Keeping Your Heart Encouraged
In a very discouraging time.
Romans Chapter 8

Pr 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

We live in a day of a constant borough of negative media.
Though Much of it is very possibly true, makes it even the more troubling.
70% of our young people accept homosexuality as a viable alternative lifestyle.
Respect for marrige act by fienstein, to confuse and reverse “The defense for Marriage Act”
The elementary school chaos.
The threat of the separation of Church and state being eroded.
The constant reminders that evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse.
Suicide rampant.
Political upheaval
Disease proliferation
World wide Financial woes
Moral decline
World instability
Religious liberty being eroded
Religion seems so base and empty
Great instability and lack of faithfulness

So what can help me and cause me to be joyful and victorious in my life, my family and my call

Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever
things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things
are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I. As a Saved Man I Live no Longer under Condemnation

Condemnation- damnatory sentence

John 3:16-21

II. As a Christian I Have access to God’s Word by the Spirit of God Vv2-13
That I might live above and beyond the flesh

Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
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.

I know how much Jesus still loves me, because of His love letter to me

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

I know how to love Him

Mt 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

1Jo 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

I know it is God’s Words that makes a difference in the way I see myself

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

I know it is God’s Word in my life that makes a difference in the way I see others

Ro 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

III. As a Believer I am an Adopted Joint Heir of Christ and Have no need to be Fearful
Vv14-17

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Can’t I then believe that God can provide all my needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

IV. We understand Clearly That the Fulfillment of all Things will not be Without Great struggle Vv18-23

A successful marriage is not without struggle

The joy and happiness of a child brought into our life has a great struggle

The raising of that child will not be without struggle

The joy and happiness of a soul being born into the family of God is not without struggle

Seeing the growth of God’s children and a Church is not without great struggle.

Patience is not without great struggle

Death is not without struggle

New heaven and New Earth is not without struggle

Mt 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

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.

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;

2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

V. As a Christian We are given a Great Escape for our Fears, cares & doubts….Prayer
Vv24-27

Lu 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be
opened unto you.10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that
knocketh it shall be opened.

Mr 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Ps 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

Ps 55:2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;

Ps 145:18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

Confession & Forgiveness I John 1:9

I can Praise Him in thanksgiving

Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

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.

I can find wisdom – 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.

VI. As a Believer I can Trust God Knows Best for Me Vv28-34
They are all for my good; God’s glory

That love God

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love;
1Jo 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

That are called

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.

perhaps as Joseph’s troubles; for temporal, spiritual and eternal good to men w/ great glory to God.

VII. As a Believer I am Secure in Christ. Vv35-39
Nothing can separate me from the Love of God Found in Christ Jesus.

Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,5 Even when we
were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)6 And hath
raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:7 That in the
ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ
Jesus.

Col 3:1 ¶ 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.

So God gives parables, which a PARABLE is a story told to illustrate a truth (Nu. 23:7; Eze. 17:2). Parable means to lay something alongside another, “referring to a comparison or a similitude, in which one thing is compared with another, especially spiritual things with natural, by which means those spiritual things are better understood, and make a deeper impression on an honest and attentive seeking heart.

1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the
riches of his grace;8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that
ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

I. The Mystery of the Sower Must First be Understood and Accepted Vv1-23
Where Jesus Makes the call and Sets the standard for Bible Salvation
And also shows the importance of the sower, seed, soil, and the supply (harvest)
Sower- heeds the call
Following the instructions to reap a harvest
Seed
Incorruptible seed
Everlasting

Soil
Way side
Stony place
Among the thorns
Good ground

Seeing the Supply
Fruit of variable types and degrees
Another Christian
Fruit of the Spirit

II. Dealing With The Wheat and the Tare Vv24-30
Promotes awareness of the Enemy
The importance of me doing my part to guard the field
And to teach the end product of them both.

Jn 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out
of my hand.29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of
my Father’s hand.

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour:

So 2:15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

Mt 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening
wolves.
Wheat
Ro 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

Tares
Corrupted Bibles, music, immodest dress, inappropriate activities

The gatherings

Trying to Keep them ever from being planted
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Knowing God will do the plucking one day

III. Following the Example of The Mustard seed Vv31-32
Is motivation to live by Simple Faith
Faith is getting a promise and moving toward it
Faith is planting the seed in our heart and nurturing it to maximum capacity

One faith

Of the least

Growing to the greatest

Requires continued watering

Ec 2:6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

Isa 44:3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring

With proper heat

Isa 18:4 For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.

