A BIBLE CHRISTIAN

A. A ROYAL PRIVILEGE1. To be identified with Christ: It meant much to the martyrs for Christ -

Rev. 2:1-62. There is much in a name:

a. It indicates relationship - Acts 11:26b. It reveals attitude - Acts 24:14, 21-23c. It stands for service - 1 Cor. 1:17-19

B. QUALIFYING TO BE A CHRISTIAN1. Accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour:

a. The man from Ethiopia - Acts 8:37-40b. Paul - 1 Tim. 1:15; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:20

2. Confessing the Lord Jesus in word and deed:a. 1 John 4:1-3; Rom. 10:10b. Matt. 10:32; Luke 12:10

3. Become loyal disciples of the Lord Jesus: John 8:31; Matt. 10:14a. That takes self-denial on our part - Matt. 16:24; Mark 14:31b. Bearing our own cross - Matt. 10:38; Luke 14:27c. This is one of the severest tests to the discipleship of a Christian;

but Paul was glad to bear the marks of Christ in his body - Gal. 5:11; 6:124. Doing all the Lord commands us is still another requirement for a Bible

Christian:a. "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" -

Luke 6:46b. "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed" -

John 8:31c. "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of

the law shall be justified." - Rom. 2:13d. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your

own selves." - Jas. 1:22-25

C. BLESSINGS OF BEING A BIBLE CHRISTIAN1. It brings to the believer complete salvation from sin:

a. Matt. 1:21; Rom. 8:1, 31-33b. 1 Tim. 1:15; Luke 23:42-44; Luke 19:9; Acts 8:37-39

2. Makes us fellow heirs with Christ:a. Of all God's wonderful promises - 2 Pet. 1:2-7b. Eph. 1:22, 23

3. Glorious and eternal victory over all our enemies:a. Satan - Rom. 16:20; Ezek. 28:18b. Sin and death - 1 Cor. 15:26; 50-58; Heb. 2:14-16

4. It gives a part in the resurrection of the Just: Luke 14:145. And it will give us immortality:

a. John 3:16; 1 John 5:10-12

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b. Rom. 6:23; Mark 10:28-30; John 6:54; 1 Tim. 1:17; 6:15, 166. The gift of the Holy Ghost: Acts 2:37-39; 19:1-37. Why are you not a Christian? This is no idle question, but very proper and

very challenging to all who hesitate of being Christians.8. Let us note some of the excuses by people for not being Christians:

a. "I am waiting until I am strong enough to be a Christian". Christ's answer -- "without me ye can do nothing" - John 15:5

b. "I am just not ready to be a Christian." The Bible answer -- "Now is the accepted time." - 2 Cor. 6:1-3

c. "It is too hard to be a Christian." The Saviour's answer -- "my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" - Matt. 11:30

d. "There are too many hypocrites in the church and I do not choose to be another one." Our Lord's answer, "why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" - Matt. 7:1-4THE MIND OF JESUS CHRIST

A. "LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST JESUS" - Phil. 2:5

1. The Bible speaks of:a. A reprobate mind - Rom. 1:29b. A carnal mind - Rom. 8:7c. A fleshly mind - Col. 2:18d. A defiled mind - Tit. 1:15e. A blinded mind - 2 Cor. 4:4

2. It speaks, also, of:a. A sound mind - 2 Tim. 1:7b. A fervent mind - 2 Cor. 7:7c. A humble mind - Acts 20:19d. A willing mind - 2 Cor. 8:12e. A ready mind - 1 Pet. 5:2

B. THE MIND OF JESUS CHRIST1. He had a mind full of humility:

a. He was truly clothed with humility - Phil. 2:5-11; Matt. 11:28-30; 1 Pet. 2:22

b. A humble mind is free from pride and arrogance.c. "In Him was no guile" - 1 Pet. 2:22

2. Christ had an obedient mind:a. Loving obedience to the will of His Father was the law of His life -

Phil. 2:8, 5-11; John 5:19, 30b. "Not my will but thy will be done" - Luke 22:42

3. He had a sacrificial mind:a. He who owned the wealth of the universe became poor to make us

rich - 2 Cor. 8:9b. He gave Himself as an atoning sacrifice for our sins - Isa. 53:1-12c. "For their sakes I sanctify myself" - John 17:19

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d. "I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day" - John 9:4

4. He had a resolute mind:a. "I set my face like a fling" - Isa. 50:7b. "He steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem" - Luke 10:51

5. He had a pure and sinless mind:a. There was no guile in Him - 1 Pet. 2:22; Heb. 4:15; 1 John 3:5b. His mind reflected the nature of His Father - Heb. 1:3; Col. 2:9

C. "LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU, WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST JESUS."1. That little word "Let" indicates:

a. That Christ is willing and ready to have His mind become a part of our lives - Matt. 11:28-30; Rev. 3:20

b. That it is up to us to let or not to let the mind of Christ be in us.c. "Whosoever will" - Rev. 22:17

2. Paul assures the believers in these positive words, "We have the mind of Christ": 2 Cor. 2:16

a. Since God is not a respecter of person, and since He is willing that the believers shall be possessed of the mind of Christ, there is no reason why we should not be able to join Paul in saying, "We, too, have the mind of Christ."

b. All, in whom the Spirit of Christ lives, do have the mind of Christ. 1 Cor. 6:16

3. Let us note, briefly, the implications of having the mind of Christ:a. The new birth or regeneration is the very foundation of being

possessed of the mind of Christ - John 3:3-9b. Letting the Spirit of God control our lives is the expression of the

mind of Christ - Rom. 8:10-16c. Letting the word of God dwell in our hearts is the mind of Jesus

Christ - Col. 3:16-18d. We receive Christ into our hearts through faith - Eph. 3:17; Gal.

4:19e. Paul gives us the key to retaining the mind of Christ in these

immortal words: "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 a good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil. 4:8

GOD'S ESTIMATE OF CHARACTERMALACHI 3:17

A. "AND THEY SHALL BE MINE, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, IN THAT DAY WHEN I MAKE UP MY JEWELS"

1. The words of our text are a revelation of God's estimate of character:a. He uses simile - Jewels to show how much He values character.b. Though the universe is His, including all created beings, yet He

expresses a very special attachment to some human beings.

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2. Our text is both a wonderful revelation of God for His children and also His evaluation of a character:

B. CHARACTER - WHAT IT IS1. Character is a manifestation of those virtues that reveal godlikeness:

a. Adam and Eve were created in the image of God; they reflected God's character image - Gen. 1:26, 27

b. This was true in their physical appearance as well as in their nature - Eccl. 7:29; 2 Cor. 3:17, 18

2. God's character is:a. Expressed in His name - Ex. 34:7, 8b. By His Son - Heb. 1:3; Col. 2:9; 2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15; John 14:9c. His written word -- the Bible - John 5:39; 2 Tim. 3:15-17d. In His handiworks - Ps. 19:1-6; 111:1-9e. In the Ten Commandments - Rom. 7:12, 14; Ex. 20:3-17; Ps. 19:7f. In His children - 1 Pet. 2:9-11; Matt. 5:1-16

3. Character, or the divine nature, is the great objective of redemption:a. The restoration of the image of God.b. Through faith in Christ Jesus - Rom. 8:29; 2 Pet. 1:2-11; 1 John

3:1-3c. This will be accomplished through the Holy Spirit - Zech. 4:6

C. "THEY SHALL BE MINE, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, IN THAT DAY WHEN I MAKE UP MY JEWELS"

1. The Bible gives us some specimens of what God's character jewels are like:

a. Joseph, the second youngest son of Jacob, revealed godliness most when he was tested most severely - Gen. 39

b. Ruth the Moabitess, is still another star in the constellation of God's worthies - Ruth 1:16

c. Job, Daniel, Isaiah, Enoch, and many other Bible characters revealed some of the virtues God treasures.

2. Description of God's character jewels:a. They are not easily broken.b. They do not fade when exposed to the elements.c. Contact with some of the hardest experiences will bring out their

luster more fully.3. Examples of God's jewels which are on display:

a. Enoch, the seventh from Adam - Gen. 5:22-24; Heb. 11:5b. Daniel - Dan. 1:8; 6:10c. Job, Joseph, Paul.d. They did not fade when exposed to severe trials.e. Contact with the hardest and most severe tests brought out their

true luster - Dan. 12:3f. Think of the many professed followers of Christ who have lost

their luster when they became exposed to tests.

