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Sermon: It's Crunch Time, Folks
by Chris Cumming
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How many movies have you seen where the primary character expresses to
some group of people, “It’s crunch time guys” or “It’s crunch time
folks.”? Maybe it is the football or basketball coach in a sideline
huddle with his players where they are behind by 3 points and only two
minutes on the clock. Maybe it is a war movie and the commander is
preparing his troops as the enemy is setting up their final attack.
Whatever the scene in the movie, when the character says, “Its crunch
time” we know what he means.
I consulted my dictionary and interestingly the word has its origin as
recently as 1975-1980. The dictionary gives the meaning as:
1] a period of intense pressure; a critical situation.
2] a period when pressure to succeed is great, often toward the end of
an undertaking.
Example: “It’s crunch time—we only have two more days to finish.”
For many of us, we are getting toward the end of an undertaking; our
life in the Salvation Process. The time of our death ever approaches
and so does the time of the return of Christ.
The Bible tells us that our time is short.
Understand that time is short.
Time is short.
Psalm 103:15-16
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he
flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof
shall know it no more.
Our time in the Salvation Process is even shorter.
1 Peter 4:7
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch
unto prayer.
Romans 13:11
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of
sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Okay, we know it is crunch time so let us get down to the burning
question in everyone’s mind. “What could possibly keep me from the
Kingdom of God?" The purpose of today’s sermon is to answer this
question and to impress upon our mind that now is the time to get
serious and diligent about our Salvation.
We are going to look at a number of scriptures today that speak to the
kinds of situations that could keep us from the Kingdom and Family of
God and eternal life.
Notice this statement from our doctrine on
Biblical Covenants:
Note that God's writing His law "within" His people and "upon their
hearts" will not be some magical transformation or mystical experience
by which God will suddenly and mechanistically rewrite our brains and
reprogram our minds. God, in His wisdom, has determined that true
character cannot be built instantly by fiat, not even by divine fiat.
While it is possible for God to command and enforce instant obedience,
that is not at all the same thing as developing true godly character.
Character can be defined as the internalized desire and determination to
obey God, backed by the mental fortitude and resolve to, in fact, obey
through all circumstances, however difficult. Character can only be
generated by a process of conscious experience, test and trial, growth
and development. God designed human beings to become His Sons; and sons
must do more than just obey, they must radiate God's character from
within.
Matthew 19:23-25
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a
rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the
eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying,
Who then can be saved?
Here is the commentary on verse 23:
A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom
of heaven - Shall with difficulty be saved.
He has much to struggle with, and
it will require the greatest of human efforts to break away from his
temptations and idols and to secure his salvation. Compare the notes at
1 Timothy 6:9-10. ~Barnes Notes
1 Timothy 6:9-10 [see
Lesson]
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into
many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and
perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some
coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves
through with many sorrows.
Notice the commentary on the phrase, "they have erred from the faith.
They have erred from the faith - Margin,
“been seduced.” The Greek is, they have been led astray from; that is,
they have been so deceived as to depart from the faith. The notion of
deception or delusion is in the word, and the sense is, that, deceived
by the promises held out by the prospect of wealth, they have
apostatized from the faith. It is not implied of necessity that they
were ever real Christians. They have been led off from truth and duty,
and from all the hopes and joys which religion would have imparted.
~Barnes Notes
So keep yourself from having too much love for money or the desire to be
rich. Do not get too caught up in money as it leads to all worldliness.
So what does Jesus say to the disciples, back in Matthew 19, when they
asked, "Who then can be saved?"
Matthew 19:26
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible;
but with God all things are possible.
1 Peter 4:18
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the
sinner appear?
Let us look at the commentary:
The righteous scarcely be saved - It is
true that the righteous are scarcely saved; even those who endeavour to
walk uprightly in the ways of God. This does not mean that the purpose
and performance of God are uncertain, but only the great difficulties
and hard encounters in the way; that they go through so many temptations
and tribulations, so many fightings without and fears within. Yet all
outward difficulties would be as nothing, were it not for lusts and
corruptions within. These are the worst clogs and troubles. And if the
way of the righteous be so hard, then how hard shall be the end of the
ungodly sinner, who walks in sin with delight, and thinks the righteous
is a fool for all his pains! The only way to keep the soul well, is, to
commit it to God by prayer, and patient perseverance in well-doing. He
will overrule all to the final advantage of the believer.
~Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
So lusts and corruptions within ourselves is the real enemy. We must
commit our soul to God by prayer and patient perseverance in well doing.
