Category: Sermons by Others
Unconditional Love
About 41 years ago I fell in love with a beautiful Island woman; but it was not just her looks that I loved it was also her mannerism. She was very well spoken of and treated her family, her friend & herself with a deep respect for everyone. At that time I was working in the oilfield off shore of Venice Louisiana, I was just 17 teen at the time but was soon to be 18. I would leave for 6 or more months at a time and she was always there waiting for me to return. One day I asked her to marry me and she said not until I ask her Father first. What I said ask your Father first but why I am not marrying him I want to marry you, not until I ask her Father.
Asking someone Father for the right to marry their daughter, no way am I going to do that, or at least I said that to myself. You see asking someone Father for the right to marry their daughter was a way of respect and that was one of the things about her that made her stand out from all the other woman that I dated. Now 41 years later she is still my beautiful Island woman, we have both made a lot of changes because time is no body’s friend. But is it not what is on the outside that matters it is what is on the inside because unconditional Love overlooks the faults in each of our characters and says I love you, I love you, I love you.
But what about God’s unconditional love for man, come take a trip with me in the Bible and let’s see what it says about God love for mankind.
Let us Pray!
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Let’s look at John: 3:16-17
16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
The scriptures have a beautiful way to describe how God feels about His creation. Can you imagine the creator God stooping down from His eternal glory and becoming His creation in order to save them from a bad mistake they made.
Well that is exactly what happened!
Gen. 1:27. God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
All heaven took a deep and joyful interest in the creation of the world and of man. Human beings were a new and distinct order. They were made “in the image of God,” and it was the Creator’s design that they should populate the earth. They were to live in close communion with heaven, receiving power from the Source of all power. Upheld by God, they were to live sinless lives.
The holy pair were not only children under the fatherly care of God, but students receiving instruction from the all-wise Creator. They were visited by angels, and were granted communion with their Maker, with no obscuring veil between. . . . The mysteries of the visible universe–“the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge”–afforded them an exhaustless source of instruction and delight. The laws and operations of nature, which have engaged men’s study for six thousand years, were opened to their minds by the infinite Framer and Upholder of all. They held converse with leaf and flower and tree, gathering from each the secrets of its life. With every living creature, from the mighty leviathan that playeth among the waters, to the insect mote that floats in the sunbeam, Adam was familiar. He had given to each its name, and he was acquainted with the nature and habits of all. God’s glory in the heavens, the innumerable worlds in their orderly revolutions, “the balancings of the clouds,” the mysteries of light and sound, of day and night,–all were open to the study of our first parents.
God created man a superior being; he alone is formed in the image of God, and is capable of partaking of the divine nature, of cooperating with his Creator and executing His plans.
. 1 John 3:1. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not; because it knew him not
As John thought of the love of Christ, he was led to exclaim, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.”
People think that it is a privilege to see a royal personage, and thousands go great distances to see one. How much greater privilege it is to be sons and daughters of the Most High. What greater privilege could be conferred on us than to be given entrance into the royal family in Heaven?
In order to become the sons and daughters of God, we must separate from the world. 2 Corinthians 6: 17: Come out from among them, and be ye separate,” the Lord says, “and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters.” . . .
There is a heaven before us, a crown of life to win. But to the over comer only is the reward given. He who gains heaven must be clothed with the robe of righteousness. “Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” In the character of Christ there was no discord of any kind. And this must be our experience. Our lives must be controlled by the principles that controlled His life.
Through the perfection of the sacrifice given for the guilty race, those who believe in Christ, coming unto Him, may be saved from eternal ruin. . .
Let no one be so deluded by the enemy as to think that it is a condescension for any man, however talented or learned or honored, to accept Christ. Every human being should look to heaven with reverence and gratitude, and exclaim with amazement, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” That when Christ appears we shall be Like Him
1 John 3:2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
We are not to settle down, expecting that a change of character will come to us by some miraculous work, when Jesus shall appear in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Listen my young friends, we are judgment-bound right now, and probation is granted to us here in this life, in order that we may form characters for the future, immortal life.
Let none imagine that selfishness, self-esteem, and self-indulgence are compatible with the Spirit of Christ. Upon every truly converted man or woman there rests a responsibility that we cannot rightly estimate. The maxims and ways of the world are not to be adopted by the sons and daughters of the heavenly King.
In separating from the world, we shall encounter difficulties on every hand. But here is what the servant comfort for us: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
We should show by our words and works that we recognize the great responsibility laid upon us. Our light should shine so clearly that others can see that we glorify the Father in our daily lives; that we are connected with heaven and are joint heirs with Jesus Christ.
To have fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ is to be ennobled and elevated, and made a partaker of joys unspeakable and full of glory. Food, clothing, station, and wealth may have their value; but to have a connection with God . . . is of priceless value. . . . And although it “doth not yet appear what we shall be,” “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear,” “we shall be like him.”
1 John 3:3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure
Christ would elevate and refine man’s mind, purifying it from all dross, that man may appreciate the love that is without a parallel.
Through repentance, faith, and good works he may perfect a righteous character, and claim, through the merits of Christ, the privileges of the sons of God. The principles of divine truth, received and cherished in the heart, will carry us to a height of moral excellence that we had not deemed it possible for us to reach. . . . “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
Holiness of heart and purity of life were the great subjects of the teachings of Christ. In His sermon on the mount, after specifying what must be done in order to be blessed, and what must not be done, He says, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Perfection, holiness,–nothing short of this would give them success in carrying out the principles He had given them. Without this holiness, the human heart is selfish, sinful, and vicious. Holiness will lead its possessor to be fruitful, and abound in all good works. He will never become weary in well-doing; neither look for promotion in this world; but he will look forward to be promoted by the Majesty of heaven when He shall exalt His sanctified and holy ones to His throne. . . . Holiness of heart will produce right actions.
As God is pure in His sphere, so man is to be pure in his. And he will be pure if Christ is formed within, the hope of glory; for he will imitate Christ’s life and reflect His character.
The princely dignity of the Christian character will shine forth as the sun, and the beams of light from the face of Christ will be reflected upon those who have purified themselves even as He is pure.
1 John 4:10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
In redemption God has revealed His love in sacrifice, a sacrifice so broad and deep and high that it is immeasurable. John: 3: 16: God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.
When Adam’s sin plunged the race into hopeless misery, God might have cut Himself loose from fallen beings. He might have treated them as sinners deserved to be treated. He might have commanded the angels of heaven to pour out upon our world the vials of His wrath. He might have removed this dark blot from His universe.
