Sermon: Quotes from My Ministry

Sermon: Quotes from My Ministry – Part 4
by Chris Cumming printer-friendly MP3

I am going to begin Part 4 of this sermon the same way I began Parts 1-3.

I encountered a book of quotes from an author of four books. The quotes were all derived from the text of those four books. I was intrigued with the concept and felt that it could be applied to my ministry. Indeed, I have created more text than this author in the last eighteen years in the ministry. This document will be a log of original quotes from hundreds of sermons and Bible studies. Where possible, I will include links to any of those sources that are currently posted on the Internet.

I am doing this series of sermons for several reasons:
1] to create a tickler file into sermons you have heard from me.
2] to give you a checklist for your prayers, meditations and self-examinations.
3] to overwhelm you with the sure need for fervency, diligence, zeal and perseverance.

Subject	Quotes
Evil thoughts and images.	Sermon: Lustration I begin this sermon with these words: This world is full of sin, evil images and negative thoughts. Today I am going to give you several biblical admonitions and procedures that will result in evil thoughts and images being destroyed. Destroy the evil thoughts and images. In this sermon I quote Philippians 4:8: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. I then say: ---Let them be the object of your careful attention and study. ---Think what they are. ---Think on the influence they would have on the world [and you]. ---Esteem them highly. ---Recommend them heartily. ---Meditate on them. Revolve them in your minds. ---Seriously consider them. ---Reason with yourselves about them [clearly with the Holy Spirit that is in you]. ---PRACTICE THEM FERVENTLY. That is, invoke them, glean them, keep and use them continually. If you are doing this as an ongoing and fervent process, you have created content and armor against the incoming arrows and darts of negative/evil thoughts and images. The weapons of Satan are destroyed in your life. You know peace and power. After an in-depth study of Philippians 4:8 I give you some techniques for destroying these thoughts and images. Techniques to Destroy Evil Thoughts and Images in Your Life I now want to discuss techniques that may help you mentally and spiritually destroy evil and negative thoughts and images as they come into your conscious mind. These are merely suggestions that I have gleaned from many sources including the Word of God. Possibly one or more will work for you or you may find and develop your own techniques as you immerse yourself in the subject and in the Word of God. 1] The Displacement Technique We learned this in our study of Philippians 4:8. If we are immersing ourselves in the Word of God and specifically things that are true, honest, just and pure, etc., then the evil thoughts are precluded from approaching your mind. You have displaced them. 2] The Substitution Technique This is a procedure where you, the moment the negative thought or image arrives in your conscious mind, destroy it by immediately placing another thought in its place. This forces that negative image out of the conscious mind. 3] The Shredder or Lake of Fire Technique This is a specific form of the Substitution Technique with the added virtue of direct action against the negative thought or image. As the negative image enters your mind, mentally take possession of it and put it into a shredder. This graphically destroys the image. You are overpowering the negative image with the image of its destruction. Another form of this is to put that negative thought directly into the Lake of Fire. Christ will use this technique with the epitome of evil…Satan. Notice: Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are [were thrown], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Note: Why is God putting Satan into the Lake of Fire? Clearly it is not to destroy him. His punishment will be outer darkness. See Jude 1:6 and “Satan’s Fate” in the booklet, “Did God Create a Devil?” God is clearly giving us a specific image of how to destroy an evil thought or image. In our case, the negative thought or image is utterly destroyed in the fire. There are four more techniques for you in this sermon. Be sure to review them.
Defilement	Sermon: Maculate This sermon, much like the sermon, “Lustration is instruction in bringing in the good and forcing out the bad elements from our hearts, minds and lives. This sermon, "Maculate" is also very much like this sermon. It reviews all the sermons I have given to date on things which could defile our religion. Toward the end of the sermon, I say: This is a serious subject simply because so many things can defile our religion. There can be defilement in an action, a thought, an attitude or a belief. There is a large biblical list of things that can defile us and in which we can defile. For a few examples: 1] false doctrines can defile our religion. [see 2 Peter 2:1-3—false teachers bringing in damnable heresies] 2] bitterness or hatred of a brother can defile our hearts and minds. [see Hebrews 12:15—root of bitterness] 3] we can defile the Sabbath. [see Ezekiel 20:24—pollute my Sabbaths] 4] all manner of sin can defile us mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. [see 2 Corinthians 7:1-- let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness]
Fear and Trembling	Sermon: Phobos & Tromos In this sermon, I delve into Philippians 2:12 and the meaning of the phrase, “fear and trembling.” I have one excerpt for you from this sermon. A PROPER FEAR OF GOD SHOULD INCLUDE: 1) Reverence and awe. 2) Being afraid to offend God in any way. 3) Being afraid to fall away from the salvation process. 4) A dread of not repenting of sin. 5) A terror regarding the wrath of God and the Lake of Fire.