Verse 19 of 1 Peter 4 says:
Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the
keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
The People's New Testament commentary put it this way:
Wherefore let them also that suffer - Let
all who suffer, not for evil doing but for righteousness sake, keep on
in well doing and commit their souls to the care of the all seeing and
faithful God. ~People's New Testament
Luke 17:32
...an admonition for when the end time
arrives and I will include verse 31
31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in
the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the
field, let him likewise not return back.
32 Remember Lot's wife.
Notice the commentary:
Remember Lot’s wife - Relinquish
everything, rather than lose your souls. She looked back, Genesis 19:26;
probably she turned back also to carry some of her goods away - for so
much the preceding verse seems to intimate, and became a monument of the
Divine displeasure, and of her own folly and sin. It is a proof that we
have loved with a criminal affection that which we leave with grief and
anxiety, though commanded by the Lord to abandon it.
~Adam Clarke
Look at how the JFB commentary puts it:
Lot’s wife — her “look back,” for that is
all that is said of her, and her recorded doom. Her heart was in Sodom
still, and the “look” just said, “And must I bid it adieu?”
~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
Maybe the People's New Testament gives the best meaning here:
Lot's wife - So hesitation and delay at
this great crisis will be perilous.
~People's New Testament
When the time comes for us to move; when God is directing us to an
action, there can be no hesitation or delay. This is the entire message
for today and why I am stating that its crunch time, folks.
Ezekiel 18:24
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and
committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that
the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath
done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed,
and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
Interestingly, just before God utters those words through Ezekiel, He
says:
Ezekiel 18:21-23
21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed,
and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he
shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be
mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall
live.
23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord
GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
So pursue righteousness.
Hebrews 10:38-39
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul
shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that
believe to the saving of the soul.
The commentaries get abundantly wordy on the phrases here so I will give
you the specific meanings here.
The just shall live by faith - a
spiritual life is meant, a life of justification in Christ, a life of
communion with Christ, and a life of holiness from Christ, with peace,
joy, and comfort through him: and the manner of this just man's living
is "by faith"; not upon his faith, but upon Christ, the object of it;
and by "his faith. ~John Gill
If any man draw back - signifies, pride
and haughtiness of heart. He seeks not to God for deliverance: so that
such a person seems to be designed, who swells with pride and confidence
in his own righteousness; who betakes himself to some fortress of his
own for safety; who withdraws from the assembly of the saints, through
fear of reproach and persecution; who withholds the truth, shuns to
declare it, or maintain a profession of it; plays the hypocrite, and
deals deceitfully in religious things; and, in short, it may intend one,
who finally and totally apostatizes from the doctrine of faith, and the
profession of it. ~John Gill
We are not of them who draw back - There
is a drawing back which is not unto perdition; persons may be attended
with much unbelief, may be very cold and indifferent to Gospel
ordinances, may fall into great sins, and may greatly backslide, and yet
be recovered, as David, Peter, and others: and there is a drawing back
to perdition; when Christ is rejected as the alone Saviour; when he is
not held to as the head; when false doctrines and damnable heresies are
given into; and when men draw back, and never return, nor are they, nor
can they be returned, and their apostasy is total, and final: but true
believers do not, and cannot draw back in this sense; because they are
held fast in the arms, and with the cords of everlasting love, are
chosen of God unto salvation, are given unto Christ, and secured in him.
~John Gill
James 1:6-8
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is
like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the
Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
In verse 6, for the phrase, "driven with the wind and tossed" the John
Gill says:
For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea
driven with the wind and tossed - he is troubled, restless,
unquiet, and impatient; and he is fickle, inconstant, unstable, and
unsettled; and is easily carried away with every wind of doctrine,
temptation, and lust. ~John Gill
Now verse 8 for the man unstable in all his ways:
A double minded man - A man of two souls,
or of a double heart, that speaks and asks with an heart, and an heart,
as in Psalm 12:2 who halts between two opinions, and is at an
uncertainty what to do or say, and is undetermined what to ask for; or
who is not sincere and upright in his requests, who asks for one thing,
and means another, and asks amiss, and with an ill design; does not call
upon God in truth, and in the sincerity of his soul; draws nigh to him
with his mouth, and honours him with his lips, but his heart is far from
him. Such an one is ... ~John Gill
Unstable in all his ways - he is confused
in his mind; restless in his thoughts, unsettled in his designs and
intentions; inconstant in his petitions; uncertain in his notions and
opinion of things; and very variable in his actions, and especially in
matters of religion; he is always changing, and never at a point, but at
a continual uncertainty, both in a way of thinking and doing: he never
continues long either in an opinion, or in a practice, but is ever
shifting and moving. ~John Gill
We cannot allow ourselves to become spiritually unstable.
