A BRAND PLUCKED OUT OF THE FIRE

ZECHARIAH 3:1-3

A. "IS NOT THIS A BRAND PLUCKED OUT OF THE FIRE?"

1. In reading the first three verses of the third chapter of Zechariah, one
cannot help but recognize the great controversy between Christ and Satan:
a. Satan, the accuser of the brethren, is ever ready to expose the
weakness of God's children - Rev. 12:10
b. The Son of God, on the other hand, seeks to cover His children
with the robe of His righteousness - Isa. 63:10; 1 Cor. 1:30
2. The outcome of this controversy is the important point in this lesson:

B. A BRAND PLUCKED OUT OF THE FIRE

1. The accused:
a. "He shewed me Joshua the priest" -
(1) The spiritual leader of Israel - Ex. 28:29
(2) He wore the breastplate with the names of the twelve tribes
of the children of Israel.
(3) Also, the Urim and Thummim, symbols of light and justice
- Ex. 28:30
b. Condition of the accused -
(1) He appeared in filthy garments - Zech. 3:3; Isa. 64:6
(2) That meant that the high priest was sinful and defiled: this,
the adversary of God's people knew and used against Him - Matt. 15:19; Isa. 6:5
2. This experience shows that the devil watches the lives of God's people:
a. He knows when God's professed people are beset with open or
secret sins.
b. He is ever ready to expose them to discredit God's plan to save
man from sin.
c. He says to the world, "behold the sins and shortcomings of God's
children!"
d. That is what he did with the sins of King David and his son
Solomon.
e. That is what he did with the sin of Hezekiah when the messengers
from Babylon came to hear about the miracle of healing.
f. "Satan stood at his right hand" -
(1) The role of Satan, in this instance, is very similar to his
attitude in the experience of Job.
(2) Going about and seeking whom he may devour - 1 Pet. 5:8;
Job 1:7
(3) "Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour" - 1 Pet. 5:8

C. A BRAND PLUCKED OUT OF THE FIRE

1. "The Lord rebuke thee, Satan":
 a. Satan may attempt to hide the fact that he himself is under sentence
for murder - John 8:44; Ezek. 28:12-18
b. The saints, that he seeks to accuse day and night, will pass
judgment upon him - 1 Cor. 6:1-3; Rev. 20:1-6
c. He also ignores the fact that God has found a ransom for sinners -
Job 33:24
2. "Take away the filthy garments from him":
a. We have seen already that all our righteousness is as filthy rags -
Isa. 64:6
b. All are under sin - Gal. 3:23; Rom. 3:23
3. "Behold I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee":
a. God has a way to free us from the guilt of sin - Isa. 6:5, 6
b. There is an open fountain against all uncleanness - Zech. 13:1
c. The precious blood of Jesus Christ is that fountain - 1 John 1:7-9; 1
Pet. 1:18, 19; Rev. 1:5
4. "Set a fair mitre upon his head":
a. This was always the crowning act in the consecration of the high
priest for his office.
b. This means that God had accepted the consecration of the man for
the office of the priesthood.
c. When the battle is over, God will have all those washed in the
blood of Christ receive a crown of glory - 2 Tim. 4:7, 8
"THOU HAST SOLD THYSELF TO DO EVIL"
1 KINGS 21:20

A. "AND AHAB SAID TO ELIJAH, HAST THOU FOUND ME, O MINE

ENEMY? AND HE ANSWER, I HAVE FOUND THEE, BECAUSE THOU HAST
SOLD THYSELF TO WORK EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD."
1. This was the last meeting that Elijah had with Ahab:
a. What a meeting that was!
b. The vineyard of the murdered Naboth was the meeting place.
2. The conversation included the Lord's final sentence upon the wicked king:
a. Who had sold himself to work evil.
b. By becoming an accomplice to a brutal murder of an innocent
citizen, Ahab should have protected.

B. THOU HAST SOLD THYSELF TO WORK EVIL

1. Sold thyself:
a. The phrase "sold thyself" indicates that Ahab was a party to the
crime committed deliberately to satisfy Ahab's selfishness.
b. There are instances when people do wrong ignorantly; but that was
not the case of Ahab; he knew better.
2. The exceeding sinfulness of Ahab is indicated:
a. By the fact that Ahab was the chief officer of the law in Israel; it
was his highest duty to protect the citizens of his country.
 b. As a king, he represented all the people and when he became a
party to the murder of Naboth, he implicated the whole nation.
c. He violated the oath of office - 1 Ki. 14:16; 16:2, 3
3. Sold out:
a. Adam and Eve sold out when they yielded to temptation - Luke
4:5, 6; Gen. 3:1-22
b. Cain sold out when he murdered his brother - Gen. 4:1-9
c. The ten sons of Jacob sold out when they sold their brother into
slavery - Gen. 37:28
d. Judas sold His Lord for thirty pieces of silver - Matt. 26:14-16
e. Esau sold out when he bargained away his birthright for a mess of
pottage - Gen. 25:30-34
4. The price of the sellout:
a. The price is incomprehensible.
b. When we sell out to sin, we break connections with God - Rom.
8:6, 7; Isa. 55:1-3
c. We become the tools of Satan - Rom. 6:16
d. We become the enemies of God - Rom. 8:6, 7

C. THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION

1. There is hope for those who have sold themselves for nought unwittingly:
a. "For thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and
ye shall be redeemed without money" - Isa. 55:3
b. All this because we have nought to pay for our redemption.
2. The price paid for our redemption is beyond estimate; it is priceless:
3. It includes:
a. Complete pardon from sin - Isa. 55:7; Luke 15:11-32
b. Deliverance from the power of sin - John 8:36; Acts 26:18
c. Heaven will treat the redeemed as if they had never sinned - 2 Cor.
5:17
d. Immortality, eternal life, awaits them in the world to come - John
3:16; Rom. 6:23
4. Sold out:
a. What a tragedy for the sinner!
b. What a travesty upon justice!
c. How amazing is God's love to find a ransom for our redemption -
Isa. 35:10
5. Beloved, what is your reaction to the message of this hour, based upon the
words of Elijah to Ahab?
a. Are we guilty of selling out to the devil?
b. And when we see that we have made a serious mistake by selling
out to the devil, do we know the remedy God is ready to apply to redeem us?
UNTENABLE EXCUSES

A. "THEY ALL WITH ONE CONSENT BEGAN TO MAKE EXCUSE" - Luke

14:16-24
 1. To better comprehend the subject before us, it is important to note that:
a. The feast or supper was of a spiritual nature.
b. Had it been of a physical or material nature, there would not have
been such unanimous excuses.
2. A banquet:
a. That does not involve financial obligations, on the part of the
invited guest, will not be turned down readily.
b. The human heart is not so self-denying as to refuse a free meal.

B. LET US CONSIDER THE IMPLICATION OF OUR SUBJECT TITLE --

UNTENABLE EXCUSES
1. The great supper or dinner:
a. Is the plan of redemption - Isa. 55:1, 2, John 7:37, 38
b. The guests were, to begin with, the Jewish nation - Rom. 9:1-6;
Matt. 10:6; 15:24; 21:33-41
c. The Son of man, a son of Abraham, was sent by the father to save
the lost sheep of the house of Israel - Matt. 15:24
(1) They had the form of the truth - Rom. 9:1-7; 2:20
(2) Theirs were the fathers, and the covenants, and God's
promises - Rom. 9:1-5
2. In view of these facts:
a. The invitation to the supper, to begin with, had been given to
Israel, as a nation -
EXAMPLE -
(1) God sent messengers to Israel, while they were a nation, to
bring God's banquet to them - 2 Chron. 36:15; Acts 3:26; 13:46
b. It was when they rejected the gospel of Christ that the apostles
went to the Gentiles, who gladly received the truth.
c. With these facts in our mind, we shall be better able to analyze the
untenable excuses.

C. "AND THEY BEGAN TO MAKE EXCUSES"

1. Webster offers the following definition for the word "excuse"
a. "To make apology for"
b. "To endeavor to remove blame"
c. "To seek to extenuate"
d. "To seek or obtain exemption or release for one self"
2. The unappreciative guests used every concept of Webster's definition:
a. They formally apologized for their not coming to the banquet.
b. They endeavored to blame their environment for not coming.
c. In this manner they brushed aside the invitation.
3. These excuses are untenable for the following reasons:
a. The kingdom of God, the plan of salvation takes precedence over
all else - Matt. 6:33; Luke 12:31
b. Even if their excuses had been legitimate, preparations could have
been made that there would have been no conflict between the points in question.
 c. It is very wrong to make salvation secondary to earthly enterprises;
it indicates indifference to God's effort to save us from sin.
d. Their excuses were, however, so flimsy and without a reasonable
basis that that in itself indicates their total lack of interest in the gospel invitation.
e. Their excuses were an underhanded rejection of the invitation.
4. This is the sad state of many souls, who are indifferent to the gospel
invitation:
a. They seek to hide behind anything that seems to cover their
excuses.
b. But we must keep in mind that rejection of the gospel invitation is
fatal to the rejecter.
c. By rejecting God's mercy, they shut themselves out of the divine
banquet hall in God's kingdom.
"HOW MUCH OWEST THOU TO MY LORD?"
LUKE 16:1-17

A. OUR WORLD IS LOADED WITH DEBTS

1. Financial obligations:
2. Moral shortcomings:
Matt. 6:12; Rom. 3:19; Isa. 24:1-19

B. "HOW MUCH OWEST THOU TO MY LORD?"

1. Very few persons ever stop and think of their indebtedness to God:
a. They forget that they are not their own - 1 Cor. 6:19; Rom. 14:7
b. They seem to be unaware of the fact that, at best, we all are
unworthy stewards of God's goods - 1 Pet. 4:10
c. And that some day we shall have to give an accounting of our
stewardship - 2 Cor. 5:10
2. A prayerful study of the Bible shows that our obligations to God are
sevenfold:
a. We have sinned and come short of the glory of God. That means
that we are deeply indebted to God - Ps. 130:1-3; Luke 5:4-9; 18:13
b. We are indebted to Christ for paying our debts with His own life -
Isa. 53:1-12; Rom. 8:31-33; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 2:20
c. Our talents and our possessions are the Lord's - Matt. 25:14-30
d. Our very lives are but the gift of the Lord - Rom. 14:7, 8; Dan.
5:23; Acts 17:25
e. We have made, at different times, vows to God and that is a
solemn obligation to Him - Ps. 50:14; 56:12
f. Our knowledge of His holy will obligates us to Him - Rom 1:14-
17; Jas. 4:17
g. The God-given opportunities obligate us to God to use them wisely
and to God's glory - Luke 14:16-25
EXAMPLES -
(1) Hezekiah failed to glorify God at a time when he could
have done it to God's glory - Isa. 39:1-8
 (2) Moses failed to glorify God at a time when he could have
directed his people to the Lord - Num. 20:11-14
(3) Daniel did glorify God in Babylon - Dan. 1:8; 6:10

C. WHY THIS QUESTION?

1. What Christ did for us brings our obligations to Him into sharp focus:
a. He gave himself for me; that obligates me to Him - Gal. 2:20
b. I am a poor sinner, a blood bought trophy of God's grace - Acts
20:28
c. We all are, by creation and by redemption, the Lord's.
d. He did everything to save us, and He still pleads our case before
God - Heb 7:24-26
2. Solemn questions demand solemn answers:
a. That was true when God questioned our first parents - Gen. 3:9
b. It was true when He asked Cain about his brother Abel - Gen. 4:9
c. And that will be true when the King asks the wedding guest as to
why he entered without the proper wedding garment - Matt. 22:12
3. Questions serve a threefold purpose:
a. They are to arrest our attention; to get us to stop and think!
EXAMPLES -
(1) "Whose shall those things be, which thou hast prepared?" -
Luke 12:20
(2) "Whence camest thou? and whither goest thou?" - Gen.
16:8
b. They demand an answer. That is why questions are asked.
c. They are to bring about a change in our attitude to God and men.
EXAMPLES -
(1) "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" - Acts 9:4.
(2) "What doest thou here, Elijah?"- 1 Ki. 19:9
4. Friends of mine, have you ever attempted to find an answer to our opening
text?
a. How much owest thou my Lord?
b. Have you ever attempted to straighten out your account with God?
c. There is, to my knowledge only one solution to our indebtedness,
and that is found in Christ alone - Rom. 8:1-3
d. Is that your answer?
IMMORTAL DECISIONS
PSALMS 119:30-32

A. HISTORY RECORDS MANY AWE-INSPIRING DECISIONS

1. National decisions:
a. Abraham Lincoln and the slavery question.
b. Franklin D. Roosevelt and World War II.
c. Harry S. Truman and the Atomic Bomb.
2. Personal decisions:
a. Moses and the throne of Egypt - Heb. 11:24
 b. The rich young ruler - Matt. 19:16-22

B. IMMORTAL DECISIONS
1. "I have chosen the way of truth":
a. There are but two ways to choose from - Matt. 7:13, 14
b. Both are open to our own free choice - Deut. 30:15; Josh. 24:15
c. The false way appeals to the natural mind more than the narrow
way -- less inconvenience and more company - Matt. 7:13; but it is the way that will lead
to destruction -
(1) Cain and Abel - Gen. 4
(2) Esau and Jacob - Gen. 25
(3) Ruth and Orpah - Ruth 1:16-18
(4) Matthew and the young ruler - Matt. 9; 19:16-22
2. To choose God's way necessitates:
a. Forsaking our own way - Isa. 55:7
b. Complete self-denial - Matt. 16:24
3. "Thy judgments have I laid before me":
a. That means that we will keep our eyes upon God's road map, the
Bible - Josh. 1:7, 8; Ex. 32:8; 2 Tim. 3:15-17
b. That, in turn, means that we give up the traditions of men - Jer.
6:16; Ps. 1:1-6; Mark 7:7-13
c. This constitutes one of the severest tests of discipleship to Christ
because the inherited traditions of our fathers seem to be a part of our very life -
EXAMPLES -
(1) Saul of Tarsus - Gal. 1:14
(2) Martin Luther and the Reformation.
(3) My own personal experience.
d. To break loose from all of it is a miracle itself.
4. "I have stuck unto thy testimonies":
a. That indicates the constant danger of being tempted to forsake the
testimonies of the Lord.
b. We are warned to beware of last day deceptions - Matt. 24:24; 2
Thess. 2:9-11
c. Many, many stick to spiritual spider webs - Isa. 59:5, 6; Job 8:13,
14
5. "I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my
heart":
a. This shows that when people refuse to accept light and truth, it is
because their prejudice has closed their minds to the truth.
b. Enlargement of the heart will mean that our concept of truth has
been widened; we have an open mind for more light - John 16:12, 13
c. This involves a change of heart; it is a new experience -- one might
call it the new birth - Ezek. 36:26-28. Examples of persons that received enlargement of
heart -
(1) Saul of Tarsus - Acts 9:6
(2) The Jailer - Acts 16:31-33
 (3) The Samaritan woman - John 4:22-29

C. A FEW FACTS TO KEEP IN MIND

1. Salvation is based upon our own personal decision:
a. Moses had to decide for himself what he must do - Heb. 11:24-28
b. The thief on the cross had to make his own decision. No living
person ever suggested to him to set his hope in the crucified Christ - Luke 23:42-44
c. Ruth the Moabitess had to make a personal decision. No one
encouraged her to go with her mother-in-law.
2. When we decide on the question of salvation:
a. We make an immortal decision; it is effective in all eternity.
b. In this no one can or ought to make the decision for us.
c. How solemn, and yet how rewarding, is the decision to walk on the
way of truth!
d. It will decide our eternal destiny!
e. Friends, have you made your eternal decision?
BUILDING FOR ETERNITY
MATTHEW 7:24-27

A. WE ARE LIVING AT A TIME WHEN CONSTRUCTION WORK IN THE

U.S.A. IS AT AN ALL TIME HIGH
1. It is a sign of the end:
2. The nearness of Christ's second coming: Luke 17:28; Matt. 24:37-39
3. Many are building, but not for eternity: Matt. 7:26; Ps. 127:1, 2

B. BUILDING FOR ETERNITY

1. Negatively:
a. Not that which is material only - 1 John 2:15, 16
b. All material constructions are bound to be destroyed by fire - 2 Pet.
3:1-13; 1 Cor. 3:10-12
2. Build a Bible based faith:
a. That will endure forever - Jude 20
b. Such a building is spoken of by the Lord Jesus Christ - Matt. 7:24-
27
c. Substance of this faith - John 7:37-39; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Rom. 10:17
d. This building has Jesus Christ for the chief cornerstone - 1 Cor.
3:9-14; Luke 6:46; Eph. 2:20-22
3. The most important building project in the world today is:
a. Character building
(1) Christlikeness - Rom. 8:29; 1 John 3:1-3
(2) Christlikeness must be the goal of everyone that wants to
build for eternity - Phil. 3:10-15
4. Usefulness in the service of God and humanity is still another worthy
project to work on:
a. That was Paul's great ambition - 1 Cor. 9:19
 b. Said Jesus, "I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should
go and bring forth fruit" - John 15:16
c. We are unto God a savour of life unto life to those who are blessed
by our services - 2 Cor. 2:15, 16
d. Endurance -- Our Lord gives great emphasis to endurance - Matt.
10:22; 24:12, 13. These are worthwhile projects to work for.
5. Our pattern for our building:
a. The Lord Jesus first and last - 1 Pet. 2:9-11
b. He is the choice of our heavenly Father - Matt. 3:17; 17:5; Heb.
1:1-9
c. This pattern is found in the sixty-six books of the Bible - John
5:39, 46, 47; Rom. 10:14-17
d. Earnest and prevailing prayer is the heaven directed channel to
give us the supply for our spiritual building - 1 Thess. 5:17; Col. 4:2

C. BUILDING FOR ETERNITY

1. We know from experience that such a project is the work of a lifetime:
a. That which has been ruined or destroyed through sin cannot be
reconstructed in a day.
b. Those who say that sanctification is instantaneous are greatly in
error.
c. Character building is based upon experience, and experience is
based upon our daily life.
d. Consider what Paul writes -
(1) About himself - Phil. 3:13-15
(2) The work of sanctification - 2 Cor. 7:1-3
e. Peter writes about additions - 2 Pet. 1:2-8
f. James understood this truth - Jas. 3:1-17
2. To have our building endure through all eternity, we must make sure:
a. That our thoughts, words, and actions are based upon eternal
principles.
b. These principles are stated plainly in the Ten Commandments - Ex.
20:3-17; Eccl. 12:13, 14
c. They are a transcript of God's eternal and unchangeable will - Ps.
111:7-9
d. Those who oppose God's law will build on the sand - 1 John 2:4-7;
Isa. 30:8, 9
e. We must be doers of the word and not hearers only - Jas. 1:22, 23;
Rom. 2:13
3. Thus, it is crystal clear that when we build according to God's plan, use
the material provided for us in the Bible, our building will endure: 2 Cor. 3:18, 19; Matt.
7:24-27
A CURE FOR OUR WORRIES
MATTHEW 11:28-30
A. IN SPITE OF ALL THE UNHEARD OF MODERN CONVENIENCES TO
MOST AMERICANS, MOST PEOPLE ARE AFFLICTED WITH WORRY
1. Things are moving along at an unprecedented pace:
a. Affecting most of us.
b. To attempt to keep up with the Jones' adds still more pressure to
the load.
2. This state of increased worry was foretold in Bible prophecy: Luke 21:34,
35

B. LET US CONSIDER THE MANY UNDERLYING CAUSES FOR THE

WORRIES PLAGUING OUR NATION
1. For many, finances seem at the bottom of their worries:
a. The cares of this life sap the life out of our nervous system - Matt.
13:22; Luke 18:22, 23
b. Said someone wisely, "The load of the world's financial
obligations is heavy enough to sink any ship of state."
2. Family difficulties:
a. Divorces are on a steady increase and some predict that soon there
will be as many divorces as there are marriages.
b. Financial difficulties in the home have darkened many hearts and
broken up many homes.
c. Poor health is another contributory factor leading to increased
worry! How to meet the medical bills, which are staggering in our day, cannot be
overlooked.
d. Fear of the future leaves its marks on the minds and bodies of
many - Luke 21:26
e. The Bible predicts uncontrollable fear in the last days - Isa. 13:6-8;
22:17
f. A life of sin and the certainty of the judgment to come worries
many people -
(1) It worried Felix - Acts 24:25
(2) It worried Belshazzar - Dan. 5:6
(3) It will worry the unsaved - Rev. 6:13-16
3. Worry is actually a sin:
a. It is the result of mistrusting God; for if we had childlike
confidence in a loving Providence, there would be no worry on our part - Ps. 23:1-6
b. It is a sin because we have no faith in God's promises - Matt. 6:25-
34
4. Worry is enemy Number One:
a. It digs early graves.
b. It takes the joy out of life.
c. It poisons the atmosphere we live in.
d. It discourages not only ourselves but it makes the lives of those
who have to live with us miserable.

C. A SURE CURE FOR OUR WORRIES

 1. Negatively:
a. Cannot be found in the things one may possess - Luke 12:15
b. Cannot be found in seeking to numb our powers of reason -- that
will only harm our health and shorten our lives.
2. Positively:
a. By coming to Christ with all our needs at His loving invitation -
Matt. 11:28
b. He and He alone can deliver us from the cause of worry - John
8:31-34
c. He blesses us with His peace - John 14:27
d. He promises to supply all our needs - Phil. 4:19
e. He will help us to follow a different plan of living; from the one
that brings worry and grief - "take my yoke upon you and learn of me . . . and ye shall
find rest for your souls" - Matt. 11:29
3. Three sure means to end worry and prolong life:
a. Have faith in God.
b. Walk with God.
c. Abide in Jesus Christ our Lord.
OVERCOMING BAD HABITS
ROMANS 12:21

A. A SOBERING BUT AN UNDENIABLE TRUTH

1. Man was endued with the moral powers to subdue and control things in
nature:
a. He was made in the image of God - Gen. 1:26, 27
b. And he was told, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the
earth, and subdue it" - Gen. 1:28
2. But, in many ways, he has lost his power and the will to rule his own
nature:
a. That is the verdict of the Creator - Jer. 13:23
b. Paul, having experienced this truth, confirms it - Rom. 7:14-24

B. WHAT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE IN THIS STUDY IS

1. That evil habits are not only harmful to body and soul, but they will keep
us out of the kingdom of God: Consider very carefully these scriptures - Gal. 5:19-21;
Rev. 21:27
2. That these bad habits affect not only us but they affect those who associate
with us: "Be not deceived: evil communication corrupt good manners." - 1 Cor. 15:33 -
"Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." - 1 Cor. 5:6
3. That bad or evil habits are not formed overnight, but they are the result of
repetition:
a. One drink will lead to the next drink; one cigarette will lead to the
next one, until drinking and smoking will become a habit.
b. The more we repeat a certain action, the more will it become a part
of our nature.
4. Effect of evil habits:
 a. They will enslave body, soul, and mind.
b. Man will become a complete slave to his acquired habits - Rom.
7:14-24
c. These are facts which the victim of bad habits too often overlooks
until it is too late to safeguard against them.
d. My conclusions are based upon the testimony of many persons
delivered from bad habits.
5. Still another fact to keep in mind is that we acquire bad habits by
perverted reasoning:
a. Some people become involved in the drinking habit because they
feel that is a good way of getting away from some problem connected with their life.
b. But the facts are that this reasoning is wrong because bad habits
weaken the moral powers and so weaken the individual affected.

C. HOW TO OVERCOME BAD HABITS

1. Negatively:
a. Man is no longer master over himself, he has become a slave -
Rom. 6:16; 14:7; Jer. 13:23
b. He must receive strength from outside himself - Rom. 7:24; John
15:5
2. Positive help for all who desire it:
a. Jesus Christ, the mighty conqueror.
b. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Phil.
4:13
c. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his
good pleasure." Phil. 2:13
d. He can save to the uttermost all who come unto Him for
deliverance - Heb. 7:25
e. That is why He came into this world -- "to proclaim liberty to the
captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound" - Isa. 61:1
3. Man's cooperation is a must:
a. Man is, by his creation, a free moral agent, and God cannot do
anything for him against his own will - Rev. 22:17
b. God has put before men two choices -- he can choose life, or he
may choose death - Deut. 30:15; 32:47
4. Three laws that enter into our subject:
a. To become free from bad habits, we must set our mind against
them - Prov. 23:7; Eccl. 12:1
b. Many evil habits continue in our life simply because we do not
think, period! Expel bad habits and replace them with good habits - Isa. 1:16; 55:7; Gal.
5:26
c. Learn to think straight and you will live straight, and that includes
habits - Matt. 11:28-30; Deut. 33:25
"AWAKE THOU THAT SLEEPEST"
EPHESIANS 5:14
A. "WHEREFORE HE SAITH, AWAKE THOU THAT SLEEPEST AND CHRIST
WILL GIVE THEE LIGHT"
1. This is, without any doubt, one of the strongest gospel appeals:
a. It is, in fact, a resurrection call.
b. That fact alone ought to stir our hearts and awaken us out of our
state of spiritual lethargy.
2. What amazes me is the fact that this resurrection call is directed to
sleeping church members: 1 Cor. 11:30

B. "AWAKE THOU THAT SLEEPEST"

1. "Wherefore he saith":
a. The call comes from Him who saith, "I am the Alpha and the
Omega, the first and the last." Rev. 1:11
b. "The Amen, the faithful and true witness" - Rev. 3:14
c. "Who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire" - Rev. 2:18
d. "I know thy works" - Rev. 3:15
2. "Awake thou that sleepest":
a. You are insensible; your eyes and ears are closed to truth; and you
have no proper sense of your true condition - Luke 15:11
b. You are in a false state of security - Luke 12:16-20
c. You are in a state of total spiritual activity - Prov. 24:27-30
3. "Arise from the dead":
a. Dead in trespasses and sin - Eph. 2:1-6
b. Some are dead twice - Jude 12
4. "Thou hast a name that thou livest":
a. How sad it is to think of having the name of an active Christian,
yet be dead to the spiritual life in Christ - Rev. 3:1
b. The cemetery and not the church is the proper place for the dead.
c. O that God, in mercy, would use His word to bring back to life the
many among us who are spiritually dead!
d. Think of the condition of the Laodiceans - Rev. 3:14-17

C. "AND CHRIST WILL GIVE THEE LIFE"

1. So long as you are asleep, light, however bright and clear, shines upon you
in vain:
a. It shines upon the graves of the dead, yet it does not affect them.
b. Until the warning in God's word has awakened you, all instruction
in the word of life will not help you.
c. Christ seeks to awaken you out of your fancied dreams of security
and happiness, and have you reflect upon your true lost condition -
EXAMPLES -
(1) The prodigal son - Luke 15:11-17
(2) The rich farmer - Luke 12:16-20
(3) The prophet Jonah - Jonah 4:5-8
2. The call of Christ for us to awake out of our spiritual sleep indicates:
a. That He can do nothing for us unless we cooperate with Him.
 b. The most powerful sermon can do us no good unless we answer
God's call.
c. It seems to me that before the end comes to God's people, God will
allow trials and hardship to come upon some of us to wake us up out of our sleep.
3. God will give you light:
a. Light is the peculiar property of God, the source of light - John
1:1-12
b. The purpose of light is threefold -
(1) To reveal to us our true condition - Rev. 3:14-17; Job 42:5,
6
(2) To light the way that leads to the kingdom of God - Ps.
43:3
(3) To help you to avoid the pitfalls of sin - Ps. 119:9, 105
4. How wonderful it will be when God will send the Holy Spirit among His
sleeping people:
a. To raise them from the deep sleep of sin and unfaithfulness.
b. To bring a new life into their experience.
c. To cause us to put on the strength of God's eternal truth.
d. Shall we not pray more earnestly for a resurrection experience?
STOPPING SHORT OF THE PROMISED LAND
GENESIS 11:32, 33

A. "TERAH DIED IN HARAN"

1. This is a brief but thought provoking obituary of Terah, the father of
Abram:
a. He was on his way to Canaan, but he never made it.
b. He was very close, but not close enough.
2. Death overtook Terah before he could reach the promised land:

B. STOPPING SHORT OF THE PROMISED LAND

1. Three heart searching questions press themselves upon our minds:
a. How far may a person go toward the land of Canaan, and yet, like
Terah, die in Haran?
b. We think of Lot's wife; she left Sodom, went a good distance, but
never made it to the place of refuge - Gen. 19:26
c. God's ancient covenant people left Egypt nearly seven hundred
thousand strong, but only two of them actually made it to Canaan.
d. God's people are in similar danger today as in the last days; if that
is not so, then why does the Lord give such specific warning -
(1) "Remember Lot's wife" - Luke 17:32
(2) "Now these things were our example, to the intent we
should not lust after evil things, as they did . . . 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" - 1 Cor. 10:6-11
2. What are some of the dangers that disrupt the progress of God's people
toward the kingdom of God?
 a. Entanglement in the pleasures and sins of the world is one serious
obstacle - 2 Tim. 4:10; 1 John 2:15, 16
b. The cares of life are still another snare the devil uses to slow down
the pace of God's people - Luke 21:34, 35
c. Unwillingness to part with some hidden sins is another barrier to
progress - Heb. 12:1-6; Acts 24:25
d. An inward aversion to the way of God, a dislike of walking on the
straight and narrow road impedes our onward march toward the kingdom of heaven -
Matt. 7:13, 14
3. The third point of special consideration in this subject is one of sorrow and
regrets:
a. Consider those who stop short of the kingdom of God or Canaan.
b. They have been members of God's family, have had part in the
activities of the church, but, at the end of their journey they lose out altogether; they fall
short of the promised land.
c. What will aggravate their sorrow is that it is all their own fault!