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4. "When I will make up my jewels":a. That indicates that God has many jewels in the rough who need

polishing.b. The church of God is the workshop where God is preparing His

jewels - Eph. 5:24-29c. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are the tools God uses - Eph. 4:11-16;

1 Cor. 12d. Are you, dear reader, one of the jewels that God is preparing for

display in the universe?e. Then let us keep in mind that when hardships and trials come, that

the great God of heaven allows them for a purpose.LOVE TO JESUSJOHN 21:17

A. "SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME?"1. This appears to be the first conversation between our Lord and Peter after

our Lord's resurrection:a. You will recall Peter's experience during the trial of Christ - Mark

14:54-72b. What people forget -- Peter's deep sorrow after his denial of his

Master - Matt. 26:752. Our Saviour's compassion, His forgiveness, and reassurance:

a. He knows our frame and the infirmities, and He has compassion upon us - Ps. 103:13, 14

b. This is plainly indicated in the conversation between the Lord and Peter.

c. He had confidence in Peter, "feed my sheep" "feed my lambs" - John 21:17

B. "SIMON, SON OF JONAS, LOVEST THOU ME?"1. Why this searching question, when the Lord knew Peter far better than

Peter knew himself?a. Peter knew only too well that His Lord and Master knew him,

"Thou knowest all things" - John 16:30; 21:17b. The question was asked for the benefit of Peter and all the 'Peters'

that would come afterward.2. The searching question of our opening text has a threefold basis:

a. To reveal to Peter, and to us, the only heaven accepted basis for service -- love.

b. We love to serve the Lord because we love Him, "For the love of Christ constraineth us" - 2 Cor. 5:14

c. Sincere and abiding love has the only ingredient to stand up under the trials which are a part of the service for Christ - 2 Tim. 2:3; Matt. 24:13

3. The testing question of our Lord to Peter indicates further:a. That severe trials or tests were awaiting Peter - John 21:18, 19

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b. Peter writes about the fiery trials that would come upon the saints - 1 Pet. 4:12, 13

C. CHARACTER OF THE LOVE THAT JESUS DESIRES IN US1. It is far more than paying lip-service to Him, His cause, and His children:

a. There was considerable dissimulation going on among the disciples - Gal. 2:13. Even Peter and Barnabbas had been influenced by this weakness.

b. Paul admonishes the believers to love without dissimulation - Rom. 12:9

2. The nature of service for Christ demands more than superficial formalism:a. It demands self-denial in the highest degree - Matt. 16:24; Luke

14:27b. It implies the bearing of our cross - Matt. 10:38; Luke 14:27c. For Peter, it meant to lay down his life in his old age for the Son of

God - John 21:17-193. Such love must have a sure foundation:

a. It must rest upon heaven born convictions -- "We love Him, Because He first loved us" - 1 John 4:19

b. It must rest upon unshakable confidence in the cause of Jesus Christ - Rom. 8:38, 39

c. Such love is the fruit of the Holy Spirit - Rom. 5:5; Gal. 5:22, 234. Love, fervent and abiding love for the Lord is the only basis:

a. To be entrusted with the care of God's sheep and His lambs - John 10:11-15

b. It was when Peter repeated, "Lord, I love you", that the Lord said to him:

c. "Feed my sheep . . . feed my lambs" - John 21:16-18d. Christ will not entrust his sheep and lambs to an hireling - John

10:13e. Forty years of labor in the field of evangelism have taught me that

only the abiding love of God in our hearts can and will give strength to endure and give all to the cause of truth.

A CHRISTIAN, A LIGHTMATTHEW 5:14

A. "YE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"1. Light is indispensable in a world filled with darkness: Isa. 60:1, 22. Men walking in darkness will stumble: Isa. 59:10; John 11:9, 10

B. THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN IS LIKE THE WAY OF THE SUN1. The sun works silently:2. God's ways are, in most instances, silent:

a. Elijah had to experience this truth - 1 Ki. 19:11-13b. It is a test of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts - Isa.

30:15; 32:15, 16

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c. "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace" - Ex. 14:14

d. "Be still and know that I am God" - Ps. 46:103. The sun is regular and dependable:

a. Think of what would happen to all life on this planet, if the sun was not regular and dependable.

4. A true Christian is dependable and regular:a. Enoch was - Gen. 5:22-24b. Daniel was - Dan. 6:10c. Job, too, was dependable and regular in his relationship with God -

Job. 1:1-65. The sun is sure:

a. Nothing can stop it from shining.b. A well balanced Christian is sure and dependable. "If God be for

us, who can be against us?" Rom. 8:31-39c. Abraham is a good example of constancy and reliability. Of him

God said, "I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment." Gen. 18:19

6. The sun is a dispenser of:a. Light.b. Heat.c. Energy.

7. A true Bible Christian, too, is:a. A burning and shining light -

EXAMPLES - (1) John the Baptist was truly a burning and shining light -

John 5:35(2) The Philippians were a burning and shining light in a

crooked and perverse world - Phil. 2:15b. The pathway of a Christian is as a shining light that shineth more

and more unto the perfect day - Prov. 4:18

C. BLESSING OF A TRUE BIBLE CHRISTIAN1. They are God's agents to bring light and hope into dark hearts and lives:

a. Paul and Silas in the home of the jailer. The lives of Paul and Silas never were more useful than when a would be suicide was saved with all his house - Acts 16:30-36

b. That was true of Peter in the home of Cornelius - Acts 10:1-48c. Dorcas, too, gives us a vivid example of a true Christian who let

her light shine in the most effective way - Acts 9:36-422. The object of the Christian light is:

a. That men may see their good works, and glorify God - Matt. 5:14-16

b. They who let their light shine reveal the virtues of Bible Christianity - 1 Pet. 2:9-11

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c. There is no more effective way to make converts for Christ than by showing Christianity in our daily lives.

d. Christians are, as Paul states it, a savor of life unto life - 2 Cor. 2:15

e. All this adds up to the mission of the church of the living God in this world; it shows that we are to shine and shine unto the perfect day.

THE CHRISTIAN BIRTHRIGHT2 PETER 1:4

A. THERE ARE TWO CLASSES OF PEOPLE IN THE WORLD1. Those who place all value upon the spiritual:

a. The merchantman of our Lord's parable - Matt. 13:45, 46b. The apostle Paul - Phil. 3:7, 8

2. And there are those who live for the material things in this world:a. Esau is a typical example - Gen. 25:30-34b. The rich farmer in another parable of Christ - Luke 12:16-20

3. We can think of two groups of people whose life's interest is opposite to each other:

a. One of these groups, well dressed, sits around magnificent tables in a modern office, working over plans to produce more, increase their income; aim: more wealth in gold or other material values - Jas. 4:13, 14

b. We can think of the other group, much smaller, sitting around tables, working feverishly to find ways and means to carry the gospel to all men - Matt. 28:18-20. We cannot belong to this latter group and be Esau! Heb. 12:16, 17

B. THE CHRISTIAN BIRTHRIGHT1. Our birthright brings to us special honors and blessings:

a. We have been made kings and priests in the household of faith - 1 Pet. 2:9-11; Rev. 5:10

b. We are, in Christ, fellow heirs to the exceeding great promises of God, all inclusive - 2 Pet. 1:4; Eph. 3:6

2. This birthright brings, however, special obligations to the heirs:a. Ministry through the royal priesthood - 1 Pet. 2:9-11b. The first-born in Israel became the priest of the family in case the

head of the house passed away.3. Esau despised his birthright and its obligations:

a. He cared nothing for altars, sacrifices, faith or prayer.b. We have no record of him believing in God or even mentioning

God in a reverent manner -- "he was a profane person."c. He was too busy with hunting to think about spiritual values.

C. THE BIRTHRIGHT OF SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS1. It is no exaggeration on my part, when I state in humility, that God

bestowed a double portion of the Christian birthright upon his remnant people:a. We have been honored to live in the closing days of earth's history.

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b. We have been blessed with prophetic light as no other people experienced.

c. Think of the prophetic chain of fulfilled Bible prophecy - Dan. 2; 7; 8; 10; Rev. 12:1-17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 20:1-11

2. But this heirship of the Christian birthright brings with it solemn obligations:

a. Christian dignity - 2 Pet. 3:11-14b. Upholding the high standard of Present Truth - 1 Pet. 2:9-11c. These obligations are increased or heightened by the fact that the

coming of the Lord is nigh at hand - 2 Pet. 3:11-14d. Many among the remnant people will live to be translated without

seeing death; that being true, they must be free from sin and its stain - 1 John 3:1-33. How shall we relate ourselves to the Christian birthright, its blessings and

its solemn obligations?a. "Walk worthy, honestly, in the light of Present Truth" - Eph. 4:1;

Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 4:12; 1 John 1:7b. Cast off all works of darkness and put on all the armor of light,

making no provision for the flesh - Rom. 13:11-14THE CHRISTIAN RACE

A. "KNOW YE NOT THAT THEY WHICH RUN IN A RACE RUN ALL, BUT ONE RECEIVETH THE PRIZE? SO RUN, THAT YE MAY OBTAIN?" - 1 Cor. 9:24

1. Paul was a keen observer of the Grecian games, and he used them to illustrate the Christ-race:

2. He gives special emphasis to:a. The rules controlling those games.b. To the prize given to the winner.c. The special effort put into the race by the runner.

