Faith Baptist Church of Newborn GA

Exegesis on Ephesians 1:1-6

Ephesians 1:1-6

[1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: [2] Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. [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: [4] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: [5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

For us to understand this portion of God’s Word it is necessary to study some basic doctrines and thereby correct some widespread false teachings. The first prerequisite for understanding the Word of God is spiritual life, one must be saved. Many people believe that God acts in a capricious manner in His dealing with man. God is not the author of confusion, if we prayerfully study Scripture He gives wisdom. James 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. Believers too often rely on ‘scholars’ and preachers instead of going to the Word for themselves. It is much easier to be told what to believe than to study for oneself. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Notice that this is a command and associates study with work. Few Christians will do the hard work of study to find the truth about these themes. We must first consider the truth of God’s sovereignty. Notice:

The SOVEREIGNTY of God

I. The DEFINITIONS:

A. SOVEREIGN – The etymology of the word can be traced back to the foundational language from which English and many other languages have developed. It is a compound word that comes from the words ‘super’ and ‘reign’. Reign means to rule or a kingship and super means over or the utmost or top. We find that the truth is the God is sovereign in all things. Revelation 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. We will look at how God has chosen to exercise His sovereignty in this study.

B. MAN’S VOLITION, often referred to as ‘free will’. Most people recognize that we are capable of making choices about matters great and small. They would never say that they had not choice in whom they married or what they wore to work or what they do on their time off. When it comes to the most important decision of life.we are told by many preachers and theologians that man is incapable of choice. The Scriptures do not teach such a doctrine. Psalm 27:8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! It is clear that God has given man a capability to chose. He commands but did not create man as an automaton but as a being with his own volition.

II. The DEMONSTRATION of God’s sovereignty – God in exercising His sovereign will has chosen to give man the freedom to make the choice to receive Jesus as Saviour or not. We see that He has made all provision for man’s sin to be forgiven, but He does not save against the will of the individual. He invites and draws but every man must choose to follow Him or follow the flesh. Consider:

A. Adam and Eve in the Garden

B. Joshua’s command to Israel Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

C. Jesus speaking to Jerusalem Luke 13:34.

D. The invitation to salvation Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

A quote from Dr. Andrew Telford in his bool ‘Subjects of Sovereignty’ “Man has the inherent ability to turn to God, or to seek after God. Ultra Calvinism says that man will not turn to God unless God makes the first move in man’s heart to cause him to turn. God has implanted that ‘first move’ in every man in His creation. God has revealed Himself to ‘All Men’ (Romans 1:19-20), and Jesus Christ gives ‘Every Man’ light when he ‘cometh into the world’ (John 1:9). It is true that man left to himself would not turn to God, but God hasn’t left man to himself. All men stand the same before God in relation to the privilege of being saved. Man is dead in sin, bu he is not dead volitionally. He has been given by the Sovereign God the power to believe on Christ or to reject Christ. God, because of His foreknowledge knows who will be saved, but He does not decide who will be saved. There is no such teaching as ‘Limited Atonement’ in Scripture. God loves all mankind, (John 3:16). Christ died for all mankind, (2 Corinthians 5:4). God is, ‘not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance’ (2 Peter 3:9). Every man on Earth needs to be saved. Every man on Earth can be saved by receiving Christ. God has made it easy for a man to be saved. Salvation is not distant nor difficult, (Romans 10:7-10)”

My pastor for many years, Brother Ken Jacques, often said “God by His sovereign will chose those who would be saved, He chose ‘whosoever will’. AMEN!

Ephesians 1:4-6

[4] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: [5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

We will now turn to the doctrine of FOREKNOWLEDGE.

I. The DEFINITION

A. An ATTRIBUTE of God whereby He sees all things in the present tense. Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

1. Intrinsic in Him

2. Infinite

B. It’s INTELLIGIBLE so Mina my want to make the simple truths of Scripture unintelligible, but God’s Word is for ALL His Saints.

II. Its EFFECTS

A. God knows all

B. His knowledge does not mean He has preordained all things

III. The Scriptural EVIDENCE

A. Pharaoh Exodus 4:21 And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.

B. The Altar in Bethel 1 Kings 13:1-2 1 ¶ And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. 2 And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men’s bones shall be burnt upon thee. 1 Kings 23:15 Moreover the altar that [was] at Bethel, [and] the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, [and] stamped [it] small to powder, and burned the grove. 16 And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that [were] there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned [them] upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.

C. David’s Testimony Psalm 139:1-8 1 ¶ «To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.» O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known [me]. (God knows every person) 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. (He knows our thoughts before we do) 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted [with] all my ways. 4 For [there is] not a word in my tongue, [but], lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me (God knows us completely) 6 [Such] knowledge [is] too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot [attain] unto it. 7 ¶ Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou [art] there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou [art there].

IV. Our BLESSINGS We are blessed because God is:

A. ETERNAL

B. OMNISCIENT – He knows:

1. Our Problems

2. Our Provision

3. Our Place – Heaven

C. Omnipotent

D. Omnipresent

Let us now study the doctrine of ADOPTION. This is often misunderstood because of:

1. Transferring present day definition to the Bible subject.

2. Failure to understand the culture and customs of the day. Even today we have many misunderstandings because of the difficulties of cross-cultural communications.

3. Dependence upon ‘scholarship’ to do the work we should do in Bible Study.

Consider:

I. TheDEFINITION of the TERM means son-placed not son-made. It is an act God whereby He sets a goal for the believer. Because of the difficulty in translation it is sometimes that there is not a single word to translate the idea that a word conveys in a particular language. Illustration: Snow in the language of the Eskimos or coffee break into Spanish. The adoption is akin to our custom and legal term of coming of age. The child of a wealthy and powerful man may be heir to all that his father possesses but as a minor he has a limited ability to access those riches. We as children of God have not yet experienced all that is ours through Christ, but it is already our possession, we await the moment when Jesus will return and we will enjoy all the things that God has for us. Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Furthermore adoption as we understand it today was not a practice known in Israel. While there was a way for someone to become the guardian of a child and therefore responsible for their physical and moral welfare. The relationship between the child and the natural parents was not terminated by this arrangement. Son-placing occurred when the young man came of age and it was announced to the world that he now had the status of an adult with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities pertaining to his new position. We recognize this for our young people for most things at the age of 18. One day he is a child and the next a man or we could say he has been son-placed.

II. The TIMING Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. It is clear from this verse that we are not made the children of God by adoption because even the apostle Paul said of himself, like all believers, that he was waiting for the adoption. He then defines adoption in very clear and precise language. He tells us that the adoption is the redemption of our body. 1 Corinthians chapter 15 teach us that as the second coming of the Lord we shall receive our glorified body, that is the ‘redemption of our body’. Therefore the adoption is future.

III. The PROMISE of God assures us we will be son-placed – we will have a redeemed, glorified body and enjoy all the marvels of Heaven forever in the presence of our Saviour. We have God’s promise for it and that’s enough!

IV. The DESIRABILITY of it Philippians 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

A. INTEGRAL

B. INTENSE

C. IRRESISTIBLE

V. The Present MANIFESTATION Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 2 Corinthians 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. We are sealed (marked as God’s) by the Holy Spirit. This also is the earnest or down payment on all that will be ours.

