Sermon: Chase … a sermon about goodness and pursuit
by Chris Cumming

On the 18th of January of this year (2020), I presented to you the sermon, “Double-down” which shared with you a hands-on perspective to repentance.  I began that sermon with this statement:

“Back in July and August of 2014, I gave four sermons as part of a Holiness series.  You can see all these sermons at the Las Vegas site.” 

Today’s sermon is the eleventh in the Salvation series which was born in the Holiness series  Each Salvation Series sermon is stand-alone sermon on the same overall subject: Holiness and Salvation.”

The “Double-down” sermon is part of the Holiness series of four (4) sermons.  From this one sermon, I have put together fourteen (14) sermons in what I call the, “Salvation series.”  You can see these sermon titles and subjects on the Sermons page of the Las Vegas site.  Each sermon has a key verse or two you heard in “Double-down.”  Again, today’s sermon is the eleventh sermon in this series. 

Note: Any scripture you see with an asterisk (*) is one found in the sermon “Double-down.”

Let us begin.

Here is the key verse we read in the Double-Down sermon:

3 John 1:11*
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.


Double-down Phrases:
--Follow that which is good.

Definition:
---Follow: conform to, comply with, or act in accordance with; obey.  Imitate or copy.  Move forward.  To go after.

Follow that which is good.

The name of this sermon today is Chase.  “Chase” means:

1] to follow in pursuit.
2] to rush or hasten.
3] the object of pursuit.

In our case, the object of our pursuit is goodness.

Follow that which is good.

Notice the definition for the word, “Follow.”

---Follow: conform to, comply with, or act in accordance with; obey.  Imitate or copy.  Move forward.  To go after.

I see this sermon directly linked the 4th sermon in this Salvation series: “Mortification.”  The Specific Purpose Statement (SPS) of that sermon is, “Mortify sin and all evil and negative things.”  Notice our key verse for this sermon today:

3 John 1:11*
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

The first seven words of the verse is the embodiment of the mortification sermon.  The admonition of those seven words are, “Do not follow that which is evil.”  Best way to do that is to mortify it.  In that fourth sermon, I give the definition of, “mortify.”

Definition:
Mortify from the dictionary is defined as: subjugate by abstinence and discipline.  Better is the Strong's definition: G2289: to kill (literally or figuratively): - become dead, (cause to be) put to death, kill, mortify.

So, based on our key verse, we have a duel mission:

1] Mortify sin and all evil and negative things.
2] Conform to, comply with and act in accordance with God and all truth.  God is truth.  His Word is truth.

You will see this duel mission in several scriptures we read today, later in this sermon.

Follow that which is good.

Where does it speak of God and His Word being truth (the most good thing in the Universe)?

Scripture

Statement within that Scripture

Exodus 18:21

If you fear God, you are a person of truth.

Exodus 34:6

The Lord God is abundant in goodness and truth.

Deuteronomy 32:4

God is a God of truth.

1 Kings 17:24

The word of the Lord is truth.

Psalm 25:5

David calls on God to lead him in truth

Psalm 31:5

David refers to God as the God of truth

Psalm 57:3

David states that God will send forth His truth

Psalm 61:7

David states that God’s truth will preserve him (David).

Psalm 86:15

David states that God is plenteous in truth.

Isaiah 25:1

Isaiah says that the counsels of God are truth.

Scripture

Statement within that Scripture

Isaiah 65:16

This one says that if one desires to be blessed, he/she will bless him/herself in the God of truth.

John 4:24

We are commanded to worship God in spirit and in truth.  This verse verifies that we worship God by the power of the Holy Spirit.  We worship Him by being in truth, from a position of truth.  He is truth.

Romans 2:2

God’s judgment is according to truth.

2nd Thessalonians 2:13

This verse speaks to the fact that God called us from the beginning of the world to the salvation process and therefore, sanctification by the Spirit of God and to belief in the truth.  Clearly that truth is from God.

1 Timothy 3:15
[see Lesson]

The declaration of this verse is that God is the pillar and ground of truth

2nd Timothy 2:25
[see Lesson]

God brings to us repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.  Notice this from the John Gill commentary:

“Repentance is the gift of God: it is he that opens the eyes of the understanding, and works conviction in the mind, and leads into all truth, as it is in Jesus; and induces men to repent of their errors, confess their mistakes, and own the truth.” ~John Gill

Repentance is the gift of God.  Repentance is a process in which God is very much involved on a daily basis of the firstfruit.  He convicts the mind, leads them to all truth, including truth that will be used to mortify the sin of which they are repenting and then commands that we own that truth. 

Why would God command that we “own the truth?”  Because that truth will maintain the mortification of sin and have us in constant maturity to eternal life (salvation).

Titus 1:1
[see Lesson]

Truth is after godliness.  Notice the commentary on the phrase, “The acknowledging of the truth.”

