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Righteousness

Did you know that He included photos of you in the Bible?

These photos are images of what He knows we can be----what He desires for us to be.  They are photos of righteousness.

The purpose and admonition of this sermon is:

BE THE IMAGE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

The Bible offers no less than 46 images of righteousness.  I discuss 10 of them in this sermon.  Firstfruits are described as:

1] The sun
2] Lights
3] Jewels
4] Members of the body
5] Runners in a race.
6] Strangers and pilgrims
7] Eagles
8] Thirsting deer
9] Unfailing springs

I conclude this sermon by saying:

You know, don’t you that these photos of righteousness are also photographs of our elder brother, Jesus Christ, so I guess we have just discussed another way of looking  at that eternal ENCOURAGEMENT for you to be just like Christ.
 
 And maybe, just maybe, that Book of Life we hear so much about is really a FAMILY PHOTO ALBUM!
 

Holiness

Sermon: Piety

I begin this sermon with a key verse:

1 Peter 1:15
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.

I then ask the questions:

1] What does the word, “Holy” mean?
2] How is God Holy?
3] How do I become Holy?
4] What does it mean, “Put on the new man”?
5] What does it mean, “to sanctify yourself”?

After a reading of 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Peter 5:10 and Romans 8:28-30 I say:

1] God had foreknowledge of us.
2] He called us to conform to the image of Jesus Christ.
3] With the foreknowledge He called us to the Salvation Process.
4] It is in the Salvation Process where we are justified and made holy.
5] Stay in the process and you will be glorified.

Later I say:

“God called us to a process and in that process, you enter a holiness process.  We become holy.”

After a reading of 2 Timothy 1:9 and 2 Peter 1:3 I state:

1] God is making us holy by His power.
2] He has given and is giving us all we need to become and stay holy.
3] He accomplishes this task of holiness by knowledge, meaning immersion into His Word; the mind of Christ.

I then state a conclusion from readings in scripture:

Conclusion:  God called us to holiness and has given us all we need to develop holiness.

After reading Matthew 5:48 about you being perfect as your Father is perfect and reading you the meaning of this from the commentary, I say:

“We are working toward holiness by consistently addressing each element of the Salvation Process.”

After a reading of Philippians 1:27, which speaks to as “one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” I say:

“The firstfruit is with fervency, constantly striving for the holiness.”

With the reading of other related scriptures on holiness I say:

“Holiness is accomplished by immersion into the Word of God.”

“The firstfruit is zealous of good works, referring to our addressing every element of the salvation process.”

“Firstfruit are redoubling their efforts on a constant basis.  They are looking to the Kingdom First and the 10,000-year perspective.”

“God, through Christ, is taking us from iniquity by a purifying process.  The result is holiness.”

“Truth and true holiness are part of the Salvation Process.  We are sanctified there.  “Sanctify” means to make holy, to purify or free from sin.  In the act of imparting/manifesting religious sanction, we become holy.  “Sanction” means authority for an action, something that supports that action and/or something that gives binding force to that action.  These definitions define the workings of the Salvation Process.”

After a reading of verses in Psalm 99 and how we are to exalt and praise God I say:

“To “exalt” God is to make God first and supreme in his thoughts and affections; he [the firstfruit] would do what he could to make Him known; he would elevate Him high in his praises.”

At the end of the sermon I give a point-by-point conclusion:

1] God called you to holiness [1 Thessalonians 4:7].
2] Holiness is developed in the Salvation Process.
3] Holiness is attained by full immersion in the Word of God.
4] The firstfruit, armed with the Word of God [knowledge, understanding and wisdom] addresses all elements of the salvation process.
5] Put on righteousness.  Put on Christ.  Put on incorruption.

6] Cast off works of darkness.  Put on light.  
7] If you are baptized into Christ, you put on Christ.
8] The new man you put on is renewed by spiritual knowledge [Colossians 3:10]
9] When you invoke spiritual fruit by the Holy Spirit, you are putting on righteousness...holiness.
10] Firstfruits strive to be renewed day by day [2 Corinthians 4:16].

11] God, through Christ, is taking us from iniquity by a purifying process.  The result is holiness.
12] By Godly calling we receive divine authority to good works.  We also receive the force to manifest those good works.
13] God severed us from other people and their ways so that He could make us His.
14] Make God first and supreme in your thoughts and affections.
15] Worship God.

Perfection

Sermon: Pinnacle

I begin this sermon with a reference to Matthew 5:48 where it says that we are to be perfect as the Father is perfect.  I then ask the questions:

1] What is perfection?
2] Is any firstfruit perfect?
3] What does perfection have to do with righteousness, holiness and sanctification?
4] How do we approach or work perfection in the salvation process?
5] What is the definition of perfect?
6] What level of perfection is God wanting in firstfruits?

The purpose and admonition of this sermon is stated thusly:

Be perfect.

