This should be disturbing to every blood bought Christian.

Where did the institution of Marriage and the Home come from?

Is it a concept of society, or is it designed by God.

We will be voting on the marriage act on May 8, and you need to vote.

Declaring marriage is a union between a man and a woman.

This is not a message against the opposition of the God deniers,

this is a message for God and marriage and the Home, our country, your future and your kids and grand-kid’s future.

There is no doubt and is inevitable that antichrist will come and no doubt that he is already here at work.

Just like Christ tells it unto the Church at Pergamose
Re 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Nu 25:1 ¶ And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.

Nu 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

Satan may have won a battle in our lives, but lets do all we can to keep him from winning another

No where in the Bible does it say we should lay down and give in and give up.
Just give me a cabin in the corner of glory land mentality.
That is the most inconsiderate, cold indifferent attitude you can have as a Christian
It declares we should
Occupy till He comes
Fight a good fight of faith
Put on the whole armor of God
Using the weapons of our warfare which are not carnal
For YOU might not be adversely affected right now, but your children and your grand children surely will be, if we do nothing.

Because Marriage is tied to every aspect of our lives, relationships, nation and time.

Because it is really the essence of who we are. IT DEFINES US.
Because We are all a product of a home to some degree to some extent.
So we must ask
I. Is Marriage Defined by God in my Life?
That we might Identify with truth
Though you might not be married or get married this is an important question.
Webster, MARRIAGE. “The act of uniting a man and woman for life; wedlock; the legal union of a man and woman for life. Marriage is a contract both civil and religious, by which the parties engage to live together in mutual affection and fidelity, till death shall separate them. Marriage was instituted by God himself for the purpose of preventing the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, for promoting domestic felicity, and for securing the maintenance and education of children” (Webster).

Marriage was the first institution ordained by God after the creation of man (Ge. 2:18-25), and it is the bedrock of the human society.

Male- Adam
Female-Eve
Not Adam and Steve

Anything which corrupts marriage and the home is a direct threat to society as a whole.
Mt 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

This is one reason why sexual immorality and homosexuality are great crimes which were punishable by death under the Mosaic law (Le. 20).

Malachi explains that marriage is more than the physical union; it is a covenant before God and man

Mal. 2:14 The LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, …yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

The marriage union is the only place of sexual relationship is to be blessed by God according to (He. 13:4).

Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

From Genesis we see that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman before God
for the purpose of creating a new family unit
Ge 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth

He has clearly defined it.
That is why it is incumbent upon us to get it right.
For Judgment is upon a people who build physical relationships out side of it.

II. Do I see Marriage as Designed by God?
That marriage might typify our relationship to Him
The marriage relationship is the greatest earthly example of Christ and His Church relationship

We were created As a male and female In Their Image

A triune being
Spirit
Soul
Body

Equally Yoked- to co-habituate Gen. 2:22,23, bone of his bone flesh of his flesh
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together

For Dominion- victorious Christian living
Using the resources God gives us as good stewards

A man should Leave his Father and Mother
And cleave to His wife
He takes the absolute responsibility of the earthly care of His wife
And if you don’t the Bible says you are worse than an infidel
1Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

One in flesh
Sensually they desire no other and have no other

Unashamed
Guarding the way we treat our spouse with mutual respect
Operating with each other upon the dictates of God’s truth
With intimacies that only each can know about the other

III. Do I See The Home Destined by Each
As the home goes so goes the country…as each member goes so goes the home
God’s Standard for the Home has never changed
Only Now as Fallen men
We have greater and more defined responsibilities-

Gen 3:16 ¶ Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

17 ¶ And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Under more stringent circumstances- sin cursed world among sin cursed man

Therefore it is incumbent upon us that we each one do our part

Knowing God individually
Thru the righteousness of Jesus Christ Shed blood

Being a faithful witness as a male or female
Single
Married

Leading as the husband

Submitting one to another as a wife

Training the Children

Conclusion:

I hear what you are saying and I know I need to have a personal individual relationship with God thru Christ

Maybe you are here and you have been trying to get things done in the home outside of God’s design
And you say I need to get back to God’s design.

Or maybe you are here and you say I have not been fulfilling my role in the home and I know it and my spouse knows it.

Building the Home God’s Way Series
Eph 5:1-21
The Individual Mandates
You become what you are looking for.
So I ask what are you looking for in your individual life, marriage and your home, society?
Where are you looking for it?

Good home relationships begin with the proper mindset of the individual

Where are we getting our concept of the home?