And light

Ps 44:3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.

Jesus favor is upon FAITH!

IV. Heeding The mystery of the Leaven Vv33-35
Teaching us to have an hatred of sin

Sin starts out small
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
So 2:15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

Sin continues to grow
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

It can infect others, for many years to come
Ex 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

V. Finding True Treasure Because of Faithfulness V44
Faithfulness, honesty and integrity is required

2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Or some would look upon the field and say concerning Christ He is comely, life could not be found there.

1Co 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Working in a field that isn’t yours
Not even knowing possibly how much God loves all people

But I think he has a special affection for His co-laborers

I Thes 4:9 ¶ But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

I Cor 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.11 ¶ For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

Finding great treasure that wasn’t even yours

Yet knowing by who’s hand it came

Which causes us to chose honest and integrity or thievery and confusion with it when it is found.

Willing to stake all I have on it, though we might not know its final value.

If you will not work the thing God has given you now, you will not likely find many true riches or any further treasures.

Work produces commitment and commitment brings true riches which spurs investment

That field that produces true riches I will commit to.

VI. Searching for The Pearl of Great Price Vv45,46
Searching and ready to Pay the Price for it

It was not found by accident, but found because of a diligent search

This is the man who found the treasure among the clods and is now applying the wisdom of investment.

This is the man who not only finds the value of an earthly treasure, learns to use what he has found to greater perfection, by that one pearl sought.

He is a thoughtful, earnest individual, anxious after the best things, and therefore he reads, he hears, he considers and searches, even as a jeweler would do who is seeking goodly pearls.

He discovers the gospel, and rightly judges “the kingdom of heaven” to be the pearl of pearls, and therefore sacrifices all things else that he may have it in his own possession.

It is single mindedness. The first sought

toward

The one true and living God

Over The Church
Declared by The Word to be the Word
In agreement w/The spirit of God
In sovereign control of His own
With a coming day in absolute control

Seeking pearls- (like hunting that trophy dear, letting a lot of good go by to get the best)
Sometimes the good becomes the enemy of the best!
Finding That One Pearl- Jesus, which encompasses all that Jesus is.
Sold out and bought it.

Re 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,19 And what is the
exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,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,21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Ro 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.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.

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

VII. Living In light of a Future Judgment Vv47-52
God is not mocked!

Mt 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mt 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

That inheritance will not be without one last event of judgment.

That will deal with both old and new!!!!!! OT-NT, old man-new man, Times of old-Now, Heaven of old- New Heavens, Law-church-kingdom

After which the old will be passed away

Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

All evidence of sin will be gone.
The earth will be renovated by fire
New heaven and a new earth will come down

And on His right hand the saved of all generations who have had their sin judged in Jesus Christ and are arrayed in the robs of His righteousness bought by the blood of Christ in observation.
Re 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Mt 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Lu 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

Re 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

When the dead shall stand before Him both great and small.

Sustained by a Right Spirit!
Pr 18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
Ps 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Ps 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

I. There are wounds Common to all men

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

All of us face things of which some are obvious

Physical health
A permanent deformity from birth or an accident
A child with a physical or mental challenge
A relationship that has gone bad and produces constant grief
A financial reversal that seems to be irreversible
Or you have buried some one you have loved dearly

And some are not quiet so much noticeable

The pain of loneliness
Health issues that no one can see or knows about
Mental abuse at home or at work that no one can see or know
Financial struggles that have not yet manifested themselves or are on a day by day basis
Coldness and indifference by friends and loved ones that is subtle and depressing
Questions in ones heart that seem not to have an answer

No doubt they are real issues that keep us upset and living often with a broken heart sometimes in a spirit of hopelessness.

Regardless of whether they are seen or not we all have the temptation to want to blame someone else and/or wear it on our shoulders.

And often God gets the brunt of it, and our spirit is adversely affected because our spirit is where we commune with God.

If you have never trusted Christ you probably do understand all that I have said until now.
But for the most part you probably will not fully understand the rest. Because your spirit is dead and it requires the Spirit of God.
For our spirit was to be the control center of our being. Spirit, Soul and body I Thes 5:23

1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

This world is not a Garden of Eden, and I can not make it one, we must not expect it that way!

We live on a sin cursed earth, in a sin cursed world, with a sin cursed body.

