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

MALACHI 3:8-11 Biggest, meanest thief in the world!

EDITOR: This is a somewhat lengthy message on an extremely critical biblical subject.

TOPIC: Tithing; Hypocrisy

TITLE: BIGGEST, MEANEST THIEF IN THE WORLD - Exposé on a 21st Century Holy Pickpocket!
TEXT: MALACHI 3:8-11

"Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings."

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What does Scripture teach about tithes and offerings?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. SCRIPTURE TEACHES US WHY WE SHOULD GIVE!
II. SCRIPTURE TEACHES US HOW WE SHOULD GIVE!

TRUTH CLAIM/CONTEXT: In their neglect of the Temple service the Jews were guilty of what those worshiping idols considered sacrilege; even a pagan would not shortchange the required offering. [Gill]

It's doubtful God would build a nation, a church, a people, or a life which offends Him in such a fundamental manner!

Tithes and offerings are not just a duty; they are each an expression and an indication: - an expression of our love returned, an indication of our faith!

Who is "the biggest, meanest crook in the world?"

Enron's Jeffrey Skilling and Kenneth Lay?
Tyco's Dennis Kozlowski?
ORU's Robert Roberts?
Carlton Pearson or Earl Paulk?
Lincoln Saving's & Loan's Charles Keating?
Saddam Hussein?
US Congress?
Louisiana Politicos?
The IRS?

Robert Sumner said the Biggest & Meanest Crook In the World is the one who steals from God! Christians stealing from God is like an inmate stealing from his cell-mate during a lockdown.

One is left in breathless amazement at those who claim the blood of the Lamb yet steal from The Great Shepherd.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What does Scripture teach about tithes and offerings?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

I. SCRIPTURE TEACHES US WHY WE SHOULD GIVE!

A. Because God Tells Us To!

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house."

Malachi 3:10

[PERCENTAGES] Some are like the tenant farmer’s 90% corn crop. He agreed with his master that 10% belonged to the owner ... but no matter how he planted every harvest only 90% came in; he never did have a season with a 100% crop!

B. Because It's A Testimony To The World!

[DUPLICITY] I recall a couple in a small church who decided they could drive out a pastor they did not agree with through backbiting and tale-bearing, and by getting others to join them in withholding their tithes and offerings.

Not only did they fail to drive out the pastor, but they brought shame and reproach on the church and the name of the Lord as word spread that the church was not able to pay its bills.

And the contra of this is true! You cannot out give God!

C. Because It's Not About You!

"God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things."

Acts 17:24-25

"... the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."

Ephesians 4:16

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house ..."

Malachi 3:10

It is about the greater good of the body through obedience!

D. Because It's For The Cause!

Remember, the real point of the "fishes & loaves" feeding of the thousands was the miracle of God creating much from little.

II. SCRIPTURE TEACHES US HOW WE SHOULD GIVE!

A. With The Right Attitude!

1.) Humbly!

Jesus said,

"But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you."

Matthew 6:3-4

2.) Faithfully!

"But he who doubts is condemned ... for whatever is not from faith is sin."

Romans 14:23

"Therefore, to the one who knows the right thing to do and does it not, to that one it is sin."

James 4:17

3.) Lovingly!

Giving is another of those outward expressions of an inward reality! What you give demonstrates how much or how little you love the One who loves you!

[INCOME] Try dividing your annual current tithe by your annual income (that's line 7 on your IRS Form 1040). How loving are you?

4.) Expectantly!

We must give and not expect anything in return; for a return is made on investments; tithes and offerings are not investments ... they are by their very nature - gifts!

Yet we can, without manipulating God, give expectantly.

"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

"Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed ... "

2 Corinthians 9:7, 8

5.) Liberally!

[CHURCH] A man's son opens a sidewalk lemon stand: his father is buying a lemonade and offers his son a dime! His son looks at the dime and then at his dad and says , "Dad!!!! This is business not church!"

"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

Luke 6:38

“'And try Me now in this,' says the LORD of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.'”

Malachi 3:10b-11

B. With Deliberateness!

1.) Regularly!

"On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside..."

1 Corinthians 16:2

2.) Proportionally!

"On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come."

1 Corinthians 16:2

[PEARLS] I read of one lady who told her pastor that just as soon as things get better she's start tithing. He replied, "No, Pearl, you won't!" "I beg your pardon!" She huffed. "Pearl, if you won't give a dime off of dollar you sure won't give $100 off of a $1,000."

A man who makes $100,000 tithes $10,000, then lives on the $90,000 is not to be admired for the size of his gift! More the widow who on her fixed income of $5,400 tithes $540, then lives on her $4,860.