TV/Hollywood?
School?
Peers?
Sports figures?
Family members?

Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Ge 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (six times the Bible tells us this)

Tit 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not
given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Tit 2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

Am 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers

Pr 19:21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Ps 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

So how is it done? I am glad you asked!

Mutual Responsibility to each other is not the plan>>>>>>>>>It is not a contract it is a covenant
Mutual submission to each others responsibility before God individually.
Husband, wife, children, master w/same message

I. It Starts with the Right Message Col 3:1-4
Eph 51 ¶ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Col3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on
the right hand of God.2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.3 For ye
are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear,
then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Ps 90:9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.

Mt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

For God knew we would need companionship, support, and fulfillment, upon this earth.
Ge 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

But We must be individuals before God, and our relationship to Him must be first

Salvation
Sanctification
Standing before God- judgment

Lu 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Our love for our Savior ought to make our love for anyone else look like hate.

And that should be the goal of every member of the family to have that message.

And the goal of each one should be helping the other to get there if they are not.

II. Having The right Music in your life
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Satan is mentioned in connection with musical instruments before his fall (Eze. 28:12-14). The mention of “thy tabrets and of thy pipes” in v. 13 is a reference to the fact that Satan, as the “anointed cherub” (v. 14), had the ability to produce music for the glory of God prior to his fall.

Ezekiel 28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

A clear indication of the part of music which God wants to be preeminent in the music of a Christian.

Ps 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

A clear indication that the type of music in my life can and will affect us individually, our homes & others.

III. Having the right Mentality toward others
You will never be over until you are willing to be under
Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

You treat people the way you see them usually in comparison to yourself.

2Co 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Ro 13:1 ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

1Pe 5:5 ¶ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

1Pe 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Mt 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

What parents do in moderation, children generally do in excess.

Mt 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

IV. With the right Merit/ value/ of Mercy
Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Could we bow our head and say thank you for what we are about to do, say, think?

Not asking what is wrong with it, but asking what is right with it.

And we learn to seek forgiveness, extent forgiveness and be thankful

That we won’t be a hope-sucker-outer

V. That Our individual Responsibility might be Made Manifest
In our respected roles
It is not a chain of command, but a line of responsibility
For we have far different roles, but one common goal, the mind of Christ

The quarterback is not superior over the center, he just has a different role in that he gets to call the play that came from the coach, but both have the same goal.

Everybody gladly summits to their responsibility.

The husband as the head loving his wife as Christ loves the Church
…yes the wife says and I am the neck…don’t go that route…you will lose with God
Better be careful anything with no head is dead and anything with two heads is a freak!

The husband is responsible for the wife in every aspect of her life.
That does not make her inferior nor does it give him the right to be a dictator.

Remember your 1st responsibility is to God
If God is then your wife can be assured she is held to the Highest esteem a person can be.

The wife submitting As the weaker vessel as his help meet
1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Steal may be stronger than gold, but gold is more honored & valuable
Blue denim is stronger than silk, but silk is more precious and desired.
We are to men of steal, she is to be an ornament of gold

As his help meet
Ge 2:20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

Men think by reason, women think with their heart. (she came from his side)

There is not a man here that doesn’t need help with that.

You lead right and I believe she will follow right and help to keep you in your place.

With Her spiritual needs
I Cor 14:34 ¶ Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

1Ti 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Showing forth Trustworthiness
I Tim 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

This should be disturbing to every blood bought Christian.

Where did the institution of Marriage and the Home come from?

Is it a concept of society, or is it designed by God.

We will be voting on the marriage act on May 8, and you need to vote.

Declaring marriage is a union between a man and a woman.

This is not a message against the opposition of the God deniers,

this is a message for God and marriage and the Home, our country, your future and your kids and grandkids future.

There is no doubt and is inevitable that antichrist will come and no doubt that he is already here at work.

Just like Christ tells it unto the Church at Pergamose
Re 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Nu 25:1 ¶ And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.

Nu 31:16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

Satan may have won a battle in our lives, but lets do all we can to keep him from winning another

No where in the Bible does it say we should lay down and give in and give up.
Just give me a cabin in the corner of glory land mentality.
That is the most inconsiderate, cold indifferent attitude you can have as a Christian
It declares we should
Occupy till He comes
Fight a good fight of faith
Put on the whole armor of God
Using the weapons of our warfare which are not carnal
For YOU might not be adversely affected right now, but your children and your grand children surely will be, if we do nothing.