VI. The PARTICIPANTS in adoption – Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

A. The PROVIDER – Jesus

We will now consider the doctrine of ELECTION.

Ephesians 1:1-6

One tendency that we all have is to impose the current connotations of words on those of the Bible and to think that the customs of our day is applicable to other societies, even those that are ancient. It is best to allow the Bible to be its own interpreter. The rule of first mention is very helpful in understanding the meaning of any word or doctrine. Election is most certainly a Bible subject and doctrine. Let’s look to the Scriptures for guidance in this study. Consider:

I. The DEFINITION – I will use the definition given by Dr. Andrew Telford in his book ‘Subjects of Sovereignty’ ; “a divine act of God, whereby God, for reasons known only to Himself, in the blessing of mankind, set to one side all firsts, and chooses all seconds.” Romans 9:11-12 11 (For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. The election of God has to do with:

A. A WORD or TITLE – much as we are called Saints or Christians

B. The WITNESS of His glory – by choosing those that the world would consider unworthy God shows Himself to be the one worthy of praise and glory.

C. The WORK of God – We are elected to serve Him not to privilege but to service.

II. The PROBLEMATIC texts

A. Romans 9:15-18 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then [it is] not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will [have mercy], and whom he will he hardeneth. Compare this with Romans 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. God has mercy upon all. Pharaoh hardened his own heart in response to God’s dealings with him.

B. Romans 9:22-23 22 [What] if God, willing to shew [his] wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, The question here is who is doing the fitting? It is Satan who fits man for destruction, he started this in the Garden with Adam and Eve. God is long suffering with those who have submitted themselves to Satan. When they submit to Satan he fits them for destruction.

C. Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. Does this verse teach that God had ‘chosen’ or ‘elected’ some to be saved and others to be condemned to Hell? We need to

1. Take into our thinking the clear teaching that 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. It is impossible for God to contradict Himself therefore we must interpret this verse in the light of the clear teaching that Christ died for all. The teaching here is that the gentiles who were willing to believe were saved, not that God had prohibited some from salvation.

2. Scripture teaches us that in every situation some believe and some reject. It is not that God chooses some for Heaven and some for Hell, rather that He offers salvation to all and each man must decide to receive or refuse the offer of salvation.

D. Romans 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. This is a quote from Malachi 1:1-2 1 ¶ The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. 2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? [Was] not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,

1. When it was written –

2. Why it was written – because of their wickedness and idolatry that continued without repentance or interruption

III. The PEOPLE who are elected

A. Israel in the Old Testament Isaiah 45:3-5 3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call [thee] by thy name, [am] the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

B. In the present age it’s the church Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? [It is] God that justifieth.

C. In the Tribulation it will be the 144,000 Matthew 24:22-24 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

IV. The PURPOSE of election – the rejection of that which is carnal and worldly and choosing that which is spiritual. It has to do with service, the elect are those that serve God.

V. The PRACTICE of election

A. Romans 9:10-12 And not only [this]; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac; 11 (For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

B. Genesis 48:8-19 8 ¶ And Israel beheld Joseph’s sons, and said, Who [are] these? 9 And Joseph said unto his father, They [are] my sons, whom God hath given me in this [place]. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them. 10 Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, [so that] he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them. 11 And Israel said unto Joseph, I had not thought to see thy face: and, lo, God hath shewed me also thy seed. 12 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth. 13 And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel’s left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought [them] near unto him. 14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid [it] upon Ephraim’s head, who [was] the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh [was] the firstborn. 15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, 16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. 17 And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head unto Manasseh’s head. 18 And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this [is] the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. 19 And his father refused, and said, I know [it], my son, I know [it]: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

C. 1 Corinthians 15:45-47 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that [was] not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man [is] of the earth, earthy: the second man [is] the Lord from heaven.

Now let us consider PREDESTINATION:

Ephesians 1:1-6

I. The DEFINITION The act of God whereby He assures that the believer will attain the adoption ie the redemption of the body Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Consider the etymology of the word. It comes from two words, the first is ‘pre’ which means before and destination which mean the end or the farthest extent. In this case it speaks of the ultimate goal that God has for the believer. We are strangers and pilgrims here but our destination is to be adopted is son-placed that is to come to the perfection that is ours when we shall receive our glorified, redeemed bodies.

II. The DIFFERENCE. Between foreknowledge, adoption, election and predestination. Let’s look at these verses: Romans 8:28-30 [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. [29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. It is important to rely on the teaching of the Scriptures without imposing any preconceived ideas on the doctrines taught by the Bible. It is difficult to put aside the ideas that we have acquired in the past. This is particularly true of the subject of predestination. It is an automatic reflex to think of one being consigned to Heaven or Hell when. We hear the term predestination. We must first be careful to keep to the teaching of the Word of God about the doctrine of predestination.

III. The DECLARATION of God as to the scope of His offer of salvation. The clear and certain teaching of the Bible is that ALL MEN may be saved. God offers salvation to all, consider the following verses:

A. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

B. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

C. John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. This verse has been used to teach that God calls some and others He doesn’t call but if we compare it with John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. We see that God’s salvation is available to all. This is done according to the principle we see in 1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

IV. The DEFINITE purpose of predestination. Refer again to Romans 8:28-30. Verse 29 teaches that the purpose of predestination is that we be conformed to image of His Son. It is certain that none has achieved such status as yet. Paul said Philippians 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, But we can be sure that we will reach the goal that God has set for us. We can be sure because it is God that will do it. Remember 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 [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. [24] Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

V. Five DISTINCT blessings found in Romans 8:28-30 [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. [29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. [30] Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

A. FOREKNOWLEDGE

B. PREDESTINATION

C. CALLING

D. JUSTIFICATION

E. SANCTIFICATION

Contending for the Faith

Contending For The Faith

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto

the saints. Jude 3

Introduction

As Jude is stirred by the Spirit of God to write to the saints, he is led to send a strong warning of the coming ‘apostasy’. His whole epistle, then, becomes a condemnation of and defense against the ‘apostasy’ to be expected in the `last days’. This is consistent with Paul’s letter to Timothy (chapter 3, verse 1) `This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come’. He also goes on to warn Timothy of the coming ‘apostasy’. The word apostasy means to `depart from the truth one has received’. His personal desire was to write of the ‘common salvation’ shared by all true believers, but God interposed his will upon the will of the prophet. In this study, we will concentrate on the text before us. Jude’s exhortation mentions:

RESPONSIBILITY

Our text begins by laying the responsibility for defending ‘the faith’ squarely upon the saints. Notice the:

1. DUTY – He begins by saying ‘that ye should’. This ‘ye‘ refers back to the ‘beloved‘ in the beginning of the verse. Whether we wish to be involved or not, our new birth places us squarely in the middle of a battlefield, opposed by strong and determined enemies. It is our duty to serve our Lord in this great conflict!

2. DEFINITION – The command to `earnestly contend’ means to ‘struggle desperately’. We are to take up arms, and throw ourselves unreservedly into the battle. An old hymn of the faith (Give Of Your Best To The Master) says ‘Give of your best to the Master, Give of the strength of your youth; Clad in salvation’s full armor, Join in the battle for truth’.

