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Jesus Christ

Sermon: Him ...a sermon about the King 

The purpose of this sermon was an encouragement for all of us to know Jesus Christ.

A key verse in this sermon was Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

After going into many related scriptures and commentary, I gave you this:

So what did we see from all this in Isaiah 9:6?

1] Jesus is the Son of God.
2] Jesus is the Son given to us by God.
3] Eternal life comes from God through Jesus Christ.
4] Jesus is the covenant and head unto us, to be the Saviour of us.
5] He is a sacrifice for us.
6] the love of God the Father is large and comprehensive. It is unparalleled, unspeakable, unchangeable and irreversible.
7] Salvation comes only by Christ; none other.
8] He is the head over all things to the church.
9] Jesus glorified God the Father while He was on earth.
10] He will receive the Kingdom of Earth from His Father.
11] Jesus will be called Wonderful Counsellor. He has been counseling the church from the first century.
12] Jesus is all knowledge and wisdom. He has the wisdom needed for salvation.
13] He is God and one with the Father.
14] Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
15] Christ is a Mighty God. He is Mediator. He reconciles us to God.
16] He is the Giver of peace in the heart and conscience.
17] His name will be the Father of Eternity.
18] Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace and will be called by this name. He will end all wars.

There is much here to know and consider. Know Him. 

Urgency

Sermon: It’s Crunch Time, Folks

In this sermon, I put together all the scriptures that speak to firstfruits having a sense of urgency in their lives.  At the end I give a recap.

Recap of this Sermon: It’s Crunch Time, Folks 

From the doctrine on Biblical Covenants:
---we must develop true Godly character.
---we must have internalized desire and determination to obey God.
---this desire must be backed by the mental fortitude and resolve to obey through all circumstances.
---character can only be generated by a process of conscious experience.
---character can only be generated by test and trial, growth and development.
---firstfruits must do more than just obey, they must radiate God’s character from within.

From Matthew 19:23-25 …eye of a needle
---money and riches have the pitfalls of idolatry and temptation to sin.
---our stewardship regarding money, possessions and riches must be at high levels of proficiency. 

From 1 Timothy 6-10 …love of money
---love of money can result in a departure from the faith.
---love of money and money itself leads to worldliness.

From Matthew 19:26 …answering the question on who can be saved
---with God all things are possible

From 1 Peter 4:18 …the righteous scarcely saved
---the purpose and performance of God are not uncertain.
---firstfruits in the Salvation Process know they will be in the Kingdom.
---firstfruits attain the Kingdom only with great difficulty and hard encounters along the way.
---if the way for firstfruits is difficult, how much harder is it for the ungodly and sinner?
---firstfruits commit to prayer and patient perseverance in well-doing.

From 1 Peter 4:19 …commit your souls to well doing
---commit your souls to the care of the all-seeing and faithful God.
 

From Luke 17:32 ...remember Lot’s wife. An end time admonition
---Relinquish everything, rather than losing your souls.
---do not hesitate or delay when God moves you to act.

From Ezekiel 18:24 …turning from righteousness
---when a firstfruit turns from righteousness and his calling, he commits iniquity and abomination.
---all his righteousness to that point will go null and void.
---this man will die.

From Ezekiel 18:21-23 …these verses preceding Ezekiel 18:24
---if the wicked turns from his sins and keeps God’s statutes he shall surely live.
---all his transgressions will never be mentioned in judgment.
---God has no pleasure in the wicked dying.
---God wants all to return to His ways and live.

From Hebrews 10:38-39 …living by faith
---firstfruits live by faith [the faith of Jesus].
---God has no pleasure in those who draw back from their calling.
---the firstfruit life is a life of holiness from Christ.
---pride and haughtiness of heart cause a man to draw back.
---those turning back rely on their pride and confidence in their own righteousness.
---firstfruits can repent of backsliding but not backsliding that goes into falling away.
---firstfruits can repent from backsliding.

From James 1:6-8 …double minded man 
---a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
---the double minded man is carried away with every wind of doctrine, temptation and lust.
---the double minded man receives nothing from the Lord.

From Matthew 25:8-12 …and the door was shut 
---keep oil in your lamp.  Quench not the Holy Spirit in you.
---the door to the Kingdom of God and eternal life will be shut on those neglecting/leaving their calling.

From Hebrews 4:1 …let us therefore fear
---have a cautious fear, a godly jealousy, a careful circumspection and watchfulness.
---God’s promises are conditional.  Meet those conditions.
---take heed to insure you do not fall short of God’s will.
 

From Luke 8:18 …take heed how ye hear
---God planted His Word in your heart and mind.
---do not allow Satan to get a foothold in your life.
---do not allow the cares of this world, the desire of riches or the love of pleasure to hinder spiritual progress.