To us some may not appear to have afflictions, wounds, or be so touched by the curse like we are.

Or it may seem we are carrying a far greater load than our neighbor.

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.

Jn 21:20 ¶ Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

Gal 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden

Gal 6:2 bear ye one another’s burdens.

Some burdens you can help me with, but every man has his own peculiar burdens that only he must bear.

Jer. 10:19 Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.

We should not think this strange!

I Peter 4:12 ¶ Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Could the three Hebrew children go to a fiery furnace and not me?
Could David, Daniel and Paul face lions and I face none?
Should David have his Saul’s and I have none?
Could David face many family burdens and I not know any?
Can Elijah have to face a Jezebel and her prophets of evil and me face none?
If Noah built for 120 years and was mocked and jeered for his faith, should I?
Abraham had to leave everything to find a city, and I should think I shouldn’t!
Would God allow Joseph to face prison, lies, heartaches of family and me not!
Could Moses suffer affliction with the people of God and I have none?
Would David have his goliath with me facing none
Is it possible that Jesus would suffer at the hands of men, die on a cross and me bear none?

Our burdens may not be of a lion nature, or fires or kings or bars of prison, or Jezebels

Yet we will all bear burdens of this life that will wound us spiritually if allowed.

There are wounds we will have just in living!

II. A Wounded Spirit Can Also be Found in Battle

The Christian life is not a playground it is a battle ground
It is no cake walk it is a walk in a mind field
It is not a bed of roses it is a call to action
It is not just a school zone it is a war zone

Some Christians get wounded because of wrongful expectations

Some Christians are wounded because of weariness

Some Christians are wounded because of the failures of his comrades.

Some Christians are wounded because of their disappointments in themselves

Some Christians are wounded by their very best friends or family

III. The Avoiding of a Wounded Spirit

Keep a consecrated spirit
He that expects nothing will ever be disappointed (be content)
Exercise yourself (exercise yourself rather unto godliness)
Make Jesus your Alpha and Omega

Maintain a close fellowship with Jesus in every endeavor

Keep a clear view of the objective as well as the enemy

IV. The Healing of a Wounded Spirit

Get honest with yourself

Ps 32:3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.

Identify the type of wound

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

Doubt
Unforgiveness
Unfaithfulness
Have I Offended or been offended
Misplaced priorities

Apply the appropriate medicine and care

Jer 46:11 Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured.

Ask for help, when needed
Summit to it

Give it the time needed to heal
Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Stay there where it has been found
Ps 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God,
A place where sin can not molest, near to the heart of God.

Conclusion: Is there a wound in your spirit that needs to be attended to?
Or maybe you might come and ask God to sustain you knowing they will come.

Matthew 11:1-30

Mt 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

A pastor had one of his members come to him, offended, who said that he was leaving the Church, and the pastor asked, “Why?” He said, “Because you are not bold enough.” A few weeks later, another member came to the Pastor, offended, and said, “We are leaving the Church,” and the Pastor asked “Why?” He said because you are just too bold.

If we are men of God, preaching and teaching by the Spirit of God with the love of God in our hearts, we will always seem bold, extreme, and sometimes, offensive; and yet to some, tender.

Jn 6:60 ¶ Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

For, if we do have truth and desire it by the constraining love of God, then it will be strong, bold, and defined.

Jesus could clean the temple and it was obvious he did it in love, because His house was to be a house of prayer.

Alternatively, He could say, “Not many days hence and you will not see me. I am going away. Whither I go thou canst not follow me now;” But He said it in love, knowing he was the way, the truth, and the life. He would soon bring them unto himself.

When Jesus told the woman at the well that she had had five husbands, and that the one she was living with was not her husband.

That, depending on how you received it, could all seem overly and very bold, and it could offend you. It could also seem to be a great relief, because it was a truth leading some to greater blessings, and setting many others free from the bondage of sin.

In Matthew 10, Jesus had just called His disciples together, and had given them power over many things. He also had instructed them of many things of which they should be aware. He told them of what kind of attitude they ought to have in the things that should come.

And when John had heard the things Jesus had given them, instructed them in and prepared them to handle.

John sent two of his disciples to see if this was really the Christ.

It seems that John wondered at that, for he would have liked to have seen a little more harshness especially toward his captors. I know I would have! John was probably a little offended in that.