Salvation	Sermon: Moment of Judgment [are we in the time of the ten virgins] This sermon attempts to answer the question we find in 1 Peter 4:18. 1 Peter 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? I make clear in this sermon that every firstfruit can guarantee that they will be in the Kingdom of God with eternal life. In fact, I make it the purpose of the sermon: “Be ready---be saved---at the moment of judgment.” I spend half the sermon defining the key words and phrases of Matthew 25:1-13 and the Kingdom parable of the ten virgins who went out to meet the bridegroom. After we wade through all the definitions to better understand these verses I say: Based on these definitions and what we have discussed so far, we can conclude the following. In the end time, there will be an indefinite number of humans in the Body of Christ. Half will be very actively engaged in the process of salvation. The other half will be, for a period, engaged in the process of backsliding and falling away from the process of salvation. Ironically, they will still be actively attending a church. They will, probably, not even know they are falling away. At the end of the Tribulation, there will be a trumpet blast and we will know that Christ is now appearing in the sky. We will look up into sky and in a moment, all the wise firstfruits will rise up as Spirit beings to be with Christ. The others will realize, in that moment of judgment. that they will not be in the Kingdom. Their lamps will have gone completely out. At the end of the sermon, I give you absolute insurance against becoming a foolish servant: “Examine yourself daily and stay in the salvation process.”
God and Satan	Sermon: No Contest The quotes from this sermon are all in the first seven paragraphs of the sermon. Here is what I said: I recently encountered a biblical misconception floating around the Body of Christ that has to do with God the Father and Satan. From the descriptions, I received, it is a belief that the only choice for humans in this world are: 1] Obeying God and coming under constant attack by Satan and the World. 2] Giving in to Satan and experiencing constant wrath from Almighty God. Are either of these statements or choices expressing truth or reality? Are either of them biblically sound? If I obey God, will I come under constant attack from Satan and the World? If I give in to Satan and temptation will I reap constant wrath from God? Today we will answer these questions as I assure you that when it comes to Godhead and Satan, it is no contest. No Contest. Being called by God and being a firstfruit is not an either/or situation. That is, life is not a situation in which Satan has the same power of God and we walk a puny human flesh between these two powers. There are four primary reasons for this: 1] Whereas Satan has more power and means that a human, his total power is absolutely nothing compared to Almighty God. 2] God is the refuge from Satan and any power he has. 3] Satan can do absolutely nothing without permission of God. 4] Firstfruits have a power in them that, if invoked, results in Satan having to go away from you.
Perspective	Sermon: Optics This is a sermon about having a Kingdom perspective now, while you are still human. I begin the sermon this way: For some time now I have been encouraging all of us to have what I call, “The 10,000-Year Perspective” or one in which you visualize yourself already a spirit being, ten-thousand years into the Kingdom of God and looking back at your physical life on the planet. The mission for such a perspective is to see beyond all your trials, tribulations and the day-to-day life as a human on this planet so they do not crush and smother you in their sorrow, anguish and hardships. What power do trials and tribulations have on a spirit being ten-thousand years into the Kingdom? The 10,000-Year Perspective is a spiritual perspective and today we are going to explore this perspective as I encourage all of us to continually invoke this perspective. I make several statements in this sermon: I am encouraging you to see this world from the Kingdom of God. The firstfruit is destined to be a leader in the World Tomorrow. Having the 10,000-year perspective gives you the perspective of a leader. Since the beginning of time; long before the foundation of the world was laid, what was the perspective of the Godhead? We often do not have control on what happens but we can get through it with God’s help and this kind of perspective. Without a far-reaching perspective like one from the Kingdom of God, our perspective is neck deep in the trial or tribulation, affliction or in the day-to-day drudgery of life. How is a firstfruit to focus first on the Kingdom and not have a Kingdom perspective? This is why I call it, “The 10,000-Year Perspective.” I want you well into the Kingdom as you look back on your journey through this physical life. If we are walking forward in the salvation process and invoking the correct perspective, all these worldly things will be added to us. We will succeed in every trial [Matthew 6:33]. After reading Matthew 6:25-34, which speak to avoiding worry and anxious thoughts I say: What better way to avoid getting caught up in all these thoughts, concerns and fears than by having a perspective where you are already in the Kingdom of God and one where you know you are on the straight path of the salvation process? I next make a number of statement in between scripture readings: “The heart determines our everlasting destiny.” This is the mission and goal of God the Father and Jesus Christ for us. They are establishing a right heart within us. “A heart without holiness never shall see the Lord.” “Christ is the only purifier of the heart.” “The 10,000-year Perspective causes us to love God more.” “The 10,000-year Perspective helps us resist temptation.” “The 10,000-year Perspective helps us handle trials.” “The 10,000-year Perspective protects us from error.”
Prayer	Sermon: Orison [awr-uh-zuh] This sermon asks the questions, “What is the good of prayer?” “What is its importance?” At the end of the sermon I ask the question, “What did we learn today?” Prayer is of first importance. What is the good of prayer? 1] We need it because human wits have an end. 2] We need it because human wills have an end. 3] We need it because human wisdom has an end. We pray... To find the knowledge of God. To claim the wisdom God is giving. To hear the knowledge and understanding coming out of His mouth. To get His support. To be preserved by God. To understand righteousness and judgment and His fairness. To experience every good path. To have wisdom enter our heart. To have knowledge in our soul. To know and invoke discretion which will preserve us. To have understanding keeping us. To be delivered from the evil man. To be protected from the people speaking froward things. 4] We need it because we must do it. 5] We need it to know God. 6] We need it so we can help others. 7] We need it so we know how to do God's will.