REVELATION

What are we to `earnestly contend’ for? Jude calls it ‘the faith’. This expression is not speaking of ‘believing God’, but has a much broader definition. Consider the:

1. IDENTIFICATION – When the word faith has the article ‘the’ attached to it, it is speaking of the fundamental doctrines we believe as christians. Obviously there are many minor issues over which true and honest believers may disagree agreeably; but there are some basic doctrines over which there can be no questions or debate. These are the doctrines that have been embraced by the true church since its beginning. It is not our purpose here to define each of these, but we will offer a few examples of doctrines over which there can be no question ie.

a. The deity of Christ.

b. The virgin birth of Christ.

c. The death of Christ on the cross.

d. The bodily resurrection of Christ.

e. The return of Christ to the earth to claim his own, and then to possess his earthly kingdom.

f. Salvation by grace through faith, and not of works.

2. IMPORTANCE – Now, you may read this list and say, ‘Well, he left out some important ones!’ No, I simply am giving a few examples. Such vital Bible doctrines are the foundation of our faith as christians, and cannot be compromised! There is a growing movement today among the churches to de-emphasize our doctrinal differences with others in the name of `love’, and ‘reaching the lost’. Once such a course has begun, where will it stop? We must not soften our stand on these and other important doctrines!

REASON

The reason for the exhortation in this verse is that ‘the faith‘ is under attack from many directions today, as it was in the early days of the church. Notice that:

1. Satan is DISTORTING it – Satan is working to resist the truth, so it cannot do its work in evangelizing sinners. Notice in 2 Corinthians 4:4, Paul writes `In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, which is the image of God, should shine unto them’. In Matthew 13, Satan is pictured as a bird stealing the seed planted by the sower. In addition, he also wishes to confuse the saints about the truth, so they will not be able to effectively serve God. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul warns Timothy that some within the church will be influenced to turn away from the truth at the suggestion of the devil ‘and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables’.

2. False Teachers are DENYING it – Peter says it best in 2 Peter 2:1, when he writes `But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring

in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction’. This principle is also emphasized in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 `For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness’. False teachers, then, will deceptively try to tear down the most holy faith `once delivered to the saints’.

3. False Brethren are DESERTING it – In 2 Peter 2:2, we see that when the false teachers, apostates, come among us, that `many shall follow their pernicious ways; by way of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of’. In 1 John 2:19, we read `They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they may be made manifest that they were not all of us’.

4. World is DISCREDITING it – The evil world system in which we live hates the truth, and does all in its power to discredit it and cause men to doubt it. There is an open season on Biblical truth today! People make fun of the Bible and its fundamental doctrines, and use every media outlet available to cast doubt on and belittle those who believe it.

5. Modernist scholars are DISSECTING it – Using the excuse of intellectual curiosity, these scholars have translated and re-translated the scriptures, making many doubt there really is a correct copy of the word of God available. They are all different, and things that are different are not the same!

RISK

We are commanded to enter into conflict with these who would tear down the Bible and the revelation it contains remembering all the while that we `wrestle not with flesh and blood’, but rather with the powers of darkness! When we do so, we must realize that there are risks we must be willing to accept. We risk:

1. OPPOSITION – Satan, society, sinners and self will resist our efforts to ‘contend‘. We must be prepared to `endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ’. Remember, we do not stand alone in this conflict, in fact the `battle is the Lord’s’. We must say as the Psalmist, ‘we are on the LORD’s side’!

2. OFFENDING – Often our ‘contending’ will be misunderstood by family and friends, and even other christians. You will be accused of being ‘without love’, and ‘judgmental’. The religious crowd will isolate and persecute you. We must be, as christian soldiers, willing to endure in the face of such risks, and `contend’ until Jesus returns.

Bro. Ken Jacques, Covington, GA.

No New Thing

Ecclesiastes 1:9-11

[9] The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. [10] Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. [11] There is no remembrance of former things ; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

The pride of this age is that all that has come before is either evil or at best ignorant. But if we really examine people, society, religion we see that in essence nothing is new. Let’s look at:

I. PEOPLE

A. SINNERS

1. Selfish – Even our tax code recognizes the selfish nature of people. This is the reason for the deduction given for charitable giving. Even when we believe that our actions are truly altruistic there is often a selfish motive lurking in the recesses of the heart. It can often share space with a genuine desire to help someone, but also the desire to be recognized is a competing impulse.

2. Stiff-necked (rebellious). We are merely grown up children and often act childish. When a child is told “no” he only wants to do the thing more. The forbidden has great attraction because of our fallen nature.

3. Short-sighted Why is it that men will spend all their energies to accumulate worldly riches or fame which will on perish and forsake the opportunity to serve God and accumulate eternal riches in Heaven. This trait seems to be more pronounced in this age. The lust of the eye has caused many to make shipwreck. Our culture encourages people to buy it on time. Some of the things won’t last as long as the payments, this is surely true of the things and pleasures of the flesh as the payment is eternal!

4. Susceptible to the wiles of the Devil. Satan makes a man think that he is in control, that he is is making all the decisions about his life. The truth is that the unsaved are deceived by Satan and don’t know that they are on the road to destruction. Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

B. SEARCHING – The lost man is as a blind man stumbling around looking for what he doesn’t even know. He is looking:

1. In the wrong places – Consider the testimony of Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes

2. With the wrong vision – physical and not spiritual. Man thinks that the physical things are the eternal but in reality the spiritual is that which will last forever. It’s interesting to note that some of the things which are considered to be long lasting and ancient have to be maintained on a constant basis. It is reported that a third of the wall has collapsed to dust and that the Chinese government has spent millions of dollars to repair and preserve some that remains. All of this earth is under the curse of sin brought on by Adam and will perish. He who looks with his physical sight will be deceived. 1 Corinthians 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.

C. SITTING DUCK (helpless)

1. He is ignorant of the Danger because he is dead spiritually Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2. He is in thrall of Satan due to:

a) His own sinful desires James 1:13-14 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: [14] But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

b) Satan’s deception 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

3. He is condemned already John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Satan has convinced many that the coming judgment will be to determine who will enter Heaven, but that determination is made in this life. Those who receive Jesus as their personal Saviour will enter; those that do not will be cast into the Lake of Fire. The Great White Throne Judgment is for the purpose of passing sentence on the condemned. It is to announce the punishment earned by the works of sin. The greatest sin is the rejection of the Saviour.

II. SOCIETY

A. CULTURE

1. Morality – Degradation of persons

a) Depravity – Every aspect of our present culture is depraved, One example of this would be the medical profession where we find medical doctors, psychologists and others in the profession who recommend so called “gender assignment” surgery. This is malpractice and mutilation. It is certainly not a healing or necessary practice. The root problem is not that God made a mistake in the body that He gave, but that Satan has deceived some, convincing them that their angst is caused by being a different ‘gender’.

b) Dependence on drugs legal and illegal – I have often heard the expression ‘drugs and alcohol’ but this obscures the fact that alcohol is a drug and the most destructive drug in history. While drugs have their proper place and in their proper use are a tremendous blessing from God, their misuse has cause untold misery and loss. Why are some trapped by these things? I’m no expert, but from what I’ve seen, people are seeking peace. They hope to escape their pain and fear for a time, but it only adds to the guilt that oppresses their souls. If they don’t turn to God, receiving salvation through the shed blood of Jesus, the downward spiral increases and will end in destruction, eternal destruction.

c) Departure from God’s standards – Rejection of God’s Word and His standards is nothing new. Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Genesis 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. It’s clear that from the earliest days man was disposed to reject God and His ways for his own. Because of the imperfect sinful nature of man his standards can only create confusion and decay. This is what we see around us every day.