But He did not do this. Instead of banishing them from His presence, He came still nearer to the fallen race. He gave His Son to become bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. John: 1: 14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Christ by His human relationship to men drew them close to God. He clothed His divine nature with the garb of humanity, and demonstrated before the heavenly universe, before the un-fallen worlds, how much God loves the children of men.
The gift of God to man is beyond all computation. Nothing was withheld. God would not permit it to be said that He could have done more or revealed to humanity a greater measure of love. In the gift of Christ He gave all heaven.
The Highest, who was with the Father before the world was, submitted to humiliation, that He might uplift humanity. Prophecy withdraws the veil, that we may behold the throne of heaven, that we may see upon that throne, high and lifted up, One who in human form, came to our world to suffer, to be lacerated with stripes, and bruised for our iniquities.
Thus God showed His love for man. With Christ the Father gave all of heaven, that the moral image of God might be restored in man. . . . His grace in all its vastness is provided for all.
John 1:12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
Divine son ship is not something that we gain of ourselves. Only to those who receive Christ as their Saviour is given the power to become sons and daughters of God. The sinner cannot, by any power of his own, rid himself of sin. For the accomplishment of this result, he must look to a higher Power. John exclaimed, John: 1: 29: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Christ alone has power to cleanse the heart. He who is seeking for forgiveness and acceptance can say only,–
“Nothing in my hand I bring; Simply to Thy cross I cling.” But the promise of sonship is made to all who “believe on his name.” Everyone who comes to Jesus in faith will receive pardon.
The religion of Christ transforms the heart. It makes the worldly-minded man heavenly-minded. Under its influence the selfish man becomes unselfish, because this is the character of Christ. The dishonest, scheming man becomes upright, so that it is second nature to him to do to others as he would have others do to him. The profligate is changed from impurity to purity. He forms correct habits; for the gospel of Christ has become to him a savor of life unto life.
God was to be manifest in Christ, “reconciling the world unto himself.” Man had become so degraded by sin that it was impossible for him, in himself, to come into harmony with Him whose nature is purity and goodness. But Christ, after having redeemed man from the condemnation of the law, could impart divine power, to unite with human effort. Thus by repentance toward God and faith in Christ, the fallen children of Adam might once more become “sons of God.” When a soul receives Christ, he receives power to live the life of Christ.
Eph. 5:27: That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish..
The church, enfeebled and defective though it be, is the only object on earth on which Christ bestows His supreme regard. He is constantly watching it with solicitude, and is strengthening it by His Holy Spirit. Will we, as members of His church, allow Him to impress our minds and to work through us to His glory?
Christ loves His church. He will give all needed help to those who call upon Him for strength for the development of Christlike character. But His love is not weakness. He will not serve with their sins or give them prosperity while they continue to follow a wrong course of action. Only by faithful repentance will their sins be forgiven; for God will not cover evil with the robe of His righteousness. He will honor faithful service. He will abundantly bless those who reveal to their fellowmen His justice, mercy, and love. Let those who are engaged in His service walk before Him in true humility, following faithfully in His footsteps, cherishing the holy principles which will live through the eternal ages. Let them in word and action show that they obey the laws which are obeyed in heaven.
The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to “the principalities and powers in heavenly places,” the final and full display of the love of God…. The church is God’s fortress, His city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted world…. It is the theater of His grace, in which He delights to reveal His power to transform hearts.
God’s love for His church is infinite. His care over His heritage is unceasing.
2 Cor. 6:17, 18. I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
The Creator of the universe addresses you as an affectionate Father…. Your heavenly Father proposes to make you a member of the royal family, that through His exceeding great and precious promises you may be a partaker of the divine nature…. The more you partake of the character of the pure, sinless angels, and of Christ your Redeemer, the more vividly will you bear the impress of the divine, and the more faint will be the resemblance to the world.
“I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters….” What a promise is here made upon condition of obedience!…. He promises to be a Father unto you. Oh, what a relationship is this! higher and holier than any earthly tie. If you make the sacrifice, if you have to forsake father, mother, sisters, brothers, wife, and children for Christ’s sake, you will not be friendless. God adopts you into His family; you become members of the royal household, sons and daughters of the King who rules in the heaven of heavens.
If you call God your Father, you acknowledge yourselves His children, to be guided by His wisdom, and to be obedient in all things, knowing that His love is changeless. You will accept His plan for your life. As children of God, you will hold His honor, His character, His family, His work, as the objects of your highest interest. It will be your joy to recognize and honor your relation to your Father, and to every member of His family.
God is our Father, a tender parent, solicitous for His spiritual children. He is pledged to be the protector, counselor, guide, and friend, of all who are obedient to Him.
Rom. 8:17: 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.
All who enter into a covenant with Jesus Christ become by adoption the children of God. They are cleansed by the regenerating power of the Word, and angels are commissioned to minister unto them. They are baptized in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. They pledge themselves to become active members of His church in the earth. They are to be dead to all the allurements of worldly desires; but in conversation and godliness, they are, through sanctification of the Spirit to exert a living influence for God.
“Heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ,”–what an exalted, dignified position! Separate and distinct from the world, secure from the wily snares of Satan! By their baptismal vows, God’s professed followers have pledged themselves to stand in opposition to evil. The enemy of souls will work with all craft to corrupt their minds. He will seek to introduce his methods into their service for the Master. But there is safety for them if they will heed the injunction: “… be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” .
To what greater honor could we aspire than to be called the children of God? What greater rank could we hold, what greater inheritance could we find, than that which comes to those who are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ?
God so loved the world, what a blessing to this sin lost world that its creator would step in and pay the penalty for the law that mankind broke. Then to give the very best that heaven could give, the gift of His Son; the Father gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John: 3: 16:
My friend, God love you, no matter where you are in life, no matter what you done in life there is hope in the Fathers Son Jesus Christ. Pray He will always hear a prayer coming from a repented heart reaching out to Him for forgiveness. Always remember God loves you with unconditional love.
Elder Tim McNab
Restoring Gods Truth Ministry
A prophet is without honor
A prophet is without honor, in his own country, and among his own kin, and even in his own house!
Mark 6:4 4: But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
Many years ago I went to Visit a friend who lived in a far away county, he been there for about 20 years. He married a woman from there and had 4 children and had one on the way, wow I said for an old guy you are doing well. He invited me to stay and eat so I said no problem as I wanted to visit more anyway. So when it came time to eat we were called in to sit at the table but I felt a little uncountable. He looked at me and said is there a problem; I look at him and said is your wife and children coming to eat with us. He said no they will eat after we are finished, I did not say anymore just continue to eat with him. When we were finished the children came and took up the plates and cleaned up the table. They then followed him into the living room and made sure he was sitting in his recliner and brought him a large glass of limeade; they then took off his shoes and made sure he did not need anything else. They stood there until he told them he was ok, and then they left to go to the kitchen to eat. I was dumbfounded and just had to ask him what is the meaning of all this. He said it is all about respect, they respect the bread winner in the home this is something that the US has lost. The children in the US do not respect anyone let alone there parent. He then said to me they were raised with respect know that I provide for them everyday and so they do all these little things for me out of love and respect for providing for them. Boy he was right about one thing children in the US don’t treat there Father like that.
