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

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 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

DANIEL: 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 ...

5:1, 30

THE RIVER OF LIFE – How God Diverts The Plans of the Arrogant!

10:14, 18-19

A PROPHETIC WORD - How prophecy strengthens us!

quick link to DANIEL: Seed Archive

Daniel, Homiletics, Preaching,
Sermons, Sermon Series

EZEKIEL: 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 ...

37:1-14

A CRUCIAL QUESTION - Son of man, can these bones live?

quick link to EZEKIEL: Seed Archive

Ezekiel, Homiletics, Preaching,
Sermons, Sermon Series

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

REVELATION - Seed Archive

1:8

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

TOPIC: Christ; Inexhaustibility, Nature, Ominipotence, Omniscience, Sufficiency, Word

TITLE: THE I AM IS - His sufficiency also is!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: In what ways does our text tell us He is more than we need?

OUTLINE:

I. IN THAT HE IS THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA!

A. He is the whole alphabet ... (cp. John 1:1-2, 14)

1. Every spoken word!
2. Every heard word!
3. Every written word!
4. Every read word!

B. He is the inexhaustible sum total of all knowledge!

II. IN THAT HE IS, WAS, AND IS YET TO BE!

A. Today, yesterday, and tomorrow!

B. Our present (Church Age), our past (OT witness), and our future (prophetic hope)!

III. IN THAT HE IS ALL POWERFUL!

A. Able to accomplish that which He says!

B. Without equal (don't argue the co-equality of the Trinune Godhead here)!

C. Unconquerable!
D. Sufficient for all our needs, ever!

21:9

And one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues, came and spoke with me, saying, "Come here, I shall show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."

TOPIC: Bride, Marriage Supper* (of the Lamb), New Jerusalem [Spurgeon Morning & Evening, July 22 AM]

TITLE: THE WIFE OF THE LAMB – How Jesus went to great lengths to find an acceptable bride! (revised 31 May 2006)

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What did the Lord do to find the bride of His own choosing?

I. JESUS SOUGHT HER!

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Luke 19:10

II. JESUS BOUGHT HER!

Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her ...

Ephesians 5:25b

III. JESUS CAUGHT HER!

Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.

Revelation 19:7

IV. JESUS GOT HER!

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:2

Expository, Outlines, Preaching,
Revelation, Sermons