He might send us out, that we might bring them out.

Every non-believer in the world today has his own Egypt, his own Pharaoh, and his own savior … what they lack is a Moses. For centuries priests stood between man and their God, now our apathy does!

18:18

TOPIC: Leadership; Organization, Planning

TITLE: REPRESENTATIVE AND REPRESENTED - How and why God wants us organized!
TEXT: EXODUS 18:18

“Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself."

TRUTH CLAIM: If left untaught and undiscussed, the people will let their leaders do all the work on their own.

Everywhere in Scripture we see the Lord encouraging and endorsing organization. Not to elevate one individual over another, but rather to show His people how to work together with one mind toward one goal, to show the leaders how they ought to organize the people for the work!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What three questions help us understand God's organizational plan?
CONCISE OUTLINE:

I. HOW HE WANTS US ORGANIZED?
II. WHY HE WANTS US ORGANIZED?
III. WHAT HE EXPECTS OF THE ORGANIZATION?

APPLICATION: Moses was so close to the trees, he couldn't see the forest; it took someone from outside to present better way to him. To Moses' credit he saw clearly the wisdom of his father-in-law's suggestion.

God has only one way to organize, yet he allows many variations of His way. It's not so important who has what method, rather it's whether we

1. operate within the context of God's way
2. work toward God's goal, and
3. cooperate with one another to accomplish it

Our church has no exemption from God's plan; if we expect to be a part of achieving His objective, we must organize and cooperate His way!

CHALLENGE: We must challenge ourselves to remember it is not our work or our goal, but God's work and God's goal. If He prefers one way over another, we must organize His way and cooperate in His work!

Look around the church today and try to understand that we are following a biblical model. Try to learn how it operates, then find a way to get involved ... with a cooperative attitude.

19-20:1-2, 18-26

TOPIC: Priesthood; Types (OT)

TITLE: A SPECIAL TREASURE - A Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation!
TRUTH: The words of our title equally apply to the Church in 1 Peter 2:9. So the promises given to Israel are also given to the Church, "if [we] will indeed obey [His] voice and keep [His] covenant" [v.5].

It would do us well to make note of the similarities and differences between the Mosaic Covenant and the New Covenant in Christ's blood.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How does Israel before God at Mt. Sinai compare to the Church before God today?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. WE BOTH -

A. MUST COME BEFORE HIM!
B. MUST BE PREPARED TO COME!
C. CAN EXPECT TO HEAR HIS VOICE!
D. MUST OBEY HIS VOICE!
E. MUST KEEP HIS COVENANT!

II. BUT THE CHURCH -

A. NEEDS NO HUMAN INTERCESSOR!
B. HAS ONLY ONE LAW - THE ROYAL LAW!
C. MAY COME BOLDLY INTO HIS PRESENCE!

APPLICATION: O what joy floods my soul; O what freedom I enjoy! The Lord, while I was yet a sinner, died for me! I'm not just free, but free indeed!

In other words, it's impossible to keep the law: "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." [James 2:10]

In fact, it was never God's intent that the law be kept: "The law was our tuto, to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith." [Galatians 3:24]

It was always God's plan to redeem the world through His Son: "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" [John 1:29]

CHALLENGE: There are five or six covenants in the Old Testament. The believer, who truly appreciates what the Lord has done, will endeavor to understand the purpose of these covenants relative to the New Covenant in Christ's blood. The reason?

Most of what we know as New Testament light has reflected off those covenants. You'll be surprised when your eyes are opened to this truth.

Christianity, Exodus, Expository Preaching, Homiletics,
Sermon Outlines, Preaching, Sermons