2. Entertainment

a) Music of the day appeals to the basest instincts. It is used to corrupt and deceive children at a very tender age. The decline in one lifetime is astounding. I was a youngster when Elvis Presley was considered vulgar. How things have changed!

b) Play (stage, TV, movies, etc.) It is the same story with all of entertainment. The more violent and sexually perverted is that which is acclaimed to be great. Much of that which is be directed to our young people is not suitable to even speak of in the presence of children.

c) Sports are also used to indoctrinate people. One example is the Super Bowl. How many Christians stay home on that Sunday. It’s the ‘Big Game’. The message to family, friends and neighbors is that God is less important that football. All the other sports are much the same.

3. Family – God is the founder of the institution of the family. As with all other things our society and culture has decided that we know better than God and have cast aside God’s definition of family for an indefinite and undefinable concept that is in constant flux. The family is the basic unit of all other institutions, because of the destruction of the family we see instability through out the nation.

4. Philosophy (thought – leaders) The degree of corruption in those who are considered the leaders in thought can be seen in the proposition that parents should have the ‘right’ to ‘abort’ their children up to the age of at least one year! This evil, abhorrent idea is seriously discussed in some of our most prestigious universities. This is clear evidence of the decline in our culture.

B. GOVERNMENT

1. Expansive – seeks to take the place of God – During debate on the so called “equality act” Rep. Jerry Nadler was quoted as saying in response to a portion of the Old Testament being read “what any religious tradition describes as God’s will is no concern of this Congress.” We can easily recognize the impulse for government to expand has grown completely out of control over the past 150 years. The greater intrusions into the lives of its citizens were cloaked as efforts to correct wrongs. Many of these things were grievous wrongs, but the cure was attempts to change hearts by force. This can only bring bad consequences. God, Himself does not force anyone to accept His salvation, rather he woos the heart and then the conversion is complete and eternal. Government wants to take the place of God even to saying what sex a person is. A person’s sex is written into their DNA by their Creator. No one, no government decree can ever change that.

2. Authoritarian – Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.” The response to the COVID 19 pandemic is an illustration of this. I was stunned to see the “powers” that government officials, often times unelected, assumed and the acquiescence of the vast majority of the people. Jefferson was not the only founding father to recognize this danger. In a letter to his wife in 1775 John Adams wrote “But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever. Our own history is not the only warning on this part. Think of the tyrants throughout history such as Nebuchadnezzar. He made his image and demanded obeisance. Things are the same today.

III. RELIGION – All that is new is old. All the new movements and philosophies are merely old ideas wrapped in new packaging and presented as ‘new and improved’. All the new movements that are so prominent in our news are really just old ideas and beliefs recycled in different packaging. Take for example:

A. IDOLATRY.- The “green movement” is little more than nature worship repackaged. In reality only Christians have a real reason to care for the environment. God has given to man the responsibility to care for and use the natural environment He has given us. On the other hand if ‘evolution’ were true, then anything that happens is just part of evolution and who has any reason to complain. We are told that millions of species have gone extinct over time. If we are merely animals and go extinct, what’s the big deal?

B. PAGANISM – Satan has not changed his tactics over the years. It seems amazing that the things that worked thousands of years ago still have the same effect. Satan presents the same bait: pride, rebellion etc. and people still reject the truth for a myriad of false religions. Any religion that is not true to God’s Word is false and will lead to destruction. Space would fail us to make an exhaustive list.

C. TEPID Christianity – The aversion that many feel to “church” and “church people” can be attributed to the tepid manner of living that many professing Christians present to the world. Many who say that they have been saved, that they are followers of Christ live like the world, talk like the world, dress like the world. They are impossible to differentiate from the world. Why should a lost man listen to a Gospel that produces no change? In 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. We find the secret to the rescue our nation. A RETURN TO GOD!!

Brother Mike Scott,

Pastor Faith Baptist Church

If My People

2 Chronicles 7:14

[14] If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

I. The CONDITIONS – Israel under the chastening of God because of:

A. The SOCIAL conditions

1. Crime and violence ruled the land in that day. This is so familiar to us today. In our country today many people can’t go to the store or walk down the street without fearing for their lives. The news is filled with riots and other signs of the disintegration of of society. The cause of this is the people have rejected God and His Word. It is no longer taught in our schools, not even as a work of literature much less as the inspired message of the Creator to His creation. When the manual is thrown away the result can only be failure. We see the fruit of this in Genesis 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

2. Perversion – Genesis 1:27 [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 19:1-14 [1] And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; [2] And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. [3] And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. [4] But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: [5] And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. [6] And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, [7] And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. [8] Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. [9] And they said, Stand back. And they said again , This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. [10] But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. [11] And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door. [12] And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: [13] For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord ; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it. [14] And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.

II. The CONGREGATION – the people of God. They must be:

A. SAVED – A requirement of service is life. A person without life cannot possibly understand what is needed or perform the duty. Scripture tells us 1 Corinthians 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. Even many who profess to be saved are trying to serve God in the power of the flesh. Those who are filled with the Holy Spirit have an unlimited power at their disposal. We must recognize that the first prerequisite is life, spiritual life.

B. SANCTIFIED – The principle is clear you cannot serve two masters. Consider what the Lord said in Matthew 6:24 No man 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. We read in James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. The meaning of ‘sanctify’ is to separate or dedicate. Effective service for God requires a total commitment to His work. While seeking support for missionary work I heard many refer to those who were on deputation or were already on their field of service as being ‘in full time service’. I submit that all Christians should be in full time service. You may have a job as a mechanic, a doctor or whatever. That does not mean that while you are at work that you cannot be serving God. If you have sought God’s will for your life, your job is part of your service to God. You must be serving Him on the job as much as the missionary on the field. Paul asks in Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? … God provides the jobs for His people that through them He can supply the needs of His work. All of God’s people have a work to do and all should be separated unto that work.

C. SUBMITTED – If we are to be useful and successful in our labor for God. There are three conditions that must be met. One must do a good thing, it must be done with the right motive and it must be done the right way. What makes it difficult for us is that we are confused by our physical sight. It can overpower our spiritual sight. Success in God’s work is not measured in dollars or numbers but in faithfulness. Obedience or submission to God’s leading is what He wants from us. Think about 1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. God desires results but that is His work, ours is to be submitted to Him. John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

III. The COMMAND

A. HUMBLE themselves – that is to recognize and admit:

1. What we are (in ourselves)

a) Wicked – David cries out about this truth in Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. He is not saying that his conception was the result of a sinful act of his mother, but that he, like all, was born with the sinful nature inherited from Adam. God makes it plain that all are sinners and only by the redemption found in Christ can we be make holy.

b) Weak – Even those that are born-again struggle with the flesh. I often praise God for Romans chapter 7. Paul gives eloquent testimony of the weakness that besets us all. Romans 7:24-25 [24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. I look forward to the time when I will not have to struggle with weakness that the flesh inflicts on me!

c) Worthy of Hell – Pride is a sneaky foe. It silently moves in and grows without notice until one thinks of himself more highly than he should. We must always remember that in ourselves we are worthy of Hell. When God gives victory over some sin in our lives or gives some visible result of the work it is easily to think that we have done something. For many years I worked as a mechanic. I have often said how foolish it would be for my tools to jump up in the toolbox proclaiming that they had done a great job after the engine was repaired. They were used it was the mechanic that did the work. In the same way, if anything is done in the work of God, it is God that merely uses us to accomplish His will. Remember that all good is from God. Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

2. What our sins have done – insult and disgust God. Psalm 51:4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Our sin is an insult to God’s holiness. Repentance involves recognition that we have offended God. It is not just to see the penalty and justice of God, but to have sorrow that we have done this against Him who has loved us and is worthy of our love. John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. True love seeks the best for the object of one’s love. If we love Jesus we will seek His glory by obeying His Word and refusing to insult His holiness by sin.