Because Marriage is tied to every aspect of our lives, relationships, nation and time.

Because it is really the essence of who we are. IT DEFINES US.
Because We are all a product of a home to some degree to some extent.
So we must ask
I. Is Marriage Defined by God in my Life?
That we might Identify with truth
Though you might not be married or get married this is an important question.
Webster, MARRIAGE. “The act of uniting a man and woman for life; wedlock; the legal union of a man and woman for life. Marriage is a contract both civil and religious, by which the parties engage to live together in mutual affection and fidelity, till death shall separate them. Marriage was instituted by God himself for the purpose of preventing the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, for promoting domestic felicity, and for securing the maintenance and education of children” (Webster).

Marriage was the first institution ordained by God after the creation of man (Ge. 2:18-25), and it is the bedrock of the human society.

Male- Adam
Female-Eve
Not Adam and Steve

Anything which corrupts marriage and the home is a direct threat to society as a whole.
Mt 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

This is one reason why sexual immorality and rainbow are great crimes which were punishable by death under the Mosaic law (Le. 20).

Malachi explains that marriage is more than the physical union; it is a covenant before God and man

Mal. 2:14 The LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, …yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

The marriage union is the only place of sexual relationship is to be blessed by God according to (He. 13:4).

Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

From Genesis we see that marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman before God
for the purpose of creating a new family unit
Ge 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth

He has clearly defined it.
That is why it is incumbent upon us to get it right.
For Judgment is upon a people who build physical relationships out side of it.

II. Do I see Marriage as Designed by God?
That marriage might typify our relationship to Him
The marriage relationship is the greatest earthly example of Christ and His Church relationship

We were created As a male and female In Their Image

A triune being
Spirit
Soul
Body

Equally Yoked- to co-habituate Gen. 2:22,23, bone of his bone flesh of his flesh
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together

For Dominion- victorious Christian living
Using the resources God gives us as good stewards

A man should Leave his Father and Mother
And cleave to His wife
He takes the absolute responsibility of the earthly care of His wife
And if you don’t the Bible says you are worse than an infidel
1Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

One in flesh
Sensually they desire no other and have no other

Unashamed
Guarding the way we treat our spouse with mutual respect
Operating with each other upon the dictates of God’s truth
With intimacies that only each can know about the other

III. Do I See The Home Destined by Each
As the home goes so goes the country…as each member goes so goes the home
God’s Standard for the Home has never changed
Only Now as Fallen men
We have greater and more defined responsibilities-

Gen 3:16 ¶ Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

17 ¶ And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Under more stringent circumstances- sin cursed world among sin cursed man

Therefore it is incumbent upon us that we each one do our part

Knowing God individually
Thru the righteousness of Jesus Christ Shed blood

Being a faithful witness as a male or female
Single
Married

Leading as the husband

Submitting one to another as a wife

Training the Children

Conclusion:

I hear what you are saying and I know I need to have a personal individual relationship with God thru Christ

Maybe you are here and you have been trying to get things done in the home outside of God’s design
And you say I need to get back to God’s design.

Or maybe you are here and you say I have not been fulfilling my role in the home and I know it and my spouse knows it.

Getting the Most Out of Church
that my life may count to edify others, for my good and God’s glory
Eph 3:1-12
I. Seek the CAUSE

I Samuel 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

Dispensation of grace- God’s administration of His eternal plan for us now.
Right now God has chosen grace, in the past He used law, one day He will rule with a rod of Iron.
God will not ever ask anything of you that the hand of omnipotence is not behind
Any man
The Word of God to all
Long suffering
Spirit of God
The Church of God
Sure doctrine
Prophecies to come

Knowledge of the Revelation- I now have the privilege that no common Jew or Gentile ever had

2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Read it
Discuss it
Study it
Pray it
Apply it
Declare it

The Gentiles as a partaker

Times of the gentiles

The Bible divides the whole world into three groups
Jew
Gentile
Church of God
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

II. Desire the EFFECT

Preaching the un-searchable Riches of Christ
Preaching is to disturb the comfortable and to comfort the disturbed
that cannot be searched out, a life long endeavor
that cannot be comprehended, can not be learned, applied or understood without the Spirit of God
When understood they are handled as riches
Protect them
Use them wisely with understanding

That we might see the opportunity of our fellowship
One body
One family
In blessing and in suffering
Ro 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
1Co 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

That we might be motivated to a higher calling- not giving attention to the distractions

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

III. Placing yourself Consciously within its PURPOSE

Eternal Purpose

doing battle together

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

With great confidence

By Faith

Easter, What’s the Big Deal?
I Cor. 15
Many will have a nice family gathering and some will be in a nice Church service of which most will never grasp the real issue and the real importance concerning this day.