B. A PROFITABLE COMPARISON1. Regulation of the foot races:

a. Intensive training, including perfect control of the body - 1 Cor. 9:27

b. Strict observance of the rules, including staying in the lane assigned to the runner.

2. The Christian race is somewhat similar:a. Abide by the same rule - Phil. 3:16b. Walk by the same rule - Gal. 6:16c. Exercise and self-control are a must, if we wish to win the race that

is set before us - 1 Tim. 4:7; Acts 24:16; Rom. 12:3-6d. The measure of the rule set by God - 2 Cor. 10:13, 14e. Lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us - Heb.

12:1-6f. Observe carefully the Christian limitation - 1 Cor. 9:24; 2 Pet. 1:6;

Rom. 12:3-63. The Grecian runner had a mark to reach:

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a. The Christian, too, has a mark to reach -(1) Christlikeness - Phil. 3:14; Rom. 8:29(2) Christian perfection - 1 John 3:1-3(3) To obtain a crown of life - 1 Pet. 5:4; 2 Tim. 4:6-8

b. Let us keep our eyes and our heart set upon the mark of high calling in Christ Jesus - Phil. 3:13-16

C. THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE WILL GIVE THE REWARD1. Grecian judges were, at times, bought by bribery:2. But not so the judge of all the earth:

a. Paul calls him "the righteous judge" - 2 Tim. 4:8b. He rewards men without partiality - Jas. 3:17

3. The Christian runner has a great advantage over the Grecian runner:a. There were numerous runners in the Grecian games, but only one

could win the prize.b. In the Christian race, all may obtain a crown of glory.c. The Grecian runner obtained a crown that faded away, left only a

memory.d. But the Christian has for his goal -

(1) The crown of life - Jas. 1:12(2) A crown of righteousness - 2 Tim. 4:8(3) A crown of glory - 1 Pet. 5:4(4) A crown that fadeth not away - 1 Pet. 5:4

4. What we must keep in mind:a. It will take concerted effort on our part to win the race and obtain a

crown.b. "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say, will seek to

enter in, and shall not be able." Luke 13:24c. It will take complete self-denial on our part - Matt. 16:24; 2 Tim.

2:12d. Free ourselves from all the weight of sin and evil habits - Heb.

12:1e. Set our face, like a flint, toward the kingdom of God - Phil. 3:13,

14f. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith - Heb.

12:1-6g. These and other rules of the Christian life must be observed, if we

desire to reach the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus - Luke 21:34-36THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE

A. "WAR A GOOD WARFARE"1. The word "war" fills a person with horror:

a. It is associated with all that is most horrible and in most instances disastrous.

b. David was a man of war, yet he prayed "O God, scatter the people who delight in war" - Ps. 68:30

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c. Who can describe the wretchedness, woe and wailing, war has produced on our earth?

(1) The earth is filled with the blood of those who lost their lives in war.

(2) It is said that no less than 37,000,000 persons perished during World War II. This includes the different effects the war had on the lives of the people involved in war.

2. But this we know, that so long as sin exists the conflict will continue:

B. THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE1. Some readers may be baffled when they read in the Bible about war in

heaven: "And there was war in heaven":a. The Bible shows clearly that there was war in heaven - Rev. 12:7b. That it was the beginning of the great controversy between Christ

and Satan.c. Our Lord calls Lucifer a murderer - John 8:44

2. Satan transplanted this war to this earth:a. It began with the conflict over the doctrine of the immortality of

the soul.b. This was the beginning of man's conflict with the prince of

darkness - Gen. 3:15, 163. War implies enemies:

a. Satan is our chief enemy - 1 Pet. 5:8b. Fallen angels or spirits in the air - Eph. 6:12c. Our carnal nature is one of the devil's channels - Rom. 7:14-18, 23d. The Trinity of the flesh is also a means used by Satan in his fight

against Christ - 1 John 2:15, 16These are facts to think over; they will help us.

4. The battlefield of the Christian:a. The heart - occupied by Satan.b. A faithful description of it - Jer. 17:9c. Christ describes the condition of the unregenerated heart - Matt.

15:19; Rom. 1:29-315. Weapons of the Christian soldier:

a. Negatively -(1) Not carnal - 2 Cor. 10:4(2) Not of man's devices - Mi. 2:1

b. Positively -(1) Spiritual.(2) The whole armor of God - Eph. 6:11

c. Earnest prevailing prayer is feared more by Satan than any other effort by Christians.C. WHAT THE ADVENT BELIEVER MUST TAKE TO HEART ABOUT THIS WARFARE IS

1. It will increase in intensity as we near the end of the great conflict between Christ and Satan:

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a. Satan is a student of Bible prophecy, and he knows that he not only has lost the conflict to Christ, but that his end is near at hand - Rev. 12:12

b. "He knoweth that he hath but a short time."c. He not only is angry, but he has great wrath - 1 Pet. 5:8

2. His attack will, in the last days, be concentrated against a small group of Christian believers:

a. He will make war against the people that keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus - Rev. 12:17

b. He will use the nations to seek out the commandment keeping people and attempt to destroy them from off the earth. Matt. 10:18-23

3. Bible prophecy reveals Satan's method of attack against Christ and His people:

a. He will use the latest and most modern means to spread deception.b. Paul warns against this deception.c. John reveals the success of this warfare. Compare Matt. 24:4, 5;

24 with 2 Tim. 4:1-6THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GODEPHESIANS 4:13

A. "WHEREFORE, TAKE UNTO YOU THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, THAT YE MAY BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND IN THE EVIL DAY, AND HAVING DONE ALL THIS, STAND."

1. Experience shows that the condition of a true Christian is one of trial and peril:

a. He is, in a sense, a mariner, crossing the sea of life, exposed to storms and tempests, wherein many, I fear, have made shipwreck of their faith and a good conscience - 1 Tim. 1:19

b. He is a spiritual racer, and is running the Christian course, eagerly stretching forth his hand to seize the wreath of glory of eternal life - Phil. 3:13, 14

2. But our text sees the Christian as a warrior; he is constantly exposed to cunning and brutal foes; "Wherefore", says the apostle, "take unto you the whole armour of God."

B. OBSERVE, PLEASE1. The evil day:

a. Jacob, when relating about his life to Pharaoh, said, "few and evil have the days of the years of my life been" - Gen. 47:9

b. The preacher writes, "All the days of the afflicted are evil" - Prov. 15:15

2. Some seek to ignore the certainty of the evil days in this life:a. "Ye that put far away the evil day" - Amos 6:3b. "All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say,

The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us." - Amos 9:103. Nature of the evil day:

a. It is a day of affliction -(1) Our bodies have the seeds of innumerable diseases in them.

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(2) "We that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened" - 2 Cor. 5:4

b. The evil day of temptation - Compare Matt. 4:1-12 with 1 Pet. 5:8; Rev. 12:12

c. So long as Satan and his agents are at large temptation will continue, will even increase - 1 Pet. 1:6

4. Evil day of persecution:a. "Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer

persecution." 2 Tim. 3:12b. "Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to

try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you." 1 Pet. 4:12

C. THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD1. Note, please, "The Armour of God."

a. That indicates real warfare for the children of God.b. It specifies the kind of armour we are to put on.

(1) No carnal weapons are to be used - 2 Cor. 4:4(2) But those weapons God has provided us with.

2. The whole armour of God includes:a. The girdle of truth - Eph. 6:14b. The breastplate of righteousness - verse 14c. The feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace - verse 15d. The shield of faith - verse 16e. The helmet of salvation - verse 17f. And the sword of the Spirit - verse 17g. Last, but not least, constant prayer and supplication in the Spirit -

verse 183. What an array of spiritual weapons for the saints!

a. They are mighty, irresistible - 2 Cor. 4:4-7b. They have much evidence for their power -

(1) Think of the conflict of Christ with Satan - Matt. 4:1-12; 22:15-34

(2) Stephen beat back the assaults of the enemies - Acts 6:10(3) Paul, that mighty warrior, has many laurels for his

successful battles - Rom. 8:37; 2 Tim. 4:7-94. That ye may be able to stand:

a. Stand loyal to the banner of truth.b. Be steadfast in adversity.c. Stand even at the risk of life itself.d. Stand before the Son of man when He comes in the clouds of

heaven.CHRISTIAN PERPLEXITY2 CORINTHIANS 4:8

A. PERPLEXITY, BUT NOT DESPAIR1. Definition:

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a. The word "perplexed" signifies embarrassment, difficulty, trouble, anxiety.

b. Despair, to give up hope, and all expectations, to resign one's self, a state of hopelessness.