B. HEED God’s Word and change our ways – this implies:

1. Repentance – The Bible tells us the difference between true repentance and regret for suffering the consequences of our sins. We see this in 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. True repentance implies a confession of sin and a determination to forsake the sin. It is a change of mind which brings us into agreement with God about ourselves and our sin. We see ourselves in the mirror of God’s word and see our sin as it truly is exceedingly sinful. Job had this experience when he had passed through his great trial and he said Job 42:5-6 [5] I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. [6] Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. May we do as Job and repent of our sin rather than try to justify it.

2. Restoration of a righteous life. True repentance will always result in a change in actions. The proof of the sincerity is a godly life. we teach a song to children in Sunday School that says 0 B E D I E N C E is the very best way to show that you believe. That kinda says it all.

C. CONFESS – Confession of sin must be made:

1. Early – It has often been said that we should keep ‘short accounts’ with God. As soon as we know that we have sinned we must confess it at that moment. To wait is to allow the sin to fester in our soul!

2. Earnestly – It seems the idea that one can confess sin while knowing that they will commit the same sin again is predominant in the church today. This is a false doctrine from the Devil. True confession must be with a realization of the sinfulness of sin and a determination to avoid that sin in the future.

3. Entirely – We need to be scrupulous in examining our hearts to make sure that we don’t allow our deceptive hearts to hide some sin that the flesh wants to hold in defiance of God’s will.

IV. The CAUSE – we are to obey for:

A. The GLORY of God 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. the purpose of man is to glorify his Creator. So many people today wonder about the meaning of life. The Bible tells us clearly, it is to ‘do all to the glory of God’.

B. The GOOD of man – the greatest good is to know Jesus as Saviour. It is a good thing to feed the hungry and do other works of charity, but to do those thing while withholding the truth of the Gospel is to do the minor good and neglect the most important good.

C. The APPROVAL of God – As someone once said when criticized for taking a stand based on the Bible, “that would really hurt my feelings if I thought your opinion really mattered.” In the final analysis the only opinion that matters is the Lord’s. It should be our aim to please the Lord. We should follow the example of Jesus. John 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

V. The COVENANT – In our text we see that God will:

A. HEAR – His ear is always open to the prayer of repentance

B. HAVE mercy – Without his mercy we would have no hope at all.

C. HEAL

1. The Penitent one 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This is a promise of restoration of the relationship with our Creator and Saviour or we might say our spiritual health.

2. Our Land – If the born again blood washed believers will repent and return to the Lord then we have the promise of God for healing of our country. There is no other hope.

Brother Mike Scott

Pastor, Faith Baptist Church

The Thing I Greatly Feared

The Thing Which I Greatly Feared ( a message by Brother Ken Jacques)

For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

Job 3:25

Introduction – The book of Job deals with the mystery of suffering in the lives of godly believers. From biblical times unto the present, many have held the belief that our experience in this life is always directly proportional to our dedication to God, and our holiness of life. The frequent and oft severe sufferings of the most godly christians raises serious questions about this belief. In addition, it is the consistent teaching of the scriptures that it is often the will of God that we suffer. Peter, in 1 Peter 4:19, makes this clear when he wrote ‘Let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing as unto a faithful creator‘. Jesus also contradicted this idea on the part of his disciples in John 9:3 ‘Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him’. Their understanding was that suffering is always the direct result of some sin in the life of that individual. Now, there is no doubt that much of our suffering is the result of chastening for sin, or simply the consequences of our sins working in our lives….but, it is not always so! Often, as in Job’s case, and in the case of the blind man in John 9, it is for the glory of God, and the good of the individual. Job, in our text, is thinking about his tribulations, and trying to understand their cause…not a bad idea! But he makes a statement in the text verse that bears further study ‘the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me’. In our study, let’s consider the:

PERSON

Notice in Job chapter 1, Job is described as:

1. GOOD – In Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. We read of Job that he was ‘perfect and upright’. The word ‘perfect‘ here means ‘complete’, or the best that you can be. Oh that each of us were the best he or she could be. Our potential for God is so great, but few really try to live up to it. Job was one man who did! The word ‘upright’ literally means ‘straight’. In other words, he was as straight as an arrow!

2. GODLY – Also in v.1, we see that he ‘feared God and eschewed evil’. A reverence for God is necessary if we are to have a right relationship with him. The word ‘eschewed‘ comes from a root word in Hebrew which means ‘to turn off’, or ‘turn away from’. No wonder God could trust Job with such suffering, he was ‘turned off‘ by evil.

3. GREAT – Job was called ‘the greatest of all the men of the east’. Among his contemporaries, there was no man greater than Job in any respect. He had great riches, a great family, great reputation, and a great faith in God.

4. GUARDED – In v.8-10, we find that he was protected by God, there was ‘a hedge about him’, and about all that were his. Satan could only request permission to touch him.

This description recorded in the scriptures certainly qualifies Job as a godly man in the sight of God. If any man could escape all suffering by godliness, it would have been Job. However, he suffered greatly for the glory of God.

POSSIBILITIES

Of all Job’s tribulations, what was it that Job had so greatly feared? There are several possibilities. He could have been referring to his

1. FORTUNE – Job was a rich man, but had lost it all. Some men, even christians, are so wrapped up in their material possessions that the very idea of losing them is unthinkable! They live in dread and fear of some catastrophe that might strip them of their earthly treasures. Money itself is not evil, but as Paul told young Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:10 ‘For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows‘. He might have greatly feared becoming poor, after having such riches.

2. FAMILY – Job had lost all his children in one terrible moment. Any parent who has normal affections fro their children is jealous for their welfare, and is concerned that they might be hurt or worse. It could have been Job’s greatest fear.

3. FRIENDS – In Job 19:19, he lamented ‘All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me’. To some, the disapproval or loss of friends is a mighty serious matter. His friends were convinced he was guilty of sin, and had an unrepentant heart. They called him a hypocrite. It could have been that Job greatly feared losing his friends.

4. FUTURE – Job’s assessment of his future prospects were bleak at best. In chapter 7, verse 21, he says ‘for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be’. It is clear that Job despaired of his life. At this point, all his worldly hopes and dreams were dashed by the storm of his circumstances. Some men rest heavily on their plans and schemes for the future, and are crushed when they don’t work out. It could be that Job had high hopes for the future, and was afraid they would be unrealized.

5. FITNESS – Many dread the prospect of a loss of their physical strength and health. Job experienced a crushing loss of fitness when his infirmities banished him to the ash heap, scraping his boils with shards of pottery. I have seen many strong and healthy individuals who are obsessed with fear that they may lose their strength or health, and be dependent on others. This could have been Job’s concern.