C. STOPPING SHORT OF THE PROMISED LAND

1. Terah died in Haran:
a. That disrupted the family fellowship, and also Terah's journey
toward the promised land -- all caused by death!
2. Experience shows:
a. That when death comes it stops everything, all our plans, hopes,
desires, and opportunities.
b. But what is far worse than physical death is spiritual death.
c. To be dead in trespasses and sin is a calamity of great magnitude.
d. Think of the prodigal son; of Judas, and other examples - Luke
15:11-32; Matt. 27:1-5
e. Some people allow one sin to keep them out of the kingdom of
heaven. Judas loved money and that led him to commit the crime of the ages.
f. If the curtain were dropped upon your life today and you could see
the epitaph which would say: "John Doe died at the borders of the kingdom of heaven",
how would you feel about this final verdict of your life?
g. Why not resolve right now to make sure of reaching the promised
land!
h. Take a tip from Paul, read prayerfully Phil. 3:13-15
i. Go on your knees and plead with God to give you grace to make it
to His kingdom.
"WHAT WAIT I FOR?"
PSALMS 39:7, 8

A. "AND NOW, LORD, WHAT WAIT I FOR? MY HOPE IS IN THEE"

1. When we study the writings of David, we discover that he was a deeply
religious person:
a. He seemed to live altogether in the very atmosphere of prayer.
 b. To him, a living connection with God was the very essence of life
itself.
2. Much of his prayer is prefaced by meditation and communion with self:
a. This is indicated in our text this morning.
b. It is the key to his deep understanding of the nature of the spiritual
life.

B. "WHAT WAIT I FOR?" IS THE BURDEN OF THIS MESSAGE

1. With this question the Psalmist turns to the Lord to help him to discover
his own need:
a. That is a wise thing to do - Jas. 1:5
b. Said Jesus, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28
c. However, so many professed Christians do the very opposite!
2. David's course for guidance is the only reasonable plan to follow:
a. God alone knows the end from the beginning, and therefore knows
what is best for us.
b. That is true, particularly, of our salvation - Acts 16:30
c. One of His great names is "Wonderful, Counsellor" - Isa. 9:6
3. What wait I for?
a. This is the language of one who hesitates and cannot give a good
reason for his hesitation - 1 Ki. 18:21
b. He seems unable to decide what is best for him. In this case he
should follow the decision of Saul of Tarsus - Gal. 1:15
c. Why do people hesitate to take a firm stand for Christ? Some have
one excuse and others have other excuses.
d. But none of the excuses solve the problem of salvation.

C. HERE ARE SOME OF THE INEXCUSABLE EXCUSES

1. "I want to be a Christian, for I know that is the proper thing for me to do;
but I am waiting until I feel that I am strong enough to be a good Christian":
a. Experience shows that they who wait until they are good enough
will perish in their sins.
b. Because all our goodness is like the morning cloud -- Hos. 6:4 -- It
is like filthy rags - Isa. 64:6
c. Said Jesus, "Without me, ye can do nothing" - John 15:5
d. "All we like sheep have gone astray" - Isa. 53:6
2. "I am waiting to make sure that I want to be a Christian; also, that I want
to be a member of the church":
a. I have heard this excuse on different occasions, but that excuse is
inexcusable.
b. It is true that God does not want any forced service - Rev. 22:17
c. But, dear soul, your own lost condition should be convincing to
you that you need to come to Christ - Rom. 7:14-26
3. "I am waiting for God to speak to me. When I am sure that he has spoken
to me, I will give my heart to Christ":
 a. This excuse seems very plausible. We do want to make sure that
the Lord has spoken to us.
b. God has many channels to speak to us -
(1) He speaks to us through the sixty-six books of the Bible -
John 5:39; 2 Tim. 3:15-17
(2) He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit - Heb. 3:7-9; Rev.
22:17
(3) He speaks to us through the church of God - Rev. 22:17;
Matt. 28:18-20
(4) He speaks to us through nature; Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:20
(5) He speaks to us through experiences - Dan. 4:30-37
(6) He speaks to us in prayer - Matt. 6:5-11. Yes, God does
speak to us, but do we respond to His voice?
THAT FATAL NIGHT
DANIEL 5:30

A. "IN THAT NIGHT BELSHAZZAR, THE KING OF THE CHALDEANS, WAS

SLAIN"
1. Historic setting of our text:
a. Belshazzar was the son of Nebuchadnezzar, who ruled between
500 and 600 years before Christ.
b. Just prior to the fatal night for Belshazzar, the city of Babylon was
one of the wonders of the world.
(1) It had hanging gardens.
(2) Magnificent buildings.
(3) Its walls were made of bitumen 87 feet thick and 350 feet
high.
(4) The city was surrounded by a deep channel, the Euphrates,
and seemed impregnable by every known military standard of the time.
2. All this until the fatal night:
a. Fatal for the kingdom of Babylon.
b. Fatal for the king - Belshazzar.
3. A memorial to the just retribution of divine justice:

B. THAT FATAL NIGHT

1. A night of dissipation and sinful pleasures:
a. It was a royal banquet, with all the trimmings that go with such
feasts.
b. Only the top nobles of the Babylonian society were the participants
- Dan. 5:1
c. All moral perception was set aside and sinful pleasures had full
sway, the description of which would be a nightmare.
2. We are choosing this text because a similar situation will prevail in the
days of the Son of man:
a. James warns us against this pleasure-mad condition in the last days
- Jas. 5:1-9
 b. Our Lord warns us against this sin of the last days - Luke 17:2-34;
Matt. 24:36-39
c. Paul warns against the same sin - 1 Thess. 5:1-6; 2 Tim. 3:1-9
3. It was a night of impious profanity:
a. Reveling leads to profanity.
b. Reason gives away to stupidity and immoral excesses.
c. Sacred things must serve the vileness of sin.
d. Belshazzar surely knew that the Medes and the Persians were at
the gates of the city.
e. They knew also that the enemy was digging a new channel to
divert the water of the Euphrates out of its natural channel, and so exposing the very
foundation of the city.
f. What is still worse, they left the gates to the city wide open.
g. Drink and revelry had caused the Babylonians to neglect their
duties to the city and to the kingdom.

C. A CLOSER LOOK AT THE HISTORICAL SPECTACLE

1. It was a night when heaven intervened:
a. The handwriting on the wall for Belshazzar and his kingdom.
b. Its message was very brief -
(1) "God hath numbered thy kingdom."
(2) "Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting."
(3) "Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and
Persians."
2. It was a night of fearful realization:
a. While the lords of Babylon reveled, the enemy drained the canal,
moved into the city, besieged the palace and killed the king.
b. Thus, the handwriting on the wall found a speedy fulfillment.
c. The judgment of God fell on the sinners with a speed unexpected
by the revelers.
3. What a lesson for our day:
a. That fatal night!
b. It was fatal because it ended a life of sin and degradation swiftly.
c. It was fatal because it ended all hope for the guilty.
d. It was fatal because it came unexpectedly.
e. So will it be a fatal night for the sinners in the last days - Luke
21:34-36
THE HANDWRITING ON GOD'S HANDS
ISAIAH 49:16

A. "BEHOLD I HAVE GRAVEN THEE UPON THE PALMS OF MY HANDS"

1. These words are a singularly bold metaphor, drawn from the strange and
half-savage custom that still lingers among sailors and others:
a. They indelibly inscribe the names of loved ones on parts of their
bodies.
 b. In ancient times, some worshippers inscribed the figure of their
gods upon their arms and foreheads.
c. Here God writes on His hands those whom He loves.
2. But the real purpose of the metaphor was to emphasize God's attachment:
a. To His people.
b. His constant reminder of that attachment engraven on the palms of
his hands.

B. THE HANDWRITING ON GOD'S HANDS

1. A mark of divine love:
a. An eternal memorial of His love.
b. The scars on His hands and feet.
c. Let us never, never forget that He was nailed to the cross, and the
reason why - John 20:25; Zech. 13:6
2. A reminder of the ransom price paid for our redemption:
a. A remover of all doubt from our minds that God loves us - John
20:24-29
b. The divine insignia -
(1) Of the forgiveness of our sins - Gal. 3:13
(2) The divine badge of our acceptance into the heavenly
family - Gal. 2:20; Eph. 3:20-22
(3) The tie by which we know His partaking of our nature -
Phil. 2:6-11; Heb. 2:14-16
3. O! What manner of love God has manifested toward us:
a. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us - Rom. 5:8
b. God made Him sin, who knew no sin, that we may become the
righteousness of God - 2 Cor. 5:21
4. The divine remembrance works all things to realize a great ideal, as yet
unreached:
a. "Thy walls are continually before me" - Isa. 49:16
b. This is an allusion to the state of God's people, as yet captives of
the enemy.
c. We think of the wall of human traditions which has become a cage
to many souls - Rev. 18:1-4; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19
d. It is a constant reminder that redemption has, as yet, not been
consummated -
(1) We know that the wall of sin and evil habits is keeping
thousands in bondage.
(2) Serious work has yet to be done before God's Ideal has
been realized.

C. BUT GOD'S HANDWRITING ON THE PALMS OF HIS HANDS GOES

DEEPER
1. That engraving on the palms of the Lord's hands and feet:
a. Is an eye opener to the true character of sin.
 b. Those scars on the body of the Son of God show Satan in his true
light, as the very embodiment of cruelty and murder - John 8:44
c. It is a vivid picture of the aim of Satan, to kill and to destroy - John
10:10
2. But what is so wonderful about the handwriting on God's hands:
a. Is our eternal assurance of the fulfillment of God's promises to us!
Heb. 6:17-20
b. Is the highest expression of God's love - John 3:16
c. Is the Magna Carta to the saint's hope, present, and future.
3. What more can God do for us?
a. He that spared not His only Son, but gave Him up for us all - Rom.
8:31-33
b. If doubt still lingers in your mind, take a look at the scars on our
Lord's hands and feet!
c. Remember the words of our opening text: "Behold I have graven
thee upon the palms of my hands."
WHAT IS TRUTH?
JOHN 18:38

A. IN A WORLD OF GREAT CONFUSION, PILATE'S QUESTION: "WHAT IS

TRUTH?" IS A MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION
1. Usually we consider that which we accept as truth, the truth:
a. A Mohammedan will tell you and me that the Koran is God's truth.
b. Hindus will point to their "sacred writings" as the truth.
c. The church of Rome asserts that the Tradition of the Catholic
fathers is the truth.
2. What we, therefore, consider the truth will give direction to our words,
thoughts, and actions: Prov. 23:7

B. "WHAT IS TRUTH?"
1. "Truth is a queen who has her eternal throne in heaven and her seat of
empire in the heart of God": (Bossut)
2. The Bible speaks of:
a. The holy scriptures of truth - Dan. 10:21; John 14:6; 17:17
b. The law of truth - Ps. 119:142, 172
c. Christ says of Himself, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." John
14:6
d. The Holy Spirit is called "the Spirit of truth" - John 16:13
3. Protestantism maintains:
a. That the writings of the sixty-six books of the Bible are the only
safe rule of faith.
b. They reject the traditions of church fathers as being anything but
the truth.
c. Our Lord himself marked the traditions of the Jews as being void
of the truth. Compare Matt. 15:1-9 with Mark 7:1-13
 d. Seventh-day Adventists maintain that the Bible and the Bible only
is the God given rule of our faith and practice.
e. They maintain that all claims to truth must be tested by the Bible.
f. "To the law and to the testament, if they speak not according to
this word, it is because there is no light in them." - Isa. 8:20

C. IMPORTANCE OF THE TRUTH

1. The Spirit of Truth:
a. It will guide us into all truth.
b. It will teach us things to come - John 16:13
c. There is no conversion without the Spirit of Truth making the word
of God effective in our heart - Heb. 3:7, 8; Gen. 6:5
d. It witnesses to our spirit that we are the children of God - Rom.
8:12-15
2. The law of truth:
a. Controls the moral relationship between God and man - Ex. 20:3-
17
b. It is a transcript of the character of God - Rom. 7:12, 14; Ps. 19:7
3. Jesus Christ, the Truth made flesh:
a. Without Christ there can be no hope for salvation - Acts 4:12; John
6:52-56
b. Without Christ there is no connection between God and man - John
14:6
c. Without Christ there can be no hope of eternal life - John 11:25
d. It is Christ that gives us power to become the sons of God - John
1:10-12
e. Without Christ we would have no intercessor before the Father - 1
John 2:1-3; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 7:25, 26
f. He is the Head of the church; the Saviour of his body - Eph. 1:22;
5:24-27
g. He is the Bible Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the
first and the last - Rev. 1:8; 21:6; 22:13
4. But the truth is not effective until and unless:
a. It has the control of our lives.
b. It must have the control of the heart before it can change our
nature.
c. That is why the Bible emphasizes obedience of the truth by the
believers.
d. That is why we must partake of the word of truth daily to be
nourished in the things of the Spirit.
THE WAY OF TRUTH
PSALMS 119:30-33

A. "I HAVE CHOSEN THE WAY OF TRUTH"

1. Our Lord states in plain words that there are two ways from which to
choose:
 a. There is the broad road, and
b. There is the narrow road - Matt. 7:13, 14
2. Men are free moral agents and have the freedom of choosing one of the
two roads to walk on:
a. There were two trees in the Garden of Eden to choose between -
(1) The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was forbidden,
yet, man could, at his own risk, take of that tree and eat; they did eat of it.
(2) The tree of life was to be the source of their life and health,
so long as they obeyed the law of God.
b. There are two ways for man to live; he can live a godly life or he
may sin away his life.
3. There is a difference between the two roads:
a. The broad road is natural, with the least temporary inconveniences,
a lot of company - Matt. 7:13
b. The narrow road is indeed narrow in many ways, has a lot of
restrictions, and for that reason few people will even bother to look for it - Matt. 7:14

B. CHOOSING EITHER ONE

1. Choosing either road indicates our attitude toward the world, or toward the
word of God:
2. Choosing the way of truth:
a. Indicates our attitude toward the word of God -- we love it - Ps.
119:165
b. We are willing to endure the inconveniences that are associated on
the narrow road.
c. We are willing to pay the price to be on this highway to the city of
God.
(1) Moses chose that road and it paid off - Heb. 11:24-26;
Matt. 17:1-7
(2) Ruth chose that highway and it paid off - Ruth 1:16-22

C. GOD'S CHARTER FOR THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW ROAD TO THE

KINGDOM OF GOD
1. Travel on the King's highway has rules to go by:
a. We must consult the law that governs the road - 2 Tim. 3:15-17;
Matt. 22:29; Ps. 43:3, 4
b. Study the word daily - Acts 17:11; John 5:39
c. Ignorance of God's word is inexcusable without exception - Matt.
22:29
d. We are willing to give up and leave behind everything offensive to
God.
e. We realize that it is not easy to break old habits or the customs of
the world.
f. But Christ laid down the law - Matt. 10:32-36; Mark 10:28-31;
Luke 14:26, 27
2. "I have stuck unto thy testimonies":
 a. Firm adherence to fixed principles laid down in the word of God is
a must on the King's highway.
(1) Joseph in Egypt - Gen. 39:9
(2) Daniel in Babylon - Dan. 1:8
b. Many are sticking to spider webs -
(1) Human traditions - Mark 7:7-13; Matt. 15:1-9
(2) Not so Ruth - Ruth 1:16
c. Isa. 59:5; 29:13
d. Our opening text has the answer to the rule of the road.
3. Many, many past, present, and I suppose in the future, will enter the
narrow road and fail:
a. Judas entered but failed; why? because he was unwilling to abide
by the rule of the road.
b. Many of the early disciples entered that straight and narrow road,
but they failed; why? because they were unwilling to abide by the rule of the road - John
6:66
c. That is why the Lord says, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for
many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." - Luke 13:24
"BUY THE TRUTH AND SELL IT NOT"
PROVERBS 23:23, 24

A. OUR TEXT EXPRESSES THE BURDEN OF MY MESSAGE

1. I do not doubt that you are here in this service because you believe the
truths taught by the Seventh-day Adventist Church:
2. It takes courage to break away from former positions taught to us by our
well meaning and sincere parents:
a. They were taught the things which they, in turn, taught us.
b. They assumed that what they believed was biblical.

B. "BUY THE TRUTH"

1. That admonition indicates that truth is no longer our natural possession; if
it were not so, why buy it?
2. Also, that while the truth is free, yet it has a price attached to it:
a. We know from experience that truth cannot be had for nothing, in
the sense of exchange.
b. The rich young ruler learned this truth the hard way - Matt. 19:16-
19
3. The price may differ for each person buying the truth:
a. To some, it may require to sell all to come into the possession of
the truth, as indicated in our Lord's parable - Matt. 13:46
b. To others, it may necessitate giving up the affections of loved ones
who are opposed to the truth - Luke 14:26
c. Peter boasted to the Lord that they had left all and followed the
Lord - Mark 10:28-30
 d. We know, also, that the history of the church of God is marked
with the names of untold numbers who bought the truth with their own lives - Heb.
11:36-40
e. The value we place upon the truth will determine our willingness
to pay the price God has attached to the truth.
f. The Book of Martyrs will reveal the reason why so many persons
during the Dark Ages gave their substance and their lives so freely and with joy.

C. INCENTIVES FOR BUYING THE TRUTH AND FOR NOT SELLING IT

AGAIN
1. Some incentives for buying the truth:
a. It makes us free - John 8:32. That means that by nature none of us
are truly free; we need to be made free.
b. It will eventually lead us to the kingdom of heaven - Ps. 23:1-6;
43:3
c. It will purify our lives - 1 Pet. 1:22; Isa. 1:18, 19
d. Truth, in our lives, has the promise of this present life and that of
the world to come -
EXAMPLES -
(1) Joseph - Gen. 39:9
(2) Daniel - Dan. 1:8; 6:10
e. It will, some day, open for us the gates into the city of God - Isa.
26:2
2. This brings us to Pilate's question: "What is truth?"
a. Jesus Christ is God's Truth in the flesh - John 14:6
b. The Bible - sixty-six books! The Bible is the truth - Dan. 10:21; 2
Tim. 3:15-17
c. The Ten Commandments are God's truth - Ps. 119:142, 172
d. The Holy Spirit is the truth - John 16:13
3. "Sell it Not"
a. That ever present temptation to exchange the truth for worldly
advantages is too well known unto most of us -
(1) Judas sold the embodiment of the truth for thirty pieces of
silver - Matt. 26:15, 16
(2) Esau sold the truth for a meal of vegetables - Gen. 25:30-34
(3) Adam and Eve sold the truth for a lying promise - Gen. 3:1-
19
b. To sell the truth is to become disloyal to what we know to be our
duty to God and our fellow men -
(1) Sabbath keeping.
(2) A faithful tithe.
(3) Upholding the standards of the truth.
THE SOLEMN CAUTION
HEBREWS 3:7

A. "TODAY, IF YE WILL HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS"

 1. The history of the Jews is replete with helpful instructions:
a. We cannot review that history without learning how God loves His
people.
b. But deep depravity of the heart increased the difficulty for God to
help them.
c. We perceive, also, how patient and long suffering God is toward
those He loves.
2. But God's dealing with His ancient people shows, also, that God will not
always strive with men: Gen. 6:3

B. "TODAY, IF YE WILL HEAR HIS VOICE"

1. "His Voice":
a. The voice of mercy -- Note carefully what He says through Isaiah -
Isa. 61:1-3; and what He said in person to His people - Luke 4:18
b. It is the voice of authority - Matt. 28:18; Heb. 12:25-27
c. It is the voice of Him who is directly connected with our salvation
- Matt. 1:21; Acts 4:12
2. This voice speaks directly to us:
a. Through the written word - John 5:39, 46, 47; 2 Tim. 3:15-17
b. Through the Holy Spirit - Rev. 22:17
c. This voice is heard, also, in the events revealing the divine
providence - Matt. 24:6-8; Acts 9:1-11
3. Implication of God's seeking to arrest our attention:
a. He wants us to know that He is personally interested in our
salvation. This makes the voice doubly important for us.
b. It is a pleading voice - Isa. 63:8, 9; 65:1-3
c. It is the voice of final appeal - "Today, if ye will hear His voice".
4. The specified period for hearing Christ's voice: "Today, if ye will hear
His voice":
a. Today is God's appointed time for us to be saved - 2 Cor. 6:1-3;
John 9:4
b. Today is the only time in which God gives any promise of
salvation - Luke 13:25-33; Matt. 25:1-12
c. Today is a short time and very uncertain - Jas. 4:13-16; Luke
12:16-19
5. The solemn caution:
a. There is deadly danger of hardening our hearts when we are
inattentive to the voice of the Lord.
b. Every time we refuse to heed this voice, we make it more difficult
for Him to help us.

C. THINGS THAT TEND TO HARDEN THE HEART

1. The refusal to obey the voice of God:
a. That was the final downfall of Pharaoh; every time he refused to
obey the voice of God, his heart was hardened more.
 b. That was the reason for the destruction of the people in the days of
Noah - Luke 17:26-29; Gen. 6:1-3
2. By yielding to the spirit of unbelief: Heb. 4:1-11
3. By a sordid attachment to the sins and pleasures of the world:
a. The lust of the eye.
b. The lust of the flesh.
c. The pride of life - 1 John 2:15, 16; Hos. 4:17
4. We sin against the voice of God when we misuse the light God has given
to us: Heb. 6:4-8; 10:26-29
5. It is 'the' most serious matter for us to refuse to heed the voice of God
because we know that the voice of mercy is our only hope: Rev. 22:17
6. The voice of God is, as yet, not the voice of judgment, but the voice of
compassion: Matt. 11:28-30; Isa. 65:1-3
7. Let us heed this voice of love and mercy for our own good!
GILEAD'S BALM AND PHYSICIAN
JEREMIAH 8:22

A. "IS THERE NO BALM IN GILEAD? IS THERE NO PHYSICIAN THERE?

WHY THEN IS NOT THE HEALTH OF THE DAUGHTER OF MY PEOPLE
RECOVERED?"
1. Gilead is a name given to a ridge of mountains which extended from
Lebanon southward on the east coast of Palestine:
2. This name is applied to that whole district:
3. This same name has reference, also, to a compact made between Jacob and
his uncle Laban: Gen. 31:48
4. The country was noted for its fertility and for some herbs with healing
properties:

B. WE HAVE RECENTLY CONSIDERED THE PLAGUE OF THE HEART: LET

US NOW INQUIRE WITH THE PROPHET: "IS THERE NO BALM IN GILEAD? IS
THERE NO PHYSICIAN THERE? WHY THEN IS NOT THE HEALTH OF THE
DAUGHTER OF MY PEOPLE RECOVERED?"
1. There is balm in Gilead:
a. God's word is God's balm for the health of the daughter of Zion -
Ps. 103:30
b. It is called, "the word of salvation" - Eph. 1:13; Acts 13:26
c. The precious blood of Jesus Christ is also the cleansing power, to
make clean and white from the stain of sin - 1 Pet. 1:18, 19; 1 John 1:7
d. There is no life outside the blood of the Son of God - John 6:53;
Heb. 9:22, 23
2. Yes, there is the great Physician in Gilead:
a. Jesus Christ is that physician - Ex. 15:26; Matt. 9:12; Luke 4:23
b. He encouraged John the Baptist with these memorable words, "The
blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the
dead are raised." Matt. 11:5
 c. His ministry of love is summed up in these words, "How God
anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing
good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." Acts
10:38
3. He is well qualified as a physician:
a. He knows our frame - Ps. 103:14
b. He is well acquainted with our infirmities - Matt. 8:17; Luke 5:15
c. He is distinguished for great tenderness - Isa. 42:3; Matt. 12:20
d. He is accessible at all times and in all places, "I am with you
always, even unto the end of the world" - Matt. 28:20
e. His cures are permanent - John 8:36
f. His terms are of the most gracious kind "without money and
without price" - Isa. 55:1

C. WHY, THEN, ARE NOT THE MALADIES OF MANKIND REMOVED?

1. The world is full of open and putrefying sores: Isa. 1:5-7
a. There are, so we are told, upwards of 55,000,000 ill and
incapacitated at a given time.
b. Diseases among men are on the increase; this, in spite of the
constant research to stem the tide of sickness.
2. But what concerns us still more is why are the people of God in a sickly
condition? Rev. 3:14-17
a. Why is there such a great lack of spiritual power among us? 1 Cor.
11:30
b. Is there no balm in Gilead?
c. Is the great Physician removed from his people?
3. I can think of three specific reasons for these conditions among God's
people:
a. Unbelief seems to be the chief obstacle to the difficulties among
God's people - Matt. 13:58; 17:20; Mark 6:6. This present age is noted for unbelief -
Luke 18:8
b. Spiritual blindness is still another reason for the condition the
people of God find themselves in, "thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind"
- Rev. 3:17
c. Unwillingness to come to the Physician to be healed - John 5:40.
Too many of the people love darkness more than the light and for that reason refuse to
come to the light. But the hand of mercy is still held out to all who desire to be healed -
Matt. 11:28, 29
THE BOW IN THE CLOUDS
GENESIS 9:13

A. "I DO SET MY BOW IN THE CLOUD, AND IT SHALL BE FOR A TOKEN

OF A COVENANT BETWEEN ME AND THE EARTH."
1. The flood and the rainbow:
a. Symbolize justice and mercy - Ps. 85:10
b. The flood came because of sin.
 c. And mercy or grace came because of Christ's righteousness - Rom.
5:17-19
2. Thus we see a close relationship between the flood and the placing of the
rainbow in the cloud:

B. THE BOW IN THE CLOUD

1. The rainbow is a circular bow or an arc exhibiting the several colors of the
spectrum, formed opposite the sun, by the refraction and reflection of the sun's rays in the
drops of rain or spray: (Webster)
2. You must have a cloud, rain, and sunshine, to get the rainbow:
a. Every drop of rain is a little prism. The prism divides the pure ray
of the light into several parts and the light shining against the cloud makes the rainbow.
b. Thus we see again, the majesty and wisdom of the Creator,
gloriously manifested in nature itself - Ps. 19:1-6
3. There is one more Bible reference in which the rainbow is mentioned:
"And he that sat was to look upon like jasper and sardine stone: and there was a rainbow
round about the throne: in sight like unto an emerald." Rev. 4:3
a. This is, no doubt, a description of the throne of grace.
b. Paul seems to have understood it that way because he admonishes
the believers to come boldly to the throne of grace - Heb. 4:16
c. When light and truth penetrate the clouds of trouble and sorrows,
both will make a sure background for the reflection of God's mercy.