I find it very difficult to say anything to people I grew up with about God, and much worse sometimes my own family. Why is this, you see them headed for destruction but they don’t want to hear what you have to say in fact they will hear and listen to anyone else but me. If you had a son and he was going to touch a hot stove the first thing you would do is to step in and warn him not to touch the stove right, it’s the same thing. Now don’t get me wrong I too need guidance and I too make mistakes, but I generally try and see if in fact I need to do something about it, if I need to change. For me I go to the Bible and study asking God to please show me what I need to do.
I found that even when Jesus was here on Earth He too had the same problem when around people of His own household and Town where He grew-up.
One day Jesus was visiting His home town in Nazareth where He grow-up as a carpenter. He must of spent almost 25 years or more of His life in that town working at His father trade. But when He became 30 He left the carpenter shop and began His ministry on earth; going all over Judea telling the people about His Father God and healing them. He opened the eyes of the blind, gave hearing to the deaf and made the crippled walk again. But when He came home to the town He grow up in He found very few if any who believed Him.
A prophet is not without honor when in his own family or with in his own country. One reason for this is that it is almost natural for persons to hold a lesser account than they ought for those with whom they have been brought up with and have lived on familiar terms.
Prophets are commonly least regarded, and even envied, in their own country. However unworthy may be the feeling, the inhabitants of a town, City, or a community, do not like to see one of themselves put above them, more especially a young man over a senior, or a poor and humble man over a rich and well educated man.
But it should be remembered that God abhors the envious, and will withhold the wonders of his grace from those who grudge his gifts to others.
The men of Nazareth, when they saw Christ eating, and drinking, and sleeping, and working at his trade, like others, despised him when he claimed respect and reverence as a Prophet, and especially because his relations according to the flesh were of humble condition; and Joseph more particularly, whom they supposed to be his real father, for they could not imagine or believe that he was born of a virgin, and had God alone for his Father.
Even in our world today you will almost always find someone jealousy because someone who they held as a person who will never succeed move ahead of them to become a man of great significances.
*** Look at the story of boy named Joseph Genesis 37:
3: Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
4: And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
5: And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
6: And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:
7: For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
8: And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
9: And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
10: And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
11: And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.
As the scripture said his brothers heated him for a number of reasons.
First because there Father loved him more then all the rest and Second because he had dreams of them bowing down and becoming greater than all of them. Can you see somewhat of a problem here, no one wants to be last we all want to be first. Like it or not we all tend to because jealous of someone who is just a normal everyday person moving up from a back street gutter boy to an CEO of a company like GE. We all tend to say where did that little dumb snot noise kid get all that knowledge & wisdom from.
It was no less the same with Joseph, but what we don’t see is the man inside; we view only the out side of people never seeing what they are really made of. God looks on the inside of all man even before we are born God knows us. Jeremiah:1:5: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
So be careful the next time you say something to that little running nose kid with the wet stinky diaper; he may just be Gods next prophet.
Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many; the intelligence of a few perceives what has been carefully hidden.”
Luke 6:22, 23: “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”
Jesus knew what His follower would have to go through; being rejected by there family & friends and sometimes being rejected by the entire community. None the less they were called by God to fulfill His mission giving to them.
John 15:16-19: “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
Jesus tells us not to worry or be dismayed by the world but to follow Him. The prophet are no different then all of us, except they have Faith that if God said it they believe it.
1 Peter 2:9: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
God’s People: This is an insert taking out of a book called Desire of Ages on the life of Jesus
As we read the word of God, how plain it appears that His people are to be peculiar and distinct from the unbelieving world around them.
Our position is interesting and fearful; living in the last days, how important that we imitate the example of Christ, and walk even as He walked. “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” The opinions and wisdom of men must not guide or govern us because they always lead away from the cross.
The servants of Christ have neither their home nor their treasure here. I wish that all of them could understand that it is only because the Lord reigns that we are even permitted to dwell in peace and safety among our enemies. It is not our privilege to claim special favors of the world. We must consent to be poor and despised among men, until the warfare is finished and the victory won. The members of Christ are called to come out and be separate from the friendship and spirit of the world; their strength and power consists in being chosen and accepted of God.
The Son of God is the heir of all things, and the dominion and glory of the kingdoms of this world were promised to Him. Yet when He appeared in this world, it was without riches or splendor. The world understood not His union with the Father; the excellency and glory of His divine character were hid from them. He was therefore “despised and rejected of men,” and “we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” Even as Christ was in the world, so are His followers.
They are the sons of God, and joint heirs with Christ; and the kingdom and dominion belong to them. The world understands not their character and holy calling; they perceive not their adoption into the family of God. Their union and fellowship with the Father and Son is not manifest, and while the world beholds their humiliation and reproach, it does not appear what they are, or what they shall be. They are strangers. The world knows them not, and appreciates not the motives which actuate them.
The world is ripening for its destruction. God can bear with sinners but a little longer. They must drink the dregs of the cup of His wrath unmixed with mercy. Those who will be heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ to the immortal inheritance, will be peculiar.
Yes, so peculiar that God will place a mark upon them as His, wholly His. Think ye that God will receive, honor, and acknowledge a people so mixed up with the world that they differ from them only in name?
It is soon to be known who is on the Lord’s side, who will not be ashamed of Jesus. Those who have not moral courage to conscientiously take their position in the face of unbelievers, leave the fashions of the world, and imitate the self-denying life of Christ, are ashamed of Him, and do not love His example.
During His childhood and youth, Jesus had worshiped among His brethren in the synagogue at Nazareth. Since the opening of His ministry He had been absent from them, but they had not been ignorant of what had befallen Him. As He again appeared among them, their interest and expectation were excited to the highest pitch. Here were the familiar forms and faces of those whom He had known from infancy. Here were His mother, His brothers and sisters, and all eyes were turned upon Him as He entered the synagogue upon the Sabbath day, and took His place among the worshipers.
In the regular service for the day, the elder read from the prophets, and exhorted the people still to hope for the Coming One, who would bring in a glorious reign, and banish all oppression. He sought to encourage his hearers by rehearsing the evidence that the Messiah’s coming was near. He described the glory of His advent, keeping prominent the thought that He would appear at the head of armies to deliver Israel.