6. FAVOR – Job said in chapter 6, verse 4 ‘for the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit’. Job also feared that he had lost God’s favor and blessings, and that he had become his enemy! Was this Job’s great fear?

PROBLEM

The subject here is one of priorities. Job had his priorities, and we must have our own. Having the right priorities in our lives requires constant conflict and wrestling with the flesh. The old man has his priorities, and the new man has his. Our priorities determine that which we desire most, and that which we fear most.

PRIORITY

All the things which Job lost were serious, but only one of the possibilities we considered ought to be first on our list, the loss of God’s favor and blessings. If we lose everything else, we can make it if we have his favor. Consider the consequences of his:

1. APPROVAL – If our ways are pleasing to him, He:

a. Remains in close fellowship with us.

b. Responds to our prayers.

c. Reveals to us his truth.

d. Rescues us from our enemies.

e. Relieves our burdens.

f. Renews our strength.

g. Rewards our faith and commitment.

2. ANGER – If our ways do not please him, he curses. We have:

a. Conflict rather than communion.

b. Conviction rather than peace.

c. Chastening rather than blessings.

Conclusion – Job’s words should ring in our hearts ‘the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me’ Let it be the loss of God’s favor above all else!

Sure

So I’ll be truly sure

God’s blessings will be mine,

Like Job I’ll do my best

to please him all the time.

(Bro. Ken)

The Last Enemy That Shall Be Destroyed

1 Corinthians 15:20

The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed [is] death.

I. A UNIVERSAL Enemy Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Romans 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:

II. A MisUNDERSTOOD Enemy – Because man is more than just flesh, more than just an animal with certain mental abilities, because he is a triune being created in the image of God, he is, body (flesh), soul (the seat of emotion and thought) and spirit (the part that is capable of communing with God). Because of the triune nature of man his death is widely misunderstood. Consider:

A. The FIRST Death is seen in Hebrews 9:27, This is the physical death that all can expect (with the exception of the christians that are alive at the time of the rapture). It is when the body ceases to function. With all our science we have very little understanding of what death really is. It is even difficult to define the concept. Dictionary dot com defines it as: “the act of dying; the end of life; the total and permanent cessation of all the vital functions of an organism.” It then goes on to say “compare Brain death” which it defines as “complete cessation of brain function as evidenced by absence of brain-wave activity on an electroencephalogram: sometimes used as a legal definition of death.” This dichotomy illustrates the problem we face with death, we are all familiar with it without a full understanding of it. This is part of the fear that we feel for it. It is the fear of the unknown. As a culture, we have sanitized and industrialized death with the invention of the funeral home industry, the nursing home and advanced medical profession. These changes are due in part to practical considerations, we want the best for our loved ones and with changes in society it is often difficult or impossible for care for the sick and infirm in the home as in the past or to prepare a body for the funeral and bury the departed in a timely manner due to the allowance that must be made for family and friends to travel from distant places. This however has distanced the reality of death from our experience and has made it ephemeral and strange.

B. The SECOND Death is seen in Revelation 20:14-15 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. The real enemy is this, the second death, because it is an eternal death or I think it can be described as an eternal dying. We think of death as the end, a termination. The second death is a final destination but not an ending. Hell is a holding place, the Lake of Fire is the ultimate destination of the soul of the lost. The problem here is that this is a spiritual concept and we live in a time of materialism. What we can’t see or touch is often deemed to be fantasy. The truth is that the material is temporal, transitory and the real and eternal is the spiritual. Man is born alive in the physical but is stillborn spiritually. To understand this truth requires the work of the Holy Spirit. This is to convince one of sin and bring him to faith in the Saviour, Jesus Christ. The natural, unregenerate man can only understand his need for salvation. 1 Corinthians 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. We see something such as the Great Wall of China and consider it to be very ancient. Its age can be measured in thousands of years. The second death is eternal. Our finite minds cannot grasp the endless ages of eternity when there will be time itself no more. While physical death ends our relationships here in this world, the second death separates one from God. It puts one in a place of terrible torment. The account of Lazarus and the rich man gives a small insight into the terrible fate of those who reject God’s offer of salvation through His Son Jesus. Luke 16:19-31 19 ¶ There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that [would come] from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. The first death is illusory for the Christian, but for the lost the second death is everlasting. This is the reality to fear.

III. A UNDETERRED Enemy – All of the efforts made to overcome death are in vain. Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: All will die despite:

A. MEDICINE – The advances in modern medicine are remarkable and have proved to extend the average life span greatly. But the ‘life saving’ drugs and procedures really only delay death they do not overcome it.

B. LIFESTYLE – The end result of a healthful lifestyle is the same as for modern medicine. While it may extend life and help to prevent or lessen health problems it does not prevent death.

C. EXOTIC solutions such a cryogenics. The fear of death is so great that people will clutch at wild and slight hopes. There are those who have themselves frozen hoping for a future breakthrough in medicine to cure them. Some have even postulated the possibility of transferring their ‘consciousness’ into a robot thereby avoiding death. The truth is that physical death awaits us all.

IV. A UN-TRIUMPHANT – Death is a defeated foe. It was defeated by the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we receive Him we also receive His life. We can cry out as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 55 O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? 56 The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law. 57 But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. The 23rd Psalm describes death as valley of the shadow of death. For the christian physical death is just a ‘change of address’. We leave this world of travail and sorrow to be present with the Lord. For the believer death is not something to fear rather to be regarded as a means to have our faith become sight.

Pastor Mike Scott

Learning from the Animals

Learning From The Animals – a Bible lesson from Brother Ken Jacques

There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; The conies are a feeble folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks; The locusts have no king, yet they go forth all of them by bands; The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings palaces. Proverbs 30:24-28

INTRODUCTION

The book of Proverbs is about practical wisdom for living. Solomon uses many parables in his instruction to his son, as does the Spirit of God in every part of the Bible. Our text calls our attention to Job 12:7-8, where we receive our authority for making spiritual applications for our own use ‘But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee’.

In v.24 of our text, we read ‘There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise‘. It is clear that we can learn much from the study of the characteristics and ways of the animals. When we consider these four creatures, we can learn from the….

PREPARATION OF THE ANTS

In v.25, we read ‘The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer’. The word ‘meat‘ here is a general word used for ‘food’. Consider their:

1. SENSE – They prepare for the future. The scriptures say that if a man does not work, ‘neither shall he eat’. It’s just good common sense to prepare for the future, that we may have sufficient to eat. In the spiritual realm, it is even more important to ‘prepare’ for the future. Sinner friend, you must be prepared to die and face your creator. To be prepared, you must repent of your sins, believe on Jesus, and call upon the Lord in faith. The saints must also face Christ at his Judgment Seat! We need to prepare by laying up our treasures in heaven.

2. STRENGTH – Individuals are weak when alone, but together, many can move mountains. Oh that God’s people could work together with such unity of purpose!

3. SECRET – The secret of their success is cooperation. Each ant does his duty faithfully, without regard for his own comfort, or even his life.