C. And with fear and trembling!

In Acts chapter five we are told of two hypocrites, Ananias and his wife Sapphira, who withheld a portion of their offering from God. Their sentence was death.

Those who chose to withhold what is God's and not their own are likewise deserving of death!

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: One problem some have is that they think they can't give enough to do any good. But that is not the point! Give what you can while you can and God will show you how to give your tenth.

Others think they can't get by on 9/10. Let me tell you that you can live better on 9/10 than 10/10 when God's your bookkeeper! My wife and I know this to be true!

Try stealing from your neighbor! See if he still loves you! Better yet sneak into your father's house and steal something!

Only when the people of God reach that point in their stewardship that they understand the principle of giving as ordained will they ever hear the sound of "the windows of heaven" opening wide on their golden tracks!

A man's heart and his treasure are revealing companions!

Christianity, Expository, Homiletics,
Hypocrisy, Malachi, Offerings, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons, Tithing

HABAKKUK 2:4 - Reckoned Righteous - Faith is the victory!

TOPIC: Faith; Grace, Imputation, Mercy, Perseverance, Relationship, Salvation

TITLE: RECKONED RIGHTEOUS – Why faith is the victory!
TEXT: Habakkuk 2:4

“Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.”

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Why Must the Righteous Live By Faith?

CONCISE OUTLINE

I. SUPERNATURAL LINK TO GOD NEEDED!
II. DIVINE GIFT NOT WAGES NEEDED!
III. A LASTING RELATIONSHIP NEEDED!

TRUTH CLAIM/CONTEXT: The Old Testament doesn’t specifically mention salvation by grace through faith, as does the New Testament [“For by grace you have been saved through faith.” Ephesians 2:8a].

But scripture does tell us Abraham was reckoned righteous because he believed God when God promised to make his seed a great nation at a time when he was old and childless. And our selected text certainly supports the contention.

No matter how we interpret the salvation of Abraham or translate Habakkuk 2:4, it remains that the whole of Scripture teaches salvation by grace through faith. Whether we use the term faith or trust or belief, it is by the grace of God we are saved ... through faith.

It's not sacrilegious to ask, why through faith? Why not good works? Or love? Or profession [publicly saying we believe in God]? Why has faith been chosen?

Clearly, if God is God, He can do whatever He chooses. If He can have mercy on whom He will have mercy [Romans 9:15], He can likewise choose the vehicle for His saving grace.

God seeks the counsel of no man. If I'm having difficulty with one of my children, seeking the counsel of another is an admission that I'm unable to parent without the help of others. God doesn't have that problem; He needs no ones counsel … He is the perfect parent, etc.

But it's not wrong to seek God's help in understanding His truths.

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Why Must the Righteous Live By Faith?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

I. SUPERNATURAL LINK TO GOD NEEDED!

Because a supernatural link to God for man is required - faith is that link!

God has ordained faith as the conduit by which man receives His free gift of grace.

[WATER] It never fails but that our little daughter gets thirsty the minute we are too far from the house to get her one; we do not have a conduit from the water source to our car. If we did we could satisfy her thirst.

Problem: how to get the water to her mouth to satisfy her thirst.

Solution: take her to the source of water or build a conduit for the water to flow from the source to her mouth.

Analogy: So too with God's grace; it's in heaven where we can not go at the moment, far from the thirst of our hearts.

However, God, who spoke the heavens and the earth in existence, has said that faith will be His divine conduit for His grace. What the conduit can be to our need for water, faith is to our need of God's grace.

So it makes no sense to seek another route ... there is only one link between heaven and earth and that link is faith in the Son of God.

[PROMISE] A little boy hears his mom offer him a Snickers candy bar from the kitchen window; all he must do is come to the back door and receive what she's promised.

If he believes she will keep her promise and desires the gift, why would he go to the front door or to the neighbor's door? Why would he expect to receive it anywhere but where she promised?

II. DIVINE GIFT NOT WAGES NEEDED!

Because grace is a gift of God and faith is not the basis of that gift!

How is it a gift of God? It is a gift of God in that we are prevented from playing any role in its acquisition lest the gift be seen as something earned, and our sinful, selfish pride vaunts itself.

In the water illustration above, it is necessary to understand that the conduit didn't create the water nor does it improve the water. The conduit is simply used to move the water from its source to its destination.

The conduit is not the basis of satisfied thirst, rather it is the instrument for its delivery.

Faith is the connection between God and man but not the basis of our salvation. The recipient of water doesn't thank the conduit for the water, neither does the born-again believer thank his faith for salvation.