When a rabbi was present at the synagogue, he was expected to deliver the sermon, and any Israelite might give the reading from the prophets. Upon this Sabbath Jesus was requested to take part in the service. He “stood up to read. And there was delivered unto Him a roll of the prophet Isaiah.” Luke 4:16, 17,. The scripture which He read was one that was understood as referring to the Messiah:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To preach deliverance to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
And He closed the roll, and gave it back to the attendant: . . . and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on Him. . . . And all bare Him witness, and wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of His mouth.” Luke 4:20-22,
Jesus stood before the people as a living expositor of the prophecies concerning Himself. Explaining the words He had read, He spoke of the Messiah as a reliever of the oppressed, a liberator of captives, a healer of the afflicted, restoring sight to the blind, and revealing to the world the light of truth. His impressive manner and the wonderful import of His words thrilled the hearers with a power they had never felt before. The tide of divine influence broke every barrier down; like Moses, they beheld the Invisible. As their hearts were moved upon by the Holy Spirit, they responded with fervent amen’s and praises to the Lord.
But when Jesus announced, “Today is this scripture fulfilled in your ears,” Luke: 4:21 they were suddenly recalled to think of themselves, and of the claims of Him who had been addressing them. They, Israelites, children of Abraham, had been represented as in bondage. They had been addressed as prisoners to be delivered from the power of evil; as in darkness, and needing the light of truth. Their pride was offended, and their fears were roused. The words of Jesus indicated that His work for them was to be altogether different from what they desired. Their deeds might be investigated too closely.
Notwithstanding their exactness in outward ceremonies, they shrank from inspection by those clear, searching eyes Who is this Jesus? they questioned. He who had claimed for Himself the glory of the Messiah was the son of a carpenter, and had worked at His trade with His father Joseph. They had seen Him toiling up and down the hills; they were acquainted with His brothers and sisters, and knew His life and labors. They had seen Him develop from childhood to youth and from youth to manhood. Although His life had been spotless, they would not believe that He was the Promised One.
What a contrast between His teaching in regard to the new kingdom and that which they had heard from their elder! Jesus had said nothing of delivering them from the Romans. They had heard of His miracles, and had hoped that His power would be exercised for their advantage, but they had seen no indication of such purpose.
As they opened the door to doubt, their hearts became so much the harder for having been momentarily softened. Satan was determined that blind eyes should not that day be opened, nor souls bound in slavery be set at liberty. With intense energy he worked to fasten them in unbelief. They made no account of the sign already given, when they had been stirred by the conviction that it was their Redeemer who addressed them.
But Jesus now gave them an evidence of His divinity by revealing their secret thoughts. Luke 4:23-27, And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
By this relation of events in the lives of the prophets, Jesus met the questionings of His hearers. The servants whom God had chosen for a special work were not allowed to labor for a hardhearted and unbelieving people. But those who had hearts to feel and faith to believe were especially favored with evidences of His power through the prophets. In the days of Elijah, Israel had departed from God. They clung to their sins, and rejected the warnings of the Spirit through the Lord’s messengers. Thus they cut themselves off from the channel by which God’s blessing could come to them. The Lord passed by the homes of Israel, and found a refuge for His servant in a heathen land, with a woman who did not belong to the chosen people. But this woman was favored because she had followed the light she had received, and her heart was open to the greater light that God sent her through His prophet.
Our standing before God depends, not upon the amount of light we have received, but upon the use we make of what we have. Thus even the heathen who choose the right as far as they can distinguish it are in a more favorable condition than are those who have had great light, and profess to serve God, but who disregard the light, and by their daily life contradict their profession
The words of Jesus to His hearers in the synagogue struck at the root of their self-righteousness, pressing home upon them the bitter truth that they had departed from God and forfeited their claim to be His people. Every word cut like a knife as their real condition was set before them. They now scorned the faith with which Jesus had at first inspired them. They would not admit that He who had sprung from poverty and lowliness was other than a common man
Their unbelief bred malice. Satan controlled them, and in wrath they cried out against the Savior. They had turned from Him whose mission it was to heal and restore; now they manifested the attributes of the destroyer
When Jesus referred to the blessings given to the Gentiles, the fierce national pride of His hearers was aroused, and His words were drowned in a tumult of voices. These people had prided themselves on keeping the law; but now that their prejudices were offended, they were ready to commit murder. The assembly broke up, and laying hands upon Jesus, they thrust Him from the synagogue, and out of the city. All seemed eager for His destruction. They hurried Him to the brow of a precipice, intending to cast Him down headlong. Shouts and maledictions filled the air. Some were casting stones at Him, when suddenly He disappeared from among them. The heavenly messengers who had been by His side in the synagogue were with Him in the midst of that maddened throng. They shut Him in from His enemies, and conducted Him to a place of safety.
So angels protected Lot, and led him out safely from the midst of Sodom. So they protected Elisha in the little mountain city. When the encircling hills were filled with the horses and chariots of the king of Syria, and the great host of his armed men, Elisha beheld the nearer hill slopes covered with the armies of God,–horses and chariots of fire round about the servant of the Lord.
So, in all ages, angels have been near to Christ’s faithful followers. The vast confederacy of evil is arrayed against all who would overcome; but Christ would have us look to the things which are not seen, to the armies of heaven encamped about all who love God, to deliver them. From what dangers, seen and unseen, we have been preserved through the interposition of the angels, we shall never know, until in the light of eternity we see the providences of God. Then we shall know that the whole family of heaven was interested in the family here below, and that messengers from the throne of God attended our steps from day to day.
Oh, how Christ longed to open to Israel the precious treasures of the truth! But such was their spiritual blindness that it was impossible to reveal to them the truths relating to His kingdom. They clung to their creed and their useless ceremonies when the truth of Heaven awaited their acceptance.
They spent their money for chaff and husks, when the bread of life was within their reach. Why did they not go to the word of God, and search diligently to know whether they were in error? The Old Testament Scriptures stated plainly every detail of Christ’s ministry, and again and again He quoted from the prophets, and declared, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” If they had honestly searched the Scriptures, bringing their theories to the test of God’s word, Jesus need not have wept over their impenitence.
He need not have declared, “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” Luke 13:35. They might have been acquainted with the evidence of His Messiahship, and the calamity that laid their proud city in ruins might have been averted. But the minds of the Jews had become narrowed by their unreasoning bigotry. The lessons of Christ revealed their deficiencies of character, and demanded repentance. If they accepted His teachings, their practices must be changed, and their cherished hopes relinquished. In order to be honored by Heaven, they must sacrifice the honor of men. If they obeyed the words of this new rabbi, they must go contrary to the opinions of the great thinkers and teachers of the time.