Matthew 25:8-12
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps
are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us
and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were
ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to
us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Let us look at the commentary on, "The door was shut."
The door was shut - Sinners on a
death-bed too often meet with those deceitful merchants, who promise
them salvation for a price which is of no value in the sight of God.
Come unto me, says Jesus, and buy: there is no
salvation but through his blood - no hope for the sinner but that which
is founded upon his sacrifice and death. The door was shut - dreadful
and fatal words! No hope remains. Nothing but death can shut this door;
but death may surprise us in our sins, and then despair is our only
portion. ~Adam Clarke
Hebrews 4:1
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into
his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
Let us therefore fear - Not with a fear
of wrath and damnation; nor with a fear of diffidence and distrust of
the power, grace, and goodness of God; but with a cautious fear, a godly
jealousy, a careful circumspection, and watchfulness:
~John Gill
The People's New Testament has: Let us therefore fear. God's promises
are conditional. A rest is promised, but we must take heed that we do
not come short of it by failing to keep the conditions. ~People's
New Testament
Should seem to come short of it - Lest
any of us should actually come short of it; i.e. miss it. See Luke 8:18
.
Luke 8:18
Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be
given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which
he seemeth to have. ~People's New
Testament
Notice the phrase at the end
regarding the firstfruit having something taken from him which he
"seemeth to have." Notice the commentary:
It is evident, also, that these
persons had something which might be taken away from them. For
1. The word of God, the Divine
seed, was planted in their hearts.
2. It had already produced some good effects; but they permitted the
devil, the cares of the world, the desire of riches, and the love of
pleasure, to destroy its produce. ~Adam
Clarke
We cannot allow any of these things to take hold in your hearts.
Romans 1:16-18
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and
also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:
as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Verse 16: The gospel is the way in which God exerts His power unto
salvation to everyone who believes, meaning who is in the Salvation
Process.
Verse 17: The phrase, "from faith to faith" is the same as what we read
of in 2 Corinthians 3:18 where we are changed into the image of Christ
from "glory to glory" [every spiritual
work we do] by the power of the Holy Spirit. More than one
commentary states that we move from one degree of faith to another; for
faith, as it grows and increases, has clearer sights of this
righteousness, as held forth in the Gospel. The verse then references
Habakkuk 2:4 when it says, "it is written, The just shall live by
faith." Habakkuk 2:4 reads, "...but the just shall live by his faith.
Interesting that Habakkuk says, "His faith" meaning that we are to
exhibit and invoke the same faith He has.
Verse 18: Having uttered the words of verses 16 and 17, God through Paul
states that the wrath of God is against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men [speaking of a
final product of their character] and then defines the
unrighteousness as those who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Notice
the John Gill on the phrase, "who hold the truth in unrighteousness." -
meaning either such who know the Gospel, which is "the truth", and do
not profess it openly, but hold and imprison it in their minds, which is
a great piece of unrighteousness; or if they do profess it, do not live
up to it in their lives: or rather the Gentile philosophers are
designed, who are spoken of in the following verse; See Gill on Romans
1:22; who had some knowledge of the truth of the divine Being, and his
perfections, and of the difference between moral good and evil; but did
not like to retain it themselves, nor communicate all they knew to
others, nor did they live according to that knowledge which they had.
~John Gill
Romans 1:22 and I will read the verse prior to it:
Romans 1:21-22
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God,
neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their
foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
First of all, these verses in Romans 1 are speaking to both the man in
the world, who may have some knowledge of God and to the firstfruit who
is in the faith but denies it or, as the commentary stated, hold it
prisoner in their minds and do nothing essentially with their calling
and/or the Salvation Process. We must live according to our calling.
We must constantly be moving forward in the faith. We must live
according to the knowledge that we are conforming to the image of Christ
and act as He does.
Let us now go to 1 Corinthians 6.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?
Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified,
but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of
our God.
Verses 9 and 10 clearly need no explanation. Therefore, let us focus on
verse 11. Firstfruits, by definition, are nothing like those who will
not inherit the Kingdom of God. We are washed by the Word of God and
the Spirit of God and therefore are sanctified or given Devine purpose
and calling. We are in the Salvation Process and this is how we are
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the power of the Holy
Spirit of God. Therefore, remained washed by remaining immersed in the
Word of God. Act according to your sanctification.
That is, do all things according to what God has commanded you to do.
Remain justified by remaining in the Salvation Process.
Ephesians 5:3-5
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be
once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not
convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor
covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of
Christ and of God.
Note the word "jesting" here. Note also the word is being mentioned in
the company of filthiness and foolish talking. We are not necessarily
speaking of telling clean jokes or being generally humorous or witty.