And the acknowledging of the truth - by which is meant the Gospel, often called the truth, and the word of truth; in distinction from that which was shadowy, the ceremonies of the law; and in opposition to that which is false, it being from the God of truth, concerning Christ, who is the truth; and containing nothing but truth, and what is led into by the Spirit of truth. ~John Gill [emphasis mine]

1 John 4:6

Anyone who is of God knows the truth.

Let us now look at scriptures that declare that the Word of God is truth.

 

Scripture

Statement within that Scripture

1 Kings 17:24

The word of the LORD is truth.

Psalm 33:4

The word of God is right.  He does all things in truth.

Notice what the scripture means when it says God does all things in truth:

And all his works are done in truth - his works of creation are done in the truth of things, with the utmost exactness and accuracy, and are a wonderful display of his power, wisdom, and goodness: his works of providence are according to the counsel of his own will, and are done in the wisest and best manner; and his work of redemption is a proof of his veracity and faithfulness to his covenant oath and promise; and his work of grace upon the hearts of his people is truth in the inward parts; and which, as he has promised to carry on and finish, he is faithful and will do it; in short, his way of acting both towards the godly and ungodly agrees with his promises to the one and his threatenings to the other, and so is in truth; and the whole of this is a reason why the saints should praise the Lord. ~John Gill [Emphasis mine]       

Isaiah 39:8

Hezekiah calls the word of God good.  He adds that his life will be filled with this truth.

John 1:14

Jesus is called the Word of God.  He was made flesh and was full of truth.

John 17:17

We are sanctified by truth.  God’s Word is truth.

2 Corinthians 4:2

Firstfruits manifest good things in truth.

Ephesians 1:13

The Word of God called truth.

Colossians 1:5

Gospel called truth.

James 1:18

God begat us to the salvation process via His word of truth.

1 John 3:18

Admonition to manifest the Word of God in truth.  That is, to do good works using the Word of God as your guide.


You now know what it is we follow after.  You have verification of what is good.  Let us look at scriptures that speak to our following that which is good.  Again, our key scripture:

3 John 1:11*
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Follow that which is good.

Exodus 23:2
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

The commentary says:

This verse might be more strictly rendered, “Thou shalt not follow the many to evil; neither shalt thou bear witness in a cause so as to incline after the many to pervert justice.” ~Barnes Notes

Psalm 37:27
Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.

Note: The phrase “dwell for evermore” speaks to the here and now (length of days and prosperity) and ultimately in the Family of God.

Proverbs 12:11
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

Isaiah 1:16-17*
16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil (Mortify it);
17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

John 12:26
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour (value, prize).

1 Corinthians 4:16
Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

Note: “followers” is G3402, “an imitator”

1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers (G3402) of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore followers (G3402) of God, as dear children;

Philippians 3:17
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Note: “followers together” is G4831 which is a compound of G4862 and G3401 and refers to us as being “co-imitators.”  We all follow God and Christ together.

1 Thessalonians 1:6
And ye became followers (G3402) of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost (Spirit):

1 Thessalonians 2:14
For ye, brethren, became followers (G3402) of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

2 Timothy 3:10  [see Lesson]
But thou hast fully known my doctrine (truth), manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

Hebrews 6:12
That ye be not slothful, but followers (G3402) of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

1 Peter 3:13
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers (G3402) of that which is good?

Follow that which is good.

Have you ever tasted God?

Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Notice the commentary:

O taste and see - This is an address to others, founded on the experience of the psalmist. He had found protection from the Lord; he had had evidence of His goodness; and he asks now of others that they would make the same trial which he had made. It is the language of piety in view of personal experience; and it is such language as a young convert, whose heart is filled with joy as hope first dawns on his soul, would address to his companions and friends, and to all the world around; such language as one who has had any special comfort, or who has experienced any special deliverance from temptation or from trouble, would address to others. Lessons, derived from our own experience, we may properly recommend to others; the evidence which has been furnished US that God is good, we may properly employ in persuading others to come and taste his love. The word "taste" here-Taa`am (OT:2938)-means properly to try the flavor of anything, Job 12:11; to eat a little so as to ascertain what a thing is, 1 Samuel 14:24,29,43; Jonah 3:7; and then to perceive by the mind, to try, to experience, Proverbs 31:18. ~Barnes' Notes

When God protects us, blesses us, answers a prayer, heals us, gives us increase and on and on, we taste Him.  One definition of "taste" is...

To perceive as if by the sense of taste.

When these things happen to us, like answered prayer and healing or when we experience unction [1 John 2:20] or get insight on something spiritual, we 'perceive' or taste God.

To perceive is to...

1] To become aware of directly through any of the senses.
2] To achieve understanding of; apprehend.

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 73:28
But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Psalm 100:5
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Matthew 19:17
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Luke 10:27
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

John 10:10-11
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

John 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Romans 12:21
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

 Note: See this verse fully explained in the Ministers Notebook at the Las Vegas site here.

So one more time now…

 3 John 1:11*
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Follow that which is good.


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