2. You will notice that our text contains a twofold assertion:a. A positive -- perplexed.b. A negative -- but not in despair.

B. THE TWOFOLD EXPRESSION BY PAUL EMBODIES A TRUE REVELATION OF THE EXPERIENCE COMMON TO ALL MEN, EVEN GOD'S CHILDREN

1. Perplexed:a. John the Baptist, a mighty man of God, came to a point in his life,

when he was perplexed:(1) See him in prison for reproving sin - Matt. 4:12; 14:3(2) The night of doubt seemed to press so heavily upon the

mind of this dedicated preacher that he seemed confused about the Messiah - "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" Matt. 11:3

b. The Jews, in the days of queen Esther, were in a state of perplexity; the death sentence was hanging over them - Esth. 3:1-15

c. God's remnant people will have to live through a period of perplexity unknown before - Dan. 12:1, 2; Rev. 12:17

d. The whole world will, in the last days, enter into a state of perplexity - Luke 21:25

2. Events in the last days will bring on:a. The night of Jacob's trouble for God's commandment keeping

people - Jer. 30:7b. That will be the time when the people of God will have to live

without an intercessor, when they will cry day and night unto God for security against their enemy; that will truly be a state of perplexity - Luke 18:7

3. But not in despair:a. Job was in a state of great perplexity, but never in despair -

(1) "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him."(2) "I will maintain mine own ways before him" - Job 13:15

b. Jeremiah was in a state of perplexity, but never in despair. There were times when he wished to die, but he continued trusting the God of Israel - Jer. 20:1-13

c. Mordecai was perplexed at the time the death sentence hung over the Jews, but he never despaired - Esth. 4:13, 14

d. Nehemiah was harassed by the enemy day after day; he was greatly perplexed about the work of God, but he never despaired - Neh. 6:1-12

C. THERE IS NO REASON FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TO DESPAIR AT ANY TIME1. God allows perplexity to come to His people, not to discourage them, but

to use perplexity for our good:a. That is what Paul believed and taught - Rom. 8:26

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b. The Lord uses trials to correct us, and not to destroy us. Compare Heb. 12:5 with Deut. 8:5; Ps. 94:14

2. Everything connected with our salvation remains the same:a. Christ is the same - Heb. 13:8b. God's word is the same - Matt. 24:35c. The love of God is the same - Jer. 31:3; John 13:1-3

3. The things that befall us will, in the end, produce the most salutary effects in our lives:

a. The furnace of affliction - Isa. 48:8-10; Mal. 3:3b. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us

a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Cor. 4:17, 18CHRISTIAN CONSTANCY1 CORINTHIANS 15:58, 59

A. "THEREFORE, MY BELOVED BRETHREN, BE YE STEADFAST, UNMOVABLE, ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD, FORASMUCH AS YE KNOW THAT YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN IN THE LORD."

1. The resurrection: The fifteenth chapter of First Corinthians is the very heart of the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead:

a. In this memorable chapter Paul emphasizes the resurrection of the dead.

b. He ties in with the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead the hope of God's children.

c. "For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is in vain; ye are yet in your sins."

2. He closes this wonderful chapter with the admonition to the believers to be steadfast and unmovable to the end:

B. CHRISTIAN CONSTANCY1. "Therefore, by beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable":

a. To be steadfast and unmovable, one must be well rooted and grounded in the truth, in the doctrine of Christ - Eph. 3:17; Col. 2:7

b. Not to be carried away with every wind of doctrine - Eph. 4:14c. It is good for the heart to be established in the love of the truth - 1

Pet. 5:10; Heb. 13:92. We must build solidly:

a. On the Holy scriptures - 2 Tim. 3:15-17; John 7:37, 38b. On the teaching of the Apostles and the prophets - Eph. 2:20-22c. On Christ the rock of ages - Matt. 16:18, 19; 1 Pet. 2:8; 1 Cor.

3:11; 10:4d. Upon Present Truth - The prophetic messages of Rev. 14:6-12 is

the true basis of the Great Second Advent Movement. It will be impossible for one to remain steadfast in this Movement, unless he knows the truth from experience.

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3. Unmovable:a. This requires a sure foundation.b. And the implication is, that to be unmovable, we must live the

truths we profess to believe - Matt. 7:24-27c. Only the doer of the word of God shall be saved - Jas. 1:22, 23;

Rom. 2:134. The above admonition to be unmovable suggest:

a. That our faith will be exposed to severe tests.b. Recall our Lord's words to Peter, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan

hath desired to have thee, that he may sift you as wheat" - Luke 22:31

C. PAUL'S TIMELY ADMONITION FINDS A SPECIAL APPLICATION IN THE EXPERIENCE OF GOD'S REMNANT CHURCH

1. Rev. 12:17 has, I believe, special reference to the Seventh Day Adventist Church:

a. They are a small remnant, or that which remains before Christ comes - Rom. 9:27; Rev. 12:17

b. They keep God's law - Rev. 14:12; 22:14; Isa. 51:7c. They have the testimony of Jesus - Rev. 19:10; Isa. 8:16d. It is against this group of Christians that Satan will declare war.

2. Many of God's people will actually:a. Go through the experience of Jacob's trouble - Isa. 14:1; Jer. 30:7b. They will be left alone to lean upon the God of Israel - Gen. 32:24-

29c. Many of them will be deprived of their rights as citizens; they will

have their Bibles taken away from them; they will be declared persona non crata; they will be hated by all men - Matt. 10:22; Mark 13:13; Luke 21:17

d. It is then that we need to be rooted and grounded in the truth -(1) Like Joseph was - Gen. 39:9(2) Like Daniel and his friends were - Dan. 3:6(3) Like Martin Luther and his associates were.(4) "Be ye steadfast, unmovable."

"WE ARE TRUE MEN"

A. "WE ALL ARE ONE MAN'S SONS; WE ARE TRUE MEN, THY SERVANTS ARE NOT SPIES" - Gen. 42:11

1. This remarkable assertion by Joseph's brothers was an attempt, on their part, to reassure the governor of their fidelity:

a. We belong to one honorable family.b. We believe in being honest and upright in all our dealing with

others.2. All this, the governor, their own brother, wanted to find out:

a. His past experience at their hands was just the opposite of what they claimed now.

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b. They had been heartless and cruel beyond words - Gen. 37:11-36c. They had lied to their heartbroken father about what they claimed

had happened unto Joseph - Gen. 37:32

B. LET US CONSIDER THE IMPLICATION OF TRUE MEN1. By nature, no man, born of a woman, is a true man:

a. By nature all are sinners - Gal. 3:22; Rom. 3:23b. The nature of a sinner is anything but true - Rom. 3:9-19; Isa. 1:6c. The brethren of Joseph were, before, liars, haters, cruel, and

outright wicked.2. Nature of true men:

a. Men, whose words are yea, yea, and nay, nay, are true men - Matt. 5:37; Jas. 5:12

b. They are without guile - John 1:47; Ps. 32:2; Rev. 14:5c. Who are upright in all their ways - Job 1:1; Ps. 3:1-6d. Men who are godlike in their conduct - Gen. 5:23-25e. Adam was upright to begin with - Eccl. 7:29; Gen. 1:26, 27f. The thought of being true is a real and timely challenge to all who

profess to be God's children.g. We have a few who can stand as a pattern of true men -- Read

about Noah, Daniel, and Job - Ezek. 14:14, 20

C. HOW WE BECOME TRUE MEN1. Negatively:

a. Not by our own efforts or devices - Jer. 13:23b. Paul discovered this truth when he attempted to live a godly life

outside of Christ - Rom. 7:14-262. Positively:

a. Through the process of the new birth, which changes our carnal nature and enables us to be partakers of the divine nature.

b. Ezekiel gives us a wonderful description of this transformation - Ezek. 36:26, 27; John 3:3-6

c. Through faith in Christ Jesus - 2 Cor. 5:14-17; 1 John 3:1-3d. Through operation of the Holy Spirit, who transforms our sinful

nature - Zech. 4:6; 2 Cor. 3:183. To make true men out of us is the aim of the gospel of Jesus Christ:

a. That is the assertion by the apostle Paul in several of his Epistles - 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:24-27

b. "For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Eph. 2:10

c. "Therefore if any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, all things are new." 2 Cor. 5:17

4. This transformation was evident in the lives of Joseph's brethren:a. They had mellowed during the years of Joseph's separation from

his family.