Truth was unpopular in Christ’s day. It is unpopular in our day. It has been unpopular ever since Satan first gave man a disrelish for it by presenting fables that lead to self-exaltation. Do we not today meet theories and doctrines that have no foundation in the word of God? Men cling as tenaciously to them as did the Jews to their traditions.
The Jewish leaders were filled with spiritual pride. Their desire for the glorification of self manifested itself even in the service of the sanctuary. They loved the highest seats in the synagogue. They loved greetings in the market places, and were gratified with the sound of their titles on the lips of men. As real piety declined, they became more jealous for their traditions and ceremonies.
Because their understanding was darkened by selfish prejudice, they could not harmonize the power of Christ’s convicting words with the humility of His life. They did not appreciate the fact that real greatness can dispense with outward show. This Man’s poverty seemed wholly inconsistent with His claim to be the Messiah. They questioned, If He was what He claimed to be, why was He so unpretending? If He was satisfied to be without the force of arms, what would become of their sins, and the reproach they felt even from the presence of His purity.
Be careful of what you think because sometime God might send to you some of your own family to direct you to the real truth about Him and His love for you. Always test it by the Bible Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
We need to study Gods word daily and let His word through the Holy Spirit bring us into the truth light. Taking the Old and New Testament together, they must agree with what we believe, if they don’t agree with what you believe then you are not following Gods true.
The Bible is never wrong look at 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Preach the word but make sure it is the true word of God; you will find many people who will reject what you say mostly among your own family. But never argue over what the Bible says. Just bring with you the truth of Gods word if they will not hear you then you have done your part.
God Bless you all my friend in Christ
Elder Tim McNab
Sitting on the Fence
Sitting on the Fence, Middle Ground, The best of both worlds
As our scripture today reads in Mt: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.
For a long time I was happy just sitting on the fence. It was what I thought was the best of both worlds. I did what I wanted to during the week and on Sabbaths I went to church. Went out Friday and Saturday nights, but I went to church on Sabbath. It was easy and I was happy or so I thought.
I believe I was twelve when I told my dad, and I told him with attitude, because that was what I was full of when I was twelve. I told my dad to stop pushing his religion on me. The weird thing after that was that my dad then gave me the choice. And of course being the rebellious child that I was I stopped going to church.
I always believed that there was a God and I always believed that Jesus existed.
I got married, two years later got pregnant. I was getting better after that. Starting going to church more. I wanted to give my life to God. But I would be giving up so much. I didn’t want to stop going out, drinking, partying, what would people think of me, they would call me a holy rolly. I made fun of people like that.
But God knew my heart and he knew that I wanted to give my life to him, and he knew of someone dear to me that would help him.
I was seven months pregnant when we found out that my dad had cancer. Suddenly my whole world turned upside down, how could this happen. I didn’t know what to do. I turned to God, begged him to help my dad. He was a good man and always did everything for everyone else and expected nothing in return. I started going to church more, prayed every night. But then my dad got better and I began to go back to the life I had before. I went back to sitting on the fence.
But I wanted to change; I wanted to be a better person, a better mother, a better wife a better daughter. And I tried, but I had to just give up so much.
It was two years later, two weeks before x-mas when my dad came to my house unexpected. I had to hear that horrible news THE CANCER WAS BACK.
WHAT, WHY WAS THIS HAPPENING, HE IS SUCH A GOOD PERSON, HE DID SO MUCH, during his first treatment he never missed a beat. He only missed one day of work, he held up all of his duties with the church and at the time he was head elder so he had a lot of responsibility. I didn’t understand why this was happening.
I knew my life was not going the way I wanted it to. But I didn’t think God wanted me. I knew better, I was raised better than that, I didn’t think I had a chance. But how could I expect God to help me when I wasn’t willing to help myself. How could I ask God to help me when I wasn’t willing to give him anything in return?
I was frantic this time, searching everywhere for the answers. I would get my Bible out looking for something. I wanted my dad’s faith, but I was so far gone. One late night, I was searching for an answer. I was talking to God, asking him to help me. I picked up my bible, the first page I turned to, had one verse that seemed to stick out of the page, as if it were the only thing written on that page, it was:
Matthew14:31: And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
I felt as if God were talking to me. Saying you know me better than that, why do you doubt me, why would you doubt that I would not help you, why would you doubt that I would not want you?
I started to read more and ran across a different scriptures that read:
Mt:17:20: And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Mt:6:8: Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Mt:21:22: And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Mt:7:7: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mt:7:8: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Lk:12:28: If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
I had heard these verses over and over growing up but only now did I understand what they meant.
Was that me, but I believed there was a God, I believed that Jesus was the son of God.
But you know you see so may people theses days that go to church or get involved with certain things in church just to say that they paid their dues.
They act like serving God is a chore and something that they rather not do. But they have to do it.
There is a difference between believing that Jesus exists and believing in Jesus.
Jn:3:16: reads. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Believeth IN HIM. You can believe something but not believe in something. Believing in Jesus is what transforms you. Believing in, trusting in, having faith in, accepting him. That is our acceptance of Jesus.
When we are sitting on the fence are we really believing in Jesus, are we really believing in God.
Or are we just doing what we believe is required of us.
Believing in Jesus is what will give us eternal life, not just believing that there is a Jesus.
When you believe in Jesus, when you accept him into your life, the Holy Spirit takes over and you become a different person. The things that you thought were so hard to give up, you wonder why you thought you could not live with out it
I don’t know if that is why my dad got cancer. But sometimes I wonder.
I can almost see God telling satan to try to turn me. Make my dad sick, it will only send her straight to me.
Like in the book of Job, God’s humble servant. That is who I think of when I see my dad. He praised God through everything.
Some times God has to knock you on your knees.
1Pt:1:7: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
God knew that my dads faith was untouchable, and he knew that I needed just needed to be pushed off of the fence that I was already facing in his direction.
My dad and I were talking about everything one evening. About him getting sick and maybe he got sick because God knew it would bring me back. My dad said that he would go threw it a thousand times if it would bring all of his children back to God.
These days I speak with God every few hours as opposed to every few days.
My life isn’t perfect in fact sometimes it is harder than it was before. But I know that I am not alone, God is always with me and I try to make sure that I include him in every aspect of my life.
For me it is so much more than just paying my dues, making sure that I go to church of Sabbath, going to church is only a small part of my relationship with God. It is allowing him control of my life, to put things in his hands, He never said that it would be easy, but he said that he would see me through the storm.
And I no longer consider myself sitting on the fence.