PROTECTION OF THE CONIES

In v.26, we read of the conies `The conies are but a feeble folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks’. The `conies‘, as we understand are called in Bible lands, ‘rock badgers’, and are similar to our cottontail rabbits. Consider their:

1. WEAKNESS – They have no natural defense, and are powerless against predators. Does not this remind us of ourselves? We cannot in our own strength resist and overcome the powers of darkness which seek to destroy us. We are powerless against sin, Satan, sinners and this world system if we rely on our own strength.

2. WISDOM – These helpless creatures find refuge in the rocks, and depend upon the rocks to protect them from the enemy. God’s people, too, find refuge in Christ, who is the ‘rock‘ of our salvation. As Moses found safety in the ‘cleft of the rock’, so do we find our refuge in the rock, Christ Jesus. He is our protection! This is not only true in the physical sense, but also in the spiritual. My soul has been committed to his trust and preservation. Paul said, 2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

POWER OF THE LOCUST

We read in v.27 `The locusts have no king, but yet go they forth all of them by bands’. Locust plagues are not common in our times, but in Bible times, they were devastating. There was little or no defense against them when they appeared to ravage the land. They are often disparaged, but God here emphasizes their strength. Notice their….

1. COOPERATION – ‘they go forth…by bands’. One locust may be easily destroyed, but millions together are unstoppable! Again we see from this animal example that there is great strength in numbers. Christians of like beliefs must learn to stick together and work together as we stand against the powers of darkness.

2. CONTROL – If these insects are observed, it is clear that some invisible force directs them. The same may be said of God’s people. If we are yielded to the control of the Spirit of God, we will move in unity and power. The problem is often that many are going in their own way, and are not led by the Spirit.

3. COURAGE – Nothing stops them. They seem to have no fear of fire or sword, and it seems that the more that are killed, the more come to their funeral (so to speak). It takes very little to deter the average christian in the performance of his duty….difficulties, dangers and disappointments seem to stop even the best of us. Not so the locust!

PERSISTENCE OF THE SPIDER

In v.28, we read of the lowly spider ‘The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings palaces’. Anyone who has observed spiders will have to admit that they have some very interesting qualities. Spiders, like locusts are often hated and even feared (I must admit both, ick!). There are, however, a couple of characteristics they have which we ought to emulate. They are:

1. DETERMINED – If you watch a spider for long, you will conclude that they are determined creatures. No matter how many times their web is damaged or even destroyed, they just keep on building it back. Christians must learn to be persistent in the work of God also. So many times, our culture affects our attitudes about God’s work. Even pastors and missionaries are often affected by this ‘get it done now, or yesterday’ philosophy. I have seen many young preachers start a church, and then quit when it doesn’t grow as they expected. We must remember that ‘except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it’. We witness to people, and expect an immediate conversion. Certainly we are anxious for their salvation, but we must patiently wait on God to do his work of conviction and drawing. We must simply keep on going back over and over and watering the seed with tears and love, and wait on God. The spider seems to know this lesson and practices it well.

2. DARING – There is no place safe from the spider. She will build her web in places we would not anticipate. Even ‘in king’s palaces’. It’s interesting where God places his people. Remember Nehemiah was placed by the providence of God in the king’s very chamber as his cup bearer. Esther was placed in the king’s palace as his queen…and God’s people were delivered because of it. Often we do not know why God places us where he does, but he always has a plan better than ours would be. We need to learn to patiently wait and spin our web in the place God has put us until it’s his will to move us.

Go to the ant thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8

Bro. Ken Jacques

Believer’s Sins

Believer’s Sins. (A Bible Study from my pastor for nearly 30 years) Brother Ken Jacques

Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Psalm 51:2-3

Introduction – This psalm is a song of repentance by king David, after he has been rebuked and chastened for adultery and murder. He is suffering greatly, and desires to be healed and restored back into perfect fellowship with God. His pleadings with the Almighty here provide an example for all believers who have fallen into sin. God’s attitude about believers’ sins can be summarized as follows:

1. PURPOSE – 1 John 2:1 – ‘that ye sin not’.

2. PROVISION – 1 John 1:7 – ‘and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin’.

3. PLAN – 1 John 1:9 – ‘if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’.

Psalm 51 deals with the….

1. REASON for sins – (v.5) our fallen nature is at the root of our sins – ‘Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me’.

2. RESULTS of sins – (v.8) misery – ‘Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice’.

3. REMEDY for sins – (v.1-2) mercy – ‘Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin’. In Psalm 51, David reveals that his sins had wrought devastating consequences in his life, as it does in ours. Notice some of these consequences which we can expect when we choose to sin. Sin:

DEFILES OUR MINDS AND BODIES

In v.2, David is compelled to ask God to ‘wash’ and ‘cleanse‘ him. In v.7, he requests that God ‘purge’ and ‘wash’ him. Sin results in a defilement which causes the sinning believer to ‘feel’ dirty. In addition, he is made unfit for God’s fellowship. We see in 1 John 1:7, that this cleansing from defilement is accomplished by the saviour – ‘and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin’.

DULLS OUR CONSCIENCE

David realized that somehow his sins had changed him on the inside. It hardens the heart and conscience, and prevents right thinking and action. In v.10, he wrote ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me’. The scriptures use leaven as a type of sin, and it certainly fits in here! A little leaven introduced into a lump of dough results in the whole lump being ‘leavened’.

DIMS OUR WITNESS

Unconfessed sin steals away our boldness and power in witness. We become more and more hardened in our hearts toward the awful plight of sinners around us. David had experienced ‘spiritual lock jaw’ himself, as we can see in v.14-15 – ‘Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvat ion: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O LORD, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise’. Sin diminishes our confidence when facing sinners, and makes us unwilling to tell them of Jesus. Like David, we need to confess our sins, so they need not be an obstacle to our faithful witness for the saviour.

DECEIVES OUR HEARTS

Truth and wisdom should abide in the heart and mind of the believer, but sin deceives the heart into thinking right is wrong and wrong is right. Notice in v.6, David says ‘Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part, thou shalt make me to know wisdom‘. He is desiring that God clean the clutter that sin has left behind in his heart, so that he can think rightly once again.

DISTANCES US FROM GOD

Sin separates us from God’s fellowship. Now, God has promised that he will ‘never leave thee, nor forsake thee’, but we have no guarantee of his close personal fellowship. Our sins grieve his heart, and cause him to withdraw himself to await our repentance and confession. He still loves us, but we cannot expect close fellowship with him when we hold on to our sins. Look at v.11, where David says ‘Cast me not away from thy presence’. A desire to have fellowship restored as before is the essence of his prayer.

DIMINISHES OUR SPIRITUAL POWER

We need the power of the Spirit of God upon us each day as we live for him and serve him. In the Old Testament Dispensation, the Spirit did not indwell believers as he does in New Testament times. But he did come ‘upon‘ them as needed to enable them for special tasks or to fulfill certain offices. The pouring on of anointing oil on the head of priests, prophets and kings was a symbolic show of this anointing of power needed to carry out their work. David is fearing the loss of this anointing of the Spirit in v.11, when he writes ‘and take not thy holy spirit from me’.