I then give you the definition of the word, “perfect” which has as its first-listed meaning as: “the state or quality of being or becoming perfect.”  I then say:

“When most think of the definition of perfection or perfect, we think of someone who has already attained perfection and is currently perfect.  Notice, though, that it has an additional meaning; ‘the state or quality of becoming perfect.’”

Later in the sermon I read Philippians 1:3-6 where it states in verse 6 that we can be confident of the fact that God, who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day Christ returns.  I then state:

“This brings up an important concept we need to know, remember and expand within our heart and mind.  Just when does God perform something in us that gives us an opportunity to take a step closer to perfection and salvation?  Is it once or twice a month?  Is it every Sabbath?  Is it a few times a week?  My belief is that He is with us in all assiduity, which means, "constant or close application or effort; diligence; industry.  God is working in us constantly in all diligence, as if you were the only one on the planet.  I often describe the salvation process as a room in which there are only three beings:

1] God the Father
2] Jesus Christ
3] You

That is exactly what is going on in real time.  It is fantastic and a wonderment that God can be in thousands of these rooms at the same time, but He and Christ are with total focus on just you.  Therefore, we need to look for and generate opportunities throughout the day and see where it leads us.  The more we do this, the more we will see these opportunities.  Indeed, if you look, God will know you are looking and will open your eyes.”

Later I give a reading of 1 John 4:13-18 which speaks to God being in us by virtue of the Holy Spirit and how love is made perfect in us, thus casting out fear and worry, even in the end time.  I then say:

“This passage establishes the fact that God works in and through us through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Verse 17 states that love [and therefore all principles of God] are made perfect by this Christ living in and through us.”

I end the sermon with a reading of James 1:25 and end with an encouragement to all of you:

James 1:25
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Let us continue to immerse ourselves in the Word of God and continue this process toward perfection.
 

Lying
Telling the truth

Sermon: Prevarication

This is a sermon about lying and what the Bible has to say about lying.  I begin with some questions:

Is it possible to tell a "little white lie"?  What is a "little white lie"?  Does God's Word allow lies for the sake of righteousness?  Can firstfruits lie to save their lives or the lives of their children?  Can we lie for Christ?

The purpose, admonition and encouragement of this sermon is: “Obey God and never lie.”

I set the stage by giving you an account of a church service and follow with profound statements from me.

“Imagine yourself at church this coming Sabbath.  Members are still arriving and pre-service fellowship is in full swing.  You look up as a female member enters the room wearing an absolutely horrible-looking dress.  Though modest enough, the color and style are all wrong for this lady.  As she walks toward you in greeting and not wanting to say anything that would hurt her feelings, you compliment her on the dress.  In other words, you told her what has come to be known as a "little white lie."  After all, you might reason, no one was hurt and my heart was in the right place by not wanting to make her feel bad.  As laudable as this may seem on the surface, is it practicing righteousness before God?  Does the end justify the means?  Does God ‘wink’ at the white lie knowing that your heart and intent were in the right place? 

“I am here to tell you there is no such thing as a ‘little white lie.’  The ends do not justify the means if the means to that end was sin.  I am here to tell you that good intentions of the heart do not justify breaking the Ninth Commandment.  The study of so-called ‘little white lies’ is a study in theology or how we use our educated human reasoning, common sense coupled with the in-dwelling of God's Holy Spirit to arrive at truth.  We, as firstfruits, are being judged on what we hold as truth and the theology we invoke to arrive at that truth.  All truth is Jesus Christ and we are in the Salvation Process to become like Christ.”

After a reading of Leviticus 19:11 and Ephesians 4:25 where God tells us not to lie but rather to speak the truth, I say:

“God provides no loopholes in His Word.  He states it simply and with all authority ...speak the truth and lie not.”

In this sermon I give example of good and bad theology regard lies.  By “bad theology” I mean the lame excuses people use for lying or telling little white lies.  In showing one piece of bad theology, I say:

“If I were having a discussion with one who believed little white lies and thought them justified, I would ask a very important question: ‘When does the little white lie cross the line into becoming a full-fledged lie?’  I would ask for some examples of little white lies and then ask for the worst little white lie that would be right at the line separating little white lies from full-fledged lies.  Next, I would ask, ‘Who is deciding that line?’  Clearly it is not God.  I do not see any scripture or biblical principle that would establish such a line.  It would have to be the subjective choice of the one telling the lie.  

“The bad theology here is the concept of drawing a line ANYWHERE when it comes to sin.   God does not draw lines within the sin.  The lines He draws are prior to the first possible example of the sin.  This is why there are no little white lies.  Sin is sin.  The line God draws is between Truth and Lie or between Sin and No Sin.  We have no authority to take that line into the sin and call everything on one side to be justified or okay to invoke.

“That line, by the way, is the commandment that says, "Thou shalt not lie." [Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. -Exodus 20:16].”

