Sermon: Pathway Lights -
Part 1
Let us begin today by turning to Psalm 119:105.
Psalm 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
We are in the way or journey of life and the Word of God is a light unto
our path. It is as if each scripture was one of those lamps we see
along a path or walkway in the evening.
The purpose of my sermon today is to make each scripture a lamp for your
feet as you travel through the Salvation Process. That is, “Light your
path.”
I am going give you a number of lights in the form of a set of
questions. Each question will lead us to a scripture you can use as a
light for your path.
Light 1: When Abraham was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him.
What did He tell Abraham to do?
Genesis 17:1
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to
Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be
thou perfect.
Light 2: According to the words of Joshua, why must we be strong and
very courageous?
Joshua 1:7
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do
according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn
not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper
whithersoever thou goest.
Now I suppose the question would be, “How do I become strong and very
courageous?” Three quick verses:
Psalm 19:7-9
The law converts the soul and enlightens the eyes.
Proverbs 28:4-5
It gives understanding.
James 1:25
Those who look into the law are blessed in their deeds.
Light 3: Are we to envy sinners? If not, what are we to do instead?
Proverbs 23:17
Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD
all the day long.
Light 4: According to Ezekiel, what are we to cast away from us? As
we do that, what are we supposed to do?
Ezekiel 18:31
Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have
transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye
die, O house of Israel?
Light 5: When Jesus was contending with Satan in Matthew 4, He stated
just how man is to live. What did Jesus say?
Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Light 6: Jesus
says we are to enter a certain gate? What is the name of that gate.
Matthew 7:13-14
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 which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto
life, and few there be that find it.
So the name of the gate is “strait.” Notice it is not named “straight”
which means “not crooked.” “Strait” means “pent up, narrow and
difficult to be entered.”
Light 7: Just how are we to love God? With this, how are we to love
our neighbor?
Matthew 22:37-39
(also Luke 10:27)
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first
and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love
thy neighbour as thyself.
Light 8: What kind
of faith are we supposed to have?
Mark 11:22
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
The commentary says: have the faith of God, i.e. have strong faith, or
the strongest faith. –Adam
Clark
Jesus is uttering this admonition in the strongest terms the Greek language will allow. “…The Strongest Faith.”
Light 9: If we love Christ, what are we to keep?
John 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Let us see this expanded by going to Joshua 22:5
Joshua 22:5
But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the
servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all
his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him
with all your heart and with all your soul.
Light 10: The Bible talks about is conforming to
something. Conformed to what? Just how do we do this conforming?
Romans 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image
of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are
changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the
Lord.
Light 11: Speaking of this idea of conforming, what are we not to be
conformed to? The Bible says we are to be transformed. How? The Bible also
says that we are to prove something about God. What?
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect,
will of God.
Light 12: Paul said we are to overcome
evil. How?
Romans 12:21
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Notice the commentary:
[But overcome evil with good]
That is, subdue or vanquish evil by doing good to others. Show them the
loveliness of a better spirit; the power of kindness and benevolence; the value
of an amiable, Christian deportment. So doing, you may disarm them of their
rage, and be the means of bringing them to better minds. ~Barnes
Light 13: Paul said that we are to
follow two separate individuals. Who are they?
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Light 14: How do we know that our work is
not in vain? What are we to be to make sure this does not happen?
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in
the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in
the Lord.
[Your labour is not in vain]
Your labour in the Lord is not in vain; you must not only work, but you must
labour-put forth all your strength; and you must work and labour in the
Lord-under his direction, and by his influence; for without him ye can do
nothing. And this labour cannot be in vain; you shall have a resurrection unto
eternal life: not because you have laboured, but because Christ died and gave
you grace to be faithful. ~Clarke
Light 15: According to Galatians, what are we actually doing when we get
baptized?
Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Light 16: How is God created in righteousness and true holiness?
Ephesians 4:24
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and
true holiness.
From our statement on the
Holy Spirit:
Spiritual solutions are needed to solve spiritual problems. If this one fundamental point were understood, man should be forced to realize that the structure of his entire society—from the government of nations to the behavior of children—needs radical revision before people can at last be joyfully busy with peace and progress.
This is where God's plan of salvation comes in. God first calls us by—opening our minds to His truth, leading us to recognize our wretched, sinful state, cut off from God. Then upon our heartfelt repentance and sincere acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Saviour, God enables us through baptism and the laying on of hands to receive His Spirit. Conversion by God's Holy Spirit means a renewing of one's mind (Romans 12:2), a complete changing of one's attitude and heart; it is the creation of a new man, walking in newness of life (Romans 6:4). Through God's Spirit man can have the fellowship and communion with God that is so important to growth in God's mind and character.