So Jesus inserted v6 “Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”

Because from where John was Jesus sure was being soft. (for John felt he was paying a great price)

But from where the disciples were He sure was being hard. (leaving John in prison)

So Jesus gives a contrast of who a John is in comparison to the children of his generation

Mt 11:7-11

And Jesus was saying Blessed is the man who can get past the man and the circumstances;

to the matter of the boldness and the tenderness of truth.

Offenses can and will come

Lu 17:1 Jesus said unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come:

Which are really the test of our first and true love.

Ps 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

So may we making bold where the Scriptures makes it bold, and tender where it makes tender.

Which either way if it is truth that is needing to be applied will always feel a little uncomfortable

Church is to both disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed. (with the same message)

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart

Matthew gives us many areas where offenses can come and could cause us to be stopped in our tracks.

I. Offended in Jesus the Way, the Truth, the Life

Mt 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word,

and anon (forthwith, immediately) with joy receiveth it;21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but

dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by

he is offended.

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.

II. Offended in the Humility of Jesus

Mt 13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

Mt 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

III. Offended in Jesus’ Rejection of Religion

Mt 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Pr 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

IV. Offended in the Last Days Because of Abounding Sin

Mt 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Mt 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

V. Offended of the Gospel to Varied Degrees

Mt 26:31 ¶ Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.33 Peter answered and said unto

him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.34 Jesus

said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me

thrice.35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise

also said all the disciples.36 ¶ Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane,

and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.37 And he took with him

Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.38 Then saith he

unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be

possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.40 And he

cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not

watch with me one hour?

We all want to please ourselves, and be accepted, both of God and of man.

But, in pleasing one you will often offend the other.

OFFEND:

to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall, metaphor. to offend

to entice to sin

to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey

to cause to fall away

to be offended in one, i.e. to see in another what I disapprove of and what hinders me from acknowledging his authority

to cause one to judge unfavorably or unjustly of another

since one who stumbles or whose foot gets entangled feels annoyed

to cause one displeasure at a thing

to make indignant

to be displeased, indignant

“To obey is better than sacrifice.” He that comes to worship his Maker filled with malice, and anger, and envy, and at war with his brethren, or tries to flee or avoid truth is a hypocrite, and offensive to God, and will meet with God’s displeasure. God is not deceived; and he will not be mocked.

Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Ac 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Ro 5:5 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.

Conclusion: Be noble. Do the noble thing!

Ac 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness

of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

2012: The Year of Discipleship
The Furtherance of God’s Ministry
II Cor. 5:14-21

1. I. The Motivation vv 14,15
   Love & Truth
2. II. The Mandate vv 16-18
   Life: saved, sanctified, and serving
3. The Meaning and the Message vv 19-21
   Laboring in a life long message and ministry for God

Conclusion: Are you willing to be a disciple so that furthermore, you might be a discipler?

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The Doctrine of Christmas According to the Bible – part 3

Isaiah 9:6

1. I. The Mighty God
2. II. The Everlasting Father
3. III. The Prince of Peace

Conclusion: Are you living under it?

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The Doctrines of Christmas According to the Bible – con’t

Acts 2:23, 4:26, 5:38, 20:27

1. His Counsel is Determined and to be Understood
2. His Counsel is Divine and to be sought
3. His Counsel is to be Declared Unto All

Conclusion: Do we understand? Are we seeking? Are we
sharing with others? These are doctrines of Christmas!

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Isaiah 9:6

1. Jesus is Called Wonderful
   Because of His Authority
2. Jesus is Wonderful
   Because He Loves and Cares about All People
   (Read Mark 5:35-43)
3. Jesus is Wonderful
   Because He Does all Things Well
   (Read Mark 7:31-37)
4. Jesus is Wonderful
   Because All That Jesus does and says is Truth, Spoken in Love
   (See Mark 10:23-31, Mark 11:15-21)

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Isaiah 9:2-7

1. A Child is Born
   That We Might See Jesus In His Humanity
2. A Son is Given
   That We Might See Jesus In His Deity
3. The Government Shall Be Upon His Shoulders
   That We Might See His Future Rein as King of kings and Lord of Lords

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Mt 20:30, Jn 9:1, Mk 2:14, 6:48, Jn 8:59

1. We Will See Our Real Condition and Need
   Matthew 20:29-34
2. We Will Recognize Our Great Opportunity of Eternal Value
   Mark 2:13-17
3. We are Faced Also With Our Grave Responsibility
   Mark 6:45-52
4. We are Made Aware of Times Of Terrible Tragedy
   John 8:51-59