C. THE SIGNIFICATION OF THE RAINBOW

1. It is a symbol, or sign, or token, of the covenant of peace:
a. God's promise of mercy and peace - Gen. 9:16, 17
b. It is the emblem of God's pledge that He will never again destroy
the earth with a flood.
2. If it be true that God has set His bow in the cloud to be a sign that He
never again will destroy the world with a flood:
a. That is assurance to our troubled lives that God, in mercy, will not
destroy them.
b. This is a wonderful consolation for all who go through many dark
and threatening clouds.
3. Let us note, briefly, some of the Bible references which mention some of
the clouds which beset men's lives:
a. He covered Israel with a cloud to shield them against the heat of
the sun - Ex. 13:21
b. A cloud covered the tent of the tabernacle - Ex. 29:43; 40:34
c. A cloud filled the temple when it was dedicated - 1 Ki. 8:10
d. The Bible speaks of bright clouds - Zech. 10:1
e. Our Saviour will come in a cloud - Luke 21:27
f. The Lord rideth upon a swift cloud - Isa. 19:1
4. The bow in the cloud is a symbol:
a. Of God's mercy centered on the cross of Calvary. When Christ
was raised up on the cross, God set a banner for salvation - John 12:32
 b. Calvary stands for judgment; a place where God mete out
judgment to sin in the person of His own Son - 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13
c. Calvary stands for God's eternal pledge that He will not take us
into judgment if we accept the atonement through Jesus Christ's death - Rom. 8:1
d. The rainbow in the cloud is God's power to penetrate the deep
darkness of sin and bring hope to the penitent sinner.
e. It is there where the invitation is most forceful, "Behold the Lamb
of God, which taketh away the sins of the world" - John 1:29
GOD'S LIFE INSURANCE POLICY
PHILIPPIANS 4:19, 20

A. "BUT MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS

RICHES IN GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS."
1. This glorious promise by God should put to rest the fainthearted: it should
set them at ease about their security: Matt. 6:31-34
2. It is a gracious assurance by God that He knows our every need and will,
in due time, supply it: 2 Thess. 3:3; Heb. 10:23

B. GOD'S LIFE INSURANCE POLICY

1. The promissory note:
a. "My God shall supply all your need."
b. Note, please, God does not promise to supply all our wishes, but
all our needs - Ps. 23:1; Luke 22:35
2. Our need is manifold:
a. Temporal needs. "Give us this day our daily bread" - Matt. 6:11
b. Clothing. "Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field . . .
shall he not much more clothe you." Matt. 6:30
c. Physical strength. ". . . as thy days, so shall thy strength be" -
Deut. 33:25
3. Our spiritual needs:
a. We need grace to walk with God every day - Heb. 4:15, 16
b. Peter enumerates the blessings of grace - 2 Pet. 1:2-8
c. "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Eph. 3:20
d. There is, therefore, no need for any one of God's children to be in
want of grace to live and walk in the Spirit - Gal. 5:16
e. If we do lack the grace of God in our lives, it is because we are out
of the proper relationship with God; we do not have the connections we must have to
receive help in time of need.

C. THE SOURCE AND MEDIUM OF OUR NEED

1. The Source: "My God"
a. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and
they that dwell therein." Ps. 24:1
b. "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts."
Hag. 2:8
 2. He gives for the asking: Matt. 7:7; Jas. 4:2
3. He gives without partiality: Jas. 1:5; Mark 11:24; Luke 11:9. How
wonderful it is to be connected with a God of love and compassion.
4. The medium of the supply: "By Christ Jesus"
a. Christ, our Lord, is the heaven chosen channel through whom all
our needs are supplied.
b. "Without me, ye can do nothing" - John 15:5
c. Heb. 2:13; Acts 17:28
d. By the word of His promise - Heb. 6:16-20
5. If we have Christ, we have all we need physically and spiritually, in this
present world and in the world to come:
6. The measure of supply: "all our needs"
a. All that pertains to life and godliness - 2 Pet. 1:3
b. His gifts to ancient Israel are a typical example - Ex. 16:4-28
c. "As thy days so shall thy strength be" - Deut. 33:25
7. In view of these glorious truths, there is no reason for any one of God's
children to be concerned about his needs; the Creator and the Redeemer know our needs
better than we do, and they will, according to God's promise, supply our every need:
8. We are well advised to heed the admonition of Peter: "Humble
yourselves, therefore under the mighty hand of God . . . casting all your care upon Him;
for He careth for you." - 1 Pet. 5:6, 7
THE VALLEY OF ACHOR, THE DOOR OF HOPE
PART I
HOSEA 2:15, 16

A. "AND I WILL GIVE HER . . . THE VALLEY OF ACHOR FOR THE DOOR
OF HOPE"
1. Bible students know that the valley of Achor is noted as:
a. The tragedy that came to Achan and his family.
b. This tragedy affected the whole congregation of Israel - Josh. 7:4,
13, 14
2. It has a lesson for God's people:
a. Secret sins among some of the church members are known to God
as truly as the sin of Achan was known to him.
b. "Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light
of thy countenance." Ps. 90:8
c. We will do well to pray, with David, "cleanse thou me from secret
faults" - Ps. 19:12

B. EVERY LIFE SEEMS TO HAVE ITS VALLEYS

1. Even the Son of God had His valley:
a. Watch Him in the garden of Gethsemane - Luke 22:39-44
b. His darkest valley was when he died of a broken heart on the
shameful cross of Calvary - Matt. 27:46
2. John the Baptist surely had his valley before he finished his mission in this
world:
 a. See him in a dark, cold, and forbidding prison - Matt. 11:1-5
b. He ended his ministry by being beheaded because he reproved the
sin of Herod - Matt. 14:6-12
3. The disciples had their valley:
a. Let us not forget that memorable night when their Lord was taken
away from them and they were scattered.
b. Or when they bemoaned their shattered hope - Luke 24:13-21
4. Every life has its valley:
a. David speaks of it - Ps. 23:1-6; 73:1-24
b. How soon we shall pass through the valley is known to God alone.

C. THE VALLEY OF ACHOR, THE DOOR OF HOPE

1. This is a great gospel promise from a God of love and compassion:
a. He will cause the light to shine out of darkness - 2 Cor. 4:6
b. Think of the experiences of -
(1) Joseph - Gen. 37:1-36; 39; 40; 41
(2) Daniel - Dan. 6:10-28
2. Our strength is made perfect in weakness:
a. 2 Cor. 12:9, 10
b. This may be difficult to understand, but it is true just the same.
(1) Jacob was declared victor over his difficulties with Esau,
his brother; yet, to remind him of his weakness, the angel of the Lord touched Jacob's
thigh - Gen. 32:25-32
(2) Saul, whose name is now Paul, suffered from a special
weakness in his eyes, and the Lord never removed that weakness, to remind Paul that
God saved him in spite of himself.
3. But the blessedness of this text is:
a. The valley of Achor has been given as the door of hope.
b. That means that our darkest and most forbidding experiences will
be turned into a most wonderful experience.
c. It means that our weakest points in our lives can, by the grace of
God, become our strongest points.
4. Let us ever keep in mind that our troubles can, under the direction of the
Lord, be very helpful to us:
a. They detach us from the world and its pleasures - Gal. 6:14
b. They not only separate us from the sins of the world but they drive
us to God on our knees - Rom. 5:3; 8:35; 2 Cor. 7:4
5. This experience will help us to see God's unchangeableness:
a. He loves us in the shadows as well as in the sunshine.
b. He cares for us in the day of affliction as well as in the day of
prosperity.
c. He can turn darkness into light, sorrows into joy.
d. He has given us the valley of Achor for the door of hope.
THE VALLEY OF ACHOR, THE DOOR OF HOPE
PART II
HOSEA 2:15-17
A. HISTORIC SETTING OF OUR TEXT
1. Defeat and despair of God's people:
a. Achan and the accursed thing.
b. Israel before her enemies - Josh. 7:4, 13, 14
2. Utter defeat of God's people in the days of Hosea:
a. "Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone" - Hos. 4:17
b. "Israel, who looked to other gods, and loved flagons of wine" -
Hos. 3:1

B. THE VALLEY OF ACHOR, THE DOOR OF HOPE

1. A wonderful promise:
a. God will bring light out of darkness; hope out of despair; joy out of
sorrow - 2 Cor. 4:6
EXAMPLES -
(1) The would-be suicide becomes a joyful Christian - Acts
16:24-34
(2) A criminal, while paying for his crime, becomes an heir of
the kingdom of Christ - Luke 23:42-44
(3) Remember Bataan and MacArthur.
b. Our strength is born out of weakness - 2 Cor. 12:9, 10
EXAMPLES -
(1) A little boy, crippled so badly that he despaired of life,
learned to use the typewriter with his toes.
(2) Beethoven did his finest work after he had been stricken
with blindness.
(3) Paul wrote his fourteen Epistles after his eyes made it
difficult for him to see.
2. The gospel of Jesus Christ points to the door of hope:
a. Christ is that door of hope - John 10:1-16; Acts 4:12
b. He takes away our sins - John 1:29; Matt. 1:21
c. He transforms our lives - Col. 1:27; 2 Cor. 3:18
d. Is He the door of hope to you?

C. WATER BAPTISM, THE DOOR OF HOPE FOR PENITENT SINNERS

1. Satan hates the ordinance of water baptism:
a. It is a public renunciation of a sinner's allegiance to the devil and
his work.
b. It is a public testimony of our new allegiance to Christ and His
cause.
c. Satan hates this and he fights it with all the forces at his command;
I know this from experience.
2. Water baptism is the door of hope because:
a. It symbolizes the death, the burial, and the resurrection of our Lord
- Rom. 6:1-6; Col. 1:12
b. It is an outward ceremony of an inward experience -
 (1) It is the answer of a good conscience toward God and our
fellow man - 1 Pet. 3:21
(2) It is the putting on the Lord Jesus Christ - Gal. 3:26, 27
(3) It is the entrance into the spiritual body of Christ, the
church - 1 Cor. 12:13
(4) It is the symbol of things new in our lives and our
relationship with Jesus Christ - 2 Cor. 5:14-17
3. The valley of Achor, the door of hope:
a. What a symbolism of redemption -
(1) The cross was the symbol of a curse.
(2) But Christ has given it a new meaning; it now is the symbol
of hope for sinners - Gal. 3:13; 6:14, 16
b. Death and the grave were and still are the end of the transgressor.
c. But the death of our Lord and His resurrection have changed it all;
death no longer holds terror to the child of God; it is just resting until it is morning; it is a
sleep in Jesus; and the grave has become the chamber of the saints to hide them for a
short time until the wrath of God is passed over - Isa. 26:20
WHY EVERY INFIDEL SHOULD BE A CHRISTIAN
MATTHEW 16:26, 27

A. SOME PEOPLE WISH TO BE KNOWN AS INFIDELS

1. They like to think that there is no God: Ps. 14:1-4
2. To them there is no life beyond the grave:
3. They have no message of hope for those who sorrow:

B. WHY I WISH THAT EVERY PROFESSED INFIDEL WERE A CHRISTIAN

1. If they love life:
a. Christ, the source of our life, came to give life, and to give it more
abundantly. Said the Master, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might
have it more abundantly." John 10:10
b. Paul enumerates the ingredients of the more abundant life - love,
joy, peace, long suffering, temperance, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, brotherly
kindness, charity. Compare Gal. 5:22, 23 with 2 Pet. 1:2-8
2. Faith in Christ, the Essence of Christianity:
a. Takes care of my sins - Matt. 1:21; 1 Pet. 2:24
b. Gives me security against the judgment to come - John 5:24
c. It promises me a future - 2 Pet. 3:13
3. What has infidelity to offer to man?
a. For the present, professed unbelief in God, and in the resurrection
of the dead, and eternal life.
b. The future? Infidelity claims that there is no future, that death
ends all.
c. In the hour of sorrow? Infidelity has nothing to offer -- all is black
and blank in the theory of the infidel.
d. What about his sins? He is ever ready to explain and excuse them
as unavoidable.
 e. What about the function of natural law? Infidelity simply states
that natural law evolved when things in nature needed guidance and control. It attempts
to give credit to all the forces in nature, only to the exclusion of an all wise God.

C. FAITH IN CHRIST OFFERS THESE ADDITIONAL BLESSINGS THAT

OUGHT TO PERSUADE INFIDELS TO BECOME CHRISTIANS
1. It changes my concept or outlook upon life:
a. It makes the golden rule the moral compass of my life - Matt. 7:12
b. It gives me something to strive for -- the highest concept of
morality - Phil. 4:8
c. It shows the difference between the life for 'self' and that for
'others'. It uproots human selfishness. - Rom. 9:1-3, 14:7-14; Phil. 1:20
2. Faith in Christ gives life insurance that infidelity cannot give:
a. David testifies. - Ps. 23:1-6
b. Paul's assurance. - Phil. 4:19
3. Faith in Christ brings to us honors which infidelity cannot give:
a. We become associated with the noblest characters which ever lived
in this world.
b. We are associated with the most useful lives. -- Daniel, Moses,
Joseph, Ruth, Paul and many other worthies too many to enumerate.
c. It connects us with the most enduring friendship.
d. It helps us take hold of the most beneficial and enduring memories.
4. But best of all:
a. Christianity brings us back to God and His love.
b. It appropriates the sacrifice of the Son of God to atone for our sins.
c. It has the promise of this life and of that to come.
5. But what about the infidel?
a. He has no hope.
b. He has no future.
c. He faces the judgment of the God he seeks to deny and the Christ
he rejects.
THE SPIRITS IN PRISON
1 PETER 3:18-20

A. A SUBJECT OF MUCH SPECULATION, CONTROVERSY, AND

CONFUSION
1. Some think that Peter's words are proof that man is a dual being "immortal
spirit" and the body made of clay:
2. They maintain that our Lord actually, and personally, went and preached
to the "disembodied spirits in the spirit world."
3. Mormons and Catholics think Peter's words confirm their theory that at
death the "immortal" soul, or spirit, separates itself from the body, goes to the "spirit
world" -- purgatory or limbo or "spirit world":

B. THE SPIRITS IN PRISON

 1. The text: "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the
unjust that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the
Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime
were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while
the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."
2. High points of the text:
a. Christ was put to death in the flesh. Compare 1 Pet. 3:18 with
Rev. 1:18; 2:8; 1 Cor. 15:3, 12-18
b. He was quickened by the Spirit (resurrected) Compare 1 Pet. 1:18
with Rom. 8:11. The Spirit that raised Christ from the dead was the third person of the
Godhead.
c. By the Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, Christ went and
preached unto the spirits in prison.
d. When? In the days of Noah, when the ark was in preparation.
e. Whom did the Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, use to
preach?
f. He used Noah for one hundred and twenty years to preach the
gospel of Jesus Christ - Gen. 6:1-20
g. This is the heart of Peter's words in 1 Pet. 1:18, 19
3. What was the result of Christ, through the Spirit, and the Spirit using
Noah, preaching to the spirits in prison?
a. Eight souls were saved.
b. Noah and his family were saved.
c. The rest of the antediluvians perished in their sins. Compare Gen.
6:7, 8 with Luke 17:26, 27; Matt. 24:37-39; 1 Pet. 3:18-20

C. THE SPIRITS IN PRISON

1. The spirits, who are they?
a. They lived in the days of Noah, when the ark was in preparation.
b. They, doubtless, saw Noah build the ark.
c. They heard him preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
d. It was Christ who sought to save them through the preaching of
Noah.
e. They rejected both Christ and the gospel of Christ - Gen. 6:1-3;
Matt. 24:37-39
f. They were destroyed by the flood - Luke 17:27
2. The prison: What was it?
a. It was the enslavement of sin; the captivity Satan held them bound
in. Compare Isa. 61:1 with chapters 42:7, 8; 49:9; Ps. 142:7
b. It refers to persons taken captive by Satan at will - 2 Tim. 2:26;
Rom. 6:16
c. A prison is a place of involuntary captivity, where one is not at
liberty to exercise his free will - Rom. 6:16; 7:18-24
3. The Spirits in prison:
a. They were prisoners to Satan, and Christ sought to set them free -
John 8:36
 b. The Holy Spirit strove with them during Noah's preaching, "My
Spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an
hundred and twenty years" - Gen. 6:3
c. This brings up a very important point overlooked by our "spirits in
prison" preachers.
(1) If Noah could do nothing to change the antediluvians, if the
pleading of the Spirit could not help them, who could?
(2) They all perished in the flood; they had a chance to be
saved, but rejected it: why preach more to them?
BIDDING GOOD-BYE TO GOD
ACTS 24:25

A. "GO THY WAY FOR THIS TIME; WHEN I HAVE A CONVENIENT

SEASON, I WILL CALL FOR THEE"
1. To get the true signification of this polite rejection of Paul's appeal, we
must remember:
a. The impression Paul's appeal had made upon the conscience of that
cold and sin-hardened governor -
(1) Felix trembled.
(2) He was visibly affected by the appeal of Paul's testimony -
Acts 24:25; Dan. 5:6
b. The power of the truth laid Felix's life open; his conscience
tormented him to a point where he lost self-control.
c. He realized that he will have to give an account of the life he
wasted - 2 Cor. 5:10
2. In turning down Paul's appeal, Felix committed a threefold sin:
a. He sinned against the appeal of the Holy Spirit - Heb. 3:7-9
b. He sinned against an awakened conscience - John 8:9; Dan. 5:22
c. He turned down his God-given opportunity to be saved - 2 Cor.
6:1-3; Luke 21:36

B. BIDDING GOOD-BYE TO GOD

1. Why did Felix bid God good-bye?
a. He was intelligent enough to know that he was a great sinner,
doing things that were wrong.
b. He knew, further, that he faced ultimate ruin, as it was.
c. He felt in his own soul that a higher power was speaking to his
conscience.
d. It was when he rejected the appeal of God's message that he said
"good-bye" to God.
e. We have no record that he ever called anyone to teach him more of
God's word.
2. Felix is a type of unknown thousands who go through similar experiences:
a. How many thousands have been in my services, deeply moved by
the word of God, yet never obeyed the truth.
b. This is a serious mistake.
 c. How seriously God takes the rejection of light shed in the hearts of
men is plainly indicated in the Bible -
(1) Luke 14:16-24
(2) Luke 17:26-29; Matt. 24:37-39

C. IT IS A FATAL MISTAKE TO TELL GOD GOOD-BYE

1. When you tell God good-bye, you do not want Him to help and guide you.
You want to be one of the ungodly:
EXAMPLES -
a. Cain told God good-bye - Gen. 4:16
b. Many of the early followers of Christ told God good-bye - John
6:66
c. Judas told the Lord good-bye - John 13:30; Matt. 27:1-3
2. When we bid good-bye to God:
a. We cut ourselves off from the source of life and light - John 1:4-11
b. We cut ourselves off from Him who alone can save us from sin
and death - Matt. 1:21; 1 Cor. 15:3
c. What will we do when we have to appear before the judgment seat
of Christ? 2 Cor. 5:10
d. We need an advocate, an intercessor; and if we say good-bye to
God, we are without any representation - 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 John 2:1-3
e. What will you do with Jesus who died for you? Gal. 2:20; Matt.
27:22
f. When you tell God good-bye, you cut yourself off from the very
source of life, light, and truth.
g. You lose hope - 1 Thess. 4:13
h. Salvation - Acts 4:12; Matt. 1:21; 1 Tim. 1:15
3. When people tell God good-bye they reveal:
a. That they do not like to fellowship with Him.
b. They, in fact, hate Him.
c. That was the case of Esau, of Cain, and many who live among us
today.

SOWING AND REAPING

GALATIANS 6:7

A. THE LAWS OF NATURE CONTROL SOWING AND REAPING

1. Each seed after its kind: Gen. 1:11, 12; Jas. 3:12
2. The growth of vegetation is controlled, not by man, but the condition of
the soil, weather and moisture:

B. OUR LIFE IS, IN MOST INSTANCES, THE TIME TO SOW

1. Some sow upon the flesh:
a. Sow wickedness - Job 4:8
b. Reap the fruit of it - 2 Sam. 12:11
c. Sow iniquity,
 d. And reap vanity - Prov. 22:8
EXAMPLES -
(1) Gehazi and gifts - 2 Ki. 5:21-27
(2) Haman and the Jews - Esth. 7:10
(3) Achan and the accursed things - Josh. 7:20-26
2. Others sow upon the Spirit:
a. Sterling purity -- Joseph in Egypt - Gen. 39:1-12
b. Loving loyalty to principles of truth -- Daniel and his friends -
Dan. 1:8 3:16-26; 6:10-28
c. Love -- Jonathan and David - 1 Sam. 20:42; 2 Sam. 9:1-7
d. Patience -- Job, a symbol of patience and its reward - Jas. 5:11
e. Faith -- the woman from Canaan - Matt. 15:22-28
The list of those who sowed upon the Spirit could be multiplied, but these
examples will suffice.

C. HARVEST TIME
1. Sowing and reaping are nature's twins:
a. Where there is no seeding there can be no harvest; that is a law
quite well understood by most people.
b. The laws of sowing and reaping seem to be unchangeable; are true
to the season as planned by the Creator - Eccl. 3:1-2
2. This is true, also, of our earthly lives:
a. There is a time when we have opportunity to sow -- thoughts,
words, and deeds.
b. Seeding time is followed by harvest - Gal. 6:7, 8
c. Sow a thought and reap an action; sow an action and reap a
blessing or a curse.
3. We know of some misguided souls:
a. Who think that God is merciful and that we will not harvest the
results of sin, but that is an illusion on their part.
b. Our opening text states very clearly: "Be not deceived; God is not
mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
4. Let us note these eternal truths:
a. The seriousness of this present life -
(1) God will hold us accountable for what we do or say - Matt.
12:36, 37
(2) That we shall not escape the results of our deeds in the
body - 2 Cor. 5:10
(3) That God does not pay at every turn, but He will surely pay
at last.
b. The importance of sowing upon the spirit and not upon the flesh -
(1) Sow upon the flesh and reap corruption.
(2) Sow upon the Spirit and reap eternal life.
"WE WILL SERVE THE LORD"
JOSHUA 24:15
A. "CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YE WILL SERVE . . . BUT AS FOR ME
AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD." - Josh. 24:15
1. Joshua was a man of decision:
a. That was a quality that fit him for leading Israel into the promised
land.
b. Indecision would have been fatal to him and his people.
2. He placed himself in the lead:
a. To his nation and to his family, he could say, "follow me, as I
follow the Lord."
3. My burden at this point is to point out the positive attitude and relationship
of Joshua to his family:
a. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
(1) That shows that he knew the attitude of his family.
(2) They had confidence in his faith and followed his
leadership.
b. That was the testimony God gave to Abraham - Gen. 18:19

B. "WE WILL SERVE THE LORD."

1. Joshua was a servant of the Lord:
a. He lived his faith.
b. So did Daniel - Dan. 1:8; 6:10
c. God gave the same testimony to Job - Job 1:1-6
2. He won his family for God and his cause:
a. Lot failed in this - Gen. 19:14
b. Samuel, a mighty man of God, too, was unable to win his family
for God - 1 Sam. 8:5
c. How many of us have succeeded in our efforts to win our loved
ones for God and His cause? We have tried!
d. The winning of his family for the Lord and his service was one of
the greatest achievements of Joshua on record.
e. Happy are they who can at all times speak for themselves and their
family, as Joshua did.
3. He devoted his life and interests to the service of God - "we will serve the
Lord":
a. They all took part in family worship.
b. They all had a part in the activities of the church.
c. They were all dedicated to the service and glory of God.
d. Can that be said of us?