Notice some meanings from various commentaries I checked:
"Filthness" means anything base or vile in words or acts.
"Foolish talking" means scurrility [vilification,
vulgarity], buffoonery [coarse
or undignified joking], ridicule, or what tends to expose
another to contempt.
"Jesting" means the kind of humor that conveys an obscene or offensive
meaning. The dictionary gives the meaning here of scoffing or mocking,
teasing, jeering, tauntings and making someone else a laughing stock.
Having explained this, you also have the clause right after these three
words that says these are not convenient, which has its own meaning and
I quote from Barnes Notes, "That is, which are not fit or proper; which
do not become the character of Christians." The Adam Clarke says,
"They do not come up to the proper standard; they are utterly improper
in themselves, and highly unbecoming in those who profess Christianity.
The John Gill says, "are disagreeable to the will of God, and unsuitable
to the characters of the saints, and are very unbecoming them to
practice.
None of this is doing away with all humor. Remember the setting in
which Paul speaks to this. Greek humor was often coarse and off-color.
Again, the word, "jesting" is coupled with, "foolish talking" and
"filthiness."
Back to the Barnes Notes on the word, "jesting" it says:
The apostle would not forbid courteousness, or refinement of manners ,
and the reference, therefore, must be to that which is light and
trifling in conversation; to that which is known among us as jesting. It
may be observed:
(1) that “courteousness” is not
forbidden in the Scriptures, but is positively required; 1 Peter 3:8
which says, "Be courteous."
(2) “Cheerfulness” is not
forbidden - for if anything can make cheerful, it is the hope of [the
Kingdom].
(3) “Pleasantry” cannot be
forbidden. I mean that quiet and gentle humor that arises from
good-nature, and that makes one good-natured in spite of himself.
The meaning of the word, "courteous" here has much to do with our
treatment of others and therefore, even our humor should be the kind
that makes others smile and laugh but which never is pointed at them or
makes them feel discomfort or offense.
I want you to notice that ministers do not joke around when they are
teaching and preaching.
I made this digression here not only to explain what is being said in
Ephesians 5 but to show you that these scriptures are extremely
serious. This is an important subject to our eternal salvation and this
is clearly not a time for jesting.
Matthew 7:21-24
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in
heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied
in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done
many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me,
ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I
will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
This verse really hits close to the ministry as you are going to see.
Verse 21: Clearly lip service is not going to work with God. We must
be doers in our Calling. This, "Lord, Lord" here is also speaking to
the idea of individuals offering argument at the last minute when they
see they will not be in the Kingdom.
Verse 22: Here we see the individual saying, "Lord, Lord" again and
then offering the fact that they had prophesied in His name, cast out
devils and performed miracles. Notice that all these accomplishments
are gifts and not about character. One commentary I read stated that
God could give these gifts to wicked individuals and the gifts of
prophesying, casting out devils and doing miracles do nothing about
their wickedness. Their argument does not work. However the commentary
goes on to show how this applies to the ministry too. The Barnes Notes
says:
So of preaching or prophesying. God may use the agency of a man of
talents, though not pious, to carry forward His purposes. Saving power
on the mind is the work of God, and he may convey it by any agency which
he chooses. Accordingly, many may be found in the day of judgment who
may have been endowed with powers of prophecy or miracle, as Balaam or
the magicians of Egypt; in the same way as many people of distinguished
talents may be found, yet destitute of piety, and who will be shut out
of his kingdom. ~Barnes Notes
Therefore the preaching of the minister does nothing to save him or
qualify him for the Kingdom and eternal life. He must excel diligently
in the Salvation Process like everyone else. The preaching is a gift
like any other.
Verse 24: We must hear the words of Christ [the
Word of God], and do them as this is the only way to build
Godly character and to conform to the image of Christ.
1 John 5:12
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath
not life.
But then read the next two verses:
1 John 5:13-14
13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the
Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may
believe on the name of the Son of God.
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any
thing according to his will, he heareth us:
Do you remember me giving you
Luke 18:25-26 at the beginning of this sermon?
Luke 18:25-26
25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a
rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
Notice the next verse:
Luke 18:27
And he [Jesus] said, The
things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
1 Timothy 2:4
[see
Lesson]
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the
truth.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Remember my reading of Romans 13:11 at the beginning of this sermon.
Let us read it and a few more.
Romans 13:11-14
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of
sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off
the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness,
not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the
flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no
work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou
goest.
It's crunch time folks...let's
get on with it.
-------------------------------------------------------------
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 they might---invoke fervency, diligence and
zeal.
---there is no work in the grave.
It’s crunch time, folks…let’s get on with it. |
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