NASA spends billions of dollars with great risk of life and much study and work to find a way to prove there is no Heaven or place of God or at least find a place and people that would declare God is holding back something from you.

Which is what Satan has done since the beginning of time.

Gen3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Our educational system says by seeking greater knowledge that there will be found a knowledge that will ultimately settle all the worlds problems and differences.

Knowledge without God leads to a reprobate mind.

Ro 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

The medical field is constantly trying to find the river of life and the fountain of youth by some scientific break thru that would give man life that he would never die and/or never age.

Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

And we would all say, “all these things are big deals”.

But may I say the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a Greater deal than them all!!!!

The Resurrection is what distinguishes the choice of who we will follow and what the outcome will be

The Gospel I Cor 15:1-4

There are many men who had a following “Seven Men Who Rule From the Grave”

There were many world leaders who died cruel deaths

But there is but one who is alive today

This matter of resurrection is absolutely mandatory to eternal life
The only place Easter is mentioned in our KJ Bible is found in Acts 12:4 (no accident)

Ac 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

a Saxon word (Eostre), denoting a goddess of the Saxons, of whom sacrifices were offered about the time of the Passover
This is where we are today! No Passover Lamb of God.

I. There is no Hope with No Resurrection Vv12-19
Without it there is no knowledge there is no hope
Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach
you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Two men debated the Gospel which boiled down to two statements

The denier said to the believer “what if your wrong” expecting some dissertation
But the believer simply asked “what if you are wrong”

Many a man will make a life and death decision without reading God’s Word.
But base their decision upon the theories of another.

One college professor wrote after his study of the fact or fiction of the resurrection of Christ

The difficult of belief may be difficult, but the problems inherent in unbelief present even grater difficulties.

II. Real Hope is by the resurrection Vv20-23
The resurrection set in order events of time (as we know it) and truth that will never change

Christ our first fruits

Christ, the first fruits from the dead (1 Co. 15:20,23).
Seven men that rule from the grave tell us of their influence today, but they are dead.

Christ became a man yet without sin

There is nothing that Jesus doesn’t understand about your struggles.

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

In Adam all die
Ro 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

In Christ all who accept Him are made alive

Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Every Christian will rise regardless of their time of departure
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Therefore we are plunged into this contradictory world we live a gospel life v29

Because there are still dead men out there that touch our lives.
We can not just get saved and enjoy, we must be willing to suffer
There is joy in giving our lives for others (the most miserable are those who don’t)

It is a fight worth fighting

Ac 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

III. Believers Get to Emphasize the Resurrection Vv45-50
This is dress rehearsal for eternity for the Christian
1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your
spirit, which are God‘s.
We die to the old man and put on the new.
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
What is done in the body should line up with what we say we believe

Body
1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Romans 12:1,2

Spirit

1Jo 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

2Co 5:10 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.

IV. We Will Experience a Great Transformation by the Resurrection Vv51-53

1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Ro 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection

Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

V. We Will Enjoy the Victory of all Victories by the Resurrection Vv 54-57

Death
2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

rainbow
Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:
Ro 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Grave
for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Conclusion
Therefore my beloved brethren be ye: Do you belong to God’s family?
Steadfast- sitting, sedentary, firm, immovable
Unmovable- not to be moved from its place, unmoved, firmly persistent
Abounding- in abundance, or overflows unto one, something falls to the lot of one in large measure
to redound unto, turn out abundantly for, a thing, to abound, overflow

Have a Successful Journey!
Use God’s GPS!
Matthew 7:7-11, Gen 12:1-5
Matthew 7:7 ¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Heb 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Ro 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the
unwise.15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome
also.16 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation
to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.17 For therein is the
righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Faith is getting a promise from God, exercising myself in that promise, until it becomes part of my life.
That I might see Jesus and Jesus might be seen of me.

Ps 103:7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

I. ASK
As Needing Direction
Ask; in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.

God is not obligated to anyone but His own children

you have to have the right processor in you to make this system work.