By Patricia Vincent
Restoring Gods Truth
SAVED by GIFT CERTIFICATE
I like when people give me Things, especially things like Gift Certificates, because it mean I can get something for free, I can go and eat and it don’t cost me nothing or I can go to the Home Depot and get things I need and it too don’t cost me anything.
I believe we are Saved this way, “Because someone else has already Paid the price”
Back about 2300 years ago the folk who lived in Alexandria in Northern Africa could not grow enough food. They were totally dependant on Eastern Mediterranean lands (Phoenicia) for their grain, their wheat.
They called it “corn” in those days. They would die without outside supplies. Their life totally depended on the arrival of the food from somewhere else.
About a certain time of the year when their supplies began to run out they would be waiting hoping that the ships would appear over the horizon soon, bringing the great supplies of wheat that had been grown.
People would keep a look-out. They didn’t have very good communications and so they would just watch for the ships.
When they saw those great grain ships appearing over the horizon they were just thrilled. There food was coming! What a great day that was! As the heavily laden ships came closer the good news spread quickly that food was coming.
The Greek-speaking folk living in Alexadria coined a special word just for that event; to announce the good news that the grain ships had arrived in port.
You can read this word in your New Testament. It’s in the book of Mark, chapter sixteen, you can find this word, this special word announcing the good news that the grain had arrived, that it was coming, it was on the way.
Here it is in Mark 16:15(NIV)- “And He said unto them ‘Go into all the world and preach the GOOD NEWS to all creation.’
” What is the “good news”?
The good new is that Jesus Christ has come, that He is our Savior. Of course the word we’re defining here is “the gospel“, evangelion in the Greek. Basically that means good, merry, glad, and joyful, tidings that makes a man’s heart glad.
The gospel is the good news that Jesus has come. He has brought life for a dying race. Without Jesus coming we were all doomed.
Romans 1:17(NIV)– For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, …. the righteous will live by faith,” he concludes in that verse.
The three angel’s messages of Revelation 14 is vital to us as a people.
The very heart of those messages is the everlasting gospel which will be proclaimed to every nation and kindred and tongue and people Rev. 14:6. When that happens then Jesus will come…as told in Matthew 24:14.
Now, there’s a lot of gobbledy-gook about how we are saved and what the gospel really is. Before we can preach the gospel we must know in our hearts what the gospel is.
If I asked ten people what the gospel is, I would probably get ten definitions. What is the gospel?
Here are two views about how we are saved:
1. We are saved totally by believing in Jesus. Works do not have anything to do with our salvation. Therefore, we can live however we want to live because works has nothing to do with salvation. Some people call this the “New Theology”, although it is thousands of years old.
2. Some people believe that we are saved by faith plus personal works. And Jesus saves us, that’s true, but we must manifest good works and we must grow more and more like Jesus toward perfection of our soul. And some people call that “legalism”.
Now I believe there’s a third way. And I believe that is brought by the gospel.
3. Jesus saves us. We’re saved totally by believing in Him. He totally provided righteousness for us, AND He provides the power to live the Christian life. We are not saved by our works: we’re saved by His works, and He empowers us to live the Christian life.
The first of these three views I would call cheap grace.
The second I would call legalism!
The third view, I believe, which is a balanced view where we ought to be today, and this view is what we want to focus on today.
Now I want to define the “Gospel” for you. What is the GOOD NEWS? What is the GOSPEL? The Gospel is what tells us that we are saved by a GIFT CERTIFICATE!
You are not saved by going down and securing salvation for yourself.
It is not a “do-it-yourself” thing.
Salvation is provided by somebody else that has gone down to the store and totally paid for your salvation long ago; and made it so that I can go down there to the store and trade your gift certificate for Eternal life.
We all want something for nothing. We shop for juicy bargains. We mail in the coupon for free drawings.
I had a Friend who one day showed me over 150 scratchy off Lotto tickets she got. She told me that she won all of these it just cost he $75.00. So I as her how much did you win, she just looked at me like “what do you mean” I got to play all of these over a 150 tickets. So I said OK I understand that you got to play all of them, but how much did you Win from playing all of them. She again just said I won all of these, so I told her you mean you lost your $75.00 bucks, She then told me that I did not understand anything about playing scratch-off. I told her all I understood is that She lost her Money.
People spend a fortune trying to win the lottery.
Shame on them!
Only twice does the word WIN appear in the Bible. PHILIPPIANS 3:8(KJV) Paul speaks of gaining – or winning Christ. “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. I have suffered the loss of all things…that I may WIN Christ.”
How do we get Christ?
By winning Him, not by purchasing Him.
If you want to win something win eternal life because you will Win every time.
It is a gift. Salvation is gained by accepting a Gift you have already won, not by our efforts; But because we have chosen Him. “Jesus” as our Savior
If you choose Jesus you are an instant winner. If you choose the world you are a big looser.
Salvation is free! But salvation is not a cheap commodity!
Jesus achieved my eternal life through sweat, tears and blood. What a high price! Today, Jesus simply gives it away to His friends who then possess perfect righteousness through their faith in Jesus Christ.
Now, on the cross Jesus said a very important statement: three little words. He said, “It is Finished!” (John 19:30)
What was finished?
The word Jesus used is a Greek word … Tetelestai, which in our version of the Scripture is translated, “It is finished.”
Archaeologists have repeatedly found its Latin equivalent, consummatum, scrawled across ancient tax receipts, indicating it also meant “paid in full“.
What Jesus was saying on the cross was, “This debt is now paid in full. I completely paid the price.” Sin’s account was settled on the cross. Our debt and guilt were wiped out! You can’t add to it. All that I can do is accept it.
So I obtain salvation by gift certificate that has been paid in full by Jesus.
I can’t purchase eternal life, by a whole life full of doing good works.
But I live a life of good works in response to His gift. Jesus gives me eternal life. But, the good news is that it does not stop with the gift certificate. When I take my salvation home Jesus comes home with me to help me apply my gift and to use my gift in my life. And that is very much UN-like cheap grace.
Years ago I purchased a gizmo for my children. It came in a box and said “some assembly required“! It was some assembly alright! After an hour or so and a long struggle with plastic parts and instructions written by some Japanese person who had probably had a one hour correspondence class in the English language, the thing finally worked!
The truth is that Jesus not only provides our salvation, but Jesus comes with the gift and helps us assemble the gift and use gift as the Christian life. Jesus creates within our new heart a dislike for sin and a deep love for good things.
The truth is that we are saved totally by Jesus’ blood, not by our own blood. And that same blood also has the power to enable us to live a changed life. That doesn’t mean that we won’t make any mistakes. We may make mistakes but that same blood also has the ability to blot out our sins and give us complete forgiveness.