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b. They took a different attitude toward their younger brother, as plainly indicated in the test Joseph applied to them.

c. He learned that what they said about themselves had become true; and he was happy for that.

d. Time and experience are a wonderful means to bring about a change in human nature, as is evident in the experience of the ten Patriarchs.TRUST INEXTINGUISHABLEJOB 13:15

A. "THOUGH HE SLAY ME, YET WILL I TRUST HIM: BUT I WILL MAINTAIN MINE OWN WAYS BEFORE HIM."

1. These words, by Job, stand out in all the Bible as a shining example of the inextinguishable trust in God:

a. They come from the lips of one severely tested by Satan, who sought to overthrow his faith in God.

b. But our text is surety of Job's steadfastness throughout.2. The words of Job have been the means of God to enable God's martyrs in

all ages to remain steadfast to the very end:

B. LET US CONSIDER THREE DIFFERENT AND YET CLOSELY RELATED ASPECTS OF THE TEXT

1. "Though he slay me":a. The Lord was willing to remove the hedge about him and all that

he had to show that Job's integrity was far deeper than even life itself - Job 1:12b. Job's most severe test came when Satan killed his children.c. But Satan was not satisfied with having Job's family wiped out, he

was ready to lay his hands on Job also.d. The Lord gave him permission to lay his hand on Job's body, but

not on his life.e. But the severest test came to him when his wife sought to persuade

him to curse God and die - Job 2:9f. But that was not the end of his tests. It continued in the visit of his

miserable comforters, who had enough nerve to argue with a man in pain and anguish.g. Job's inability to understand his case was an added test to his trust

in God.2. Job's inextinguishable trust:

a. "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him." What was it that gave Job such tenacity to cleave unto the Lord?

b. He knew his God - Job 19:25c. He knew God as his redeemer.d. He was steadfast because he believed in the resurrection of the

dead - Job 13:22; 14:15

C. INEXTINGUISHABLE TRUST REWARDED1. "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job" - Job 42:10-13

a. It proved Satan a liar in every way!

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b. You will recall how Satan sought to attach Job's earthly blessings to his relationship to God.

c. How he did everything in his power to discourage the servant of God.

2. But God's turning of Job's trials vindicated the Lord's claims for Job's loyalty to God:

a. Job had lost all his earthly goods; he lost all his children; and he lost his own wife's fidelity in God, which must have been shocking to him.

b. He suffered great bodily pain, yet he remained steadfast.c. He was jarred by the criticism of his miserable comforters - Job.

16:23. A wonderful lesson for God's sufferers:

a. The Lord may allow fiery trials to come upon us - 1 Pet. 4:12b. He may allow Satan to shift and try us - Luke 22:32, 33c. He may allow us to be laid low by sickness and pain - Isa. 38:1-22d. He may have our so-called friends turn against us and cause us to

be looked down upon by men.e. But he will never forsake us, nor will he allow us to be tempted

above that we are able to endure - 1 Cor. 10:13f. He will, in due time, vindicate our case and be gracious unto us, if

we, like Job, remain faithful to the end - Matt. 24:124. What a testimony for all to take to heart -- "Though he slay me, yet will I

trust him."a. Paul states our case - Heb. 11:17b. All things will work out for the good of all so chosen by the Lord.

GOD'S CALL TO AWAKEROMANS 13:11

A. "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. THE NIGHT IS FAR SPENT, THE DAY IS AT HAND: LET US CAST OFF THE WORKS OF DARKNESS, AND LET US PUT ON THE ARMOUR OF LIGHT."

1. This is one of Paul's timely admonitions, which, I believe, is meant for God's remnant people:

a. We, of all men, are a time conscious people.b. We are, and rightly so, Bible prophecy minded.

2. The admonition in our text embodies truths, if heeded, which will save the soul. That mighty man of God knew the constant dangers to the spiritual life of God's people, and he sought to warn us against them."

B. THERE ARE THREE HIGH POINTS IN OUR TEXT WORTHY OF OUR PRAYERFUL CONSIDERATION

1. We know the time:a. A chain of prophetic forecasts in the books Daniel and Revelation

show clearly that we are at the very threshold of eternity.

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b. Included in these forecasts are The Image of Daniel 2; The Beasts of Revelation 7; the cleansing of the sanctuary recorded in Daniel 8:13, 14; and the special prophecies in the book of Rev. 12; 13; 14; 16; 18; 20

c. We do not overlook that great prophetic outline of Matt. 24.2. All these prophetic forecasts point to the end of time and the soon coming

of Jesus Christ:a. That is what our Lord says - Matt. 24:33b. He especially emphasizes this truth in Luke 21:25, 26

3. The breakdown of morality in society is still another sign of the time:a. Note, with prayer, what the Lord said of conditions in the last days

- Luke 17:26-29; 21:34-38b. Paul speaks of the same conditions - 2 Tim. 3:1-9c. The lukewarm condition among God's people is still another mark

of the time of the end - Matt. 24:12, 13; Rev. 3:14-17d. The cry for union with the Papacy is also a sign of the end - Rev.

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C. OUR URGENT NEED1. Is plainly indicated by our spiritual condition:

a. We are sleepy -(1) Secret or hidden sins cause us to sleep when we ought to be

wide awake. Compare Rom. 13:11 with Heb. 12:1-9; 1 Cor. 11:30(2) Being engrossed with the cares of this world is still another

reason for our sleepiness - Luke 21:34-38b. Some among us are entangled in the works of darkness - Gal. 5:19-

212. Paul's timely admonition is:

a. "Awake out of sleep"b. Said the mariner to Jonah, "What meanest thou O sleeper?" Jonah

1:6c. Sleep is characteristic of inactiveness, being unproductive, and

unconscious of the surrounding.3. Cast off the works of darkness:

a. That God's people should be weighted down with the works of darkness is to be regretted.

b. Consider 1 John 2:15, 16c. The works of darkness are a condition of the heart - Matt. 15:19

4. The admonition of our opening text is, therefore, a clear indication:a. That Present Truth, powerful as it is, is ineffective in the lives of

the people that are entangled in the works of darkness.b. That is one sad reason for so many among us being soundly asleep.

5. My God shall supply all your needs:a. By us putting on the whole armor of light or Present Truth.b. This armor of light is pictured by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians

- Eph. 6:10-18

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c. If we heed the counsel of the faithful and true witness - Rev. 3:14-17

6. The time is very late, the day is at hand, and it will be to the saving of our souls to heed the counsel of our text.WITH JESUS THROUGH THE STORMMATTHEW 8:23-27, 28

A. AFTER THE STRENUOUS DAY OF PUBLIC TEACHING, AND AFTER THE INQUIRY MEETING THAT WAS ALMOST CERTAIN TO FOLLOW HIS PUBLIC ADDRESSES, JESUS, IN COMPANY WITH HIS DISCIPLES, STARTS ACROSS THE SEA:

1. It was a training school for the disciples:a. The ministry of the Son of God on earth served a dual purpose.b. To proclaim the gospel of the kingdom, and to train missionaries

for service.2. This boat ride served purposes:

B. LET US NOTE THE IMPLICATIONS OF OUR TEXT1. The weary sleeper:

a. Reveals his perfect humanity - Heb. 2:14-16; John 1:14b. He had hunger pains - Mark 11:12; Matt. 4:1, 2; Luke 4:2; Matt.

21:11c. His body was weary and tired, and sleep was normal for him.

2. The unexpected storm:a. Why it was permitted to come.b. For the benefit of the trainees.

3. The disciples needed that lesson very badly:a. Their faith in the Saviour was, as yet, rather weak.b. They leaned too much upon the things visible to their eyes.c. They were possessed of a misplaced faith.d. They limited the Holy One in Israel to outward circumstances - Ps.

78:41e. They were frightened by the storm and were impatient with the

Lord.f. They were plainly distrustful.g. They were shortsighted. They had forgotten past manifestations of

the power of God.h. They overlooked that the Lord was sharing the same apparent

dangers.i. They were in need of the lesson, as we all are, because we all are

shortsighted.

C. OUTCOME OF THEIR EXPERIENCE1. The Master intervened:

a. He commanded the storm to cease.b. It obeyed him instantly.

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2. The disciples are startled:a. Who is He, that the raging sea should obey Him - Matt. 8:27b. This statement by the disciples reveals the imperfection of their

faith in the divinity of the Son of God.c. It also shows how short their memories were!d. Had He not manifested His divine power on a number of

occasions!e. How could they forget what He did at Cana? - John 2:7-11f. How could they forget what He did with five little loaves and two

fishes? John 6:1-133. There is a lesson for God's people today -- with Jesus through the storm:

a. Why does the Lord allow the trials and perplexities of life to overtake His people?

b. They need the training! Heb. 12:6-11c. It will teach us to trust the Lord at all times and under all

circumstances - Job 13:15d. Trials and temptations are not to destroy us but to strengthen our

faith in God and His promises - 1 Pet. 1:7e. Let us never forget the trials of our brethren in past ages - Heb.