C. TRUE SERVICE FOR THE LORD

1. Negatively:
a. It does not consist of outward forms, although they may be a part
of our service.
b. Because formalism without the spirit of truth is useless - Mark 7:1-
13; Matt. 23:21-28
It takes more than to observe the outward tenets of our faith; we must have respect to the
condition of the heart - Isa. 29:13
2. Positively:
a. True service is the expression of loving obedience to the will of
God. We serve Him because we love Him - John 14:15; 15:10
b. True service expresses itself in loving sacrifice. That was true of
Abraham - Gen. 22:1-12
c. It includes living for others. That is what our Lord, the servant of
all servants, did - Matt. 25:40; Jas. 1:27
d. When God said of Abraham that all nations would be blessed in
him; that meant that the life and faith of that man of God affects the lives of all God-
fearing men in the world - Gen. 12:1-5
3. Effective service is possible only:
a. When the Holy Spirit controls our lives - Gal. 5:16, 17
b. The fruit of the spirit is the seed of fruit-bringing service - Matt.
7:15-21
c. When Christ lives in us, we will render true and effective service
to God and His children.
d. We will keep ourselves unspotted from the world - Matt. 6:24;
Rom. 6:19; Rev. 2:19
GOD'S MOUNTAINS
ISAIAH 49:11, 12

A. "AND I WILL MAKE ALL MY MOUNTAINS A WAY, AND MY

HIGHWAYS SHALL BE EXALTED."
1. Mountains have, in the history of ancient Israel, played a large part in
God's communion with His people:
a. Mount Sinai where Israel received laws and the ministry of the
earthly sanctuary.
b. Mount Nebo where Moses died and was buried by the Lord - Deut.
32:49; 34:5-7
2. We think of Mount Moriah where Abraham sacrificed his son Isaac: Gen.
22:1-12

B. GOD'S MOUNTAINS
1. Mountains have become symbolic of the experience of God's people:
a. We think of 'mount sacrifice'; this mountain has to be climbed by
all who aim to enter the kingdom of God -
EXAMPLES -
(1) Abraham and his son Isaac climbed this mountain - Gen.
22:1-12
(2) Moses, all alone, climbed this mountain - Deut. 32:48, 49;
34:5-7
(3) Our blessed Saviour, too, climbed this mountain - Matt.
17:1-6; Heb. 5:1-12; Phil. 2:6-11
 b. This mountain was made a condition of discipleship by the Lord -
Matt. 10:34-36
c. Some were unwilling to climb this mountain -
EXAMPLES -
(1) The rich young ruler - Matt. 19:16-22
(2) Seventy disciples - John 6:66
2. Mount tribulation:
a. Here is where some people get confused. They think that when we
accept Christ as our Saviour, all trials and tribulation cease.
b. But let us listen to the Bible to get the truth -
(1) "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution." - 2 Tim. 3:12
(2) "We must through much tribulation enter the kingdom of
God" - Acts 14:22
(3) "In the world ye shall have tribulation" - John 16:33
3. Mount Zion of victory:
a. John sees God's remnant people standing upon Mount Zion,
singing the song of victory - Rev. 14:1-5
b. All of God's people, who have won the victory over sin, will
eventually stand on that mountain - Heb. 12:22-29

C. "I WILL MAKE ALL MY MOUNTAINS A WAY."

1. This is a most encouraging promise of the Lord:
a. Mountain climbing can be very dangerous unless an experienced
Mountaineer guides us over some very treacherous crevices.
b. It takes stouthearted persons to climb mountains.
c. Our blessed Lord and many of His faithfuls have blazed the trail
for us. He paved the way for His saints to travel.
2. The experience of many of God's children shows that their mountain
experience became a special blessing to them and the cause of God:
a. Mount Moriah became the place where the temple was built and
where Israel offered their sacrifices.
b. Every time an intelligent worshipper came to offer a sacrifice to
God, he could not help but recall the sacrifice of Abraham.
c. David spent some time on or near Mount Olivet during the days of
his persecution by his own son - 2 Sam. 15:30
d. Our Lord spent considerable time on Mount Olivet - Acts 1:12
3. Some musts for all mountaineers:
a. Divest yourselves of all unnecessary weight which would impede
your progress - Heb. 12:1-6
b. Keep looking up as you go forward. This is a must for you to
make progress towards the kingdom of heaven.
c. Said the Psalmist, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from
whence cometh my help" - Ps. 121:1-6
d. Follow the instructions of our guide with care and much prayer -
Ps. 24:3
 e. Hold the hand of your guide very closely, and you shall be landing
on Mount Zion.
THE REVEALING OF THE FACE
ISAIAH 3:9

A. "THE SHEW OF THEIR COUNTENANCE DOTH WITNESS AGAINST

THEM."
1. We are carefully and wonderfully made:
a. Just as the countenance reveals the physical state of our health -- 1
Sam. 16:12; Dan. 1:13 -- so do thoughts and character reveal themselves in our faces -
Dan. 5:6; Gen. 4:5
2. Our nature, with its complexity of being, has yet a subtle and mysterious
oneness, and the tone of the mind and the inclinations of the heart are made manifest, not
alone in speech, but in look and gesture and mannerism:
3. In the simple language of our text there is a show of countenance:

B. THE REVEALING OF THE FACE

1. Man cannot prevent self revealing:
a. "They that be otherwise cannot be hid" - 1 Tim. 5:25
b. Scientists tell us that there is no concealing in nature.
2. Said Moses to the children of Gad and Reuben, "Be sure your sin will find
you out": Num. 32:23
a. As snow reveals the footprints of the beast or prey, as the wind of
the desert drifts the sand from the body that is covered, so sin will surely be found -
EXAMPLES -
(1) Felix in the presence of his prisoner - Acts 24:25
(2) Belshazzar on his last night - Dan. 5:6
(3) Ananias and his wife Sapphira - Acts 5:1-11
(4) The hypocritical Pharisees in the presence of Christ - John
8:9
3. Men cannot long act a part:
a. You cannot forge handwriting.
b. You cannot make an artificial rock and keep it unknown beside the
real.
c. This is true, also, of the voice and the face of the individual.
d. Hypocrisy unconsciously drops its mask.
e. The truth will have a way to get out; this is a fact of moral and
natural law.

C. WHAT IS OF ETERNAL IMPORTANCE TO SINNERS AND SAINTS ALIKE

IS
1. Men cannot avert punishment:
a. "Woe unto their soul! For they have rewarded evil unto
themselves" - Isa. 3:9
b. Memory is their painful misery - Dan. 5:9; Matt. 27:1-5
c. Theories of unaccountability are useless in the face of truth.
 d. Paul quotes God's unalterable law in nature, "For whatsoever a
man soweth, that shall he also reap" - Gal. 6:7
e. "He that soweth upon the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption" -
Gal. 6:8
2. There is, however, one exception which may alter the law of sowing and
reaping:
a. Jesus Christ and my relationship to Him is that one exception.
b. When we accept Him as our personal Saviour, a complete change
of our life comes into full view - 2 Cor. 5:14-17
c. A transformation that affects body, soul, and spirit is visible - 2
Cor. 3:18
d. One may, however, not escape the results of sin completely, scars
will show up in some way -
EXAMPLES -
(1) God forgave persecuting Saul, but he refused to remove the
physical impediment from him - 2 Cor. 12:9
(2) The Lord forgave Jacob's sins, made him a prince, but left a
mark on his body - Gen. 32:32
3. Our face reveals many things:
a. Our association -
EXAMPLES -
(1) Moses spent forty days with the Lord on the mount; his
face showed that - Ex. 34:29
(2) Ahab had committed a crime against one of his subjects
and his face showed it - 1 Ki. 21:4
(3) Belshazzar had desecrated the vessels of the Lord's house,
and his face showed it - Dan. 5:4-8
b. The face will reflect the life of the soul, it will mirror that which is
within because nature itself provides no hiding place for a guilty conscience.
A PROMISE TO THE OVERCOMER
REVELATIONS 21:7

A. "TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH WILL I GIVE TO EAT OF THE TREE OF

LIFE, WHICH IS IN THE MIDST OF THE PARADISE OF GOD."
1. A most revealing promise:
a. It leads us back to the Garden of Eden, as recorded in the second
and third chapters of the book of Genesis.
b. It shows that the paradise of God has not been altered - the tree of
life is still in the midst of the garden. Compare Gen. 3:3 with Rev. 2:7; 22:1-3
2. It is an inspired reminder of the beginning of the loyalty test of the human
race:
a. That is why the tree of knowledge of good and evil was planted
beside the tree of life.
b. The test itself shows that man was created a free moral agent; he
could choose between good and evil.
B. LET US CONSIDER, PRAYERFULLY, THE IMPLICATION OF GOD'S
PROMISE TO THE OVERCOMER
1. The word "overcomer" is most revealing:
a. It is indicative of a conflict - Gen. 2:15, 16; 3:1-6
b. It presupposes temptation or difficulty - Gen. 3:1-6; Luke 4:13
2. It must be noted that in temptation the principle of loyalty is involved:
a. That was true in the case of our first parents - Gen. 2:15, 16; 3:1-6
b. That has been true ever since -
EXAMPLES -
(1) The temptation of Joseph was a loyalty test - Gen. 39:7-9
(2) The temptation of Abraham was a loyalty test - Gen. 22:1-
12
(3) Saul's temptation was a loyalty test - 1 Sam. 15:1-22
3. It points to the great controversy between Christ and Satan:
a. That conflict began in heaven - Rev. 12:7
b. It was transplanted to this earth, and it will end here on the earth.
4. It must be noted, further, that the book of Revelation strongly emphasizes
the importance of overcoming:
a. Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 25
b. Rev. 3:5, 12, 21
5. There is a reason for the assurance of the promise to the overcomer:
a. As we near the end of time, the conflict between good and evil will
be intensified.
b. Satan knows that his time to do his work is very short, and for that
reason he is doubling his effort against the church of God - Rev. 12:12; Dan. 12:1
c. To all the final test will come over -
(1) Loyalty to God's law - Rev. 12:17; 14:12; 22:14
(2) Loyalty to all principles of truth - Dan. 1:8; 3:10
6. Power to overcome:
a. Faith in Christ Jesus - 1 John 5:4; 1 Cor. 15:57; Phil. 2:13; 4:13
b. By the Holy Spirit - Zech. 4:6; Isa. 59:19
c. By the blood of Jesus Christ - Rev. 12:11
d. By the word of the testimony of the saints - Rev. 12:11

C. BLESSINGS AWAITING THE OVERCOMER

1. It is to be noted that the blessings promised to the overcomer are related to
the specific conflicts won:
a. Loyalty to truth will be rewarded with the privilege of eating of the
tree of life - Rev. 2:7
b. Loyalty unto death will be rewarded with being saved from the
second death.
c. Steadfastness in our relationship to the Lord will bring the reward
of being pillars in the church of the living God - Rev. 2:17
d. Perseverance in the faith will be rewarded with the garment of
Christ's righteousness - Rev. 3:5; 19:7, 8
2. In the light of what we have considered, we must conclude:
 a. That Christianity implies a conflict for all who bear this name.
b. That this conflict will be intensified as we near the end of time.
c. That God will have a rich reward for all faithful soldiers of the
cross when the conflict is ended.
THE LOVING KINDNESS OF GOD
PSALMS 63:3

A. "BECAUSE THY LOVING KINDNESS IS BETTER THAN LIFE, MY LIPS

SHALL PRAISE THEE."
1. The phrase "loving kindness" occurs a number of times in the Bible:
a. The Psalmist uses this expression twenty-one times - Ps. 17:7;
92:2; 26:3; 36:8, 10; 40:10, 11; 42:8; 48:9; 51:1; 63:3; 69:16; 88:11, 33; 92:2; 103:4;
107:43; 119:88, 159; 138:2; 143:8
b. Jeremiah uses this phrase four times - Jer. 9:24; 16:5; 31:3; 32:18
c. It is found once in the Book of Hosea - Hos. 2:19
2. It will be most rewarding to the reader of the Bible to learn how the
Psalmist and also the prophets used this phrase to magnify the love of God:

B. NOTICE THREE HIGH POINTS IN OUR OPENING TEXT

1. God's loving kindness is joyfully acknowledged:
a. "Thy loving kindness."
b. "Thy loving kindness before mine eyes."
c. "How excellent is thy loving kindness."
2. This loving kindness is manifested:
a. In the gift of God's only Son! - John 3:16; Eph. 2:7
b. God spared not His only Son, but gave him up for us all - Rom.
8:31-33
c. It is displayed in His forgiving mercy and saving grace - Isa.
44:22; 43:25; Jer. 31:34
d. He manifests His loving kindness to those who love him - Ps.
103:13
e. In His promises to His children - Ps. 31:19
f. These are but a few of the many manifestations of God's loving
kindness.
3. The superlative value of God's loving kindness:
a. "Better than life."
b. The truth is that life, health, talents, wealth, knowledge are all the
gifts of God's loving kindness.
c. God's loving kindness is above life because -
(1) Life is supported by God's loving kindness.
(2) It is the joy and felicity of life.
(3) It sanctifies the adversities of life.
(4) It is more endurable than life.
These are but a few points about the loving kindness which we
receive daily!
C. ITS GRATEFUL INFLUENCE
1. "My lips shall praise thee."
How our hearts should overflow with praise and heartfelt gratitude for
God's loving kindness!
2. That praise should not be limited to lip service -- it should include:
a. Undivided loyalty to God, His word, and His cause -
EXAMPLES -
(1) Joseph
(2) Daniel and his friends
(3) Stephen
(4) Paul and many other faithfuls
b. Loving service in His cause.
How can we compensate for God's loving kindness more joyfully than
dedicating our life to his service!
THE MARVELOUS GRACE
1 PETER 2:9

A. "THAT YE SHOULD SHOW FORTH THE PRAISES OF HIM WHO CALLED

YOU OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT."
1. Our text shows that:
a. True faith not only amends, but it also transforms.
2. Our views, dispositions, and actions are all transformed:
a. It is this experience which brings great joy and is most convincing.
3. Our text is most illuminative on the effects of faith in Christ:

B. LET US ATTEMPT TO ANALYZE PETER'S WORDS IN OUR TEXT

1. Darkness is our pristine natural condition:
a. Sin is a work of darkness -
(1) It blinds its victims - 2 Cor. 3:14; 4:4
(2) That is the testimony of our Lord - John 12:40
b. Sin makes captive and imprisons its victims - Rom. 6:16
c. It places them in a state of wretchedness - Rom. 7:24
d. By nature we are spiritually dead in trespass and sin - Eph. 2:1
e. Jude speaks of the "blackness of darkness" - Jude 13
2. All this gives us a dark but true picture:
a. This darkness was portrayed on Calvary when the Sinless was
made sin.
b. It is seen today when we see men and women slaves of evil habits
seemingly beyond the bounds of redemption.
3. Redemption produces a change:
a. We are called out of darkness into the marvelous light of truth.
b. By the light of God's word - Ps. 119:105
c. It is the light of God's grace - Eph. 2:7, 8
d. The light of the blessed hope - Tit. 2:11-14
e. The light of eternal redemption.
 4. All these and other blessings are summed up in the gospel of Jesus Christ:
2 Cor. 4:4-6

C. SUCH HEAVENLY BLESSINGS BRING WITH THEM CERTAIN

OBLIGATIONS TO THE RECIPIENT
1. Gospel blessings cannot be hoarded away by the believer:
a. They are to be shared with others -
(1) The parable of the talents - Matt. 25:14
(2) The pounds give a similar message - Luke 19:13-25
b. This shows that we all are, at best, God's stewards, entrusted with
the blessings of the gospel of grace - 1 Pet. 4:10
2. Our mission in this world:
a. To shew forth the praises of God.
b. That means that we demonstrate with our transformed lives that
God's word is indeed the power of God unto salvation.
c. We are to be able to say with Peter and John, "Look at us" - Acts.
3:1-3
d. Yes, we are to say with Paul, "it pleased God, who separated me
from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal this son in me, that I might
preach him unto the Gentiles." - Gal. 1:15, 16
e. This is the most effective way of witnessing for Christ -
(1) "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." - Matt. 5:16
(2) By the fruit shall we know the tree - Matt. 7:16-20
(3) "While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with
fear" - 1 Pet. 3:2
(4) "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the
doers of the law shall be justified." - Rom. 2:13
3. Thus we see the work of God's marvelous grace:
EXAMPLES -
a. The lame man made whole - Acts 3:8, 9
b. The impotent man made whole - Matt. 9:7, 8
c. The work of the apostles - Acts 4:18-21
God grant that we, too, may manifest the marvelous grace of God to a
dying world.
WHAT LACK I YET?
MATTHEW 19:20

A. BACKGROUND TO THE QUESTION OF OUR TEXT

1. The eager inquiry by a young man:
a. "What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"
b. Our Lord referred him to the second table of the Ten
Commandments.
c. In answer to our Lord's quotation of some of the commandments,
he said, "These I have kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?"
 2. I fear that not many of this audience could make such a claim in the
presence of one who knows our life like an open book:
a. The assertion of the young ruler indicates his home life; he was
taught loyalty to God's law - Deut. 6:4-7; that his parents instilled high principles into his
life.

B. LET US CONSIDER THE QUESTION OF OUR SUBJECT TITLE

1. The question of the young man is personal, "What lack I yet?"
a. It is so easy for us to discover the lack in others - Luke 10:40
EXAMPLES -
(1) The self-righteous Pharisees - Luke 18:11, 12
(2) The unjust steward - Matt. 18:28-30
(3) Consider those hypocrites that dragged a woman to Christ -
John 8:1-9
b. Our Lord gives us a very strong warning - Matt. 7:1-5
2. How to know our lack:
a. Examine ourselves in the light of the truth we profess to believe - 2
Cor. 13:5
b. We profess to believe in the highest moral standard known to man
- Ex. 20:3-17; Matt. 7:12
c. Search our hearts very diligently to discover our lack.
d. David even prayed that the Lord would search him to know his
true state.
e. Can we do less?
3. By searching the scriptures daily we learn God's holy will more perfectly:
a. The Bereans did - Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 3:15-17
b. The egotistical Pharisees failed to study the word for their own
soul benefit - Matt. 22:29
4. Earnest prayer is a must:
a. The Psalmist prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try
me, and know my thoughts." - Ps. 139:23, 24
b. By obeying the light when it comes to us after earnest prayer - Jas.
1:22; 1 John 7:7-9
c. That is where the rich young ruler fell short; he came and inquired,
but when he learned the cost of the lesson, he refused to heed the counsel given to him.

C. OUR LORD'S COUNSEL TO THE YOUNG MAN

1. Note, please, the young man asked for it:
a. "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all
men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." - Jas. 1:5
b. "Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you, ask
and it shall be given unto you." - Matt. 7:7, 8
2. Our Lord stated to him the basic facts to entering the kingdom of heaven:
a. Keep the commandments - 1 John 2:4-7; Isa. 48:18, 19; Eccl.
12:13, 14; Rev. 22:14
b. Share your material blessings with the poor - Matt. 25:31-34
 c. "Follow me."
That means that we forsake our own selfish ways and choose the
way set out for us by the Lord of Glory - Jer. 6:16, 17. It means that we will fix our eyes
upon the Lord Jesus and follow in his footsteps - Heb. 12:1-3
d. There were times when some of the disciples followed the Lord
from what they thought was a safe distance, "But Peter followed him afar off" - Matt.
26:58
e. Would we have done any better than Peter? Would we brave the
dangers of persecution and stand up for the truth?
THE PROFANITY OF ESAU
HEBREWS 12:16

A. ESAU
1. What we know about his person:
a. He was the oldest son of Isaac and Rebekah.
b. He was, for some reason, his father's favored son.
c. He was, by occupation, a hunter - Gen. 25:25-28
2. The Bible calls him a profane person:
a. The word "profane" means to be disrespectful; to disregard, and to
treat with contempt things of a religious nature.
b. Some Bible translations speak of Esau as a wicked person, one that
has no desire for God or His word; who lives by the impulses of his own heart.

B. ESAU'S PROFANITY
1. He was godless:
a. Even though he had been brought up in a God-fearing home, the
same as Jacob, yet we have no record of him ever using the name of God in prayer or
otherwise -- he was godless.
b. His two wives were idol worshippers, and there is no record of him
winning them to the worship of the true God.
2. He was disrespectful:
a. As the first born to his parents, he was the heir to the birthright and
its blessings.
b. He manifested neither respect or interest in the birthright; he sold it
for a mess of pottage - Gen. 25:32-34
c. He lived by his own sinful impulses and had no respect for the
future; he lived for today, tomorrow was discounted by him.
d. He cared for things temporal only; O yes, he wanted the blessing
of the birthright, but refused the responsibility connected with the birthright.
e. We shall see that Esau's profanity did not die with him; he has
many counter parts in the world today.
f. That is what makes this sermon of great importance to us.

C. ESAU, A PROTOTYPE OF PROFANE PERSONS IN OUR DAY

1. He typifies those who attempt to live without God:
a. Ps. 52:7
 b. Jer. 10:16-24
2. He manifested the same attitude toward all God-given privileges as
millions do in our day:
a. Luke 14:16-24
b. John 5:40
3. Profane persons, who have no regard for things sacred, live for the present
only, as Esau did:
a. Luke 17:26-30
b. Jas. 5:1-9
c. Jas. 4:13-17
d. Dan. 5:1-4
4. Being brought up in a Christian home is no assurance against infidelity:
a. Esau was under the identical influence as Jacob was; was taught
the same truths; yet he was godless.
b. That shows that godliness is a personal attitude, and cannot be
instilled in the heart of even the closest relative.
5. Look into the history of God's people:
a. The home of our first parents; they were God-fearing, yet Cain
became the first murderer of the human race - Gen. 4:1-26
b. We think of the family of Samuel as a God-fearing family, yet his
sons were so wicked that the Lord had to destroy them - 1 Sam. 8:3, 5
c. Think of the priest Eli and his sons; God had to destroy them
because of their wickedness - 1 Sam. 2:12
6. Profanity cannot be limited to profane words, but it includes a complete
exclusion of God from one's life:
7. Let us beware, dear friends, lest we shall become guilty of profanity, as
Esau was:
a. He excluded God out of his life.
b. He disrespected his birthright, but sought the blessing of the
birthright.
c. He perished in sin.
TAKE HEED WHAT YOU HEAR
MARK 4:24

A. THE ADMONITIONS BY OUR LORD ARE TIMELY AND APPLY

ESPECIALLY TO OUR TIMES
1. Never before, in the long history of man, has humanity been surrounded
by so many voices as today:
a. The radio.
b. The television.
c. Press and kindred media.
2. What makes the Lord's warning doubly important is that the very air is
filled with confusing and contradictive messages:
a. Some things that are coming over the air are most harmful to the
moral life of the listener.
b. It takes a keen mind to differentiate between truth and error.
B. LET US CONSIDER OUR OPENING TEXT TO LEARN ITS IMPLICATIONS
1. What we hear affects our life and gives direction to our attitude toward
God and the world of sin:
a. That was true in the experience of our first parents -- Had they
heeded what God told them, the history of man would be different - Gen. 2:16, 17; 3:1-6
b. Had Cain heeded God's warning, he would never have murdered
his brother - Gen. 4:6, 7; 8, 9
2. What we hear makes us responsible, regardless of our attitude:
a. That was true in the experience of Moses and Aaron - Num. 20:8,
9-12
b. It was true in the experience of the man of God sent to Jeroboam -
1 Ki. 13:8, 21-25
c. It will be true in this last generation - Matt. 24:14
Truly, the warning by our Lord is an eye opener to all of us.

C. GOD'S MEDIA TO SPEAK TO MAN

1. He has, in the past, used different means to speak to man:
a. The voice of nature - Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:20
b. The Son of God - Heb. 1:1-3; 12:26
c. The Holy Bible - Heb. 4:12; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; John 5:39
d. The Holy Spirit - Heb. 3:7-9; Rev. 22:17
e. Through the conscience - John 8:9; Acts 24:25
f. Through His church - Rev. 22:17
2. Christ's admonition has special signification for this present generation:
a. The Three Angels' Messages going to every kindred and nation is
God's final appeal to a rebellious world - Rev. 14:6-12
b. What the world hears through the Three Angels' Messages will
leave men without excuse.
c. It will bring men to a final decision to side either with God or with
the anti-Christ.
3. But most of all, what we, the professed believers of the Advent message
hear will:
a. Prepare us for the soon coming of our Lord - Rev. 19:7, 8; Eph.
5:26, 27; 1 John 3:1-3
b. It will stir our hearts to a point where we will break with every
known sin and place ourselves upon the altar for service.
c. Or, if we do not heed God's message, it will seal our doom to
eternal destruction - Heb. 12:25, 26; 2:1-3
"IS THERE NOT A CAUSE?"
1 SAMUEL 17:29

A. WHEN GREAT JUDGMENTS HAPPEN, THERE MUST BE GREAT GUILT.

WHEN A NATION, CITY, OR FAMILY IS BROUGHT INTO DANGER, IT IS WISE
TO INQUIRE INTO THE CAUSE
 1. David, doubtless, under divine inspiration, came to visit his brethren on
the battlefield:
a. He saw how the hearts of the soldiers of Israel fainted in the face
of Goliath, the challenger.
b. David thought of the situation as a reproach to all of Israel.
2. He offered to meet the challenger -- this to the dismay and displeasure of
his brethren:
a. It was in answer to the belittling by his brothers that he asked the
question of our text. "Is there not a cause?"

B. OUR TEXT RAISES A THOUGHT-PROVOKING QUESTION - "IS THERE

NOT A CAUSE?"
1. The army of Israel was in total dismay at a time when courage and daring
should have been one of the evidences of their strength:
a. Their leader, the king, had been rejected by the Lord - 1 Sam.
15:28
b. The morale of the army was very poor; it was unprepared to meet
the challenger - 1 Sam. 17:11
2. It was at this time that God made David the man of the hour:
a. To save the honor of God and Israel.
b. His concept of offering his service to his nation in the hour of
crises was far more inclusive than his brethren comprehended.
3. Is there not a cause?
a. Achan's sin affected a whole nation -
(1) The Lord refused to join Israel in battle against their
enemies because there was a curse in the midst of the camp of Israel - Josh. 7:1-26
(2) The whole family of Achan was affected by his sin.
b. That was true in the experience of David and the children of Israel
- 2 Sam. 24:1-14
c. That was true in the experience of Jonah and the mariners
connected with the ship he attempted to flee in - Jonah 1:4-15
d. That shows that we are responsible, at all times, for the fate of
others.