From Romans 1:16-18 …the just live by faith
---never be ashamed of the gospel.  Indeed, be a visual example of it.  Invoke.
---live by faith and in the faith.
---the gospel is the way God exerts His power unto salvation.
---God reveals Himself each time we move from faith-to-faith or glory-to-glory [2 Corinthians 3:18].
---God is against all ungodliness and unrighteousness.
---firstfruits “communicate” truth by example; by manifesting the fruits of the Spirit.

From Romans 1:21-22 …professing themselves to be wise, they became fools
---as firstfruits, we can never stand still and do nothing.
---we must constantly be moving forward in the faith.
---we must live according to the knowledge we are conforming to the image of Christ and act as He does.

From 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 …the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God
---be washed in the Word of God.  Immerse yourself in the Word of God.
---you are sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God.
---do all things according to what God has commanded you to do.

From Ephesians 5:3-5 …things for firstfruits to avoid
---read these scriptures to get the list.
---“jesting” is coupled with filthiness and foolish talking.
---avoid anything base or vile in words or acts.
---foolish talking means scurrility [vulgarity], buffoonery [coarse joking] and ridicule.
---be courteous, cheerful and pleasant.  Use gentle humor and wit that does not hurt anyone. 
 

From Matthew 7:21-24 …Lord, Lord…
---do the will of the Father.
---excuses will not work.
---miracles, healings, prophesying and casting out demons are gifts, not character.
---preaching, however effective and dynamic is also a gift and not the character of the preacher.
---we must hear the words of Christ and do them.
---living by every word of God is the only way to build Godly character and conform to image of Christ.
 

From 1 John 5:12-14 …he that has the son…
---we have confidence in God because we ask of Him according to His will.

From Luke 18:25-27 [again] …who can be saved?
---things impossible with men are possible with God

From 1 Timothy 2:4 …God wants everyone saved
---God wants everyone to be saved.
 

From 2 Peter 3:9 …the Lord is not slack
---God is longsuffering toward us.
---God wants all to come to repentance.
 

From Romans 13:11-14 …it’s high time
---it is high time to awake out of spiritual sleep.
---time is short.
---death is ever approaching.  So is the return of Christ.

From Ecclesiastes 9:10 …do it with thy might
---do all things with all thy might---invoke fervency, diligence and zeal.
---there is no work in the grave.

It’s crunch time, folks…let’s get on with it.

Your identity


 according to God

Sermons: Identity Part 1 and 2

The purpose of these sermons was to see exactly who God says you are.  In this two-part sermon, I give a recap.

Who am I?   …a quick reference list from the sermon
1] I am fearfully and wonderfully made by God.  Psalm 139:13-16
2] I am a holder of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
3] I am a friend of Jesus. John 15:15
4] I am someone God thinks about.  Jeremiah 29:11
5] I am a child of God.  John 1:12
6] I am a new creature in which all things are made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
7] I am a person looking for Christ. Philippians 3:20
8] I am free from the law of sin and death.  Romans 8:1-2
9] I am an heir of God.  Galatians 4:7
10] I am joint heir with Christ.  Romans 8:17
11] I am sealed with the Holy Spirit.  2 Corinthians 1:21-22
12] I am part of a chosen race and a royal priesthood.  1 Peter 2:9-10
13] I am a branch of the true vine.  John 15:1-5
14] I am justified and redeemed. Romans 3:23-24
15] I am accepted by Christ to the glory of God.  Romans 15:7
16] I have wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30
17] I am joined to Christ as one spirit.  1 Corinthians 6:17
18] I am one who experiences triumph. 2 Corinthians 2:14
19] I am a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1
20] I am one manifesting the savour of his knowledge   2 Corinthians 2:14
21] I am in unity with other firstfruits.  Galatians 3:28
22] I am free and distant from yokes of bondage.  Galatians 5:1
23] I am a receiver of many spiritual blessings.  Ephesians 1:3
24] I am chosen, holy and blameless before God.  Ephesians 1:4
25] I am redeemed and forgiven by the grace of Christ. Ephesians 1:7
26] I am predestined by God to obtain an inheritance.  Ephesians 1:9-11
27] I am sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise?  Ephesians 1:13
28] I have been a partaker of His death and resurrection—made alive.  Ephesians 2:4-5 and see Romans 6:5.
29] I am seated with Christ in heaven.  Ephesians 2:6; and see Colossians 3:2
30] I am created to produce good works. Ephesians 2:10
31] I am close to God by the blood of Christ.  Ephesians 2:13
32] I am a member of Christ’s body.  Ephesians 3:6
33] I am a member of His body, flesh and bones.  Ephesians 5:30, and see Genesis 2:23
34] I am bold and have confident access to God
35] I am righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:22-24
36] I am a light in the Lord.  Ephesians 5:8
37] I am one whose heart and mind is guarded by God.  Philippians 4:7
38] I am one who is supplied by God.  Philippians 4:19
39] I am complete Colossians 2:9-10
40] I am raised up with Christ.  Colossians 3:1
41] I am a person whose spiritual life is hidden with Christ in God?  Colossians 3:3
42] I am a person who will be revealed in glory at the return of Christ.  Colossians 3:4
43] I am chosen and beloved by God.  Colossians 3:12
44] I am called to be a saint.  1 Corinthians 1:2
45] I know my election to God.  1 Thessalonians 1:4
46] I am a person whose sins are cancelled out. Colossians 1:14
47] I love the brethren.  Colossians 1:4
48] I am cleansed from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9
49] I am a person whose sins are forgiven for the sake of the name of Jesus. 1 John 2:12
50] I am headed for victory. Revelation 21:7
51] I am set free by Christ.  John 8:31-33
52] I am strong in the Lord. Ephesians 6:20
53] I am dead to sin.  Romans 6:2, 11
54] I am more than a conqueror.  Romans 8:37
55] I am accepted in Jesus Christ.   Ephesians 1:6
56] I am crucified with Christ.  Colossians 2:20
57] I am born of God and the evil one does not touch me. 1 John 5:18
58] I am the light of the world.  Matthew 5:14
59] I am the righteousness of God.  2 Corinthians 5:21
60] I am healed by the stripes of Jesus.  1 Peter 2:24
61] I am being changed into the likeness of Christ.  2 Corinthians 3:18
62] I am a work of God that WILL be finished.  Philippians 1:6
63] I am receiving both grace and peace from God and Christ.  Romans 1:7
64] I am firmly rooted in the faith and full of gratefulness and thankfulness.  Colossians 2:7
65] I am a citizen of the Church of God and a fellow citizen with all firstfruits.  Ephesians 2:19
66] I am a member of Christ’s body?  1 Corinthians 12:27
67] I am a firstfruit who died with Christ.  Romans 6:1-6
68] I have overcome the world.  1 John 5:4
69] I am a person who can do all things through Christ.  Philippians 4:13
70] I have the ability and power to know spiritual things.  1 Corinthians 2:12
71] I am a person who has Christ living in and through me.  Galatians 2:20
72] I am bold and have access any time to the Throne Room of God.  Hebrews 4:16
73] I am a person who has a spirit of power, love and self-discipline [sound mind]. 2 Timothy 1:7 [see Lesson]