11:364. What is most important for God's pilgrims on the stormy seas:

a. The presence of the Lord!b. What affects us will affect Him too.c. He is able to calm the stormy sea at will.d. Let us trust him!

FOR CHRIST'S SAKEEPHESIANS 4:32

A. TIMELY ADMONITION1. "Be ye kind one to the other":2. "Tenderhearted":3. "Forgiving one another as God forgave you for Christ's sake":

B. OUR TEXT SHOWS VERY PLAINLY GOD'S REASON IN DEALING COMPASSIONATELY WITH US -- "CHRIST" IS THAT GREAT REASON

1. We are accepted into the family of God:a. In the Beloved.b. Mephibosheth was accepted by king David into the royal family

for Jonathan's sake - 2 Sam. 9:7-9c. Onesimus, who had run away from his master, was received back

into the family of Philemon for Paul's sake - Philem. 10-172. It is in Christ that we have been adopted into the heavenly family:

a. Sin had alienated us, made us strangers, to God's family - Eph. 4:18; Col. 1:21

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b. But our Lord brought us back into that happy relationship through His great love - Eph. 2:11-16

3. God has, for Christ's sake, forgiven us our sins:a. Pharaoh received Jacob and his large family for Joseph's sake -

Gen. 47:5-10b. God forgave Israel because Moses stood in the breach that had

been caused by the continuous rebellion of his people - Ex. 32:324. We are now heirs and fellow heirs for Christ's sake:

a. Rom. 8:17b. Gal. 3:26-29c. Eph. 3:6

5. All God's promises center in the person of Jesus Christ our Lord:a. He is the seed to whom the promises are made - Gal. 3:16; Matt.

21:38b. "For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen,

unto the glory of God by us." 2 Cor. 1:20; Rom. 15:8

C. CHRIST, THE GREAT REASON FOR OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD OUR FELLOW MEN

1. This is the great Master key to a new approach in human relationship:a. It makes Christ the all compelling motive of a changed attitude

toward others.b. We have the mind of Christ and in that mind we deal with our

fellow men. Phil. 2:6-112. Our thoughts toward others, our words with others, and our actions toward

others, are motivated in the spirit and mind of Christ:a. We love others because He loved us - 1 John 4:19b. We forgive because He first forgave us - Eph 4:32c. We are ready and willing to suffer because He suffered for us -

Acts 21:13; 2 Cor. 4:11d. We are ready to forsake all because He gave up the wealth and

glory of heaven for our sake - 2 Cor. 8:9; Matt. 19:29; Mark 10:283. A Bible Christian will ever weigh his or her action toward others in the

light of his relationship with Christ:a. He will ever ask himself the question -- What would Christ do in

my place?b. Paul states this truth very forcefully in these words, "And

whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" - Col. 3:174. Some startling statements which will give new and added meaning to our

subject:a. "Because for thy sake I have borne" - Ps. 69:7b. "For thy sake are we killed all day" - Rom. 8:30; Ps. 44:22c. "All things are for your sake" - 2 Cor. 4:15d. "I will spare all the place for their sakes" - Gen. 18:26

5. Is Christ the key to my relationship to the people I associate with?a. If he is, it will give a new meaning to human relationship.

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b. It will mean a complete and happy change in my attitude towards others -- in thought, word, and action.THE DISCIPLINE OF CHANGEJEREMIAH 48:11

A. "MOAB HATH BEEN AT EASE FROM HIS YOUTH, AND HE HATH SETTLED ON HIS LEES, AND HATH NOT BEEN EMPTIED FROM VESSEL TO VESSEL, NEITHER HATH HE GONE INTO CAPTIVITY THEREFORE HIS TASTE REMAINED IN HIM, AND HIS SCENT IS NOT CHANGED."

1. Moab, a small country:a. Was noted for its vineyards.b. They used the ancient process of changing wine from vessel to

vessel.2. Jeremiah uses a figure of speech to show that Moab was dying of moral

stagnation:a. It never had been brought into captivity.b. It was at ease, in spite of its moral decay.

B. THE DISCIPLINE OF CHANGE IS THE BURDEN OF THIS MESSAGE1. Life's changes:

a. Our checkered experiences have a wonderful power of cleansing effect upon our lives.

b. "We glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience" - Rom. 5:3

c. "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Heb. 12:11

EXAMPLES - (1) Nebuchadnezzar would never have testified for the true and

living God, had he not gone through experiences which convinced him of the power of the true God - Dan. 4:30-37

(2) Pharaoh would never have acknowledge the Hand of God, had not the Lord shown him the power of God - Ex. 9:27

(3) Then think of Saul before David - 1 Sam. 26:212. It is in changes and surprises through which we pass continuously in this

life:a. This is one of God's means to prepare us for translation. It is the

oven in which the Lord separates the gold from the dross - Prov. 25:4; Isa. 1:22; Mal. 3:3b. The frequent unsettlements in our experience keep us from

becoming wedded to the world and from taking root in a world that will pass away - 1 Sam. 27:1-12; 29:1-11; 1 John 2:15, 16

3. The penalty of stagnation:a. This sterile, stagnant Moab, whose good wine of life is vitiated by

inaction and indolence, is surely a text for a thousand sermons. b. We are in constant danger that our God given blessings become the

curse of inaction or spiritual stagnation -

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EXAMPLES - (1) Think of Meroz - Judg. 5:1-27(2) Sodom and Gomorrah are still another warning sign on the

highway of life - Ezek. 16:49(3) The Babylonian kingdom is still another example of the

result of stagnation - Dan. 5(4) Finally, we have the parable of the rich farmer - Luke

12:16-21

C. BLESSINGS OF THE DISCIPLINE OF CHANGE1. It develops character: Heb. 12:7-102. That was the experience of Moses after he had slain the Egyptian -- 40

years in the school of experience: Num. 12:33. It purifies the souls:

a. "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction" - Isa. 48:10, 11b. The dregs in the bottom of our heart need to be removed to make

room for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit - Jas. 4:8; 2 Cor. 7:1, 24. It teaches us to rely upon the Lord at all times:

a. Peter's experiences at the time he denied his Lord taught him valuable lessons in his relationship with the Lord.

b. After the betrayal, he was more careful in his promises - Compare Matt. 14:30 -- "Lord save me."

c. Paul, too remembered his daily need of leaning upon the power of God - Rom. 7:1-26; Phil. 2:12, 13; 4:12, 13

5. Finally, the discipline of change will save us from eternal ruin:a. The vineyard of the Lord needs pruning - John 15:1-11b. So a constant change in our lives will purify the soul.

"HOLD THAT FAST WHICH THOU HAST"REVELATION 3:11, 12

A. "BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY: HOLD THAT FAST WHICH THOU HAST, THAT NO MAN TAKE THY CROWN."

1. A message to the church of Philadelphia:a. The name of "Philadelphia" indicates that the church had things

worth holding on to --b. An open door - "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me,

and there are many adversaries." 1 Cor. 16:9c. Little strength.d. "Thou hast kept my word."e. "And hast not denied my name."

2. The admonition of the true witness indicates that danger was threatening that noble church; Satan would do his utmost to weaken that church:

B. HOLD THAT FAST WHICH THOU HAST1. This admonition indicates:

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a. That the church of Philadelphia had some treasures Satan sought to get away from it.

b. This church is wonderfully illustrated by the parable of the sower that went forth to sow the good seed; some fell by the wayside - "Then cometh that wicked one, and snatched away that which was sown in his heart." Matt. 13:1-19

2. It implies, also, that we have much to do, on our part, to retain the blessings of the kingdom:

a. The church at Ephesus failed in this responsibility - "thou hast left thy first love" - Rev. 3:4

b. "For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." Jer. 2:12, 13

3. "Let no man take thy crown":a. This shows that it is possible that someone else may take the place

that should have been ours -EXAMPLES - (1) Judah, the fourth son of Jacob, took Reuben's place, the

oldest son of Jacob.(2) Manasses, the youngest son of Joseph, took Dan's place.(3) Compare Rev. 7:5 with Gen. 49:1-10. Here is food for

earnest thoughts on our part.4. How sad it would be to learn to our sorrow that someone else took the

crown that was intended for us:

C. "BEHOLD I COME QUICKLY"1. In these words the Lord gives the special reason for the Philadelphians to

hang onto the things they had received from the Lord:a. This has, as we understand, reference to the second coming of

Jesus Christ.b. That coming is the theme of the ages and the blessed hope of the

redeemed.2. This blessed truth is sufficient reason to not let the things we have heard

slip away from us:a. How sad it makes us when we hear of a brother or a sister leaving

the message, going out into the world and living on the husks of sin.b. As we see the end nearing, we should make sure that we have a

good hold on the great truths that will save our soul.c. Apostasies are too many among us, but what can we do to stop this

drifting away from the truth.3. Here are some of the things we must hang on to:

a. Our confidence in God's promises and in the ultimate triumph of the gospel - Heb. 10:35

b. Our first love for Present Truth. The great danger to all of us is the temptation to become careless in our relationship to the message.

c. It is possible for one to believe the theory of the message, and yet be lost; reason, because of neglecting to practice the truths we profess to believe.