III. A LASTING RELATIONSHIP NEEDED!

Because Christianity is a relationship not a religion; God initiates that relationship!

Faith links man, who is sinking in a sea of sin, to God who is our Anchor and our Hope. Our need for a link is to provide a way of salvation, once that link is established a relationship exists.

[LIFE-LINES] The drowning man does not reject the life-line thrown from a rescue ship in order to grab a pallet floating by … why? Because the pallet offers only temporary deliverance, whereas the line to the ship offers permanent deliverance!

Likewise, God offers a life-line of faith in His Son, promising to reckon us righteous if we'll but trust Him.

[CABLE] Though faith seems a thin thread to many, it is in reality an unbreakable cable, held by the hands of Almighty God, whose infinite power slowly and surely draws all men to His heavenly shore. [paraphrase of Spurgeon]

There must, of necessity, be a relationship between the drowning man and the rescue ship.

However, it cannot just be a life-line, someone must be on board to pull the man from the water.

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: The half brother of Jesus said faith without action is dead.

Now action issues from faith in two ways: first, all action is a function of faith (walking, eating, exploring, employment, athletics, teaching, banking, politics, etc.); second, faith in God is a function of the knowledge of His love for us, such knowledge prompts acts of affection on the part of the recipients of His love.

That heart invaded by God is saved from sin and urged onward to holiness, prayer, sacrifice and service.

[FAITH] "What oil is to the wheels ... what wings are to birds ... faith is to all holy duties and services." [Spurgeon]

“… with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness.”

Romans 10:10a

God knows faith is the result of an understanding of His love which germinates in the heart, this understanding will result in right doing [i.e., righteousness].

Our love of God results in our loving our fellow man ... this, the Bible says, glorifies God and proves that we are disciples of Christ [John 15:8].

This loving faith results in blessings and James says,

"Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights."

James 1:1 7

Earlier the same writer says,

"Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved (i.e., perfected), he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

James 1:12

In combination, this cycle of trials and blessings, prepares us for glory: strengthening our ability to persevere under testing, on the one hand, and strengthening our ability to resist temptation, on the other.

Faith furnishes us with armor for this life and prepares us for the life to come. We are to walk fearlessly in our relationship with the living Lamb of God knowing what Paul knew:

“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

Faith does what nothing else can do. Why then would anyone attempt another route into the sheepfold?

[SAFE] It's a foolish man who labors on the door of a safe which holds the secret of eternal life, pounding and pulling, grunting and groaning … when the owner of the safe will provide the combination for free.

Ill-informed sheep and shepherds are leading the lost to the wrong gate to the wrong sheepfold; I fear thousands will not see glory because lazy or careless witnesses did not understand sola fide.

Christianity, Expository, Faith,
Habakkuk, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, 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

ECCLESIASTES 1:3 Under the sun!

TOPIC: Hope; Apathy, Hopelessness

TITLE: UNDER THE SUN - No thing new there!
TEXT: Ecclesiastes 1:3-11

What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun? A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.

Also, the sun rises and the sun sets; and hastening to its place it rises there again. Blowing toward the south, then turning toward the north, the wind continues swirling along; and on its circular courses the wind returns.

All the rivers flow into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again. All things are wearisome; Man is not able to tell it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear filled with hearing. That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done.
So, there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one might say, 'See this, it is new'? Already it has existed for ages which were before us. There is no remembrance of earlier things; and also of the later things which will occur, there will be for them no remembrance among those who will come later still.”

INQUIRY: What three questions, when answered, would help man have a more abiding hope?
CONCISE OUTLINE

I. WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF OUR DILEMMA?

A. The Introduction of Sin (Rebellion)
B. The Denial of Sin
C. The Absence of the Fear of God

II. WHAT IS THE PRODUCT OF OUR DILEMMA?

A. Common Depravity
B. Certain Death and Judgment
C. Constant Conflict

III. WHAT IS THE CURE FOR OUR DILEMMA?

Christ Jesus is the cure for all of man’s problems,

TRUTH/CONTEXT: Apathy is defined as the “lack of emotion or feeling” and “indifference.”

Apathy is a compound word, having a negative prefix attached to the Greek word pathos. It’s similar to our word amoral (a-moral), meaning “not moral” or “without morals” or “immoral” in English.

Social commentators and pollsters have been talking about America’s apathy for some time now, especially among voters.

Religion watchers and analysts have been seeing the same phenomena in the American spiritual community.

It’s almost as if everyone has become indifferent to the condition of the world, there is an observable absence of animated concern.