DEPRIVES US OF GOD’S BLESSINGS

There are blessings that we often take for granted which may be lost when sin breaks our fellowship with God. We cannot, then, have his best. In v.12, David speaks of two of these blessings he lost due to his sin. First, he lost his joy. Notice he says ‘Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation’. Our christian joy is replaced by conviction of sin and a guilty conscience. Second, he loses God’s help and strength ‘uphold me‘. It isn’t that God cannot help, or that he is unconcerned, it is simply that allowing our sins to discipline us is often the best course of chastening available to him. Third, he lost his praise. Notice in v.15, he speaks of the need for God to ‘open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise’.

DESTROYS OUR HEALTH

There is little doubt that sin adversely affects our health. Now, all men share the common curse of infirmity and death due to Adam’s sin. However, sometimes there is a direct connection between our sin and physical infirmities. Notice in v.8, David speaks of the ‘bones which thou hast broken’. Some bodily pain and disease is directly due, as was apparently the case with David in this psalm, to God’s chastening for sin. Some is simply the ‘natural’ consequences of flaunting God’s divine law. God has arranged things so that sin has natural consequences as well as supernatural ones. It is forever true that ‘whatsoever a man soweth, that will he also reap’. Sexual sins such as adultery, fornication and homosexuality often result in horrible diseases…..and we ought not be surprised about it.

DISRUPTS OUR PRAYERS

This same David said ‘If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear me’. Isaiah wrote ‘But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear’.

Sin (Bro. Ken)

Sin flaunts its beauty before our eyes,

Deceitfully hiding its cruel lies.

Sin promises pleasures, but gives us pain,

Then offers us joys that will not remain.

It’s cost is high, and deep scars it leaves,

And a tangled web it surely weaves.

Bro. Ken Jacques

Dumb as an ox and stubborn as a donkey

Dumb as an ox and stubborn as a donkey

Isaiah 1:1-9

1 ¶ The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

2 ¶ Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: [but] Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it; [but] wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

7 Your country [is] desolate, your cities [are] burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and [it is] desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

8 And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, [and] we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

I. The INTRODUCTION

A. The INTERPRETATION – This prophecy was, given by God, directed to Israel. When studying any Scripture it is important to recognize to whom it is directed and who is speaking. Here God is sending a message to Israel.

B. The INTENDED audience

1. Israel – God is directly reprimanding Israel for her sins.

2. The Church Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. We have the authority and responsibility to look at the message of Isaiah comparing it with our own situation. In my experience there are two ways to learn lessons. One way is by instruction, either by receiving instruction by someone or by watching them in their experiences. The other is by experience. Experience is a hard teacher but she teaches her lessons well and they are hard to forget. We should seek to learn from the Bible without having to endure some of the lessons of experience. Let us consider:

II. The PROBLEM The spiritual conditions in Israel at the time of Isaiah are similar to those of our day. As we look at the problem in Israel it could be taken from the headlines of today.

A. BACKSLIDING Israel’s history is one of repeated backsliding, then suffering the chastening hand of God, followed by a period of restoration. This is sadly a pattern that is often seen in the lives of many believers in our present day. My old pastor, Brother Ken Jacques, once preached a message entitled “God as a spare tire.” When under the chastening hand of the Lord or suffering the consequences of their own sin many will seek God’s help and favor, only to abandon Him again when the crisis has passed. The behavior of most who claim to be saved is difficult or impossible to distinguish from that of the lost around them. This is diametrically opposed to the command in 2 Corinthians 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, Most church members shy from the sacrifices that living according to the Word of God entails. The lure of worldly pleasures and dread of the consequences of living for God in an evil and corrupt world. 2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

B. REBELLION Not only do many shrink from battle which is ours to fight (2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.), but also rebel against God’s authority as the Sovereign in our life. We are to live for Jesus and His glory, doing His will, proclaiming His Gospel. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. The flesh, the world and the Devil all oppose the Christian’s obedience to the will of God. The flesh will fight every moment to keep one seeking the fleshly and worldly pleasures. It is easier to give in to the flesh and experience an illusory and momentary pleasure than to suffer for God and receive eternal rewards. This has been called the ‘microwave generation’ because of the expectation to have every desire fulfilled instantly. We seem to expect God to conform to our schedule rather than we wait on Him! Many or perhaps most act as spoiled children stomping their feet and saying “I want it now!” They obey the desires of their flesh in rebellion against God.

C. CORRUPTION in all facets of life – Our society is in serious decline. Crime and violence on every hand is increasing at an alarming rate. Old Bible-based norms are being thrown aside with new humanistic ideas that are in constant flux. For all of history it was known that the human race consists of two sexes, male and female. Now we are to believe that there are an infinite number of ‘genders’. The foolish now tells us that biological sex is a social construct. This not only is ridiculous in the face of our experience and medical science, but more importantly it is a direct contradiction of God’s Word. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. This is just one of the latest perversions and rebellions against God. We could list quite a number but the worst is the fact that with the approval and encouragement of the government more than sixty million children have been slaughtered in the womb. Abortion being the most heinous is only one of a multitude of sins and perversions that are assaulting the foundation of our culture. These include homosexuality, transgenderism, the redefinition of marriage and the effort to divide us based on race or other immutable characteristics. God is not the author of confusion and dissent, this is the work of Satan. Demons relish conditions of sin and conflict. Jesus tells us that He is the only way to have that which all desire. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. The only way to have the life of fulfillment, that the world desperately seeks in all the rebellions and perversions that fill our world today, is to receive Jesus Christ as Saviour and then serve Him faithfully. He tells us that He is life and only in Him can we have life and have it in abundance.

III. The PROMISE

A. The PERMANENT Remnant -God always has a remnant that is faithful to Him. When we see the world around us descending into the chaos and corruption of sin we should hold to the promises of God and the certainty that we are never left alone. we may cry out like Elijah as we read in 1 Kings 19:14- 18 14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, [even] I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael [to be] king over Syria: 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint [to be] king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint [to be] prophet in thy room. 17 And it shall come to pass, [that] him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. 18 Yet I have left [me] seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. Many times our problem is that we, like Elijah, see with the eyes of flesh that can only see the things of the world. We don’t look with the eyes of faith that can see the reality of God and His power. Remember when the king’s men came for Elisha the Elisha’s servant was overwhelmed because of the forces arrayed against them Elisha asked God to open the young man’s eyes and it was shown him the mighty power of God!

B. The PRESENCE of God – We also count with the presence of the Holy Spirit. When God began to deal with us about going to the mission field, the prospect of leaving home and going to a foreign country to live and preach was a daunting thought. As we prayed seeking God’s will for our lives He showed us His promise in Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest. Here we found the sweet truth and promise that the Holy Spirit will be us forevermore. We see that we have fellow believers to labor with us and the presence of God with us. What more do we need?

IV. The PRESCRIPTION – If we are to avoid the terrible fate that befell Israel in the days of Isaiah we must heed God’s Word and His will. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Our nation stands in great peril because of the awful blight of sin that is upon us. God is long-suffering and merciful, but He is also holy and will not forever stay His hand of judgment. He will not overlook innocent blood. The great sin of abortion has caused the murder of over sixty-two million babies, and this with the approval of our government. Surely we must look for a certain and swift chastening because of this and many other sins. There is only one hope for us and that is to turn to God in repentance and faith. The time grows shorter each day. It is time for Christians to awake, repent, pray and turn from our evil ways. What will become of us and our land, our decision will determine our fate.

Brother Mike Scott

Pastor of Faith Baptist Church

Habakkuk’s Complaint (video)

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