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

God has limited his operating system to the Word of God
Ps 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

Then you have got to know how to operate the system

Lu 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Joh 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
1Jo 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Pr 2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

II. Seek
Seeking God’s Direction as an Adventurer

Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

If you can see it it’s not of faith. (if you know the who, what, when, where and why)

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Re 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Mt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

While you are seeking that answer to the financial provision, you don’t quit tithing

While you are seeking the answer to your relational ship problem, you don’t quit being faithful to the house of God.

While you are seeking that medical solution in your body, don’t quit being a witness.

While you are seeking that next way of provision for your family, continue to be about God‘s business.

III. Knock
Upon Arrival Knock seeking to satisfy the Need Completely
Nothing really matters unless Jesus in agreement.
Mt 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Luke 11:5-10 Friend in need of bread
Luke 18:1-8 Woman in need of avenging

It is ashamed that Jesus says in the last days that he will be knocking at the door of the Church rather than us knocking at His door.

Re 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

When we have been invited already and we don’t because we don’t like the conditions.

Heb 10:19 ¶ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,

By the blood of Christ

I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.8 ¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ps 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Ps 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

New and living way

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

Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

True heart

1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Full assurance

Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Rejoice in HOPE!
Romans 5:1-5
How to be used of God at any time. Rejoice in HOPE!
Romans 5:1-5
How to be used of God at any time.
If hope were dependent upon you, could anyone know it or find it?
Two men behind prison bars one saw mud the other saw stars.

The Battle of trying to encourage men is to often fought between pleasing men or pleasing God.

I believe they do not have to be at odds, one simply follows the other.

Pr 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Two men behind prison bars one saw mud the other saw stars.

I. Rejoice in the Glory of God
1 ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:2 By whom
also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

You will never know God’s glory apart from salvation by Grace thru Faith in Jesus Christ

GLORY. dox’-ah
(1) It means praise (Lk. 2:14; 17:18; Ac. 12:23; 1 Co. 2:7; Ep. 1:6).
To bow down; to honor; to exalt; to pay homage; to reverence

(2) It refers to God’s holiness, exalted magnificence, and divine perfection (Jn. 1:14; Ro. 1:23).
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Holiness- How I can please God, and Jesus can be seen thru me and my self not be noticed

(3) It refers to the splendor and wealth of a king and his kingdom (Mt. 6:29; 19:28; 25:31; Jn. 12:41; 17:5,22,24; Ro. 9:23; Col. 3:4).

(4) It refers to the brilliant light which surrounds the presence of God (Ex. 16:10; 40:34,35; Le. 9:6,23; Nu. 14:10; 1 Ki. 8:11; 2 Ch. 7:1-3; Eze. 10:4; Mk. 13:26; 9:29-31; Lk. 2:9; Re. 1:16; 21:11,23).

(5) It refers to beauty IT IS A PLACE WITHOUT ANY UNPLEASANT THING. No sorrow, pain, or death (Re. 21:4), no hunger or thirst (Re. 7:16), no darkness (Re. 22:5).

(6) It refers to boasting (1 Co. 1:29,31; 3:21; 4:7; 5:6; 2 Co. 5:12; Ga. 6:13).

II. Glory in Tribulation
Vv3,43 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh
patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

Have no excuses!!!!!

If God will hold accountable those who only had creation, how much more do you think us who have the Word and Spirit?

Ro 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Ro 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Very few of us really have tribulation, most of us only have tribulation common to all men.

2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Php 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Lu 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

One day a fellow servant said to Mr. Spurgeon “Mr. Spurgeon did you know the world is against you?” and Mr. Spurgeon said “then I am against the world”

2Co 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Ex 15:24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
Ex 16:2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
Ex 17:3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
Nu 14:2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!
Nu 14:29 Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,
Nu 16:41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.

Patience-
The suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness; the act or quality of waiting long for justice or expected good without discontent; perseverance; constancy in labor or exertion; the quality of bearing offenses and injuries without anger or revenge (Webster).

Experience
1) proving, trial
2) approved, tried character
3) a proof, a specimen of tried worth

Hope- 1Co 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

III. Serving Without Shame
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the
Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Shame: reproach; disgrace; dishonor (Ex. 32:25; 2 Ch. 32:21; Ps. 4:2; 35:26; Is. 20:4; Lk. 14:9; 1 Co. 11:6; 14:35; Ep. 5:12; Ph. 3:9; He. 12:2; Jude 13; Re. 3:18).

Mr 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and
sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of
his Father with the holy angels.

Be unashamed by being found:

In faithfulness
Moreover it is required in….