Apostasy Heresy False doctrines False teachers	Sermon: Pack Your Bags! This is a sermon about fleeing apostasy, heresy, false doctrine and false teachers. All my personal quotes in this sermon are questions and each question is followed by verses that answer the question. In fact, I formulated the questions from the scriptures. It is my hope that this list of questions will prompt you to go to this sermon for review. Must there be heresies among the brethren in God’s Church? If so, why? Will false teachers bring the flock heresies and deny the Lord that brought them? Will one of the heresies be that Christ did not come in the flesh, that is, tempted as we are; subject to the pulls of the flesh? Will there be those that come and preach another Jesus that we do not know? Will they teach another gospel? Will some pervert the gospel of Christ? Will there be false brethren who will conspire to put us in bondage to lies and heresy? Will there be apostles [saying they are] that lie to the brethren? Will there be some that would teach that it is okay to break the commandments? Did Paul say that false teachers would enter the flock? Will there be many that corrupt the word of God? Will there be men who with cunning craftiness try to deceive us? Are we to beware of evil workers? Will the brethren be subjected to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils? Will they speak lies? [look at the next verse] Are false ministers capable of transforming themselves into ministers of righteousness just as Satan transforms himself into an angel of light? Will men try to spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit? Is heresy a work of the flesh? If ministers teach other than the words of Christ, what can we conclude about them? Are there men who have crept into the church who will deny the Lord Jesus Christ? Is it possible that a man could beguile you with enticing words? Is it possible for our minds to be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ? Will many people follow false ministers? Did the disciples of Christ forsake "all" to follow him? Are we willing to forsake all (even false teachers and an apostate church) and follow proven truth which is Christ? Are we the light of the world? How can we remain in a church which you know in your heart preaches heresy or has gone into apostasy? How can we be a light to anyone? Aren't we to worship God in truth? How can we worship in truth in a church that lies? Does the lack of truth corrupt good manners? If we are surrounded by heresy and apostasy, what are we to do? Is it possible to remain clean inside a church that is unclean? Are we to keep our hearts pure? Can we be lead or preached to by blind [without truth] ministers and remain in that church? If there is false teaching and heresy in the church, won't you be affected? If we know to flee lies and heresy and do not flee, is it sin? If we remain in a church that is without truth and therefore sins, what will happen to us? The church is likened unto a woman and Christ the groom. If we remain in a church that is apostate, are we committing adultery? What would our attitude be then? Why are we supposed to try the spirits? Who are we to avoid? How do you avoid a false minister in the Body of Christ? What are we to do about vain and profane babblings? Are we to be increasing in the knowledge of God? How can we be fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God? Maybe the answer is that we should walk in the true light with other true Christians and pray to God to deliver us from the darkness of heresy. Why must we be fed with sound doctrine? How can we get sound doctrine in an unclean church? What will fables and commandments of men do to us? What are we to speak about? How can we speak sound doctrine when that doctrine is not acceptable in the apostate church? What are we told about strange doctrines? What men should we follow? What is it about these men that we should follow? When confronted by deceivers, what are we to do? If a minister be a heretic what must we do? Why should we reject him? How do we know false teachers? What did Christ say that He would say to the heretics? What happens when we are not receiving true Knowledge? What happens when one rejects the knowledge?
Self-examination	Sermon: Perlustration This is a sermon about self-examination and especially as the Lord’s Supper approaches each year. In this sermon, I provide several scriptures on the subject and many quotes on the importance of self-examination. At the end of the sermon, there is a recap. Perlustration Recap 1] Consider your ways. Do they measure up to the strict words of God? [see sermon, Always so] 2] Ascertain your spiritual condition. [see sermon, Cognation] 3] Feel the power of the salvation process upon your souls. [see sermons Efficacy, Verity and Assiduity] 4] Christ in you will confirm your being in the salvation process. [see sermon, Fullness] 5] If you find something wanting in your examined soul, turn your feet to God. That is, be roused to effort. Take action. [see sermon, Zucht] 6] Abandon every evil or negative way. [see sermons Lustration, Pure Occasions, Claiming Victory] 7] Do not just wait on God; invoke the power of God into changing the course of your life. [see sermons, Full Accord, Summon Forth] 8] Allow God through Christ to direct your life. [see sermons, Summons, Pathway Lights, Alignment, Seven Guideposts of God] 9] Ask God to examine you. Ask for a thorough examination. [see sermon, Stablishment] 10] Know that there is no condemnation to them in the salvation process-Romans 8:1. 11] Constantly and diligently repent. [see sermon, Full Accord] 12] Know that staying in the salvation process means you will be in the Kingdom. [see sermon, Moment of Judgment] 13] Come boldly before God. [see sermon, Caleb—Apollos—James] 14] Come boldly to the Lord’s Supper. [see sermon, Final Exam] [see sermonettes Blood on Trial & Discerning the Body of Christ]

This ends Part 4 of this multiple-part sermon. There will be several more.

Keep reading and thinking about the quotes.

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