C. OUR OPENING TEXT IS A PENETRATING AND HEART SEARCHING

QUESTION
1. Why are things with us as they are?
a. Are they an accident over which we have no control?
b. Or is there a cause or reason for it all?
2. Let us take a brief look into the experience of nations and individuals:
a. Ancient Israel went into captivity, had its cities laid in ruin, its
youth destroyed. Why? Was there a cause for it?
b. The answer is yes; there was a cause -- sin, rebellion against God,
idolatry; there was no other choice for God, but to cast them off.
3. Let us consider, briefly, some individuals:
 a. Two brothers in the family; of them God said, "Jacob have I loved,
but Esau have I hated" - Rom. 9:13
b. Was there a cause for making such a great difference between two
brothers? Yes, there was! Esau was an infidel, and Jacob loved the Lord.
c. Cain and Abel; two brothers in the same family, both religiously
minded, yet, God accepted the sacrifice of Abel, and rejected the offering of Cain - Gen.
4:1-9
d. Was there a cause? Yes, indeed, sin in the heart of Cain was the
cause.
4. Our God is reasonable:
a. He invites men to come and reason together with Him - Isa. 1:16-
19
b. When we get into difficulties or into tight places, let us ask
ourselves the question of our text - "Is there not a reason or cause for my present
situation?"
c. If our bodies break down before we feel it is time, can there be a
cause for that? The answer must be yes, there is a cause; sin against our body is the
reason.
d. We must ever remember that the Bible says, "whatsoever a man
soweth that shall he also reap" - Gal. 6:7, 8
e. Life is not a chance, not an accident; if things happen there must be
a reason, a cause for it all.
"BE TROUBLED, YE CARELESS ONES"
ISAIAH 32:11

A. "BE TROUBLED, YE CARELESS ONES"

1. The context will show that this warning is given to the inhabitants of
Jerusalem and Judea:
2. Dire predictions concerning the city and the land in general are made by
the Lord:
3. This passage, however, may be appropriately applied to all who are in a
state of indifference about their soul:

B. LET US CONSIDER THE IMPLICATION OF OUR TEXT

1. To Whom it Applies:
a. "Ye careless ones"
b. To be careless signifies inattention, indifference, unconcern,
heedlessness.
2. Who are the careless?
a. Those who live as without God in the world -
EXAMPLES -
(1) Esau - Gen. 25:30-34. We have no Bible record showing
that he believed in God!
(2) Pharaoh - Ex. 5:2
(3) Rabshakeh the Assyrian - 2 Ki. 18:29-34
 b. They who neglect communion or fellowship with the Lord - Jer.
10:25; Hos. 7:7
c. All who make an outward profession, yet deny the Lord in their
daily life - 2 Tim. 3:1-9
d. They who neglect their spiritual nature - Rev. 3:14-17
3. Let us note the indicated symptoms of the careless:
a. They are inattentive -
EXAMPLES -
(1) The relatives of Lot - Gen. 19:14
(2) The special guests - Luke 14:17-20
b. The indifferent - Luke 17:26-29; Matt. 24:36-39
c. The unconcerned - Luke 12:16-20; 21:34-38; 1 Thess. 5:1-9
d. The heedless ones - Heb. 3:7-9; 4:1-9; Acts 24:25

C. WHY THE HEEDLESS ONES OUGHT TO BE CONCERNED

1. God is exceedingly displeased with their carelessness:
a. Said He to the antediluvians, "My Spirit shall not always strive
with man" - Gen. 6:3
b. "For when they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction
shall come upon them" - 1 Thess. 5:3
2. God has a time limit for sinners and saints:
a. For sinners - 2 Cor. 6:1-3; Heb. 3:7-9
b. When their cup of iniquity is full, they will drink out of it -
EXAMPLES -
(1) Belshazzar and his lords - Dan. 5:1-18
(2) Herod - Acts 12:23
(3) Ananias and his wife Sapphira - Acts 5:1-14
(4) All the nations - Isa. 51:17; Jer. 25:31
c. Professed Christians -- Our Lord's admonition, "Watch and pray" -
Matt. 24:42-44
d. He is against the careless preachers - Matt. 24:48-51
e. Laodiceans take notice - Rev. 3:14-17
3. Why the careless ought to be deeply concerned:
a. There is an accounting taking place of all we do, say, or think - 2
Cor. 5:10
b. Our Lord warns us against that time - Matt. 12:36, 37
c. We are well advised to discontinue to be careless, or take the
consequences of our carelessness.
REPENTANCE, FORGIVENESS, RETRIBUTION
2 SAMUEL 12:1-14

A. "AND DAVID SAID UNTO NATHAN, I HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE

LORD. AND NATHAN SAID UNTO DAVID, THE LORD ALSO HATH PUT
AWAY THY SIN; THOU SHALT NOT DIE. HOWBEIT, BECAUSE BY THIS DEED
THOU HAST GIVEN GREAT OCCASION TO THE ENEMIES OF THE LORD TO
BLASPHEME, THE CHILD ALSO THAT IS BORN UNTO THEE SHALL SURELY
DIE."
1. David's confession of his sin:
a. Was sincere and heartfelt - Ps. 32:1-6
b. It evoked deep sorrow in his heart; he never was the same man
after this - Ps. 41:4; 51:4
2. God, who knows our heart, was ready and willing to forgive David his sin:
Mi. 7:18, 19
a. That is the promise to all who are truly sorry for their sin - Isa.
55:7
b. The story of the prodigal son is encouraging testimony for the
willingness of the Lord to forgive us - Luke 15:11-27

B. LET US NOTE THREE RELATED TRUTHS REVEALED IN OUR OPENING

TEXT
1. Repentance:
a. Deep, heartfelt contrition is basic to true repentance - 2 Cor. 7:10
b. An open confession is required - 1 John 1:9; Prov. 28:13; Ps. 32:1-
12
c. Restitution, when possible, must be made - Luke 19:1-8
d. This was impossible in the case of David -- he could not restore the
man that fell in battle, nor could he give his wife back to him.
2. Forgiveness: "The Lord hath put away thy sin"
a. The pardon was immediate. One minute David stood guilty and
lost, and the next minute he was forgiven.
b. Not only was the pardon immediate but it was complete - John
8:36
3. Retribution: "Howbeit . . . the child shall surely die"
a. Our text makes it crystal clear -
(1) That pardon for sin does not mean impunity altogether.
(2) The effects of sin seem unavoidable.
(3) We cannot recall it. Speak a word and you cannot recall it;
think a thought and you cannot change it.
b. We cannot control its evil influence -
(1) The law of sowing and reaping - Gal. 6:7
(2) The sins in our lives quickly enter into the bloodstream of
others.
c. There are times when the Lord allows us to harvest the results of
our own sins, not to punish us, but rather to teach us a soul-saving lesson for the benefit
of others.
C. FRIENDS, WE HAVE TAKEN A BRIEF LOOK AT THREE RELATED
FACTS WHICH FOLLOW SIN
1. Repentance: A deep and heartfelt sorrow because of our sin against God,
his cause, and our fellow men. If it is sincere, it will bring good and lasting benefits.
2. Forgiveness: That is God's nature -- mercy, compassion, and pardon.
How thankful we ought to be that we have a forgiving Saviour!
 3. Retribution: Sin is a contagion, a malady, a poison, and its effects cannot
easily be erased. Look into the history of mankind and see the scars sin has made in the
lives of saints and sinners; in the lives of kings and prophets. It is frightening to think of
the final wage of sin - Rom. 6:23. There is but one hiding place -- under the blood of
Jesus Christ.
THE SUPREMACY OF THE SPIRITUAL
ZECHARIAH 4:6

A. "NOT BY MIGHT, NOR BY POWER, BUT BY MY SPIRIT, SAITH THE

LORD OF HOSTS."
1. This heavenly assurance came to Zerubbabel, the governor of the Jewish
province at a time:
a. When the work was at a standstill.
b. When even the stouthearted of the returning Jews grew faint.
2. The Jews from exile were few and poor; and the enemy that harassed them
was strong and very active:
3. To encourage the hearts of His people, God assured them in the words of
our text:
a. Not by might, nor by power,
b. But by my Spirit, saith the Lord.

B. CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE GRACIOUS PROMISE GOD

GAVE TO HIS PEOPLE
1. Not By Might:
a. With these words the Lord indicates the might as conceived by
men; God does not choose to finish his work in that manner.
b. Think of the means God used by the hand of Gideon to free Israel -
Judg. 7:4
c. David used a small stone and a sling - 1 Sam. 17:1-39
d. Recall the means Samson used to smite the Philistines - Judg. 15:3-
5, 8, 9
2. Nor By Power:
a. This was a timely message for the Jews; they were so weak that the
enemy made sport of their feebleness.
b. Material power may have its place, but it cannot change the heart -
Jer. 13:23
c. You recall what Peter said to one Simon - Acts 8:18-20
3. Salvation is of a spiritual nature which must be effected by spiritual
power:
a. That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of
the Spirit is Spirit - John 3:1-9
b. Spiritual things are perceived by a spiritual mind - 1 Cor. 2:10-14

C. THE SUPREMACY OF THE SPIRITUAL

 1. It is noteworthy that David, a man of war, skilled in the art of war in his
day, recognized this glorious truth and freely acknowledged the supremacy of the
Spiritual:
a. "Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him
from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand."
b. "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember
the name of the Lord our God."
c. "They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen and attend
upright."
d. "There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man
is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he
deliver any by his great strength." - Ps. 20:6-8; 33:16; 44:6
2. The Holy Spirit is the key to the success of any God approved project:
a. He transforms human nature - 1 Sam. 10:6; 2 Cor. 3:18, 19
b. He gives us a new outlook upon life - 1 Cor. 2:11-14
c. He replaces hatred with love - Rom. 5:5
d. He convicts of sin - John 16:7-13
e. He brings comfort to the sorrowing - Isa. 40:1, 2
f. He creates new hope in our hearts. This is important for us in
these last days when the Saviour foretold that men's hearts would fail them for fear of the
things that shall come upon the earth - Luke 21:24-26
g. Finally, and gloriously, God's Spirit prepares our life for glory
land. This is the key to the Supremacy of the Spiritual -
(1) It enables and it transforms.
(2) It preserves and prepares for the world to come. Thank
God for the supremacy of the Spiritual!
CHRIST RECEIVING SINNERS
LUKE 15:2, 3

A. "THIS MAN RECEIVETH SINNERS"

1. The Pharisees were our Lord's greatest enemies:
a. They sought occasion to accuse him of being a false prophet.
b. They were filled with spiritual pride and paraded it at the street
corners and in the market places - Matt. 6:5
c. To them it was a disgrace to come in contact with what they called
'sinners'.
2. When they saw our Lord being surrounded by tax collectors and
publicans, they sought to mark him as a false teacher because he received sinners:
a. That attitude, by the supposed leaders in Israel, revealed that they
were blind to both the plan of redemption and also to the mission of the Son of God -
Luke 6:39; Matt. 15:14; 23:16
b. That shows, further, that it is possible to have the form of truth, yet
be totally ignorant of our mission in this world.

B. "THIS MAN RECEIVETH SINNERS"

1. This statement, by the Pharisees, was intended to be a taunt, a stigma:
 2. But, unwittingly, they expressed the very heart of the mission of our Lord:
a. "For I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to
repentance." - Matt. 9:13
b. "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost."
- Luke 19:10; Matt. 18:11
c. Said the angel, "thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save
his people from their sins." - Matt. 1:21; Acts 3:26
d. "For there is none other name under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:12
3. "This man receiveth sinners." Let us note a few implications of this
statement:
a. Since all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God -
Rom. 3:23; 6:19
b. And since sin has brought all men under condemnation - Rom.
5:12-19
c. It is an expression of God's love to invite sinners to come to Him
through Jesus Christ, our Lord - John 3:16
d. What would poor sinners, under condemnation, do with their sins
if they could not come to Christ -
(1) The Lamb of God which alone can take away sins - John
1:29
(2) It is Christ, who died for our sins - 1 Cor. 15:3

C. CONDITIONS AND BLESSINGS OF CHRIST'S RECEIVING SINNERS

1. Conditions:
a. Come and confess our sins is a basic condition to be received by
Christ -
(1) The prodigal son - Luke 15:18
(2) The thief - Luke 23:38-44
b. Make restitution as far as it is in our power - Luke 19:8
c. Sin no more - John 5:14; 8:11
2. Heavenly assurance:
a. "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." - John 6:37
b. "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest." - Matt. 11:28
c. "Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." - Rom. 10:11
3. Yes, Christ does receive sinners:
a. I personally know it from experience!
b. If you have not experienced the joy of salvation --why not come to
Him now?
c. His arms are still stretched out to receive you - Isa. 65:1, 2; Luke
15:20
d. Thank God for His mercy when He sent Jesus to receive sinners --
that is the heart of the plan of redemption!
BRUISES AND WOUNDS
JEREMIAH 30:12
A. "FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD, THY BRUISE IS INCURABLE, AND THY
WOUND IS GRIEVOUS"
1. These words are directed primarily to God's ancient covenant people,
showing the reason for their going into captivity:
2. But I believe that they have a spiritual message for the people today:
a. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our
learning" - Rom. 15:4
b. "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." - 1 Cor.
10:11

B. BRUISES AND WOUNDS

1. Our opening text shows the sinner's true condition, as God sees it:
a. Bruises. Everyone living in sin will receive bruises. That is the
work of the devil - Luke 9:39; 10:30
b. Satan will leave no soundness in his victims - Isa. 1:6
c. He will leave incurable wounds - Ps. 38:5; Prov. 23:29
EXAMPLES -
(1) Samson - Judg. 16:20
(2) Esau - Heb. 12:16, 17
(3) Judas - Matt. 27:1-5
2. Attitude of the world when they see you bruised and wounded:
a. Who cared for the prodigal when he was down and out? - Luke
15:11-29
b. Who cared when Judas hung himself? - Matt. 27:1-5
3. Effects of bruises and wounds:
a. You are incapacitated for doing good.
b. You are losing precious opportunities to prepare for the kingdom
of God - 2 Cor. 6:1-3; John 5:3-6
c. You miss the blessing of the great feast of the Lord - Luke 14:16-
28
d. Who is able to measure the effects of sin in this present world or in
the world to come?

C. BUT NONE NEED DESPAIR OR BE DISHEARTENED

1. There is a promise for the bruised and the wounded:
a. "I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thy wounds, saith
the Lord." - Jer. 30:17
b. There is balm in Gilead - Jer. 8:22; 46:11
c. It is found in the wounds of the Lamb of God - Isa. 53:5
EXAMPLES -
(1) The prodigal son was restored fully - Luke 15:22-32
(2) Mary Magdalene was restored fully - Mark 16:9
(3) The woman of Samaria was restored - John 4:1-29
 d. "I will, says the Lord, heal thy wounds" - Ps. 103:1-3; 143:3; Luke
10:34
2. To heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds was the great mission
of the Son of God, when he came into this sin-sick world:
a. That is what the prophet Isaiah foretold - Isa. 61:1
b. That prediction was quoted by the Lord as finding its fulfillment in
Him - Luke 4:18
c. He will wear the scars of the wounds He received for you and me
forever and ever. They will be a mark of His love for poor sinners - Zech. 13:6
3. How wonderful is God's love which has made provisions for healing our
wounds and bruises:
a. That mission of mercy occupied the largest part of our Lord's
ministry - Acts 10:38
b. He is the great Physician of our body and our soul - Ex. 16:26
c. Of Him the Psalmist writes, "who healeth all thy diseases" - Ps.
103:1-3
4. Dear friend, do you know this Physician from experience? Has he
touched your heart and your body with the hand of healing?
5. How wonderful it is to know from experience that God is willing to heal
us from the wounds caused by sin!
THE VALUE OF MAN
PSALMS 8:1-9

A. HUMAN ESTIMATES OF THE VALUE OF MAN

1. Chemists say 'man' is worth about ninety-eight cents:
2. Nations' estimate of man in time of war:
a. Used to be less than the price of a good horse.
b. Less than any investment made for military reasons.
3. In places of amusements, man is worth less than the satisfaction of animal
passions, less than a filthy dollar made either in a liquor store or in a tavern, or in a
theater:

B. MAN'S IMPORTANCE IN THE UNIVERSE

1. Counted as a small dust: Isa. 40:15
2. Lighter than nothing: Ps. 62:9
3. His endurance is comparable to:
a. Green grass - Isa. 40:6; 1 Pet. 1:24
b. Vapor - Jas. 4:14
c. A tale that is told - Ps. 90:9
4. His stand before God:
a. As an unclean thing - Isa. 64:6
b. A condemned rebel - Rom. 3:23, 9-11
c. A slave to evil habits - Rom. 7:15-17, 25, 26; Jer. 13:23
d. A captive of Satan - John 8:34, 44; 2 Tim. 2:26; Rom. 6:16
e. The prodigal son - Luke 15:11-32
f. The lost sheep - Luke 15:1-6
 g. A stranger to the promise of God - Eph. 2:11
h. Less than nothing - Ps. 62:9

C. CHANGED VALUES
1. The gospel of Jesus Christ has changed the value of man:
a. He has again become a son of God - 1 John 3:1-3; John 1:12, 13
b. A new creation - 2 Cor. 5:14-17; Eph. 2:10
c. Worth more than the whole world - Matt. 16:26
d. The salt of the earth - Matt. 5:13
e. The light of the world - Matt. 5:14-16
f. A costly pearl - Matt. 13:45, 46
g. One of God's treasured jewels - Mal. 3:16, 17
h. A saint - Ps. 50:5; 1 Cor. 1:2
i. A fellow heir to God's promises - Eph. 3:6
2. The price God was willing to pay for man's redemption:
a. "Ye are bought with a price" - 1 Cor. 6:20
b. The price for man's redemption included the best Heaven had to
offer - John 3:16
c. Holy angels are put to serve men that are to be heirs of God's
kingdom - Heb. 1:13, 14
(1) They protect him against danger - Ps. 34:7; Dan. 6:22
(2) They deliver men from death - Acts 5:19
(3) They are God's messengers of peace to men - Luke 2:13, 14
(4) They will gather the saints for a trip to heaven - Matt. 24:31
d. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is wholly dedicated to the
preparation of man for immortality - John 16:13; Zech. 4:6
THE POWER OF MEMORY
GENESIS 41:9

A. "THEN SPAKE THE CHIEF BUTLER UNTO PHARAOH, SAYING, I

REMEMBER MY FAULTS THIS DAY"
1. The story of Joseph is familiar to most Bible readers. It never loses its
attraction:
a. Children hearing the story of Joseph are fascinated by its pathos.
b. It ranks among the best of the Bible stories.
2. The chief butler had a good reason to make the confession, as stated in our
text:
a. Joseph's interpretation of the butler's dream brought hope to him to
be set free again.
b. And it was in appreciation of this deed of kindness that Joseph
asked him to remember him when he regained his freedom - Gen. 40:7-15

B. THE POWER OF MEMORY

1. Memory is a God-given faculty:
a. To be treasured by us for what it does for us even in this present
life.
 b. With it we can bring to our mind God's wonderful promises.
c. With it we can recall the Lord's wonderful care for us in adversity,
in sorrow, and in danger.
d. With it we can encourage ourselves in meeting life's duties.
2. We should guard our memory as we would guard life itself:
a. If Satan can harm or destroy our memory, he has destroyed our
usefulness.
b. That is why he assails our memory continuously because he knows
its powers.
3. Function of the memory:
a. Memory is based upon events or incidents that have made a strong
impression upon our minds, in one way or another.
b. David made great use of the power of memory - Ps. 42:6; 77:10;
143:5
c. The ability to use the power of memory has, at times, meant the
difference between life and death.
4. Our text reveals two special blessings of memory:
a. The power of association, "I remember this day" - Gen. 40:14, 15;
41:9. Pharaoh's dream sharpened the memory of the butler. He, too, had a dream while
in prison, and Joseph interpreted it. The power of conscience aided the butler to make
good his duty to Joseph.
b. The experience of the butler reveals how powerful a conscience is.
This idolater sensed a consciousness of guilt, of neglect, and of ingratitude. It exited a
painful feeling of remorse. He was truly sorry for his sin of neglect.
C. A SPECIAL LESSON FOR US
1. Does our memory open to us our faults?
a. If it does, it is a great blessing.
b. That gives us an opportunity to make things right.
c. The chief butler must have been grateful that he still had
opportunity to make things right.
2. Seven things our sharpened memory ought to bring to us this evening:
a. How good the Lord has been all the days of our lives. When I
think of God's mercies to me in all my unworthy life, I have no words to express my
humble gratitude toward Him for his love and care.
b. How often we have failed Him and our fellow men in either word
or deed.
c. How often we entered the shadows of death, and somehow, we do
not know how, we were snatched out of the very shadows of death.
d. How has our memory affected our lives? Has it helped us to avoid
the pitfalls of sin?
e. Does our memory bring to our minds God's promises in the hour of
temptation, or in the hour of sorrow?
f. Is it a grateful memory -- filled with praise and thanksgiving?
g. Finally, does our memory retain God in its great powers? - Eccl.
12:1-6
MAN, A TOMB OR A TEMPLE
MATTHEW 23:37; 2 CORINTHIANS 6:16

A. "YE ARE LIKE UNTO WHITED SEPULCHERS." "YE ARE THE TEMPLE
OF THE LIVING GOD."
1. Both these utterances are addressed to men:
a. That reveals two possibilities in our lives -
(1) We can be a tomb
(2) Or a temple
2. We have the capacity of virtue or of vice, of joy and of sorrow:

B. LET US TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT

1. A Tomb:
a. It is dark, no light penetrates it.
b. It is lifeless.
c. There are no activities outside of the worms that feed upon the
bodies of the dead.
d. There is corruption and decay.
e. It is full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
2. The Tomb is a representation of the condition of those who are dead in
trespass and sin:
a. Darkness fills body, soul, and Spirit - 2 Cor. 6:14; John 3:19; Rom.
13:12
b. They are dead in trespass and sin - Eph. 2:1, 5; Col. 2:13
c. Heart and soul are defiled and full of moral corruption - Matt.
15:19-21; Eph. 4:22; 1 Tim. 6:5; Rom. 3:10-18
3. There is strong evidence of the presence of Satan:
a. Think of the demon possessed beings - Mark 5:1-10
b. Consider the bloodthirsty spirit of the scribes and Pharisees who
paraded in sheep's clothing - Matt. 23:29-35

C. A TEMPLE
1. The dwelling place of the Holy Spirit:
a. 1 Cor. 3:16, 17
b. 1 Cor. 6:19, 20
2. Lighted up with the word of truth: Ps. 119:105, 130
3. Full of the life of the Holy Spirit:
a. Experience of the believers on the day of Pentecost - Acts 2:1-17
b. The gifts of the Holy Spirit will fill the soul-temple with life and
light - Gal. 5:22, 23

D. THE GREAT DIFFERENCE

1. A tomb houses the dead:
2. A temple houses God's Holy Spirit:
3. You and I have it in our power to be:
a. A tomb
b. Or a temple.
 4. If we allow Satan to control our lives, we shall be a tomb:
5. But if we let Christ come into our hearts, we shall be the temple of the
living God. Which shall we be?
6. There is a prayer in my heart that as you weigh the decision you and every
other person must make:
a. You will realize the importance of your life, body, soul, and spirit,
bought with an infinite price - 1 Cor. 6:20
b. You will see the wisdom of Paul's admonition to the Romans, "I
beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." - Rom.
12:1
c. There is a difference in the final outcome of what our lives have
been, a temple or a tomb -
(1) Think of Judas - Matt. 27:1-5
(2) Or of Paul - Acts 9:15
(3) What is your life?
THE SEARCHING TEST
LUKE 18:18-30

A. "AND A CERTAIN RULER ASKED HIM, SAYING, GOOD MASTER, WHAT

SHALL I DO TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE?"
1. Of special interest to the careful reader of the Bible is in the fact that
similar questions were asked by different persons:
a. John the Baptist was approached by the publicans, "Master, what
shall we do?" - Luke 3:12
b. The soldiers, listening to John, asked, "What shall we do?" - Luke
3:14
c. The multitude, who had been stirred by Peter's sermon the day of
Pentecost, asked "What shall we do?" - Acts 2:37
d. A lawyer asked the Lord, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" -
Luke 10:25
e. Saul, of Tarsus, asked the Lord, "What wilt thou have me to do?" -
Acts 9:6
f. The startled Jailer said, "What must I do to be saved?" - Acts 16:30
2. All these burning questions show that the salvation of man is, as it has
been in the past, a very burning question for every judgment bound sinner:

B. THE SEARCHING TEST

1. The petitioner in our text:
a. A prominent man in Jewish Society -
(1) Very wealthy.
(2) Excellent in character.
(3) Apparently very sincere.
b. Jesus loved him - Mark 10:21
2. His attitude at first:
a. Very eager -- he came running - Mark 10:17
 b. He kneeled to our Lord.
c. He had sufficient faith in Christ to ask for guidance in spiritual
matters; all this in spite of the bitter opposition of the leaders.
d. This was noteworthy of this young man, worthy of our emulation.
3. His question -- "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
a. Is most revealing.
b. He was wealthy and popular, but was not satisfied with his
knowledge or his life.
c. He longed for something better than he had.
d. He was thinking of things eternal. All this is to his good.
4. His attitude toward eternal life and its requirements show:
a. That the schools of the Pharisees had left him in darkness on one
of the most vital truths in the Bible - eternal life!
b. He knew that only the Author of life (John 1:4; 14:6) could give
the true answer.

C. THE SEARCHING TEST

1. All went exceedingly well up to this point:
a. The question was proper and worthy of an answer.
b. The Lord loved him; he admired him for his moral attitude and a
desire for eternal life.
c. He was, indeed, an exceptional person.
2. Until the all-knowing Lord and Master applied the divine test:
a. "Keep the commandments"
b. Obedience to God's law is the key to the straight gate and the
narrow road that leads to life everlasting - Rev. 14:12; 22:14; 1 John 2:4-7; 5:4, 5
3. The questioner's instant reaction was: "which?"
a. That was the beginning of the unfolding of his misinformation
because with God there is no difference -- all commandments are equally important and
binding - Jas. 2:8-11
b. The word "which" is selective and it has no place in God's plan -
Matt. 5:17-19
4. Our Lord referred him to the sixth commandment, and here is where he
failed to meet the test: Deut. 6:4-9; Matt. 22:34-38
5. He refused to comply with the requirements of heaven. Would you have
done any better?
PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD
AMOS 4:11, 12

A. HERE IS A MESSAGE WHICH NO ONE CAN BY-PASS

1. A meeting with God is as certain as death:
a. Every eye shall see Him - Rev. 1:7-8
b. All shall appear before Him - Matt. 25:31-33
c. It is a question of time only -- some sooner and some a little later.
2. This message has special significance for the children of God - Israel:
a. Members of the church.
 b. People professing to believe God's word - Ps. 50:7-23

B. PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD

1. This admonition shows that we are not prepared to meet God:
a. Our condition is stated in Rev. 3:14-17
b. How serious is it to meet God? Ask Job - Job 42:1-5. The prophet
Isaiah, too, knows what it means to be in the presence of the great King - Isa. 6:1-6
2. Christ gives special emphasis to prepare to be able to stand before the Son
of man:
a. "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted
worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of
man." - Luke 21:36
b. "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such a time as ye think not the
Son of man cometh." - Matt. 24:44
3. The signs of the time urge us to get ready to meet God: Matt. 24:26-44
4. How are we to get ready to meet God?
a. Prepare our hearts - 2 Chron. 12:14; 30:19
b. Put on the garment of salvation - Isa. 61:10; 64:6; Rev. 6:13-15;
16:15; Matt. 22:1-12
5. When are we to get ready?
a. Some people say in their hearts, "My Lord delayeth His coming" -
Matt. 24:48
b. They raise questions about the coming of the Lord which are
uncalled for -- "We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there
among us any that knoweth how long." - Ps. 74:9
c. God says, "Now is the time to prepare to meet your God" - Ps. 5:4;
2 Cor. 6:1-3; Heb. 3:7-9
d. In the accepted time - Matt. 25:1-12; Luke 13:25-28

C. TO MEET THY GOD

1. He wants to meet us in the prayer closet: Matt. 6:6; 18:20
2. We are to meet him before the throne of grace: Heb. 4:16
3. He wants to meet us on that great homecoming day when Jesus takes us to
meet our heavenly Father: Heb. 12:22-24
4. We all will have to meet Him on that great judgment day: 2 Cor. 5:10
5. Let us come to God our Father by the Lord Jesus Christ:
DIVINE PARDON
ISAIAH 55:7, 8

A. "LET THE WICKED FORSAKE HIS WAY, AND THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAN
HIS THOUGHTS: AND LET HIM RETURN UNTO THE LORD, AND HE WILL
HAVE MERCY UPON HIM; AND TO OUR GOD, FOR HE WILL ABUNDANTLY
PARDON."
1. The pardoning of our sins is the foundation blessing of all the enjoyments
and privileges the gospel presents:
 a. We are, by our very nature, sinners; sin is the transgression of
God's law - Rom. 3:23; Gal. 3:22; 1 John 3:4
b. The transgression of God's law brings the sinner under
condemnation; he stands in need of divine pardon - Rom. 5:12-19
2. Pardon is, therefore, the very heart of the plan of salvation:
a. We think of Mary Magdalene - Luke 7:37-47
b. The publican - Luke 18:13, 14

B. "HE WILL ABUNDANTLY PARDON." PLACING THE EMPHASIS UPON

THESE WORDS, LET US NOTE THESE WONDERFUL TRUTHS
1. Consider the disparity between God and those whom He pardons:
a. He is the Eternal and self-existent One, divinely self-sufficient -
Isa. 57:15
b. Those who are pardoned by Him are but a speck of dust, a little
more than the atom - Isa. 40:15
c. He is the embodiment of Holiness and perfection; his eyes are
purer than to behold evil - Hab. 1:13
d. The sinners are defiled and in a state of rebellion against God's will
- Isa. 1:4-6; Rom. 3:9-19
2. Yet, God's pardon far exceeds man's guilt of sin:
a. Meditate upon Isa. 1:18; 55:7
b. Think of the words found in Ezek. 16:6 - "And when I passed by
thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy
blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live."
c. Rejoice over Mi. 7:18, 19; Isa. 38:17
3. Mark the contrast between the offenses committed against God and men:
a. Sin is aggravated by the dignity of Him against whom we have
sinned, and by our obligations to Him.
b. Now the Being against whom we have sinned is not only the
greatest but also the best Being in the universe - Jas. 1:17
c. Remember the divine independence and power of God to punish,
yet He still loves to pardon our transgressions - Isa. 55:7
d. How different is the pardon by men -
(1) They forgive with difficulty.
(2) He limits his forgiveness - Matt. 18:21 (Is seven times
enough?)
e. Keep in mind the story as recorded in Luke 16:1-22; Matt. 18:23-
32
f. How often do we hear words like these, "I will forgive him, but I
am unable to forget"; thus attaching a condition to his forgiveness.
g. That is why the Lord makes our readiness to forgive others a
condition to His forgiveness -
(1) Forgive as we forgive - Matt. 6:15
(2) "If ye forgive not from your heart" - Matt. 18:35
4. How differently is the forgiveness by our heavenly Father:
a. "I will remember their sins no more."
 b. "I will blot out their transgression."
c. "I will remember them no more." - Mi. 7:18, 19; Isa. 44:20
5. Let us claim the wonderful promise of our merciful God as recorded in our
opening text:
a. Yes, it is conditional -- based upon our attitude toward sin.
b. It must be confessed.
c. There must be sincere sorrow over our sin - Ps. 32:1-9
d. We must want to be set free from the power of sin.
e. As free moral agents, we can claim the pardon of our God, or we
can reject it.
f. Friends of mine, what is your personal reaction to this message this
evening?
g. Are you ready to seek and accept the pardon God offers through
the gospel of Jesus Christ?
SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD
AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS
MATTHEW 6:33

A. WHAT HAVE PEOPLE NOT UNDERTAKEN IN THEIR ADVENTURE FOR

EARTHLY GAIN?
1. Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage: Gen. 25:31-34; Heb. 12:16
2. Lot chose Sodom because that valley was very fertile: Gen. 13:13, 14
3. Balaam sought to curse Israel for gain: Num. 23:1-3; Jude 11
4. Judas sold the Prince of life for thirty pieces of silver: Matt. 26:15, 16
5. Ananias and Sapphira attempted to lie to Peter because of the filthy lucre:
Acts 5:1-11

B. "SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD"

1. Its value is immeasurable:
a. In it dwelleth righteousness - 2 Pet. 3:13
b. It is eternal - Heb. 12:28; Dan. 2:44, 45
c. Its glories cannot be comprehended by us - 1 Cor. 2:9-11
d. It is without money or price - Isa. 55:1-3
e. It includes all God's promises - 2 Cor. 1:20; Gal. 3:16
2. "And his righteousness":
a. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God's righteousness - 1 Cor.
1:30, 31; Jer. 23:6
b. God's law is righteousness - Ps. 119:172
3. God's requirements are most reasonable:
a. Our temporal needs are not overlooked by our heavenly Father -
Matt. 6:24-34
b. "My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in
glory by Christ Jesus" - Phil. 4:19
c. They, too, are the gift of God -
(1) "Give us this day our daily bread" - Matt. 6:11
(2) They are added unto us - Matt. 6:33
 d. For our heavenly Father knows and supplies our needs - Matt. 6:33
e. If we could learn this lesson and have childlike faith in God.