Blood is mentioned over 300 times in the Bible. It lies at the very heart of the Gospel, for it is through “the blood of his cross” that Jesus reconciled us to God. (See Colossians 1:20-23).
Some years ago a terrible railroad accident occurred, killing many people. A commuter train had stalled on the tracks just a few minutes before a fast freight was due to arrive.
A conductor quickly sent to flag down the approaching “flier.” Being assured that all was well, the passengers relaxed.
Suddenly, however, the speeding freight came bearing down upon them. The crash left a ghastly scene of horror.
The engineer of the speeding freight train, escaped death by jumping from the cab. He was called into court to explain why he hadn’t stopped.
“I saw a man waving a flag,” he said, “but it was yellow, so I thought he just wanted me to slow down.”
When the flag was examined, the mystery was explained.
It had been red, but because of long exposure to the sun and weather it had become a dirty yellow.
Just think of the lives eternally wrecked by the ‘Dirty yellow gospels’ that we hear today in many Churches — the bloodless theories of the gospel that send their hearers to their doom instead of stopping them on their downward slide!
Cheap grace will lead to certain doom. Legalism or perfectionism will not save. I’ve never met anybody that is totally perfect. I don’t think any of us could ever equal what Jesus did for us.
Jesus Christ can give you His righteousness and you can stand truly perfect right now by his Free Gift of Salvation to everyone who believes.
Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross can redeem your soul (see Romans 5:8,9). Don’t be deceived by a weak “dirty yellow gospel” of human works that is powerless to save you from everlasting destruction.
The wonderful truth is that we are truly totally saved by Jesus.
Jesus the Son of God is our Saviour. Jesus Himself will set us free. Jesus said in John 8:32 (KJV) “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” This is an interesting statement and many Christians do not apply this text correctly.
What is it that we have to know? The doctrines? or What is the truth?
Jesus explains this in the next verses: John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Notice what sets us free… The Truth in verse 32: And the Son of God in verse 36. Jesus is the same today as when he said that 2000 years ago…
In John 14:6, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, life...'” It is knowing Jesus that totally sets us free. Jesus paid for Salvation with His perfect life. It is not the belief in certain doctrines that will save us. We do not have to earn heaven. Eternal life is a gift, free, it had already been paid for with your Gift Certificate Jesus gives you.
I am not saved because I keep the Sabbath or because I keep all the others Commandments, Why because the Law can’t save me, the Law can only convict me. We are saved by Jesus.
Matthew 19: 16: And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? What did Jesus tell him, you know the Commandments
20: The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
If just keeping the Law could save you them this young man should be saved; correct
Look at what Jesus said to him
21: Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22: But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
He was a Good Man, but being good what not his problem, He keep God Commandments, but just keeping the Commandments, was not his problem was it.
The real problem was, he was trying to save his self; by his works and not by his Faith. He did not have the Faith that if he gave away all that he had, God would give him ten times more back
But let’s understand Doctrines…..
Doctrines are important, and that’s where people call us a sect, they have almost stopped calling us a cult.
But they still call us a sect: they can’t understand how we can believe that we are totally saved by Jesus and yet it is also important to keep the Sabbath.
Because I am saved by the Blood of Jesus I do what he told me to do. If you Love me keep my Commandments John:14:15:
We keep God’s Commandments because we love him not because we are saved by them.
Never forget one thing, There is a different’s in keep God’s Law to be Saved; and keep God’s Law because you are Saved.
I will tell you this, I am married to a wonderful woman and I don’t help her do the dishes because of some law, I do that because I want to, I want to do something to make her happy.
I keep the Sabbath because I want to do what makes God happy. It’s a response to Him. So we’re saved by gift certificate. Eternal life is given by a gift.
How do you get the gift? You have to know the Giver.
Let me ask you a question– Have you ever received a major gift in your whole life from a complete stranger?
That has never happened to me.
We almost always receive gifts from people that we know. Our friend Jesus, because we know Him he wants to give us His Eternal life.
The Gospel is all about our wonderful loving Friend, Jesus, standing with outstretched arms wanting to share His eternal life with you.
I believe the only way anyone will ever be lost is if that person willfully and consistently rejects Jesus and reject His free gift of Eternal Life.
Otherwise, we’re going to be saved.
Legalism is like a body without a soul. It is a corpse.
Cheap Grace is like a soul without a body. It is a ghost.
Neither one of them work.
Only Jesus could live the perfect life in both body and soul. He became a Saviour.
Jesus, lived the perfect life and paid a big price for complete salvation for each of us. Then Jesus gives this expensive rescue to us as a free gift if we love Him.
Where do you pick up your gift certificates?
John 3:36- “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life!…”
You get it from Jesus.
You know there is only one thing about a Gift Certificates; It is no good unless you use it.
My friend we are told that we are saved by grace through out faith in God. Put your faith in Jesus and what He has done for you, it is free for the asking just trust Him and see.
God Bless you all is my pray in Jesus name.
Elder Tim Mc Nab
Bible for Truth Ministries & McDonald Road Church
Baby Dedication
Giving back to God!
Scripture I Sam. 1:28
Question: Have you ever given your children back to God?
Some of you might be thinking, “I’d like to give them back—but I didn’t think God would take them back.
• The truth is, there are Lots of parents who have had a few moments or days when they would have liked to package up that kid and take them back….
Take them back to God’s customer service counter and demand a refund!”
I thought they had a ‘no return’ policy on kids without a receipt!”
• Well, , I’m not suggesting you return your kids to God and try to get your money back,
When I ask you if you have ever given your children back to God.
• What I am asking is, have you ever really recognized God gave them to us…
Recognized your children are a precious gift from the Lord…
They belong ultimately and always to God first—not to you?
Releasing ownership of your children to Him—
We need to understand that God is responsible for the way in which they were designed
God already knows the plan and purpose for their future!
I’m hoping we will Realize God has left it up to us to show them His way?
Let us Prayer
_________________________________________________________
God has been asking us to put many things on His altar recently.
today, He is asking every one of us who are parents to “BRING OUR CHILDREN AND PUT THEM ON THE ALTAR!”
There are many BIBLICAL examples Lets Look @ some of parents in the Bible who brought their children to God and gave them back to Him:
Of course, you remember Joseph and Mary brought there infant (baby)Jesus to the temple following his circumcision at 8 days. they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (Lk. 2:22).
But we are going to look @ another example of a parent surrendering his child to.. God …the Life I want us to read about today is that of Abraham offering his son Isaac on Mt. Moriah.
Let’s see what the Scrpiture would have to say to us today about “Giving Your Children Back To God.”
in TEXT GENESIS 22vs1-13
…Suddenly proposes the greatest test that could come to a human being… offering up a child..