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d. "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." Rom. 2:13

e. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." Jas. 2:22

f. "Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. 22:14WHENCE HATH IT TARES?MATTHEW 13:24-43

A. "SIR, DIDST NOT THOU SOW GOOD SEED IN THY FIELD? FROM WHENCE THEN HATH IT TARES?"

1. The sower, in this parable, is the Son of man, He sows the good seed:a. The field is the world - Matt. 13:38; 28:18-20b. The good seed are the children of God or the kingdom of God.

2. The sower of the tares is the devil:a. The tares are the children of the wicked one - Matt. 13:38, 39b. The harvest is the end of the world.c. The harvesters are the angels.

B. WHENCE HATH IT TARES?1. This is a thought provoking question:

a. Christ calls his children out of the world; He separates them from their former life - 2 Cor. 6:14-17; Rev. 18:4

b. Yet, sooner or later, one discovers that among the saints are children of the wicked one.

c. How did they get into the church?2. Did they get into the church:

a. Because the church lowered its standard?b. Did they come into the fellowship of the believers with hidden sins

in their lives, unknown to themselves?3. Do we not read in Eph. 5:27 that when the Son of Man cometh to receive

his people, his church will be without spot or wrinkles?a. How do wicked people get into the church?b. We may not be able to answer these very important questions, but

this we do know that it is the devil that guides them into the church to harm it - Matt. 13:39

4. This parable of our Lord is very important for a number of reasons:a. It shows how Satan uses divers means and ways to hinder the work

of the gospel.b. To make the cause of Christ appear in an unfavorable light.c. To entice or ensnare careless souls and destroy them.

5. How Satan works and how to guard against his devices; how to foil his evil designs:

a. Satan works in the church while we sleep -(1) When the members of the church are asleep and off guard,

Satan does his dirty work - Rom. 13:11-14

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(2) The ten virgins are a good example of God's children going to sleep - Matt. 25:1-12

b. The tares always surprise those who must take or deal with the consequences of sin.

c. Our unguarded moments are ever openings for the enemy of our soul.

C. A VALUABLE LESSON FOR US TO DO1. It shows that sinful and wicked people do get into the church, where they

can do much harm:a. A little leaven leavens a whole lump - 1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9b. Sin works like a cancer, it will eat into the very life of those

affected by it - 2 Tim. 2:172. Experience shows that sinners get into the church through divers channels:

a. Carelessness in holding up the standard in the church opens the door for sinners to join the careless to make trouble to the church.

b. Association with worldlings will lead to worldliness among the members of the church, and that will work like a contagion, spreading its poison very rapidly.

3. The question is ever present -- What can be done about it to keep the enemy out of the church?

a. That is a most difficult job for anyone.b. The difficulty arises from our inability to differentiate the wheat

from the tares.c. There is a time in the growth of the wheat and the tares when it

seems impossible to know which is the wheat and which are the tares.4. Here is what the church can do:

a. It can hold up the banner of truth and urge its members to live up to the standard.

b. It can expose the working of Satan, so that the people can be on guard.

c. It must, however, let the wheat and tares grow until the harvest -- and let God divide the tares from the wheat - Matt. 13."BLOW THE TRUMPET IN ZION, SOUND THE ALARM"JOEL 2:15-17

A. BLOWING THE TRUMPET AND SOUNDING THE ALARM IN ZION1. Was to warn the people against the plague of locusts that were and still are

common in the Middle East:a. Egypt has been plagued with this pest to a point when the locusts

ate up every green thing.b. Only modern methods of poisoning the locust has improved the

situation somewhat.2. But this warning signal was used to warn the nation of an impending

invasion by an enemy: Isa. 22:11, 12

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3. The prophetic message of our opening text belongs to God's remnant people:

a. We know from the prophetic word the aim of our adversary - Rev. 12:17

b. Satan hates God's people which keep the commandments of God.

B. BLOW THE TRUMPET, SOUND THE ALARM1. The hour of a world crisis is upon us: Read "Testimonies for the Church,

Volume 9, pages 11-12"a. International danger.b. Internal difficulties.c. Special danger facing the people of God, "Testimonies for the

Church, Volume 6, page 16."d. Missionary opportunities will soon be cut off. "Testimonies for the

Church, Volume 6, pages 14-15."2. Our real danger:

a. Involvement in worldliness. So long as the world is without, we still have a chance to recognize its dangers, and close the door to all its enticements; but when the world has moved into the churches, has taken control of some of the activities in the church, difficulties before us are great and deadly.

b. The testimony of the true witness must be heeded by us, or many among us will be lost - Rev. 3:14-17

c. God loves his people and he, therefore, sends us the needed warnings before it is too late.

3. Let us note, briefly, God's testimony to the remnant Church:a. We are charged with making false claims - Rev. 3:17b. We are charged with blindness to our undone condition - Rev.

3:15-17c. The true witness charges us with harmful self-complacency - Verse

17d. But what is worst of all, is that we are woefully unprepared for the

crisis that is before us. Here is, indeed, food for serious thought by all of us.

C. THE LORD'S GRACIOUS COUNSEL TO US1. Some people make fun of us because we claim to belong to the church of

Laodicea:a. They forget that the Lord loves this church; that is why He speaks

plainly about our condition.b. That His fault-finding with the church is not for the purpose of

casting it off, but to give the trumpet a definite sound and so arouse the people of God.c. You will notice that the true witness does not find fault with the

doctrine of the church but with its spiritual condition.d. The message to the Laodiceans is to draw God's people closer to

Himself and so cleanse the church from its faults - Heb. 12:6-112. Our need has been stated by the Lord in words that are easily understood:

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a. We need an experience that is comparable to the gold tried in the fire. The fire will take away the dross of sin - Isa. 48:10; Mal. 3:3, 4

b. We need to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, comparable to the white raiment - 1 Cor. 1:30; Rev. 19:7; Isa. 61:10; 64:6

c. We need eye salve for our eyes so we may see. That is indicative that worldliness has blinded us to the dangers that beset us - Ps. 119:18; 146:8

d. Let us heed the counsel of our Lord and draw near to Him in prayer and dedication before it is forever too late - Zeph. 2:1-4THE TALEBEARERLEVITICUS 19:16

A. A TALEBEARER1. One who peddles, a trader in kinds:2. The talebearer is a person who goes about dealing in scandal and calamity,

getting the secrets of people and retelling them wherever he goes: Adam Clark

B. MOTIVE OF A TALEBEARER1. To expose the weakness of his victim, by showing it in the most

unfavorable light:a. That is the way the rebellion began in heaven -- not that God had

made mistakes, but Lucifer interpreted everything God said or did in a very unfavorable light - Matt. 25:24, 25

b. That is the way the enemies of our Lord construed some of his words to make him say what he had not said - Compare John 2:19 with Mark 14:58

c. That is the way the tale was spread that Christ had not been raised from the dead, but that he had been stolen - Matt. 28:15

2. To destroy the confidence of people in his victim:a. That was what the silversmith did to enrage the people against Paul

- Acts 19:24-31b. To discredit a person in the eyes of others is one of the most

ruthless deeds that can be done to any person.c. And, yet, how many of us are reminded that we, too, have been

guilty of this hideous sin in one way or another.3. God foresaw this evil and he put into the Ten Commandments this

injunction, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." - Ex. 20:16a. To bear false witness means to say something that is not true, and

if it is not true, it is a lie.b. We know then that talebearing is the work of the devil, and those

who are guilty of it are his agents, peddling his wares.c. Here is food for serious thought and prayer because the temptation

is ever present to say something unkind about the people we do not like.