C. SOME REASONS WHY WE SHOULD TAKE HEED TO THE ADMONITION

OF OUR LORD
1. We must heed the admonition:
a. Because of our natural tendency to be preoccupied with the cares
of this life - Luke 21:34; Matt. 13:22
b. Because of our ignorance of true values - John 6:27
2. There is a great risk in our delay:
a. This is illustrated in the parable of the five foolish virgins - Matt.
25:1-12
b. Our own life is so uncertain - Luke 12:20; Gen. 33:17-20
c. God's appointed time is Now - 2 Cor. 6:1-3; Heb. 3:7-9
3. Rule of God's kingdom:
a. First things come first -
(1) Moses had to remove his shoes first before he could
commune with the Lord - Ex. 2:5
(2) His hands had to be held first before the army could win
against the enemy - Ex. 17:11
(3) Abraham had to go all the way in offering Isaac before the
Lord demonstrated that he provided for himself a sacrifice - Gen. 22:1-12
4. Why so few seek the kingdom of God first:
a. God's kingdom is light, and sinners love darkness rather than light
- John 3:19-21
b. God's kingdom is based upon truth and righteousness, but the
world would rather believe a lie and refuse to comply with the principles of the kingdom.
c. The kingdom of God requires self-denial, and so many people do
not want to deny themselves - Matt. 19:16-22
d. There is a price attached to seeking the kingdom of God, stated by
the Son of God - Matt. 10:34-36; Mark 10:28-30; Matt. 19:16-22
e. The kingdom of God is based upon love, and the world does not
possess this heavenly gift.
OBJECTS OF THE DIVINE DELIGHT
PSALMS 149:4, 5

A. "FOR THE LORD TAKETH PLEASURE IN HIS PEOPLE."

1. What an inspiration comes to our hearts when we read in the Bible about
the great affections of God for His children:
a. They are the apple of His eye - Deut. 32:10; Ps. 17:8
b. A peculiar treasure - Mal. 3:17
c. A royal priesthood - 1 Pet. 2:9
d. The portion of God's inheritance - Ps. 119:57
2. They are, as our opening text states, His great delight:

B. LET US CONSIDER THESE TRUTHS

 1. The Saints are God's people:
a. He created them for His pleasure - Isa. 43:7; Rev. 4:11
b. He redeemed them for His glory - Eph. 1:6; 1 Pet. 2:9, 10
c. They bear His name - Rev. 22:4
d. They bear His image - Gen. 1:26, 27; Rom. 8:29
e. They possess the Lord's Spirit - Rom. 8:12-16; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20
2. The Lord delights in them:
a. "The Lord taketh pleasure in his people" - Ps. 147:11
EXAMPLES -
(1) Daniel - Dan. 10:11
(2) Abraham - 2 Chron. 20:7
(3) Job - Job 1:1-3
b. He does so in their person.
c. Their bodies are His dwelling place - 2 Cor. 6:16; 1 Cor. 6:19
d. He takes pleasure in their health, in their success, and in their
spiritual growth.
e. He shares with them their joys and also their griefs - Isa. 53:4
f. They are indeed the delight of His soul.

C. WHAT GOD KNOWS AND SEES IN HIS CHILDREN THAT GIVES HIM
SUCH AFFECTIONATE DELIGHT
1. Negatively:
a. Not because of their sins.
b. They grieve him and cause him much work and weariness - Isa.
43:24; 47:13
c. Not when they go through suffering and pain - Isa. 63:9
d. Not in the death of His children - John 11:35
2. Positively:
a. In their redemption from sin - Luke 15:6, 9, 23
b. In their loyalty to His will - Gen. 18:17-19
c. In their eagerness to witness of the great wonderful works of God -
Acts 7:55
d. In their childlike trust in His mercy - Ps. 91:14
3. This raises a number of challenging questions for each of us to ponder:
a. Am I so closely connected with the Lord to know that He delights
in me?
b. What can I conscientiously point to in my life that would cause
delight to my heavenly Father?
c. Do I take delight in Him, His Word, His people, and His Cause?
4. May I close this outline with this humble prayer offered by David on a
number of occasions: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my
thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting." - Ps. 139:23, 24
THE HOPE OF THE BACKSLIDER
HOSEA 14:1-6
A. A BACKSLIDER
1. One falling behind or out of step; one who retrogresses in his moral duties:
a. Lot's wife is a vivid example of backsliding - Gen. 19:26
b. The prophet Jeremiah uses the word "backsliding" twelve times -
Jer. 2:19; 3:6, 8, 11, 12, 14, 22; 5:6; 8:5; 14:7; 31:22; 49:4
c. Hosea uses this word three times - Hos. 4:16; 11:7; 14:4
2. The term "backsliding" was used in connection with army practices; when
a soldier fell behind or out of step with his comrades, he was marked as a backslider:
a. That was considered a serious offense in the army, unless illness or
other unavoidable incident caused it.
b. This word is used, also, with reference to persons that retrogress in
their moral obligations; fail to keep a promise.
c. It is in this sense that the Bible uses the word continuously.

B. LET US TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF A

BACKSLIDER
1. When a person or a people depart from the word of God, that is very
serious backsliding in the sight of the Lord:
a. That is God's serious complaint against Israel as stated in Jer. 2:12,
13, "Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate,
saith the Lord. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the
fountain of living waters, and have hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can
hold no water."
b. Thus, a two fold cause for backsliding is laid down in God's word -
(1) Departing from the living God.
(2) Setting up our own standards - 1 Tim. 1:4, 5
c. This type of backsliding is the root of all backsliding, personal or
collective retrogression alike.
2. Nature of backsliding:
a. One may never realize the seriousness of backsliding because, in
most instances, it is a gradual process, at times hidden to the guilty himself.
b. It usually begins with carelessness -- leaving out the private
devotions, reading of the Bible, or neglecting secret prayer.
c. Absent from the church services is still another indication of
irregularity in the life of a backslider.
d. Worldliness is still another sign of serious backsliding. Following
the ways of the world in dress and other infractions.

C. THE HOPE OF THE BACKSLIDER

1. This is the heart of my subject:
a. God does not utterly forsake the backslider; He does not leave him
to go down to destruction because He knoweth our infirmities, and has compassion upon
us - Ps. 103:13, 14
b. If that were not the hope of the backslider, many of us would have
no hope at all, because in some ways we all come short of the glory of God.
 2. But, note, please, that backsliding is a disease, needs healing: "I will heal
their backsliding, I will love them freely" - Hos. 14:4
a. Backsliding leaves bruises and wounds - Isa. 1:6
b. And often scars are the abiding evidence of a life of backsliding.
3. Let those who find themselves having backslid, take courage:
a. God is interested in you; He has not abandoned you to your fate;
He wants you to return to Him; and He will help you.
b. That is the repeated invitation of the Lord to you - Isa. 19:22; Hos.
6:1; 14:1
EXAMPLES -
(1) The prodigal son returned - Luke 15:11
(2) Peter returned to the Lord - Mark 14:72
(3) the people of Israel returned to the true God and His
worship - 1 Ki. 18:39
c. How thankful we can be for a compassionate Father in heaven,
who is ever ready to receive to Himself the backsliders!
"AND THE LORD SHUT HIM IN"
GENESIS 7:16

A. THE BIBLE STORY OF THE FLOOD EMBODIES A NUMBER OF GOSPEL

TRUTHS FOR GOD'S PEOPLE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS

1. Our text expresses one of these thought provoking truths, "And the Lord
shut him in":
a. The time of God's waiting and long-suffering had finally run out -
2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Pet. 3:20
b. That shows that there is a limit even to the forbearance of a
merciful and compassionate God - Ex. 34:6, 7
c. Said the Lord, "My Spirit shall not always strive with men." Gen.
6:3
2. That the forbearance of God has its limits is easily seen:
a. In the experience of Sodom and Gomorrah - Gen. 19:23
b. That was true of ancient Israel - Matt. 21:43

B. THE MESSAGE OF OUR TEXT AS IT APPLIES TO OUR DAY

1. When God shut the door of the ark:
a. He shut Noah and his family in. That gave Noah and his family
full security against the waters of the flood.
b. But He who shut Noah in, shut the sinners, in the days of Noah,
out; that meant eternal doom for all outside the ark - Matt. 24:37-39
2. "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man
be" - Matt. 24:37
a. Soon, very soon, the long-suffering God will shut the door of
mercy.
b. The words in Rev. 22:10, 11 will be fulfilled, "the time is at hand.
He that is unjust, let him be unjust: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still."
 c. It means that, as it was in the days of Noah, they that were ready
entered the ark; but they that were not ready were shut out; they were subjects of
destruction by the waters of the flood.
d. The door of mercy will close, and that means that probation will
have ended forever for all who have not entered the ark of salvation - Matt. 25:1-12;
Luke 13:25-29; Amos 8:11-14
3. The story of the flood shows further that God is not a respecter of person:
a. He gave the sinners in the days of Noah one hundred and twenty
years to make up their mind - Gen. 6:3
b. The message of righteousness by faith, preached by Noah, left
them without excuse - Luke 17:26, 27
c. We have already learned that Christ makes the experience of the
antediluvians an object lesson for the people that live just prior to his second coming.
d. The door of mercy, now wide open, will close some day and thus
all who reject salvation through Christ will be without excuse.

C. PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF OUR LESSON IS FOUND IN

THESE FACTS
1. God honored the faith of Noah:
a. Noah believed God.
b. He proved it when he built the ark for salvation of his family -
Heb. 11:7
c. Those who perished in the flood made no provision for the safety
of their own selves, nor for their families.
2. A most solemn question to all of us:
a. When the door of mercy closes forever, will it shut us in or will it
shut us out?
b. Learn a lesson from the study of Matt. 7:13, 14
c. Think of the wedding feast and the ten virgins - Matt. 25:1-12
d. Or attempt to understand the words of our Lord as recorded in
Luke 13:22-29
3. The answer to our question is very simple:
a. They that were ready went in before the door was closed.
b. They who were not ready came too late, and were left in outer
darkness.
c. Our Saviour, knowing the end from the beginning, warns us in
these words, "be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man
cometh" - Matt. 24:44
d. How many of us do want to make sure that when the door of mercy
is shut, that we are in and not out!

THE BRUISED REED

ISAIAH 42:3

A. THE REED
1. It is mentioned a number of times in the Bible:
 a. Bible references in the Old Testament - 2 Ki. 18:21; Job 40:21
b. Scriptures in the New Testament - Matt. 11:7; 12:20; 27:30; Rev.
11:4; 21:15
2. Its habitation and usefulness:
a. It grew in the miry places, in those oozy marshes where fever
lurked and the foul air rises.
b. Wild beasts had their habitation in its environment.
c. The stronger sorts were converted into measuring rods; others were
used as a staff on which the traveler leaned; the finer ones were used as writing pens.

B. THE DIVINE ESTIMATE OF MAN

1. A bruised reed:
a. Here we have a symbol of an impaired life; a life broken and
bruised by sin -
EXAMPLES -
(1) The prodigal son - Luke 15:11-32
(2) The thief on the cross - Luke 23:40-44
(3) Mary Magdalene - Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2
b. The broken reed symbolizes feebleness, helplessness, and almost
worthlessness - Rom. 7:24: Isa. 1:19
c. There is no power in the broken reed to repair itself; neither is
there power in sinners, morally, mentally, and physically broken, to repair themselves -
Isa. 40:28-31; Ps. 62:9
2. What the estimate implies:
a. God's attitude toward sinners -- many of them have wasted their
talent and their physical and mental strength, but God does not cast them away, He is
willing and ready to restore them - "he restoreth my soul" - Ps. 23:1-6
b. "And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own
blood, I said unto thee when thou was in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou
was in thy blood, Live." - Ezek. 16:6

C. THE DIVINE METHOD OF TREATING SINNERS

1. God does not use naked force to deal with us:
a. He comes to us as the dew. The dew is very gentle upon the tender
plant; works very quietly and penetrates deeply - Hos. 14:5
EXAMPLE -
Note how gentle and kind the Master dealt with the woman of
Samaria! He knew her life, that must have been anything but moral, but he never treated
her harshly - John 4:1-29
b. He speaks of wine and oil to heal the wounded man that had been
waylaid by bandits - Luke 10:34
2. The force of truth:
a. Manifests itself in love, long-suffering, kindness, and restraint - 2
Pet. 3:9; 2 Cor. 5:14-17
 b. It appeals to the power of reason - "Come now, and let us reason
together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isa. 1:18
3. God's method indicates further:
a. That he has faith in man, otherwise he would not set all the forces
in his universe in motion to save man.
b. His dealing with Saul of Tarsus shows that God has faith in man -
Acts 9:15
c. He knows that sin is the root of all our difficulties in life, and He
has made full provisions to redeem us from sin.
d. The Psalmist puts it this way, "For he knoweth our frame; he
remembereth that we are dust." - Ps. 103:14
e. In verse 13, he says, "Like a father pitieth his children, so the Lord
pitieth them that fear him."
4. What a wonderful lesson is to be found in our opening text:
a. Most of us are but broken reeds, and yet, our heavenly Father sent
his only Son to repair our life - "he restoreth my soul."
b. He sees hope where, to all appearance, there is no hope!
THE POOR MAN'S MARKET
ISAIAH 55:1, 2

A. "HO, EVERY ONE THAT THIRSTETH, COME YE TO THE WATERS, AND

HE THAT HATH NO MONEY; COME YE, BUY AND EAT; YEA, COME, BUY
WINE AND MILK WITHOUT MONEY AND WITHOUT PRICE"

1. Bible students are agreed that Isaiah was a prophet of the highest order
and, also, a great Evangelist:
a. The second half of his book is devoted to the highest type of soul
saving Evangelism.
b. Our text contains enough material for Evangelistic messages, for a
series of sermons.
c. The appeal of our text touches upon two great essentials of life -
bread and wine. These, we know, are typical of spiritual food freely offered through the
gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. It is an invitation best understood by the people who treasured both bread
and wine:

B. A VERY UNUSUAL AND VERY LIBERAL INVITATION

1. Appeals to the universal hunger and thirst planted into the life of men:
a. Even the Son of God hungered and thirsted while He was in this
world - Matt. 4:2; Mark 2:25; 11:12; John 19:28
b. But, I believe, that the gospel appeal has particular reference to the
hunger and thirst for hearing the word of the Lord - Jer. 15:16
2. Most encouraging to the gospel worker is the universal hunger and thirst
for the food of the soul and the spiritual drink -- the water of life:
 a. The word of God is the bread of life - Luke 4:4; Prov. 9:5; Jer.
15:16
b. The water of life -- the spiritual life - John 7:37, 38; Rev. 22:17
c. This hunger and thirst for hearing the word of God will come some
day to those who now are indifferent to the word of God - Amos 8:9, 10
d. Let us heed the invitation of heaven while it is today - Heb. 3:7-9
e. How wonderful it would be if all of us could say with the Psalmist,
"As the heart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God" - Ps.
42:1, 2
3. The vain search for satisfaction:
a. "Why do ye spend money for that which satisfieth not?"
b. Why do you labor for that which satisfieth not?
(1) Some seek satisfaction in their accumulated wealth; but
they will be disappointed - Luke 12:15; Jas. 4:13, 14
(2) But material things will not and cannot satisfy the soul -
Ezek. 7:9
(3) A woe is pronounced upon all who seek to the pleasures of
material wealth - Jas. 5:1-6
(4) Still others seek satisfaction in sensuality which will in the
end bring a harvest woe upon them - Luke 12:19; Gal. 6:7, 8

C. THE TRUE SOURCE OF SATISFACTION AND HOW WE MAY BENEFIT

FROM IT
1. The knowledge of the true God will bring true happiness:
a. "How excellent is thy loving kindness, O God! Therefore the
children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings."
b. "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house;
and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures."
c. "For with thee is the fountain of life" - Ps. 36:7-9
2. The poor man's Market:
a. Are you heavy laden with sin? The blood of Jesus Christ will
cleanse you without money and without price - 1 John 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19
b. Are you groaning under the burden of evil habits? The Son of God
will set you free without money and without price - John 8:36; Isa. 49:25, 26
c. Remember the price has been paid -- it is all free to you now -
Luke 14:14-24
d. It is amazing but true -- at the poor man's market you buy, but you
need have no money or the equivalent of money.
e. And yet, how many go to the wrong market and spend their money
and their life for the things that bring neither satisfaction or the salvation of their souls.
f. Friends of mine, how does the invitation of our opening text appeal
to you?
THE UNANSWERED QUESTION
HEBREWS 2:1-10

A. "HOW SHALL WE ESCAPE, IF WE NEGLECT SO GREAT SALVATION?"

 1. It is noteworthy how the little word "so" is used in the Bible to give very
strong emphasis to a specific truth:
a. "For God so loved the world" - John 3:16
b. "If God so clothe the grass" - Matt. 6:30
c. "So worship I the God of my fathers" - Acts 24:14
2. In our text, the word "so" is to call special attention to the greatness of the
salvation offered through Jesus Christ our Lord:

B. THE GREATNESS OF THE SALVATION OFFERED TO US IS SEEN

1. By what it costs:
a. The scars on the body of the Son of God, inflicted on Him on
Calvary, will speak very eloquently as to the price paid for our salvation - 1 Cor. 6:19,
20; Rom. 8:31-39; 2 Cor. 5:21
b. The broken heart of the dying Christ is still another added evidence
of the price heaven paid to save us from damnation.
c. The ministry of heavenly beings unto those who are to be heirs of
salvation is added evidence of the supreme effort of God to save us - Heb. 1:13, 14; Ps.
34:6
2. By what it offers:
a. Complete and free pardon of sin to all who accept Christ Jesus as
their Saviour - Isa. 55:7; Mi. 7:18, 19
b. Complete deliverance from the power of sin - Acts 26:18; John
8:36
c. Complete deliverance from the eternal consequences of sin - 2 Cor.
5:17
(1) It must be noted that salvation in Christ may not remove (in
this present life) the effects of our transgressions - Gal. 6:7, 8
(2) When we violate the laws that control our bodies we may
have to suffer the temporal consequences.
d. But the fact remains that salvation in Christ is all inclusive -- body,
soul, and spirit; the past, the present, and the future!
3. By the method this salvation may be obtained:
a. Free, absolutely without money or price; it is the free gift of God!
Isa. 55:1, 2; Eph. 2:7, 8
b. Through simple faith in Jesus Christ - Acts 8:37; 16:31; Rom. 5:1-
3
c. There is nothing that any sinner can do to merit salvation, nothing
at all.
d. By accepting Jesus Christ now, not tomorrow, now! 2 Cor. 6:1-3;
Heb. 3:7-9
Illustrations of the practice of simple faith -
(1) All who were bitten by the poisonous reptiles were placed
under the one condition -- "look and live" - Num. 21:6-8
(2) They could not go by feeling or emotion; their salvation
rested in the exercise of faith in God's faithfulness.
C. THE UNANSWERED QUESTION
1. Note, please, the part the little word "neglect" plays in being lost:
a. How easy it is to be damned forever -- do nothing! Just stand by
and be indifferent to God's efforts to save our soul.
b. The inhabitants of Meroz were cursed, not because they did a lot of
things. No, they were cursed because they did nothing, at a time they should have been
active - Judg. 5:23
c. The parable of the Lord about the great supper a man made for his
friends speaks very loudly on the subject before us -- Read Luke 14:16-24
2. There are three ways or types of criminal neglect:
a. To be indifferent to what God says is a hideous sin in the sight of
the Lord - Gen. 19:14
b. To be preoccupied at a time when God calls is another mark of
damnation -
EXAMPLES -
(1) The people in the days of Noah - Matt. 24:36-39; Luke
17:26-29
(2) The guests that failed to come - Luke 14:16-29
c. Attempt to postpone our duty to God is another crime against the
soul - Acts 24:25
PILATE WASHED HIS HANDS
MATTHEW 27:24

A. "PILATE . . . TOOK WATER, AND WASHED HIS HANDS BEFORE THE

MULTITUDE, SAYING, I AM INNOCENT OF THE BLOOD OF THIS JUST
PERSON: SEE YE TO IT."
1. This was, without question, Pilate's most important decision he ever made,
as governor, over Jesus:
a. He passed judgment upon the Judge of the universe - Acts 10:42;
Gen. 18:25
b. His judgment was, in fact, a miscarriage of justice in the highest
degree.
2. Our opening text embodies a number of very valuable points, worthy of
our prayerful consideration:

B. PILATE WASHING HIS HANDS REVEALS THREE SPECIFIC FACTS

ABOUT WRONGDOING
1. The vain plea for wrongdoing:
a. He knew that the sentence he gave was a miscarriage of justice.
b. He had been forewarned by God against doing what he did - Matt.
27:18
c. He knew that the Jews sought the life of the Son of God because of
envy - Matt. 27:19
2. His decision to deliver the Son of God into the hands of His enemies was
based upon pure selfishness:
 a. It was based upon seeking the favor of the Jews, regardless of the
injustice; but in doing what he did, he lost the favor of the Jews.
b. No man can force us to do wrong at any time. The Jews had
neither right nor power to cause Pilate to betray an innocent person to be killed.
3. Note, please, the possibility of self-deception:
a. Pilate had persuaded himself to believe that he was free from the
blood of the Son of God, by the ceremony of washing his hands.
b. He had blinded himself to the fact that some day God will bring
into review the miscarriage of justice in Pilate's judgment hall.
c. All in all, the act of Pilate shows that one can persuade himself to
believe that under certain conditions wrong is right and evil is good.

C. BUT THE ACT OF PILATE AND HIS EXCUSES FOR THAT ACT REVEAL
TO US
1. The utter impossibility to wriggle out of our personal responsibility:
a. He washed his hands but not his heart.
b. History will mark him as a coward, a murderer, and a charlatan of
justice.
2. Shifting the blame on others was not, however, Pilate's exclusive gift:
a. Adam blamed God for giving him Eve - Gen. 3:12
b. Saul blamed the people for sparing the king and the cattle - 1 Sam.
15:15
c. How often are we tempted to blame others for our wrong doing!
3. When we look deeper into Pilate's washing his hands, claiming innocence,
we learn:
a. He revealed an inherent weakness in his person to act out his own
convictions.
b. Had the Jews been less persistent in their demands, he might have
set the Son of God free.
c. But God, who foreordained that His Son should take the cup that
rightfully belonged to us, allowed Pilate to become one of the chief actors in the crime of
the ages.
4. Yes, a person may ceremoniously wash his hands, but he is powerless to
wash away the sins in his heart:
a. The Pharisees and Scribes were masters in this art - Matt. 23:25, 26
b. There are many among God's people who follow the same practice,
"having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" 2 Tim. 3:5
5. Friends of mine, what would you have done, had you been in Pilate's
place?
a. Would you have stood up for justice, regardless of the opinion of
the Jews?
b. Would you have shown to the world that when you assumed the
responsibility to uphold justice, you would do so at all times?
c. Well the answer can be found in your attitude! Do you accept or
do you reject the Son of God, who died for you?
LIFE BELTS FOR SEA VOYAGERS
PSALMS 85:1-14

A. ALL MODERN SHIPS ARE FURNISHED WITH LIFE SAVING DEVICES

1. No one would undertake to travel on the high seas without some safety
device:
a. In fact that is a must according to law.
b. It is a part of the specification a sea-worthy vessel must meet.
2. In a time of emergency, this is the difference between life and death:

B. OUR TEXT OFFERS SOME VERY THOUGHT PROVOKING IDEAS ON

LIFE BELTS FOR SEA VOYAGERS
1. Our present life may easily be compared to a voyage on a stormy sea:
a. That was Jacob's testimony to Pharaoh, in an interview Pharaoh
gave him - Gen. 47:8, 9
b. Paul gives us a vivid picture of his voyage on a stormy sea - 2 Cor.
11:23-27
c. None of us is exempt from this experience - 2 Tim. 3:12
2. The danger to the people of God will increase as we near the end of our
voyage:
a. We are indeed facing perilous times as we near the end of the
controversy between Christ and Satan - 2 Tim. 3:1-5
b. Satan, knowing that he has but a short time, will turn his wrath
upon the people that keep the commandments of God - Rev. 12:17
c. Cunning deceptions will test all who are not well founded upon the
word of God - Rev. 3:10; Luke 23:32, 33
d. Our greatest dangers are spiritual indifference; neglect of prayer;
and the cares of this world. These are forces the devil uses to tempt God's people with -
Matt. 24:12; Luke 21:34-36
e. Secret sins, too, endanger our voyage to the kingdom of heaven -
Ps. 32:1-6; 90:8
f. Our greatest danger is a state of lukewarmness which paralyzes us
in many ways and threatens our hope of being saved.