A Student of God’s Word
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Christian In all conversation
Php 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:

Without ceasing

In prayer
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

In expectation and hope
Php 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Keep the Glory!
Judges 1:1-4, 17-19, 2:1-15, 2:16
Judges is a book that tells about how Israel lost her glory
Judges is also a book that tells us of how Israel was blessed
But I believe it is also a book that can help to keep it from happening to us
To teach us how to resist it and even reverse it.

As long as God lives and tarries his coming there is hope and opportunity

There is a very real parallel here concerning the nation of Israel and America that should be alarming
And it should be concerning
But furthermore we should endeavor to do all we can to resist it and turn from it and see a transforming that only God can do.

We see the pattern broadly like this
God gave us:
Lord
Law
Land

They ignored the Lord
They rejected the law
They defiled the land

The first generation Generates
The second Generation Speculates
The third generation degenerates and dissipates

I believe this is true for nations, but I believe it is also true of families

I. You Can not ignore the Days of Generation
These are the Days glorious conquest
Victories Judges 1:2 Judah means Praise

Patrick Henry March 23, 1775 said:
“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God! I know not what coarse others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.”

The spark to the American revolution

George Washington took his oath of office with His hand upon the Bible then Kissed it
And In his inauguration he said:

Having thus imparted to you my sentiments as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together. I shall take my present leave, but not without resorting once more to the benign Parent of the human race in humble supplication, since he has been pleased to favor the American people.

So with election and inauguration His first act of the office was to take the entire congress to Church for two hours

I. Days of generation
II. You can not Create Days of speculation (pragmatist)
The Days of subtle compromise

Jud 2:2 And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their
altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?

V7 they served God as long as they saw God working thru the faithful

V10 but when Joshua’s generation died….. And A new generation arose that knew not Joshua

If we could fast forward ahead and see the consequences and outcome of no one taking up this distinct mantle
Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Pr 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

They say There is No fixed standard——- Jesus is not King, or Lord

1960 65% believed the Bible is the moral absolute
In 1992 32 % there are no moral absolutes
The Church w/ Sunday morning people 52 % said there was no absolute

I believe and feel that I could prove our day of compromise is a product of 2 things 1 force and 1 failure

Public education:
You can not use moral clarification teaching and not have men do what is right in their own eyes… remember there are no right or wrong answers here!

Make no league (compromise) with the inhabitants of the land

It was not God’s failure it is man’s failure to teach and preach against it and maintain God’s standards

They could drive out the inhabitants of the mountain, but they could not drive them out of the valley
They said they were too strong
They had chariots of Iron
Ye did run well who did hinder you

They were afraid of them…
Liquor/Drugs—– so lets legalize it

Sexual promiscuity —– Just give them condoms

What does a child think when an US official says its OK? (people we have taught our children to honor)

WE think we have problems that we can’t do anything about so lets accommodate

Instead of Building fences at the top of the cliff we are manning the ambulance at the bottom

We have lost the war so lets accommodate

First they feared them Ch 1:19

Then they favored some Ch 1:28

So now they want to make some of those they feared their servants

They showed them some FAVOR so they could profit from them …

ex lottery, liquor, immigration, drugs

Encouraging the people of our community to participate in a vice so the government can profit in the name of good. >>to help the people

Then there were those that they began to fellowship with (because they would not drive them out, because they were afraid of them, because they wanted to profit from them)

Therefore They learned their practices

Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

Ro 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Company with the world …Just a little drink, just a little peep, just a little lie, a little pill
We think we can handle it

Ex of Larry Waters in LA …. Balloon story

Sin takes you further than you want to, keeps you longer than you want to stay…

We think I can handle this thing

Jud 2:2 And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?

First they Feared , favored, then they fellow-shipped
Days of generation
Days of speculation

III. You can not be in agreement in the Days of degeneration
The third generations grim consequences
When God’s clear commandment are abandoned

Jud 2:3 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.

Why? That God will be God, and every man a liar
No nation has ever had the blessing we have had

Yet: We have lost respect
We can not (WILL NOT) even solve the problems at home
Our Streets are filled with violence…
The poverty rate is at a record rate (WHY? WE WON’T WORK)
The ten commandments taken down…. They might hurt the mind of some child
God has withdrawn His hand
Jesus is not King … so there will be thorns
Ps 106:15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

Conclusion 2:16 nevertheless God raised up judges (to save or deliver)
If we take God’s way>>>> we can have freedom and liberty

Ex of Abraham Lincoln and the slave girl on whom he bid… Abraham Lincoln bid and paid the price.. She asked what he was going to do with her… He said he would set her free.. She said free to.. Free to…

if the Son shall make you free ye shall be free indeed

If we don’t take it ….