 

Deleavening


Putting out sin

Sermon: Lumps

My purpose in this sermon is to encourage all of us to “keep deleavening.”  Continue to put sin out of your lives.

Early in this sermon I show how leaven is likened to sin and then elsewhere in scripture it is pictured as righteousness.  I read Matthew 13:33 that begins, “the kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven.  After showing this contrast, I say, “Do you see the contrast here between the positive and negative picturing of leaven.  Leaven as sin destroys the entire lump.  Leaven as righteousness makes the lump new and worthy of the Kingdom of God.”

I then read Matthew 16:6 and the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  I then say: “Negative leaven can come in many ways and result in our becoming negatively leavened and led astray from the all-important Godly calling God has given us.”

Later in the sermon, I read 2 Timothy 3 and all 17 verses.  Notice verses 14-17:

2 Timothy 3:14-17  [see lessons]
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

I then add:

2 Timothy 3 not only shows us what has come to us and will continue to come until the return of Christ but gives us the means of keeping all this leaven away from our door and/or keeping it from hurting us.

Verse 14: 
1] Continue in the things which thou has learned.
2] Continue in the things you have been assured of.
3] Know of whom you learned them.

Verse 15:
4] Scriptures make you wise.
5] Scriptures make you wise unto salvation through faith
6] We win because Christ is in us.

Verse 16:
7] Scriptures give us doctrine.
8] Scriptures give us reproof.
9] Scriptures give us correction
10] Scriptures are our instructions in righteousness.

Verse 17:
11] Full immersion in the Word of God makes us perfect—always moving toward perfection.
12] God and His Word gives us all we need to do good works…invoking of the Holy Spirit.

Toward the end of this sermon I read twenty-one scriptures from 1 Peter 1.  I read through verses 3-23.  I do not have time to read all of this now but I am including it into the text of this sermon.  I want to share with you my recap of those scriptures as I continued to drive home the encouragement to be the new lump of 1 Corinthians 5:7.

1 Peter 1:3-23
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Following  is the list of promises and action steps we glean from 1 Peter 1:

13] God has given us a lively hope…verse 3
14] We are kept by the power of God unto salvation…verse 5
15] The trying of your faith is more precious than gold…verse 7
16] You receive the end of your faith…salvation…verse 9
17] Gird up the loins of your mind and be sober…verse 13
18] Invoke hope from now to the end…verse 13

19] Be obedient unto God…verse 14
20] Be holy in all your conduct…verses 15 and 16
21] Pass your time in fear of God…verse 17
22] You are saved from sinful leaven by the blood of Christ…verse 19
23] Christ is made manifest in your life now…verse 20
24] Believe in God and your faith and hope will be strong…verse 21

25] Purify your soul in obeying the truth…verse 22
26] Love one another with a pure heart fervently…verse 22
27] Be born again by the Word of God with liveth and abideth forever …verse 23.

So go now and continue to deleaven and be that new lump.