C. WE ARE IN URGENT NEED TO MAKE USE OF THE HEAVEN PROVIDED

LIFE BELTS FOR OUR SECURITY
1. God has graciously provided us with life belts which provide maximum
security:
a. God's promises must be considered as real life belts of sea
voyagers. We are told that the Bible contains over 4000 such promises.
b. God's people have, in times of danger, made use of these
wonderful life belts.
(1) David used them to save his soul on many occasions - 1
Chron. 17:26
(2) Moses, too, reminded the Lord of promises when things
went hard for him and his people - Deut. 1:11; 15:6
2. The Lord's care for His people is another life belt to have and hold onto:
 a. "Lord, thou hast been favorable unto thy land."
b. "Thou has forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all
their sins."
c. "Thou hast taken away all thy wrath." - Ps. 85:1-3
3. Faith, active and living faith, is still another life belt to make sure of:
a. Read Hebrews 11. What a panoramic view of those who passed
over the raging sea of life. Many, many lost their earthly possessions, their loved ones
and friends; yea, even their lives, but they saved their souls!
b. On the other hand, many have suffered shipwreck, have fallen by
the wayside - 1 Tim. 1:19
c. The things of this world have blinded them to the deadly dangers
facing them - 2 Cor. 4:4, 5
d. Consider the testimony of the true witness as found in Rev. 3:14-
22
e. This testimony shows conclusively that it is possible to make a
profession of Christianity and yet be devoid of spiritual life and security against
shipwreck.
4. Earnest prayer is still another must for us to have security:
a. Read Ps. 107:13, 14
b. Consider Ps. 50:15; Heb. 5:8, 9
THE FOLLY OF SELF-CONFIDENCE
PROVERBS 28:26

A. "HE THAT TRUSTETH IN HIS OWN HEART IS A FOOL"

1. The object of our trust and confidence must necessarily be of the greatest
importance:
a. It is the very foundation of our life.
b. For when man loses confidence, he has nothing to hold on to.
2. Trust or confidence:
a. Is the ground into which the anchor of the mariner is cast, and on
which the safety of the vessel depends.
b. Being so confessedly important, we must make sure that our trust
or confidence is anchored to the word of God.

B. THE FOLLY OF SELF-CONFIDENCE

1. "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool":
a. When we trust in our own heart, we reveal our ignorance of the
true condition of the heart.
b. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." -
Jer. 17:9
2. Trusting in our own heart includes:
a. Reliance upon our own wisdom - 1 Cor. 1:19-21
b. Reliance upon the Lord is a condition to safety and true happiness.
3. Trusting in our own heart simply means that we rely upon our own
scheme instead of upon the counsel of the Lord:
a. That was one of the first sins after the flood - Gen. 11:1-9
 b. This is one of the main doors to the corruption that characterizes
our present age - 2 Tim. 3:1-8; Rom. 1:21-25
c. That will be Satan's final triumph over the world, which has
rejected the wisdom of God and desired to be guided by the wisdom of sinful men.
d. Take a look into this present world and see how the imagination of
human beings has become the idol of the masses - science, social science, physical
science, medical science is sought as a shield against the forces of destruction.
e. This is a sign of the very end of time.
4. He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:
a. Think of so-called "Christian Science", a cult called "Unity", and
other theories which seek to glorify the human ego, or "the inner self."
b. All this in spite of the testimony of the Bible that our hearts are
unsound and undependable - Rom. 7:14-24
c. The heart has deceived many, many individuals -
(1) It deceived Abraham - Gen. 12:13-19
(2) It deceived Moses - Ex. 2:12; Num. 20:10, 11
(3) It deceived David on a number of occasions.
(4) It deceived Peter in a marked way - Mark 14:71
(5) But it will be well to think of our experience with our own
heart.
5. We appeal to the word of God to show how undependable the human heart
is:
a. "Be not wise in your own conceit." - Rom. 11:25
b. "Be not high minded." - Rom. 11:20
c. "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord."
Prov. 16:5

C. IN WHOM SHOULD WE PLACE OUR TRUST AT ALL TIMES?

1. The Bible says:
a. "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember
the name of the Lord our God." Ps. 20:7
b. "The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them
that trust in him shall be desolate." Ps. 34:22
c. "But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not
trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead." 2 Cor. 1:9
2. Examples of persons who trusted in the Lord:
a. Job - Job 13:15
b. The Hebrews - Dan. 3:16, 17
c. David - 1 Sam. 17:45-50
3. In whom do we place our trust? 1 Tim. 4:10; 2 Tim. 3:15-17
PLAYING WITH THE FIRES OF HELL
JUDGES 16:1-14

A. THE STORY OF SAMSON RANKS AMONG THE MOST FASCINATING

BIBLE STORIES
 1. One can see the great potentials of a life under the power of the Holy
Spirit:
a. Samson had been chosen for a special work before he was born.
b. He was to be a Saviour of his nation.
2. But sin in his life changed God's plan, and ruined Samson's life:
a. The lust of the eye and the lust of the flesh became his master.
b. A life of great possibilities became a spectacle of sin and ruination.

B. PLAYING WITH THE FIRES OF HELL

1. Samson before:
a. His birth was foretold by the angel of the Lord - Judg. 13:21
b. Only two other births, outside of the birth of Christ, were foretold
by an angel -
(1) The birth of Isaac - Gen. 18:10
(2) And the birth of John the Baptist - Luke 1:13
c. He had God-fearing parents - Judg. 13:9
d. Samson was moved by the Holy Spirit; that made him a man of
power. Judges 14 to 16 give vivid evidence of the unusual power of the man Samson.
2. Samson after:
a. He played with the fires of hell -
(1) "He saw a woman" - Judg. 14:1
(2) That is what happened to king David and his son Solomon -
2 Sam. 11:2; Neh. 13:26
b. He argued with his parents; thinking them old fashioned when they
counseled him to marry a believer.
c. "Then went Samson down" -
(1) He went down and talked with a Philistine woman, and she
pleased him; that is what happened in the days of Noah - Gen. 6:1-6
(2) Philistines gave him plenty of company later.
(3) His marriage went on the rocks; that was when his eyes
were opened!
3. "Then went Samson down and saw there an harlot":
a. Picture, if you please, a man of God going down to see an harlot!
b. Near the harlot's bed are a thousand devils waiting to work
Samson's doom.
(1) "Entice him, and see where his great strength lieth, and by
what we may destroy him."
(2) She, being loyal to her nation, pressed him day after day
until he gave away the secret of his strength and his life.

C. WHAT A PICTURE BEFORE OUR MIND

1. Samson before:
a. Samson was destined to be the Saviour of his nation -
(1) God's plans for Samson were full of great promise -- no
limit to the usefulness of a life under the power of the Holy Spirit.
 (2) His home environment was conducive to a proper
preparation for service.
b. He made a wonderful beginning.
2. But think of what happened!
a. He saw a Philistine woman.
b. He saw his marriage destroyed.
c. He saw a harlot, and from here on Samson went down, down to
utter ruin and disgrace.
3. Does that not make one hate sin for what it is, and for what it does?
a. How many bright lights went out because they saw the wrong
woman!
b. How sad it is that the history of great and useful lives is marred by
the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh!
EXAMPLES -
(1) David
(2) Solomon
(3) And many, many other bright lights in the history of the
church have gone out because of sin.
4. The saddest part of all was that Samson slept in the lap of her that had the
means to remove the symbol of physical power:
a. Sin is a dope; it makes you unconscious of your condition.
b. Still sadder yet was the fact that Samson knew not that the Lord
had departed from him.
c. All because he played with the fires of hell.
THE VISIBLE AND THE INVISIBLE
2 KINGS 6:17, 18

A. "AND ELISHA PRAYED, AND SAID, LORD, I PRAY THEE, OPEN HIS
EYES THAT HE MAY SEE. AND THE LORD OPENED THE EYES OF THE
YOUNG MAN; AND HE SAW; AND BEHOLD, THE MOUNTAIN WAS FULL OF
HORSES AND CHARIOTS OF FIRE AROUND ABOUT ELISHA."
1. There are people who think that what is called the Old Testament is of
historical value; but here we have a mighty spiritual demonstration of the difference
between the visible and invisible:
a. Our text reveals human limitations.
b. It shows how prayer changes things, it opens our eyes to the
invisible world.
2. There are many precious gems of gospel truths in the writings of Moses
and the Prophets, of these our text is one:

B. THE VISIBLE AND THE INVISIBLE

1. The visible:
a. Visible things are tangible, they are material and may be seen with
our eyes.
b. These are, at best, temporal, and for that reason changeable - Ps.
102:25, 26; 2 Pet. 3:10
 c. Since we are a part of the physical world, our vision is limited.
EXAMPLES -
(1) The servant of Elisha saw the host of enemy compassing
the city with horses and chariots; but he failed to see the heavenly host that was present
also.
(2) Samuel saw the attractive appearance of Eliab, the oldest
son of Jesse, but he knew not his unfitness for being a king - 1 Sam. 16:6, 7
2. Things visible are no criterion of either sound faith or heaven's approval:
a. "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous
judgment." John 7:24
b. Things visible are either out of focus, or they have been tainted by
sin - Isa. 24:1-8; John 7:7; 1 John 2:15, 16
c. They who trust in the things that are visible lose their perspective
of the heavenly things.
3. The invisible:
a. It is quite clear that the servant of Elisha was not familiar with the
invisible, as was the prophet Elisha.
b. The first thing we note about the invisible is that it is superior to
the visible - Ps. 34:7; 91:11; Isa. 37:36
c. The second thing we note about the invisible is that while things
visible are of a transitory nature, the invisible are permanent.
d. A third truth seen in our opening text is that the invisible things
can be seen only with the eye of faith.
e. The eye of faith sees God, the Lord Jesus, and the heavenly host
which protest the children of God - Heb. 11:24-26

C. THE INVISIBLE BECOMES VISIBLE

1. Earnest prayer gives us spiritual vision or eyesight to behold the glory of
God:
a. Moses saw the promised land - Deut. 34:1-4
b. Stephen saw Jesus at the right hand of God - Acts 7:56
c. John saw the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven - Rev.
21:10-27
d. Ezekiel saw the abomination in the temple - Ezek. 16:1-11
2. Here purity is a must for us to see things invisible:
a. The priest Eli was lacking it and for that reason he was blind to the
condition of his home - 1 Sam. 3:1-18
b. Sin separates us from the invisible - Isa. 59:1-3; Rev. 3:14-17
3. A deep desire for the spiritual is still another must to perceive of the things
invisible: Ps. 121:1-3
a. This is what is lacking among God's people today.
b. We seem satisfied with things visible, and seem to care less for the
invisible.
c. Well might we pray with Elisha, "Lord open his eyes that he may
see."
BURIED IDOLS
A. "AND THEY GAVE UNTO JACOB ALL THE STRANGE GODS WHICH
WERE IN THEIR HAND, AND ALL THE EARRINGS WHICH WERE IN THEIR
EARS; AND JACOB HID THEM UNDER THE OAK WHICH WAS BY SHECHEM."
- Gen. 35:1-10
1. Our text is most revealing:
a. Jacob did not break or burn the idols; he buried them.
b. The whole procedure shows that the patriarch had some special
failings in his life, in spite of his knowledge of the true God.
(1) He was not altogether weaned from his idols.
(2) That accounts for the idols hid by Rachel, the woman he
loved - Gen. 31:34-36
2. This weakness in the life of the Patriarch was very harmful to his
relationship with God:
a. It is known as double dealing.
b. His natural descendants are noted for this weakness.

B. BURIED IDOLS
1. This is a challenging subject:
a. How we may be guilty of the same double dealing -
(1) We are guilty of double dealing when we retain privately
those evil practices we have renounced in public.
(2) Iniquity is iniquity to God, whether done in secret or
openly.
b. We are guilty of double dealing when we practice partially the
evils we have renounced as a whole.
2. That was the weakness of the Reformers:
a. The inherent weakness of the reformation was when the reformers
retained some of the Papal practices, which the reformers knew were out of line with the
Bible.
b. This is true also of the individuals who leave the world and join the
church. They seem in earnest, yet privately they retain some of their former ways which
are contrary to the faith they profess.
c. Here is food for thought for all of us.
3. Let us be honest with ourselves and with God:
a. Is our life any different than that of the Patriarch Jacob?
(1) Can we think of some secret pet sin to which we cling,
even though we know better?
(2) By what standard do we measure our dedication to the
Lord?
b. Do we bury our little or big idols, or do we hide them as Rachel
did?

C. COMPLETE CONSECRATION TO GOD, WITHOUT ANY RESERVATIONS,

IS A MUST
1. Look at the experience of ancient Israel:
 a. They left Egypt, but they took some of the practices of the
Egyptians with them - Acts 7:39
b. They had the form of truth but ignored it, practicing idolatry - Acts
7:42
2. Are we much better in this so-called enlightened age?
a. We should have a better experience because we do have more
light.
b. But let us examine our relationship in the truth and to the world -
(1) Can we think of hidden idols in our private life which we
would not want our neighbors to know?
(2) Do we know of things in our life which witness against our
profession?
(3) Are we not weak spiritually because we often are guilty of
double dealing - Jas. 1:1-6
3. The sensible thing for us to do is to heed the simple but timely counsel of
the Bible:
a. Put off all known sins - Eph. 4:24-26
b. Break off every yoke and the sin that so easily besets us - Dan.
4:27; Heb. 12:1-6
c. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh -
Rom. 13:14
d. It will be to our own good to destroy our idols and not bury them.
e. Burn all the books that contain poison for the soul - Acts 19:19
f. Let the life of Jacob teach us a lesson that it is utterly impossible to
serve two Masters - Matt. 6:24
THE MEASURE OF GOD'S LOVE
JOHN 3:16

A. IT IS SAID, WITH GOOD REASON, THAT JOHN 3:16 IS A SUMMATION

OF THE SIXTY-SIX BOOKS OF THE BIBLE; THAT THE LOVE OF GOD IS
SPREAD OVER EVERY PAGE IN THE BIBLE
1. God's love created this world:
2. And God's redeeming love seeks to save it from sin and destruction: 1
Tim. 2:1-3

B. THE MEASURE OF GOD'S LOVE

1. In Eph. 3:18 Paul writes about:
a. The breadth.
b. The length.
c. The depth and the height of God's love.
2. I believe that the dimensions of God's love are found in John 3:16:
a. The breadth of God's love, "For God so loved the world, that He
gave His only begotten Son"
b. "For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world;
but that the world through him might be saved" - verse 17
EXAMPLES -
 (1) Every person born into this sinful world is included in this
world-wide plan.
(2) That is what the gospel commission calls for - Matt. 28:18-
20
(3) It is God's will that all men should be saved, and come unto
the knowledge of the truth - 1 Tim. 2:1-6
3. The length of the redeeming love:
a. It offers eternal salvation - 2 Tim. 2:10
b. Eternal salvation - Matt. 25:46
c. Eternal inheritance - Heb. 9:15
4. The depth of God's love:
a. God's love reached the greatest depth when God's Son hung on that
shameful cross; when He made Him sin, who knew no sin - 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Phil. 2:6-11
5. The height of God's love:
a. The height of God's love is found in Christ taking humanity into
the highest heaven.
b. By this he took sinful humanity out of the lowest depth of sin and
degradation.
c. The climax to all this will come when the saints enter heaven -
John 14:1-3

C. BUT THE BREADTH, THE LENGTH, THE DEPTH, AND THE HEIGHT OF
GOD'S LOVE IS ALSO MANIFEST
1. In His long-suffering and forbearance with our rebellious world:
a. That is His Name - Ex. 34:6
b. He endureth, with much long-suffering, the vessels of wrath -
Rom. 9:22
c. This long-suffering was manifested in the days of Noah - 1 Pet.
3:20
2. In the forgiveness of our sins:
a. Meditate, please, upon the words of God found in Mi. 7:18, 19
b. Or memorize the words of David recorded in Ps. 103:8-17
EXAMPLES -
(1) The thief on the cross - Luke 23:42-44
(2) The woman of Samaria - John 4:1-28
(3) Saul of Tarsus - 1 Tim. 1:15, 16
c. A wonderful text to remember is found in Heb. 7:25
3. This divine love shines brightly in the lives of God's children:
a. They are bright shining lights in this sinful world - Phil. 2:15
b. It shined brightly in the dying Stephen when he prayed for his
murderers - Acts 7:60
c. It shined brightly in the lives of Daniel and his three friends - Dan.
1:8; 3:16-30; 6:10-28
d. That is what our Lord desires in the lives of the believers - Matt.
5:14-16
 e. It is God's love that dwells in the hearts of God's children - Rom.
5:5, 8
f. That is why Paul writes, "For the love of Christ constraineth us" - 2
Cor. 5:14
4. All this poses a very serious question to all of us, who profess to be
followers of Jesus Christ:
a. Do we reflect a measure of God's love in our speech, our conduct,
and in our association with others?
b. If not, why not?
CHRIST'S YOKE
MATTHEW 11:29, 30

A. "TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU, AND LEARN OF ME; FOR I AM MEEK

AND LOWLY: AND YE SHALL FIND REST UNTO YOUR SOULS. FOR MY
YOKE IS EASY AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT."
1. The hearers were familiar with this gracious invitation of this metaphor:
a. They smarted under the yoke of bondage for many years - Lev.
26:13; Deut. 28:48
b. They knew the yoke of affliction - Lam. 3:27
c. They knew the yoke of severe punishment - Lam. 1:14
2. Our Saviour was well informed of the attempts by the Jews to cast off the
yoke of the Romans:

B. CHRIST'S YOKE
1. Purpose of that yoke:
a. It is God's means of restraint. A yoke is placed on the neck of an
ox to restrain him, and at the same time enable him to do useful service to his master.
b. When we place our lives under the restraint of the doctrine of
Christ, we become true yokefellows in the service of the gospel - Phil. 4:3
2. The yoke of Christ in contrast to the yoke of man-made traditions:
a. The yoke of human traditions enslaves and is at times unbearable -
Matt. 23:4; Acts 15:10; Gal. 5:1
b. But of the yoke of the gospel of Christ, Jesus says "my yoke is
easy, and my burden is light."
3. What makes the yoke of Christ easy?
a. It is the absence of sin and its effects upon the burden bearer - John
8:36
b. It is our association with him, who knows our every care - Isa. 53:3
c. Are you weary and heavy laden? Cast all your cares upon Jesus;
he careth for you - 1 Pet. 5:7
4. The lesson the Lord seeks to communicate:
a. The aim of the yoke is to give him the control of our energies and
talents.
b. To use these gifts in the service of soul winning.
c. Finally the yoke of Christ keeps us from coming under the yoke
and bondage of sin.
C. BLESSINGS OF WEARING THE YOKE OF CHRIST
1. Rest - "I will give you rest":
a. Rest from sin - Matt. 1:21; John 8:36
b. Rest of assurance - 1 Tim. 1:15; Rom. 8:31-33
c. Rest of security - John 10:28; Rom. 8:1-3
2. We become partakers of His nature:
a. That was Paul's great aim - Phil. 3:8-12; 2 Cor. 3:18
b. He is able to create in us His own image - 2 Pet. 1:2-7; Gal. 1:15,
16
c. This experience must come to us before our Lord comes the
second time - 1 John 3:1-4
3. The Lord wants us to learn the difference between His yoke and the yoke
that Satan puts us under when we yield to him:
a. We think of the yoke of the Pharisees. Our Lord told them what
their yoke, that burdens the people, is like.
b. Read carefully - Matt. 23:4; Acts 15:10. They themselves would
not think for one moment to carry the yoke that they had placed upon their victims.
c. The yoke of Christ is easy because it is made of love, truth, and
righteousness.
4. The invitation of our Lord is both singular and incomparable:
a. No other theorist of religion has ever been known to extend such
an invitation to anyone.
b. The reason is most obvious; no other teacher had either the
capacity or the power to make such a promise.
c. What shall we do with this heavenly invitation? Accept it and
make the Master of our life our pattern to copy.
KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD
1 PETER 1:5

A. OUR TEXT IS A CHALLENGE TO THE UNBELIEVING WORLD; AND A

JOYOUS BOAST OF THE BELIEVERS
1. Many think that they are their own keepers:
a. Napoleon thought he was, but he learned a lesson in Russia.
b. The prosperous farmer thought that he had it made, but he, too,
found out that without God, all is lost - Luke 12:20
2. The believers, however, make their boast in God:
a. The Psalmist does - Ps. 23:1-6; 46:1; 121:1-8
b. And Paul boasts in his God - 2 Tim. 1:12; 4:16-18
c. Says David, "My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the
humble shall hear thereof, and be glad." - Ps. 34:2

B. KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD

1. Negatively:
a. Not from trials and temptation.
 b. So long as there is a conflict between truth and error, between light
and darkness, between Christ and Satan, there will be trials and temptations - Heb. 12:6;
1 Pet. 1:7; 4:12
2. Positively:
a. From falling - Jude 24
b. And if the righteous stumble, they will stand up again - Prov. 25:26
c. From evil - 2 Thess. 3:3
d. Our prayer must be, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil" - Matt. 6:13
e. The Lord has promised to keep His own as the apple of His eye -
Deut. 32:10
f. "Keep me as the apple of the eye" - Ps. 17:8
g. "For he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye" - Zech 2:8
3. Kept for what?
a. For translation into the kingdom of glory according to God's
promise - 1 Cor. 15:51; Jude 24. What a wonderful future awaits the children of God! 1
Cor. 2:9-11
b. Kept unto eternal salvation - 1 Tim. 2:4
c. Unto an eternal inheritance - Col. 1:5; Heb. 11:14-40

C. MEDIUM OF GOD'S KEEPING POWER

1. It is not in ourselves: John 15:5; Jer. 10:23
2. The secret of being kept unto salvation is found in simple faith in Jesus
Christ:
a. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" - Phil.
4:13
b. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his
good pleasure" - Phil. 2:13
c. "My soul shall make her boast in the Lord" - Ps. 34:2
3. In the power of God's love: 2 Cor. 5:14
Here is the great secret of the enabling grace of the children of God.
EXAMPLES -
a. That was the secret in Paul's willingness to suffer and die - Acts
21:13
b. That was, also, the reason for Joseph's steadfastness in resisting the
advances of Potiphar's wife - Gen. 39:8, 9
4. The word of truth in the heart is a fortress which the enemy of our soul
cannot break through:
a. That was the defense of the Son of God in the hour of temptation -
Matt. 4:1-9
b. That was the source of David's strength - Ps. 119:9, 11
5. Paul gives the reason for the confidence of God's people in the word of
God: Heb. 4:12, 13; 2 Tim. 3:15-17
6. Prayer is still another source of power against Satan and sin:
a. Think of the days of the apostles and what prayer did for them and
the churches - Acts 4:24-31; 8:14, 15; 16:25-31
 b. What it did for Daniel - Dan. 6:10
A CASTAWAY

A. "LEST THAT BY ANY MEANS, WHEN I HAVE PREACHED TO OTHERS, I

MYSELF SHOULD BE A CASTAWAY." - 1 Cor. 9:27
1. This statement by Paul speaks volumes:
a. It exposes the man-made theory of "once in grace, always in grace"
as a deception.
b. For, if it were true, as alleged by the theorists, "once saved always
saved", why speak of the possibility of becoming a castaway?
2. Paul was a realist; he was too practical to dally with a bogy dread:
a. He knew and he taught that salvation is conditional.
b. To him it was a most serious matter to devote a whole life to the
service of God, and yet realize the ever present danger, of possibility, of being a castaway
-
EXAMPLES -
(1) Saul had been chosen by God to be king over Israel, yet, he
became a castaway.
(2) Judas was one of the twelve chosen by the Lord, yet, he
became a castaway - John 6:70; Matt. 27:1-5

B. LET US CONSIDER PAUL'S DEEP CONCERN OF KEEPING FROM BEING

A CASTAWAY
1. That great and dedicated student of the Bible and human nature knew only
too well:
a. That man, in his very nature, is surrounded by human frailty - Ps.
103:13, 14; he writes about it - Rom. 7:8-26
b. That Satan is well informed about our weakness. He knew Peter's
weakness - Luke 22:31; Mark 14:66-71; 2 Tim. 2:26
2. He knew very well that so long as we are in a state of imperfection,
incompletion, we must be on guard lest we do become a castaway:
a. Ananias and his wife became castaways - Acts 5:1-11
b. The record of history knows many such victims of satanic
delusions - 1 Tim. 1:19
c. A man of God became a castaway - 1 Ki. 13:21
d. We, too, know that God is not a respecter of person; he will deal
with us as our works shall be - Acts 10:34, 35
3. Man is, by his creation and redemption, a free moral agent:
a. He has the power of choice - Rev. 22:17; Deut. 30:15, 16
b. If that were not so, then why do we find the phrase: "whosoever
will" repeatedly in the Bible? Rev. 22:17; John 7:37
c. Man is imperfect in his knowledge; and he does not measure up to
God's requirement - Rom. 3:23
d. So long as that is true, it remains true also that he must be ever on
guard in word and deed, lest he become a castaway.
C. BUT LET US COME CLOSER TO OUR OWN EXPERIENCE
1. Who is he that has not moments in life when he gives serious thought to:
a. The possibility of becoming a castaway.
b. David was deeply concerned about this ever present danger - Ps.
139:23
c. Would it not be wise, on our part, to pray with David, "Search me,
O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts."
2. There is a blessing in serious concern about our state and relationship with
God and His word:
a. It will lead us to daily examine ourselves in the light of God's word
and our personal experience - 2 Cor. 13:5
b. It will lead us to free ourselves from the sins that beset us and sap
the spiritual energies out of our lives - Heb. 12:1
c. It will make us conscious of our need of keeping very close to our
blessed Saviour in thought, word, and action.
d. The admonition of Paul is very timely when he writes, "work out
your own salvation with fear and trembling" - Phil. 2:12
e. It was he who says, "I have no confidence in the flesh" - Phil. 3:3
3. A few rules for our life may be useful:
a. Make it a daily duty to prayerfully check your life against the
possibility of drifting away from the Lord - Heb. 2:1-3
b. Pray without ceasing - 1 Tim. 5:17
WHEN THE GUESTS FAILED TO COME
LUKE 14:15-24, 25, 26

A. OUR LORD WAS AT THE HOME OF ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE

PHARISEES
1. A man that had dropsy was healed by the Lord:
a. That was looked upon as manual labor by the Pharisees.
b. Christ pointed out to them that if the ox of one of them would fall
into a pit, he would surely pull it out, even on the Sabbath day.
c. That being true of an animal, how much more should a son of
Abraham deserve to be healed from his sickness.
2. It was at this point that one of the guests exclaimed: "Blessed is he that
shall eat bread in the kingdom of God": Luke 14:15

B. WHEN THE GUESTS FAILED TO COME

1. The erroneous concept of the Jews about the kingdom of God:
a. They looked for their nation to be restored as an independent
nation.
b. Even the disciples, after they had heard the Lord expound the
gospel of the kingdom, were not free from the materialistic concept of the Jews - Luke
24:21; Acts 1:6
c. They seemed ignorant of the dual nature of the kingdom of God -
(1) The kingdom of grace -- a preparatory period or phase of
God's kingdom.
 (2) The kingdom of glory to be set up when sin will have been
removed from this planet forever.
2. The parable of the great feast has reference to the kingdom of grace:
a. The invited guests were, in the first place, the lost sheep of the
house of Israel - Matt. 15:24
b. The gospel invitation went to them first - Matt. 10:6
c. That was the great argument of the apostles - Acts 3:26; Rom. 2:9,
10
3. The supper is a type of the universal gospel appeal to the world lost in sin:
a. Wonderfully expressed in John 3:16
b. Also, in the gospel commission - Matt. 28:18-20
4. The attitude of the invited guests:
a. Totally indifferent to the feast they had been invited to.
b. That, we know, is not normal, when people are invited to a
material feast.
c. But this was a spiritual feast; it was heaven's invitation to the
guests to be saved.
5. Why were the Jews so indifferent to the gospel of Jesus Christ?
a. They were blind to their lost condition - John 8:31-44; Rom. 10:1-
3
b. They loved darkness rather than the light - John 3:19, 20
c. They, foolishly, boasted of never having been in bondage to any
man! That was very untrue because at that very moment they were under the yoke of the
Romans.