• Would you agree with me the world, including the USA, is in a real mess?
• Would you agree with me the mess is bigger than you have ever seen in your life?
• Would you agree with me that far too many people seem to have given up, a kind of a nationwide sigh of resignation?

I must confess I’ve been apathetic lately too. But I’ve been trying to motivate people to action: you, neighbors and acquaintances, but with no appreciable success.

I’ve found myself telling others I’m sorry I ever had kids. I’ve been feeling somewhat hopeless. I’ve needed some hope.

Would you agree with me, Billy Graham is one of the most popular and trusted people alive today?

Well, through a 1950s message he reminded me of something: my hope is anchored to the Rock of my salvation.

INQUIRY: What three questions, when answered, would help man have a more abiding hope?
EXPANDED OUTLINE

I. WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF OUR DILEMMA!

A. Introduction of Sin (Rebellion)

1. The Origin

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened.”

Genesis 3:6, 7

2. If anyone should feel bad about the world that’s been left to our children, it is Adam and Eve.
3. Paul said,

“Through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.”

Romans 5:12a

“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”

Romans 3:23

B. Denial of sin

“If we say that we’ve no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we’ve not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

1 John 1:8-10

C. No Fear of God

1. Following the resume of a classic sinner, Paul writes,

“THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.”

Romans 3:18

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 1:7

II. WHAT IS THE PRODUCT OF OUR DILEMMA!

A. Common Depravity

1. Depravity has filled our prisons, half-way houses, and gutters
2. It has destroyed families, marriages, careers, homes, communities, and even churches
3. It has brought us hopelessness and emptiness
4. It’s left us confused, numb, and burdened

B. Certain Death and Judgment

“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.”

Hebrews 9:27

1. The world seems to have no understanding of either
2. First Death

Our graveyards are full of these -

“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

3. Second Death

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”

Revelation 2:11

“Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power”

Revelation 20:6

“And death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.”

Revelation 20:14

“But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Revelation 21:8

4. Sheep-Goat Judgment

C. Constant Conflict

1. Every day of man’s existence, since the fall, has been scar pocked with conflict
2. Life’s road is littered with the wreckage of human conflict
3. Every home, every city, every nation

III. WHAT IS THE CURE FOR OUR DILEMMA!

Christ Jesus is the Cure!

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.”

1 Corinthians 15:22

Jesus said, “Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25, 26

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: I ask you, “Do you believe this?”

Though man has changed the world, in 6,000 years of existence he hasn’t changed the cause of the world’s problem or eliminated its rotten fruit.

We’ve disguised, renamed, and remodeled sin … and given it an extreme makeover … but a jackass in a dress is still just a boy donkey!

We’ve used philosophy, technology, and psychology to explain it away … but running down the street with arms out shouting, “To infinity and beyond,” won’t get you in the air!

We’ve used mysticism, plastic surgery, open-heart surgery, cryogenics, diets, expensive spas and mud baths, botox, and cucumbers to avoid it … but a Tom Cruise looking Frankenstein is still a dead thing!

Christ is the cure!

I don’t need to regret that I did not have a plan to change the world or to make it a better place for my kids. Because Jesus did!

My job is not to save the world, my job is to tell my kids about Jesus, their job is tell my grandkids about Jesus.

[IN CHRIST] In the movie “In America,” an Irish family is chasing a dream to start over. The father has lost his ability to feel anything since the death of his son (for which he blames himself). He lost his hope and desire to love, laugh, and cry. Through a chain of events (the presence of innocence, an act of love, a death, a birth, a miracle, two adorable little colleens) his faith in God is restored and his hope returned.

The movie presents America as the hope and dream of all, a place for new beginnings, a place to leave the past and build for the future … but they set the film in NYC and so you see the pain, the tears, the sorrow, and the depravity all around.
The potential for apathy and hopelessness was still there; clearly, effort alone could not protect them. In the end, it was the faith of the two little Irish girls that gave them all hope and purpose for living … to see Frankie (the son) again, and be with him.

Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ and His righteousness.

“In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who’ve fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us.

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 6:17-20

Yesterday, Christ made atonement for your sins. You need to receive Him into your heart through repentance in order to receive His atonement.

Today, Christ is at His Father’s right hand, in fact He is His Father’s right hand, in-terceding for you. You need to appropriate His intercession through prayer.

Tomorrow is not yet here, but Jesus has prepared a place for you, that where He is you may be also.

Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. You come, let’s take care of business today!

Apathy, Christianity, Ecclesiastes, Expository, Homiletics,
Hope, Outlines, Preaching, Sermons