Sing and Cry
Enlarging the Place of Thy Tent
By Lengthening the Cords and strengthening the stakes
Isa 54:1-10

The Church which I believe began with Christ and His disciples is here prophesied which at the time was concealed (they just did not see it at the time given)

But we now see more clearly & should be able to reap immeasurable benefits from the whole Bible.

As we see the fulfillment of Jesus Himself Nurturing those first disciples with the care of a loving bridegroom

Matthew 9:14 ¶ Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

And we see the group gathered at Jerusalem following the glorious ascension of Christ.

With the early gathering of Christ Church during His presence only proved to gather together a meager 120

This no doubt was troubling to the Lord Jesus for He had surveyed Jerusalem saying: Mt 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

This small group gathered were most likely saved Jews from Jesus’ earthly ministry
Joh 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

You see you and I were the barren, children of the desolate, for we never travailed as with child to bring to pass what we see and have in Christ.

We are not here because of some whim, we are here because those to whom Jesus came rejected him and He chose us (a gentile people), to fulfill the plan and will of God.

So are We left here as Christians to Lavish ourselves and relish in our position. NO, NO, NO!

Remember who you were! Barren and desolate……..A nobody, nothing, lost undone

But now saved, which means great responsibility to have greater and greater outreach, not just by addition but multiplication.

Those of us that you will hear this week are an extension and fulfillment of verse 2

Which should not cease. (I have heard Bro. Reed say often it is not the seating capacity…)

So I ask “How is your sending capacity” Which is what this verse is really about.

Because for every one that goes there must be many in support.

For to have a great sending capacity we much have an even greater reaching & teaching capacity

That we have the grand opportunity to do. Sing and cry aloud! Lenth our cords & str

There are three thoughts concerning “Lengthening thy cords and strengthening thy stakes”

I. It Requires Many Hearts and Hands of Faith that Work
Hearts of faith pump blood to arms of work

You will never get the work of God done with a paid preacher and a paid staff

I will never forget a story Dr. Rasmussen told concerning His ministry at West Coast about a Family who…..

When you lengthen the cord and…. You must hold tight the tent at every pillar or the whole tent could fall.

1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Pr 9:1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:

Every member of Northview Baptist Church should be involved in this ministry

And if your not a member you should come at the end of this message and present yourself for membership and be willing to do what ever the Bible says to make that come to pass.

Remember God did not save you to sit soak and sour. (this is not your rest)

He saved you, gave you the Holy Spirit of God, the Word of God, a caring Loving Church

To fulfill the will of God

And it all centers around God’s ONE Church program. (The Great Commission)

You know how I know? Go to the funeral home!

The Gospel- Preaching, reaching
The Word- teaching, discipleship
The Church- Edification and equipping, giving, praying
The Christian Home- Devotion, separation, godliness….If I don’t keep my family I lose my ministry as pastor
Good Works- people don’t care what you know until they know how much you care.
shewing thyself a pattern of good works
Heaven- a destination that exceeds any inconvenience we might incur in this life
Judgment- Judging thyself that ye be not judged,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, judge righteous judgments

II. Which allows for the extension of the Strong Cord of Faith, Hope and Charity
Spare Not

The same kind of faith, hope and charity it took to start this ministry, is the same kind it takes to extend it.

You keep it the way you got it.

Ec 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Faith: faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.
You want to know how that verse is true, go to a funeral.
Solomon said it is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting.

Hope- “anchor both sure and stedfast” (He. 6:19), a “strong consolation”(support, comfort) (He. 6:18), an “everlasting consolation” (2 Th. 2:16), “a living hope” (1 Pe. 1:3).
I don’t have to, I get to!!!

Charity- Godly love, that extends mercy and imparts grace and produces peace.

If God was depending on you How would we fair?

III. Which Requires moving and driving the stakes of Conviction deeper
Hard work!
1Th 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy
Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your
sake.

Our convictions we live by, everything else is just talk.

Our convictions are moved only to be made more useful.

Made to reach farther and to be made stronger for others.