C. WHEN THE GUESTS FAILED TO COME

1. The parable was directed, primarily, to the Jewish nation:
a. Because God sent his Son to his people to bring them back to God.
b. The parable shows that God's efforts were rejected by the Jews.
2. But are we, today, any better?
a. Do we make unreasonable excuses for being absent from the feast
of the Lord?
b. If the truth was known by us, how often are we tempted to bypass
the gospel invitation? Would we dare to point the finger of accusation at the Jews?
c. Let us take a closer look at an ungracious reception of the
invitation -
(1) Men manufacture boldfaced excuses to cover up the true
sentiment of their heart.
(2) How senseless it was for them to claim all the time for their
certain projects, to the exclusion of the feast.
(3) Are we any different today? Do we make the material
things in life more important than the salvation of our soul?
COMING SOUL FAMINE
AMOS 8:11

A. WARNING BY GOD
 1. Directed, not to Heathen lands, but to the land unappreciative and
backsliding -- Israel:
a. A people professing to be God's children - Isa. 29:13, 14
b. The people that have the form of godliness but deny the power
thereof - 2 Tim. 3:5; Rom. 2:20
2. It is, without doubt, a prophecy for the last days:
a. Note, please, Paul's predictions in 2 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Thess. 2:10
b. We are living in these days - 2 Tim. 3:1-9
3. The prediction of a coming soul famine shows:
a. That the present privileges to hear the word of God will not
continue forever.
b. We have been forewarned of the conditions in the last days - 1 Pet.
3:20; Gen. 6:1-3; Luke 17:26-28

B. SOUL FAMINE IS THE WORST OF ALL FAMINES

1. Israel experienced such famines:
a. In the days of the judges - 1 Sam. 3:1; Ps. 106:15
b. When they rejected the Messiah of Bible prophecy - Luke 19:41-
44
2. A soul famine implies:
a. A cutting off of all communications with God - 1 Sam. 28:6; Deut.
28:3
b. That will happen to humanity when the door of mercy will be
closed forever - Rev. 22:10, 11; Luke 13:25-28
3. This prediction shows the word of God in its true perspective:
a. Food for the soul - Matt. 4:3; Ps. 106:15; Jer. 15:17
b. Blueprint for a happy, godly life - Ps. 119:105; 2 Tim. 3:15-17;
John 5:39
c. The divine source for saving faith - Rom. 10:17; John 7:37, 38

C. THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT PROVOKE IT

1. Extreme and inexcusable sins:
a. Inversion of character - Isa. 5:20
b. Relegating the word of God into silence by substituting it with the
vain teachings of men - Jer. 3:11-13; 2 Tim. 4:4-6
c. Rejecting God's final appeal of mercy - 2 Thess. 2:10, 11; 1 Sam.
15:22, 23
2. Effect of this terrible soul famine:
a. Spiritual darkness will cover the earth and gross darkness the
people - Isa. 60:2; Matt. 25:1-12
b. A vain search for light. Think, dear reader, what went on in Russia
during and after the revolution - when the Bible was so precious to the people that they
actually memorized any portion of the Bible they could find.
3. Why this condition?
a. To understand the main reason for the coming soul famine, we
must take into consideration present day conditions.
 b. Even God's professed people seem destitute of the divine power at
a time when we should reveal it in our lives - Rev. 3:14-19
c. But look into the world of today and behold a pleasure mad race
seeking, not to nourish their souls, but rather to satisfy human passions - Luke 17:26-29
4. Why this strong message?
a. God loves us and does not want us to perish in sin.
b. There is still time for us to turn to the study of the word of God.
c. The Spirit of God is still calling to lead us into all truth.
THE DEADLY DANGER OF DRIFTING
HEBREWS 2:1-3

A. THAT WORD - DRIFTING

1. That which is driven, forced, or urged along; anything driven at random:
2. That which has broken away from its mooring; that which has no self-
control:
3. To drift is to be carried by the tide; it means that dangerous currents are
pulling us away from our anchorage either into the open sea or to a coral reef:
4. Now look at the words of our opening text in the light of the above
definition of the word "drifting"; All indicate:
a. No self-control.
b. Broken away from our foundation.
c. Carried by a dangerous current to the open sea, or to a coral reef.
d. Does any one of them apply to our own life?

B. THE DEADLY DANGER OF DRIFTING

1. It must be noted that the words of our text do not apply, in particular, to
the world, but rather to God's people:
a. They indicate a state of carelessness by God's professed people.
b. Drifting indicates spiritual helplessness of many - Rev. 3:14-17
c. It is possible to have the form of godliness and yet be dead in
trespass and sin - Rev. 3:1
d. It indicates further a state of drowsiness, sleepiness which makes it
doubly dangerous to our spiritual nature - Matt. 24:12; 25:1-12
2. Light and truth bring responsibility:
a. The things we hear or learn from the Bible make us responsible.
b. The knowledge of the prophetic truths for our day makes us doubly
responsible to God -
(1) We have tasted of the heavenly gift.
(2) We have experienced the powers of the world to come.
(3) We have been partakers of the Holy Ghost.
(4) We are an enlightened people - Heb. 6:4, 5

C. SOME DANGEROUS AND INSIDIOUS CURRENTS OF OUR DAY THAT

ARE DANGEROUS TO THE REMNANT CHURCH
1. The spirit of our time:
 a. Our Lord describes this spirit and its influence in Luke 17:26, 27;
Matt. 24:36-42
2. The spirit of our time is noted for:
a. Indifference in the conduct of the people.
b. Carelessness in our conduct.
c. Neglect of prayer and the study of the word of God.
d. Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.
e. Neglecting to work for the salvation of souls.
f. Harboring ill feelings to others.
g. Drinking out of polluted fountains -- reading things that will dull
the mind and deaden the spirit.
3. But the most dangerous of all is found in:
a. Simply doing nothing about our spiritual relationship to the truth
and the cause of God -- just drifting.
b. Allowing time and opportunity to slip away from us until it is
forever too late.
4. "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we
have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip."
a. You see what it means to just drift along with the tide of our times!
b. Unless we take hold of ourselves and arouse ourselves out of the
deep stupor we find ourselves in, we are of all men most miserable; we are to be pitied
because we have the light and do not live it.
SEEKING A RIGHT WAY
EZRA 8:21, 22

A. EZRA'S GREAT CONCERN FOR HIS PEOPLE

1. Return of the Jews from their fatherland:
2. Road was difficult and beset with many dangers:
3. Ezra was concerned for their safety:
a. Of the aged.
b. The little ones.
c. Their substance.

B. OUR TEXT OFFERS A TIMELY MESSAGE FOR US AS A PEOPLE

1. We are, indeed, homeward bound:
a. A wonderful thought to cherish as we face the climax of the
controversy between Christ and Satan.
b. Our hearts and our affections are focused upon that which is yet
future - 2 Pet. 3:13; Heb. 11:14-16
2. The way-marks of Bible Prophecy indicate clearly that we are nearing the
final home stretch:
a. We have been living in the toes of the image of Daniel 2: for a
number of years.
b. The signs foretold by our Lord of His second coming and the end
of the world are almost history.
 c. It is at this point where our Lord says, "So likewise ye, when ye
shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the door." Matt. 24:33
3. The road before us is beset with many pitfalls:
a. Our Lord warns us against the snares the devil will use to trap and
destroy us.
b. Read these scriptures very prayerfully - Matt. 24:1-24; Luke 21:34,
35
c. Paul repeats these warnings - 2 Tim. 3:1-9; 4:1-6
d. Peter, too, points out the same dangers that face the people of God
- 1 Pet. 5:8
e. John gives a graphic picture of the wrath of the enemy against the
people that keep the commandments of God - Rev. 12:12, 17; 13:1-17

C. A LESSON FOR US TODAY

1. We, of all people, should diligently devote much time and prayer in the
study of God's road map directing us to the city of our God:
a. I know that we are somewhat familiar with the prophecies of
Daniel and Revelation; but I fear that there is much in these great prophecies unknown to
us.
b. We also see the fulfillment of Bible prophecy in the events of
yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
c. We do understand that when the word of prophecy pertaining to
our day has been fulfilled, Jesus will come, as he has promised.
2. There are several prophecies in the Bible which concern themselves with
the preparation of God's people:
a. We think of Joel 2:15-17
b. This admonition should stir the hearts of our leaders and us as a
people. There is a need in our life that has not been met, as yet.
c. The testimony of the true witness in Rev. 3:14-17 applies to us
today. I realize that there is nothing in that message that will flatter our ego.
d. But the condition described by our Lord is true and demands a
change for the better.
e. Zeph. 2:1-3 is directed to us, make no mistake. The spirit of prayer
is one of our greatest needs.
f. Our lukewarmness is a testimony against our prayer life. Would
we spend more time in earnest prayer, we would see a wonderful change among us as a
people.
3. God has blessed us with a number of church agencies that will help us in
our search for more light on our way into the kingdom of God:
a. We think of the Sabbath School, a wonderful agency for deeper
knowledge of the road map to heaven.
b. The Sabbath morning message should be a great help in
understanding the safest way into the kingdom of God.
c. The midweek prayer services, too, have a special blessing for those
who make use of that service.
TWO WAYS TO LIVE
MATTHEW 7:13, 14

A. "ENTER YE IN AT THE STRAIT GATE: FOR WIDE IS THE GATE, AND

BROAD IS THE WAY, THAT LEADETH TO DESTRUCTION, AND MANY THERE
BE THAT GO IN THEREAT. BECAUSE STRAIT IS THE GATE, AND NARROW IS
THE WAY, WHICH LEADETH UNTO LIFE, AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND
IT."
1. These words show clearly that Christ recognizes only two ways to live:
a. The broad way.
b. The narrow way.
2. He emphasizes the end of each of these two ways of life:
a. The broad way leads to destruction.
b. The narrow way leads to life everlasting.

B. THE BROAD HIGHWAY OF LIFE

1. Has a wide entrance:
a. Very convenient to enter.
b. Allows men to take along many of their acquired sinful habits.
2. But it is seductive or misleading:
a. It is spiritually dark. - Prov. 2:13
b. It is crooked. - Ps. 125:5
c. There are many people found on that way. Matt. 7:13
3. End of the broad way:
a. Leads to fall. - Prov. 28:18
b. Eternal death. - Prov. 14:12
c. It is beset with thorns and snares. - Prov. 22:5
d. It ends in eternal damnation. - Matt. 7:13
Here is food for thought! Because we have but two ways to choose from,
and the broad highway of this world is very appealing to the natural heart, yet, we know
where it will lead to in the end.

C. THE NARROW WAY OF LIFE

1. It has a very narrow entrance:
a. All who enter here must leave all things of this world behind; they
cannot enter with them - 1 Tim. 6:7
b. Peter said to the Master, "We have left all and followed thee." -
Mark 10:28
2. It is so narrow that we can walk on it singly only!
3. The restrictions are so great that but a very few choose to walk on it:
4. But it is lighted:
a. Prov. 4:18
b. Ps. 119:105
5. The end of this way of life:
a. Leads to life everlasting - Mark 10:28-30
b. It leads to eternal joy - Matt. 25:23
c. It brings eternal rest and security - Heb. 4:1-11; 11:14-17
 6. An important lesson:
a. We are free moral agents; we may choose a way of life - Deut.
30:19, 20
b. Jacob and Esau made their choice of the way of life, and the result
is fully described in the Bible.
c. Judas and Peter chose two opposite roads to walk on, and here, too,
the word of God tells us of the end results.
d. The two thieves on the cross of Calvary made their final choice to
end their mortal lives, and here again, we have the end results.
7. Let us be honest with the Lord and with ourselves:
a. If death should overtake us today, on what road would eternity find
us?
b. The answer is simple, our daily life will have the answer, and what
is it?
c. The burden of the message is to call attention to the seriousness of
life, and to assist any honest soul to enter the strait gate that leads to eternal life.
UNCONSCIOUS LOSS
JUDGES 16:20

A. "AND SHE SAID, THE PHILISTINES BE UPON THEE, SAMSON. AND HE

AWOKE OUT OF HIS SLEEP, AND SAID, I WILL GO OUT AS AT OTHER TIMES
BEFORE, AND SHAKE MYSELF. AND HE WIST NOT THAT THE LORD WAS
DEPARTED FROM HIM."
1. The story of Samson must rank among the most colorful in sacred history:
a. The announcement of his birth.
b. Samson's childhood training.
c. His exploits among his enemies.
2. His tragic ending brings sadness to our hearts:

B. LET US CONSIDER THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SAMSON AND THE

LESSON IT HAS FOR US
1. Samson before:
a. Samson had an exceptional background, equal to that of many
other Bible heroes.
b. We think of his birth - "Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a
son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child
shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death." Judg. 13:7
2. Thus we see that his life had been planned before he was born:
a. Definite responsibilities rested upon his parents in bringing him up
according to God's plan.
b. He received his early training in the God-fearing home of his
parents - Prov. 22:6
c. The Holy Spirit used him to do exploits for God.
3. But Samson went down four times and came to a tragic end:
a. "And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in
Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines" - Judg. 14:1
 b. He married a nonbeliever, contrary to his parents' wishes and God's
counsel - Judg. 14:3; Deut. 7:4
c. But he was destined to be bitterly disappointed.
1. The Philistines gave him plenty company.
2. Lost his wife to another - Judg. 14; 15
4. He went down the second time:
a. He saw an harlot at Gaza - Judg. 16:1
b. That indicates how sin blinds a person progressively -- first step
seems easy, but the second step leads into the mire of sin, deeper and deeper.
c. He ignored his parents' instructions and the repeated snares the
enemies had set for him.
5. He went down the third and fourth times:
a. He was untruthful to the Philistines and the harlot Delilah - Judg.
16:5-15
b. He went down to his ruin when he gave away the secret of his
strength - Judg. 16:16-21

C. UNCONSCIOUS LOSS
1. This is the heart of my message:
a. Because all of us are, as Samson was, in constant danger of being
doped by sin.
b. Satan is a master deceiver; he knows how to dope people -
EXAMPLES -
(1) Achan was doped - Josh. 7:1-20
(2) Solomon was doped - Neh. 13:26
(3) David was doped - 2 Sam. 11:1-4
2. Let us take a closer look at Samson:
a. He imagined that his sins would not affect his relationship with his
Maker.
b. He forgot a natural law - Gal. 6:7, 8
c. His playing with sin cost him the loss of moral power, his eyes,
and finally his life.
3. What a lesson for our young people today:
a. The high and useful plans God has for our youth.
b. The wonderful educational privileges at their disposal.
c. The home surroundings -- the family altar, the services of the
church.
4. He wist not that the Lord had departed from him:
a. Can it be possible that we are forsaken by God and not know it?
b. Would it not be a travesty for us to make a profession and yet be
forsaken by the Lord?
"GIVE ME MY PRICE"
ZECHARIAH 11:12

A. UNUSUAL REQUEST: "GIVE ME MY PRICE"

1. Christ is speaking:
 2. He speaks to professed Christians:
3. That means that He wants us to put a price on His person, His service, and
His sacrifice:
4. Ancient Israel, when they consecrated a gift to the Lord, had to place a
price on:
a. Men and women, young and old.
b. Beasts too - Lev. 27:1-6

B. "GIVE ME MY PRICE"
1. How can poor, sinful, finite beings evaluate the Majesty of heaven?
a. Judas did - Matt. 26:15
b. Mary Magdalene did - Luke 7:38-40
2. When we place a price upon the Lord Jesus Christ:
a. When our faith in Him requires a special sacrifice -
EXAMPLES -
(1) Abraham offered Isaac - Gen. 22:1-12
(2) The poor widow placed all her living on the altar - Mark
12:41-44
(3) The rich young ruler refused - Matt. 19:16-22
b. In the hour of temptation -
EXAMPLES -
(1) Joseph paid a price for purity - Gen. 39:7-12
(2) Daniel, too, paid a price for standing up for principles -
Dan. 1:8; 6:10-17
c. When we are asked to give up the world and its sinful pleasures -
Matt. 10:32-39
EXAMPLES -
(1) The disciples - Mark 10:28-30
(2) The New Converts at Ephesus - Acts 19:18, 19
3. How much are we willing to endure for the Lord Jesus?
a. Are we minded as Paul was? Acts 21:13
b. Peter was crucified with his head downward.
c. Think of the martyrs of Christ in all ages; how they joyfully
endured cruel tortures for Christ's sake - Heb. 11:36-40
d. It is under severe trials that we place a price upon the Lord Jesus;
we either pay the price or we refuse, as many do.

C. HOW MUCH DOEST THOU OWE THY LORD? BY FINDING THE RIGHT
ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION, WE HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF
WHAT VALUE TO PUT UPON THE LORD
1. We evaluate our Lord by what He did for us:
a. He became poor to make us rich - 2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:6-11
b. How poor was He? Matt. 8:20; Luke 9:58
c. He bore our sins in His own body - 1 Pet. 2:24
d. He became curse to redeem us from the curse - Gal. 3:13
e. He died for us that we may live - 1 Cor. 15:3; Gal. 2:20
 2. We show that it means to us by what He is doing for us:
a. He is our advocate, our mediator before God; pleads our case
before the Father - 1 John 2:1-3; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 7:25
b. He is preparing mansions for us, whatever that means! John 14:1-
3
3. In placing a price upon the Lord Jesus, we must keep in mind a number of
facts:
a. The value that Heaven has placed upon Him!
b. What He actually means to us -
EXAMPLES -
(1) What will I do with my sins without Him?
(2) What shall I do with sorrow when it strikes?
(3) What does the future hold for me without Christ?
4. The least I can do to show how much I value my Lord and Saviour:
a. I can give my unworthy, sinful self to Him!
b. I can acknowledge Him in all my ways.
c. I can witness for Him in word, thought and deeds.
d. I can commune with Him day by day, and enjoy His fellowship.
e. I can, by His Spirit, obey His will.
f. Finally, I can live to His wonderful praise the remainder of my
life!
THE CHOICE OF A MASTER
JOSHUA 24:15

A. BACKGROUND TO OUR TEXT

1. A farewell message by Joshua:
a. He reviews some of the experiences of Israel's travel in the
wilderness.
b. Points to the guidance of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob -
Josh. 24:2-15
2. Israel's mistaken confidence in themselves:
a. That seems to have been an inherent weakness of God's ancient
people - Ex. 19:8; 24:3, 7; Josh. 24:16-18
b. That was one reason why they rejected the Messiah - John 8:33;
Rom. 10:3

B. THE CHOICE OF A MASTER

1. All life is service:
a. Nature itself testifies that all creation is to serve.
b. Paul verifies this truth - Rom. 14:7
2. We may choose our Master:
a. We are, to a certain extent, free moral agents -
EXAMPLES -
(1) Adam and Eve were created with the power of choice -
Gen. 2:16, 17; 3:1-6
 (2) Cain and Abel, too, were at liberty to choose their method
of serving - Gen. 4:1-9
(3) Ruth and Orpah made their choice between the God of
Israel and the idols of Moab - Ruth 1:15-17
(4) Israel, in a state of apostasy, was given a new opportunity
to choose a Master - 1 Ki. 18:21
b. That was true before Pilate, for the people to choose either Christ
or Barabbas - Matt. 27:17
3. We can serve but one Master:
a. That is what the Master Himself says - Matt. 6:24
b. Paul indicates how we make our choice known - Rom. 6:16, 17
c. Not choosing is choosing just the same -- silence gives consent.
4. The choice is urgent:
a. "Choose you this day" - Josh. 24:15
b. "Today if ye will hear his voice" - Heb. 3:7
c. "Today is the day of salvation" - 2 Cor. 6:2
d. Tomorrow may never come for us to choose - Jas. 4:13-15
5. The choice is for eternity:
a. Moses' choice between Egypt and Israel - Heb. 11:24-27
b. Ruth and Orpah and eternity - Ruth 1:1-20

C. WHEN GOD SAYS "CHOOSE YE THIS DAY WHOM YE WILL SERVE"

1. He proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are free moral agents, and
that we have it in our own power to choose a Master:
a. This fact cannot be emphasized too strongly because there are so
many people who think that we are not free moral agents to choose our own destiny.
b. But, I repeat, the experience of Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, and
ancient Israel are conclusive evidence that God does not want any forced service; he will
accept only a service of love and devotion.
2. So let us seriously examine our life to determine whom we are serving:
a. Are we the servants of the Lord our God who created and
redeemed us for the glory of His wonderful name?
b. Or are we the bond servants of sin and Satan, the end of which
must mean eternal ruin and damnation?
c. What a wonderful testimony was Joshua's decision -- "We will
serve the Lord".
d. Dear friends, is this our own experience today?
MY GOD IS ABLE
2 TIMOTHY 1:12

A. "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." - 2 Tim. 1:12
1. The words of our text are both inspiring and reassuring to God's people:
a. They express complete confidence in the great cause in which the
apostle was engaged.
 b. Such implicit faith in the ultimate triumph of the gospel of Jesus
Christ is the heartbeat of Christian witnessing.
2. That is why Peter writes, "we have not followed cunningly devised fables,
when we made known unto you the power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but
were eyewitnesses of his majesty." 2 Pet. 1:16
3. John adds his testimony in these words, "we have seen with our own eyes,
which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life." 1 John 1:1

B. MY GOD IS ABLE
1. This testimony, by Paul, about God being able, is based upon his threefold
knowledge about God:
a. By what the Bible teaches about God - Deut. 33:27; That the
everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is
weary. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth
strength - Isa. 40:28-30
b. By what God did for him.
c. And by what God did for His people - Eph. 3:20, 21; Phil. 2:12;
4:13; Gal. 2:20; 1 Tim. 1:15
2. The untold numbers of transformed lives of God's people confirm the
testimony of the apostle in a glorious way:
a. How he cared for ancient Israel - Deut. 5:15; 7:19; 26:8
b. How he cared for his persecuted church in its infancy and
throughout its history - Rev. 12
3. That God is able is demonstrated over and over:
a. In the uniformity of His laws that govern the universe - Ps. 19:1-6;
Heb. 1:1-3
b. He, at whose word the universe keeps in motion, is able to make
good His word to His people - Heb. 6:17-20

C. GOD IS ABLE
1. To save sinners to the uttermost: Heb. 7:25
a. By recreating them into the likeness of the image of His dear Son -
Eph. 2:10; 2 Cor. 5:14-17
b. By preserving those who come to Him through Jesus Christ our
Lord - John 17:1-26; 2 Tim. 1:12
c. By presenting the saints unto Himself without spot and without
wrinkles - Eph. 5:27; 1 John 3:1-3; Rev. 19:7
2. To translate them into His glorious kingdom:
a. He promised this to the penitent thief on the cross - Luke 23:42, 43
b. Our Lord assured the sorrowing disciples that He would prepare
mansions for them - John 14:1-3
c. He promised to raise the dead and give them immortality - John
5:28, 29; Luke 14:14
3. Let us take a brief look at God's agents used in fulfilling His promises to
His people:
a. His Holy Spirit - Zech 4:6; Isa. 59:19
 b. His word of promise - Heb. 1:3; 4:12; 2 Cor. 1:20
c. The power of faith in His wonderful name - 1 John 5:4, 5; John
17:11. Think of what living faith in the name of the Lord Jesus did for all who exercised
it -
(1) The lame man at the gate of the temple - Acts 3:16
(2) The woman with the issue of blood - Matt. 9:20-22
(3) The centurion and his servant - Matt. 8:8
4. The blood of the Lord Jesus takes care of all our sins: 1 John 1:7-9; 1 Pet.
1:18, 19
5. What more need we to know that MY GOD IS ABLE!
PAST - PRESENT - FUTURE
EXODUS 14:13

A. "FEAR NOT, STAND STILL, AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD,
WHICH HE WILL SHEW TO YOU TODAY."
1. "Fear not":
a. Israel in a state of great fear because of the Egyptians being almost
upon them.
b. The Red Sea before them.
c. The mountains surrounding them.
2. They blamed Moses for their seeming plight:
a. "Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away
to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of
Egypt?"
b. "Is not this the word that we spake unto you in Egypt, saying, Let
us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians."
3. How soon they forgot the miracles of the God of their fathers in Egypt:
a. How quickly men's memory fails to bring God's love and care to
us.
b. How easy it is to blame the leaders for our seeming difficulties!

B. "SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD"

1. In the past:
a. "Hitherto had the Lord helped us" - 1 Sam. 7:12
b. "If it had not been for the Lord, who was on our side" - Ps. 124:1-5
c. "Thou hast given commandment to save me" - Ps. 71:3
d. "Lacked ye anything; they said, nothing" - Luke 22:35
2. Present:
a. "I have set before thee an open door" - Rev. 3:8
b. God provides to us this day new opportunities -
(1) for improvement in our own life,
(2) for using God's gifts to share our faith with others.
c. "This is your hour" - Luke 22:53
d. "What thou doest, do it quickly" - John 13:27
C. AS WE LOOK BACK OVER OUR BRIEF SOJOURNING IN THIS PRESENT
LIFE, WE CAN SEE HOW WONDERFULLY THE LORD HAS LED US. EVEN THE
PRESENT LOOKS ENCOURAGING, BUT WHAT ABOUT . . .
1. The Future?
a. This we know for sure, that our future is in the same hands that led
us in the past and cares for us at the present.
b. This is very important for us to keep in mind at all times.
2. Experience shows that human memory is very forgetful at times:
a. That was Moses deep concern with his people - Deut. 4:9, 23;
6:12; 8:11; 14:19
b. David, too, was concerned, lest the people forget - Ps. 59:11; 78:7
3. Heavenly assurance for the future:
a. "As thy days so shall thy strength be" - Deut. 33:25
b. "My God shall supply all your needs" - Phil. 4:19
c. "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting
God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not, neither is weary? there is
no searching of his understanding."
d. "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he
increaseth strength" - Isa. 40:28-31
4. The future of God's people is as bright as God's promises to them:
a. One promise to keep in mind is found in Isa. 49:15-16
b. Another gracious promise for the future of God's children is found
in Matt. 28:20
c. A third assurance is found in the words of the Son of God as
recorded in Matt. 24:35 and in Heb. 13:8