In one of the good theology portions of the sermon, I speak to the “abstain from all appearance of evil” principle and clearly demonstrate that we do not want to be anywhere near an act of lying.  I then say:

“Sin is insidious.  It is beguiling but harmful.  It is the spreading of evil in a subtle and stealthy manner.  All sin grows and therefore there is no such thing as a little sin.  If I am justified in lying to the woman about her ugly dress, then I am justified to go through the congregation week after week and year after year telling hundreds and thousands of them.”

“How can one purge out the leaven and still tell ‘little lies’?”

I then give the good theology argument regarding Matthew 7:15-20 and the good and bad trees showing that a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit.  I then say:

“This verse has linkage to the ‘little leaven leaveneth the whole lump’ verses in 1 Corinthians 5 and Galatians 5 above.  A good tree cannot have a ‘little bit’ of sin.”

I then present the “pure religion” argument and reference James 1:27 where it states that our religion is to be pure and undefiled before God.  I then say:

“Pure religion is one devoid of improper mixture or impure elements.  Sin is impure in ANY form.  Take a good intention and mix it with a lie, even a so-called little white lie and you have an improper mixture.  Your religion is defiled.  Anyone with defiled religion will not be invited into the Kingdom of God.  God's Word gives specific instruction on how to have pure religion.” 

Toward the end of the sermon I give you the obvious question regarding the lady with the ugly dress. “So what DO I say to the lady in the ugly-looking dress?”

I then say:

“The mission and Christian duty is at least two-fold.  The first is immediate and the second more long-term.  If it is your nature to greet the brethren with a compliment, then pick something you can be sincere about.  Rather than offering a lie about the dress, look elsewhere for placement of the compliment.  Some potential targets would be her hair, purse, shoes or her general radiance.  If you do not readily see something to compliment, simply express gladness and joy in seeing her.  Ask her about her week.  Make queries as to her health, the home front or her job.  Say anything, but let it be truth.
 
 “The more long-term element to be addressed is the ugly-looking dress.  Our mission orders come from 1 Corinthians 10...
 
 “Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. –1 Corinthians 10:24

“Therefore, rather than lying and telling her the dress is fine, which would ultimately be vain, we seek to improve her situation.  Examples would be:
 

“These could be done singularly or in combination.  If the congregation is taught in the ways of seeking the other member's welfare, it would be conditioned to frank and sincere communication.  The white lie is not sincere communication.  It is a lie.”

Early in this sermon I show the bad theology of those that point to what looks like “allowable” lies in the Bible and reference the lies of Abraham and Rahab.  As you recall, Abraham lied about his wife, Sarah being his sister so Abimelech would not kill him so he could have Sarah as his wife.  Nowhere do you see Abraham being praised for this lie and to make the point clear, we see Abimelech sorely rebuking Abraham for telling the lie.

In the case of Rahab; again, we see no praise in the Word of God regarding this lie.  I even show where Bible commentators profoundly state that there is no defense for this lie.  I then say:

What would have happened if Rahab had told the truth?
 
What would have happened had Rahab told the truth when asked by the king’s men where the spies were?  Clearly God was not relying upon her lie.  Following is a list of things God could have done to the king’s men had Rahab told the truth.  Many of these have biblical foundation, in that God did them before.
 
 God could have:
 
 1] Made them go blind.
 2] Made them fall asleep until noon the next day.
 3] Given them heart attack or otherwise sick.
 4] Killed them.
 5] Confused them – losing their way to the roof.
 6] Confused them – sending them to the wrong roof.
 7] Confused them – not seeing them under the flax on the roof.
 8] Made them decide to return to HQ.
 9] Given them explosive diarrhea.
 10] Have them attacked by hornets as they got to the roof.
 11] Have them fall off the wall [Rahab’s home was on the wall].
 12] Have the spies kill the king’s men.
 13] Had the king’s men kill each other.
 14] Had the spies already gone out the gate or down the wall.
 15] Had the spies move to a different roof or other location.
 16] Had the spies simply get lost among the citizens of the city.
 17] Created a diversion in the street or other building thus getting the king’s men going elsewhere.
 18] Had the king’s men fail to find Rahab in the first place.
 19] Had the king’s men called back to HQ.
 20] Once believing the spies were on the roof, become fearful [Joshua 2:11] and abandon doing anything else.
 21] Had something appear in the sky above the roof, thus scaring the king’s men.
 22] Had angels appear with flaming swords.
 23] Had the tribes of Israel come up against the city at that point.
 24] Had a strong wind come up against the king’s men.
 25] Had severe weather come upon the city---rain, hail, and lightning.
 26] Had a loud voice come from upon high and scaring the king’s men.
 27] Put it into the King of Jericho to recall all search parties.
 28] Put Rahab in a deep sleep before the king’s men came.

I make it clear in this sermon that there is no such thing as a “little white lie.”  I think this such an important subject that I have it in my Minister’s Notebook at the Vegas site.  The title of the piece there is “Little White Lies.”