That the whole might be made more usable and more stable more committed for others

Like that of Knowledge, wisdom, understanding

May 31, 1792 a sermon was preached from Isaiah 54:2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

In a humble Church of Nottingham, England ,a humble preacher worked three jobs (minister, school-master and cobbler) only to make only 36 pounds per year (today $57.60). He had very little earthly possessions. One of which was a strange map made of leather and brown paper that hung on the wall that was made of his own hand, a map of the world. That was constantly upon his mind. The world, God so loved the world, go ye into all the world, the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our God and of our Christ. He was a jack of all trades, yet a man of single thought.

On that night the people listened with respectful interest and close attention, yet did nothing.
With the people dispersing the preacher took the hand of Andrew Fuller and said “are we not going to do anything, call them back. We dare not separate and do nothing, but as a result of that night a missionary society was born by the father of modern missions, William Carey, who offered himself as the first missionary to India.

I am going to limit the invitation tonight, like this….

If God spoke distinctly concerning his perfect will in expanding the ministry of God’s work we want you to come.

I mean if you are asked you could name specifically what God is asking of you

And if it were followed up on we would find you there faithfully.

Mr 14:8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep in order gain what he cannot lose.

Each one of us have unique personality, ability, beauty, position, influence, and even Possessions.. etc that no one else has.

That God wants us to give unto him, now, aforetime to his return or our own death.

That if used by God in your given time could affect the rest of this time (until Jesus comes).

I love the story of Able; in fact, it has the emphasis upon it that I want my life to have.

Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

What will be spoken of our life after we are gone?

What kind of heritage will we leave?

There are so many Biblical examples we could talk about that time would not allow.

But may I give you just a few?

Mrs. Elizabeth Smith- have faith in God; God wants to use you.
Mrs. Nannett Sweet- I will forgive, I will suffer and wait.
Mr. RA Johnson- Invest, invest, invest
Mr. Jimmy and Troy Moore- Love people where they were
Mr. Bill Danahoe- Memorize the word
Bro. Keith Kizer- Who loved the Word of God
Mr. Ed Whiting- Pray, pray, pray
Mr. Bob Gregory- give, give, give
Mrs. Karen Guynn- Love Him, Love Him, Love Him

These were just normal seemingly insignificant people among 7 billion people who made a difference
Because they did what they could for the Lord.
That made a difference in the Lord’s work, but also in my life personally because of it.

MARY OF BETHANY. She was sister of Martha and Lazarus and loved Jesus exceedingly (Jn. 11:1-45; Lk. 10:42). Mary was one of the only disciples who truly understood that Jesus would die (Jn. 12:1-8), and she anointed his feet with costly ointment.

She was also the one who truly understood what was the best thing between serving and worship.

Luke 10:38-42

I. She Considered the time
and took the time, Time is of the essence

(1) In its normal usage, time means a definite period of minutes, hours, or days (Ge. 4:3).
(2) A period of time during which God is working out His purposes (1 Ch. 12:32; Ac. 1:7).
The Bible speaks of the “times of the Gentiles” (Lk. 21:24)
the “times of the restitution of all things” (Ac. 3:21).
(3) A measure of events–second time, third time, last time etc. (Mt. 26:42,44; Mk. 14:72).
Our days are numbered
Our life is like a vapor
like the grass
Just like everyone else (we do with it much as we will)
All we have promise of is now
There is coming a time when the work will be over
Jesus death, burial, and resurrection

II. She considered Place because of the person
among friends and enemies
A village on the southeastern slope of the Mount of Olives, that means “the house of dates.”

The town of Bethany
Jesus favorite place to stay

House of Simon the leper Luke 17:11-19
Among one who would be favorable to do all that could be done for Jesus

Among those who had things common

Sitting at meat- sweet fellowship
the super table, the place of unity, no alarm, fulfilling, contentment
Even among those that were in disagreement
III. She considered its Value (Sacrifice)
what would Jesus think is the most valuable to Him
Our every action is of Great Value……….When done for Jesus and not men, yet toward men

Lu 9:48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

Mr 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Brought (planned)
something valuable
Break it (exposed it)……. not ashamed……..Encouraging to others
Poured it out …….Used it up…….spend and be spent
On Jesus head…..acknowledging every aspect of Jesus life, death, burial
Not considering what others might think

IV. She Considered Its Reach (the Gospel)
Jesus recognized and Attached Her Service to the Gospel

She was recognized for she had done what she could toward His Gospel

That which everyone needs to hear

Mr 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

What everyone needs to see

Mr 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel‘s, the same shall save it.

What everyone needs to be

Ac 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

And right now many of you are thinking God would not or could not use me like that.