Man that had to be hard and painful for Abraham…
After all:• Abraham loved Isaac. V.2 God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love, and sacrifice him …”
.I don’t know if I would do that
In the supreme test of a long, eventful life Abraham obeyed without raising a single question, without objection without seeking human counsel
• Oh yes, just try to put yourself in Abraham’s place.
• Isaac had been a MIRACLE baby. He was born when Sarah was 90 and Abraham was 100 years of age.
I’m sue It was very painful for Abraham to strap his dear son on an altar and a stack of wood,… raise a knife to slash open that boy’s chest and throat,… cremate the body and sit by as he smelled the stench of the burning flesh of his boy—and then watch that boy literally disintegrate into a pile of ashes!
…no he didn’t do it…. but ….he was going to
In GENESIS 22vs 5 he said to his young men that went with them, that we will come back… Its was Only by Faith was it possible NOT to expect to return alone
..,.He believed that even if God would have to raise Isaac from the dead(heb11:19)
Gods promised him for in Isaac your seed shall be called. Gen.21
• Whew! I don’t know if I would do that…even if God asked!
But in a very real sense, I know I MUST DO THAT every day with my children
Do you know—the best thing Abraham ever did for Isaac was to tie him to that altar and to surrender him back to God?
1) Had Abraham refused to give Isaac back to God, he would have forfeited all God’s promises and plans for Isaac.
Isaac would have lived and died in darkness, a nobody.
2) Because Abraham obeyed and gave Isaac back to God,
Isaac received the fullness of God’s best plan and promise for his life:
• Isaac became a wealthy man.
• Isaac became the forefather of God’s own Son, the Lord J.C.
• Isaac’s life is still having an impact on and blessing millions of people worldwide through his offspring—Jesus Christ.
And so, you and I need to learn from Abraham today. If we refuse and fail to give our children back to God—we may very well be forfeiting God’s best plan and purpose for their lives. And when we entrust our children back to God—we secure for them the covenant of God’s best purpose and plan for their lives.
Lets take a look @ FOUR ELEMENTS OF GIVING YOUR CHILD BACK TO GOD:
• What does it mean?
1) Giving your child to God is a CONFIRMATION of your love for God.
• The first thing you are saying when you give that child back to the Lord is simply this…that you love God even more than you love that child. (Your child is a most prized possession…but don’t allow them to take the place of God!) [I love you,(child), so much, that I want the very best for you. If that means giving you to God, correcting you, giving you limitations (holding the line), changing my life for your benefit…I’ll do whatever it takes!]
• This is exactly what Abraham proved by his willingness to offer Isaac. He was demonstrating that his love and fear of God were supreme in his life above all else.
Matthew 10:37-38
• Abraham loved God above the most prized treasure of his life…his only son Isaac.
Not only a Confirmation…also a CLARIFICATION
2) Giving your children to God is a CLARIFICATION of ownership.
–When you give your child back to God, you are openly declaring that:
• This child is a gift from God.
• This child does not really belong to you.
• This child belongs to God.
(You have the privilege to love and train this child.
But this child is not yours—but God’s!)
• Was this not what had to be on Abraham’s mind when he lay Isaac on the altar? Was he not saying, “Lord, this young man belongs to you—not me?” He was saying, “You do with him as you please. He’s yours!”
• Hey listen! These little children do not really belong to us—they belong to God! They are a precious gift from God, on loan to us.
Ps. 127:3 “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” (KJV).
Note: We’d better be careful how we treat and care for God’s property!
Not only Confirmation and Clarification…also a COMMITMENT
3) Giving Your Children To God Is A COMMITMENT to Raise Your Children God’s Way!
Eph. 6:4 says we are to bring our children up “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
• LISTEN…To give your child to God is not just a CEREMONY…It is a COMMITMENT. It is a commitment that you are going to:
Be a Godly parent. (Parent dedication…requires getting right w/ God)
It is a commitment that you are going to:• Pray for this child & Teach this child of Christ. (they will need to be saved)
It is a commitment that you are going to:• Keep this child in church.
It is a commitment that you are going to:• Love this child. (even if loving them means disciplining them & letting God discipline you!)
It is a commitment that you are going to:• Train this child.
It is a commitment that you are going to:• Stay married for this child. (there are other reasons for this too, but that is a great one!)
It is a commitment that you are going to:• Make your home a holy place.
It is a commitment that you are going to:• Put away worldliness
and Live a righteous life.
• I think some people see baby dedication as a magical ceremony. Let me tell you if you are not making a sincere commitment to raise this child God’s way! this little ceremony means nothing….
: I like what Joshua told the children of Israel as they settled into their new home, the Promised Land.
Joshua 24:14-15
14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served…and serve ye the LORD.
15 , choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord
“I want my family to turn out right, and so, as a parent, I’m going to begin to lead them right!”
• Man, that’s the kind of commitment God is looking for in parents today!
Not only a Confirmation, Clarification, Commitment…also a CLAIMING
4) Giving Your Children To God is a CLAIMING of God’s plan and promises for that child’s life.
• Isaac inherited God’s blessings, protection and promises because his dad, Abraham, gave him back to God.
(read) Genesis 22:15-18
• Your children are blessed by your obedience to God AND cursed by your disobedience to God.
What I mean by that is they have a free will, but you stack the odds in their favor or against them by the way YOU live!
• As you obey God with your life, and as you give that child back to God, you are allowing that child to receive God’s very best for his/her life.
Read Proverd22vs6
…So, this is what it means to give your children back to God:
1) It is a CONFIRMATION of your supreme love for Christ.
2) It is a CLARIFICATION of ownership (God owns that child).
3) It is a COMMITMENT to raise that child under the Lordship of J. C.
4) It is a CLAIMING of God’s best plan and promises for that child’s life.
• This is exactly what transpired when Abraham took Isaac up Mt. Moriah and laid him on the altar to give him to God.
1) Abraham was CONFIRMING his love and fear of Jehovah.
2) Abraham was CLARIFYING that Isaac really belonged to God.
3) Abraham was COMMITTING to be a Godly parent.
4) Abraham was CLAIMING God’s plan and promises for Isaac.
1 more very short example of a parent in the Bible who brought their children to God and gave them back to Him…
the classic example of Hannah bringing her son Samuel to God…
I Sam. 1 26,she prayed to the lord for some thing lets see what she prayed for our scripture of today vs 27…now lets continue to see what happens next, what will she do with the child ,28…She Gave him back to the Lord…
Closing Song
Lord help us entrust our children back to God —we need to secure for them the covenant of your goal, best purpose & plan for their lives. Help us not forfeit that in their lives… Its only through Christ can God make them & us the way he wants you to be…