Light 17: In what way does God want us treating
one another?
Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God
for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Light 18: In what way are we to follow God according to Ephesians 5?
Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.
Notice the commentary…
[As dear children]
The meaning is, "as those children which are beloved follow the example of a
father, so we, who are beloved of God, should follow his example." What a simple
rule this is! And how much contention and strife would be avoided if it were
followed! If every Christian who is
angry, unforgiving, and unkind, would just ask himself the question, "How does
God treat me?" it would save all the trouble and heart-burning which ever exists
in the church. ~ Barnes
Light 19: Still in Ephesians, how are we to walk? What is our spiritual
responsibility regarding time? What about God are we to have an understanding
about?
Ephesians 5:15-17
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the
time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding
what the will of the Lord is.
Let us look at the idea of redeeming time: From
Barnes notes:
They redeem their time who employ it:
(1) in gaining useful knowledge;
(2) in doing good to others;
(3) in employing it for the purpose of an honest livelihood for themselves and families;
(4) in prayer and self-examination to make the heart better;
(5) in seeking salvation, and in endeavoring to do the will of God. They are to redeem time from all that would waste and destroy it-like recovering marshes and fens to make them rich meadows and vineyards. There is time enough wasted by each sinner to secure the salvation of the soul; time enough wasted to do all that is needful to be done to spread religion around the world, and to save the race. We should still endeavor to redeem our time for the same reasons which are suggested by the apostle-because the days are evil.
Light 20: How do we stand against the wiles of the devil?
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles
of the devil.
Having your loins girded with TRUTH
Having the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS
Having your feet shod with the PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
Taking the shield of FAITH
Taking the helmet of SALVATION
Taking the sword of the Spirit, which is the WORD OF GOD
Light 21: According to Philippians 2 there is something of Jesus Christ that
we are supposed to have. What is that?
Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
To understand this verse, we need to look at it in context. Here are the first
eight verses of the chapter: Philippians
2:1-8
1 If there be therefore any consolation
in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any
bowels and mercies,
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he
humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
–Philippians 2:1-8
Look at all the similar phrases in verse two. They all essentially mean the same
thing, namely, harmony in the church. One commentary I read said, “Probably
there is no single thing so much insisted on in the New Testament as the
importance of harmony among Christians.” The reason for this is that God,
Christ and Paul knew that this would be the hardest thing to attain, due to the
general makeup of the church [see Menu item 10
here].
This leads us to the admonition in verse five that we all have the mind of
Christ.
Light 22: Colossians 3 gives us a whole long list of elements to embrace.
What are they?
Colossians 3:12-14
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,
kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another,
and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ
forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is
the bond of perfectness.
Light 23: According to Colossians 3 and Philippians 4 what is to rule our
hearts?
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in
one body; and be ye thankful.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts
and minds through Christ Jesus.
Notice the commentary on Philippians 4:7 and the phrase, “And the peace of God”
Philippians 4:7
The peace which God gives. The peace here particularly referred to is that which
is felt when we have no anxious care about the supply of our needs, and when we
go confidently and commit everything into the hands of God. "Thou wilt keep him
in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee;" Isaiah 26:3.
~Barnes
Light 24: In all things give _________ what?
1 Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you.
Notice the word, “Everything” from the Wycliffe commentary:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you.
Everything.
All circumstances, even hardships and affliction. This, though singular, seems
to embrace the three commands of 5:16-18. God's will includes constant joy,
ceaseless prayer, and boundless thanks, attitudes made both necessary and
possible in Christ Jesus. ~ Wycliffe
Light 25: What is your highest responsibility regarding the power of God that
is in you, the Holy Spirit?
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Quench not the Spirit.
Notice the Matthew Henry commentary on this…
Quench not the Spirit
- for it is this Spirit of grace and supplication that helpeth our infirmities,
that assisteth us in our prayers and thanksgivings. Christians are said to be
baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire. [It]
worketh as fire, by enlightening, enlivening, and purifying the souls of men. We
must be careful not to quench this holy fire. As fire is put out by withdrawing
fuel, so we quench the Spirit if we do not stir up our spirits, and all that is
within us, to comply with the motions [workings]
of the [Holy]
Spirit; and as fire is quenched by pouring water, or putting a great quantity of
dirt upon it, so we must be careful not to quench the Holy Spirit by
indulging carnal lusts and affections, or minding only earthly things.
~ Matthew Henry
[see
Part 2]
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