C. THE HARM THE TALEBEARER CAUSES IS BEYOND OUR CALCULATION

1. First of all we think of the harm the talebearer does to himself:

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a. He is guilty of the transgression of the ninth commandment - Ex. 20:16

b. "Thou shalt not raise a false report" - Ex. 23:1EXAMPLES - (1) That lewd woman, Potiphar's wife, did just that about

Joseph - Gen. 39:13-18(2) That is what the Jews did to Paul - Acts 26:31

2. Then we attempt to evaluate the hurt the talebearer causes to his victims:a. He causes wounds which are hard to heal - Prov. 18:8; 26:22b. He brings strife among the people, "Where no wood is, there the

fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth." - Prov. 26:203. Beware of the talebearer:

a. He will surely reveal secrets - Prov. 11:13; 20:19b. When people volunteer information about other people, be on

guard because they are aiming to get you into trouble.4. The harm done by the talebearer:

a. It has broken up homes.b. It has led to suicide.c. It has brought deep sorrow and grief to innocent persons.

5. How to guard against a talebearer:a. Do not associate with him.b. Train yourself to speak well of people, in private and particularly

in the presence of people who are known as gossip peddlers.c. If someone talks about the weakness of others in your presence,

change the subject, and let that party know that you are not interested in talking about the weakness of others.

d. You need not do that many times and the talebearer will omit your home.

e. Knowing how God feels about the talebearer, we should never be guilty of that sin.

DIVORCE

A. THE WORD "DIVORCE" OUGHT TO SEND ALL, WHO PROFESS TO BE CHRISTIANS, ON OUR KNEES WITH THIS PRAYER: DEAR GOD KEEP US FROM BEING GUILTY OF THIS TERRIBLE SIN

1. Some facts about divorce that are saddening:a. We are told that a divorce takes place every forty five minutes in

the U.S.A.b. Over 6,000,000 children are without the united care of their parents

by reason of divorce.c. The church is, seemingly, powerless against this tragedy in our

society.2. If the church of God is powerless to stem the divorce wills, who will do it?

a. Marriage is a Bible ordinance - Gen. 2:18, 19; Matt. 19:1-3

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b. Instruction in the matrimonial relationship is a primary concern for the church.

c. The sacredness of this institution should be emphasized by the teachers of Christianity.

d. If the church of God neglects this important institution, it fails its Lord and society.

B. BASIC CAUSE OF DIVORCE1. There may be different causes that lead to this tragedy, but there are some

basic reasons which I want to touch upon:a. A flagrant disregard of the author of the marriage institution.

(1) God is the author of the marriage institution.(2) Marriage was instituted in the Garden of Eden, when sin

had, as yet, not marred the home - Gen. 2:18, 19; Mal. 2:14; Matt. 19:1-3(3) The overthrow of the antediluvians was the result of men

disregarding the marriage as God had instituted - Gen. 6:1-3b. Ignoring the original purpose of marriage is another contributory

factor of divorce -(1) The woman was given to man for a helpmeet.(2) The pair was to bring an holy seed into the world - Mal.

1:15c. Hasty unions also contribute to family disorders.

2. But the main mischief maker is incompatibility:a. People do not take time to get to know each other sufficiently to

determine their compatibility.b. Outlook upon life - religiously and otherwise has a lot to do with

the marriage relation.3. The third party has, in some instances, a lot to do with breaking up a

home:a. It may be the "in-laws" that cause divorce.b. Or it might be an intruder.

C. GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE1. In our civil courts, a number of reasonable grounds are considered:2. But the Bible recognizes only one ground for the divorce:

a. Infidelity or fornication - Matt. 19:1-9b. Adultery or unfaithfulness to the marriage vows.

3. In such a case, the innocent party of the broken marriage relation is free:a. There are some who think that if a husband or a wife is untrue, a

divorce may be proper for the innocent; but in that case, the innocent must remain single all their remaining life.

b. That I cannot see; for why punish the innocent for the crime of the guilty? Why make the innocent suffer for the sin of the guilty?

c. It is my humble opinion that when one of the contracting parties breaks the mutual vows, and the other one is true, the original relationship has been broken, and the guilty party is as good as dead to the innocent party.

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4. What about these factors that break up homes:a. Cruelty? The answer is that when cruelty makes it difficult for two

to live together, separation may be the only solution, but that is not sufficient cause for divorce.

b. Non-support is another experience that breaks up homes, and it may be that the woman that does not receive the support of her husband may be forced to make her own living, but that is not sufficient ground for divorce.

c. Two or more living husbands. What shall a person do that has two or more husbands or wives living? Should a person leave all and live alone? The answer is, begin your Christian life with the one you live with, and make the best of your situation. Running away from your mistakes will not alter the situation.

THE MODERN DANCEMARK 6:14-30, 31

A. THE BIBLE AND DANCING1. The story of the dance, as recorded in the Bible is twofold:

a. The religious or ceremonial dance, as indicated in 2 Sam. 6:14. David danced for joy before the ark of the Lord.

b. The apostate Israelites danced before the golden calf - Ex. 32:192. There were dances connected with drinking and revelry, as at the banquet

of Herod.a. At the time John the Baptist was beheaded - Matt. 14:6b. At socials when people combine dance and strong drink.

B. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE MODERN DANCE?1. This is no idle question:

a. Many of our young people have approached me with the question, "What is wrong with dancing, as long as it is done to have a good time?"

b. "They danced in Bible times, and what can be wrong if our young people dance today?"

2. I must admit that I am very prejudice against the modern dance:a. I am a minister of the gospel, and the Bible tells us that one of the

greatest preachers of all times lost his life in the heat and atmosphere of drinking and dancing.

b. It was in connection with the dance that the Israelites became demoralized - Ex. 32

3. The modern dance has seven earmarks which prove it to be public enemy Number One:

a. In most instances, dancing is associated with drinking.b. Nakedness and dancing are common where strong drink makes the

dancers lighthearted. That means "Dance Set" the straight appeal to lust. It is a sorry but a well known fact that the modern dance breaks down morality and modesty.

c. Divorce and the modern dance go hand in hand. "Changing dancing partners in the twilight" is quite common. Remember Herod and his unlawful wife.

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d. The dance, of our so-called modern society, is the mother of lust. The annals of history will have a story to reveal of the unspeakable immorality connected with the modern dance. This lust of a carnal mind is inflamed by the heat of strong drink.

e. Murder goes with the modern dance - Mark 5:27, 28f. The modern dance is the gateway to hell. How many victims await

hell fire because they frequented the dance halls?g. No one can, with good conscience, claim to be walking with God,

and at the same time patronize the modern dance.

C. SAFEGUARDS AGAINST THE MODERN DANCE1. Test the temptation with the word of God:

a. Does the modern dance with the opposite sex come under 1 John 2:15, 16?

(1) The lust of the flesh.(2) The lust of the eyes.(3) And the pride of life.If it does, then it is sinful to indulge in.

b. Will dancing with the other man's wife bring cleavage between you and your wife? If it does, it is sinful.

2. Would the Lord Jesus approve of me taking part in a society dance associated with strong drink?

a. Most of us know the answer only too well because the Lord would not approve indulgence that leads to immorality.

b. In view of this fact, we are not doing the will of the Lord when we go on the devil's grounds.

3. The Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, will not approve a practice that leads to disregard of God's moral precepts:

a. The people of God, living in the end of time, have too many other more important things to do than associating with the people who go to dancing parties.

b. To them the modern dance bears the earmarks of moral corruption and will, unless it is forsaken, lead straight to hell.

"EXAMINE YOURSELVES"2 CORINTHIANS 13:5

A. BACKGROUND TO OUR TEXT1. Paul had learned that the Corinthians had criticized his ministry, and were

bringing divisions among the believers: 1 Cor. 1:10-152. This attitude, by some of the Corinthians, necessitated the second Epistle

to those believers:

B. SELF-EXAMINATION AND ITS IMPLICATION1. It is a most difficult undertaking:

a. It runs against the human ego -(1) Many are blind to their own shortcomings - Luke 18:11,

12; Matt. 7:1-5

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(2) Pride and self-conceit keep them from applying the test for self-discovery.

b. It necessitates self-exposure -(1) That is not in human nature,(2) Because it is human to seek to hide our defects - Gen. 3:7

2. It requires the application of principles outside of one's self:a. The Pharisee measured himself by his own conception of himself.b. But the Publican measured himself by what he knew about God's

requirements - Luke 18:11-133. We find God's measuring rod in his Word:

a. To the law and to the testimony - Isa. 8:20b. It is the divine mirror in which we can see, not only God's

requirements, but, also, our own sinful self - Jas. 1:22-25c. By it, Paul says, "is the knowledge of sin" - Rom. 3:20; 7:7d. Let us apply this rule to our own self and thereby be benefited or

helped.e. We all are, more or less, tempted to remove the mote out of our

brother's eye, and forget to remove the beam out of our own eye - Matt. 7:3, 4f. Prayerful self-examination will help us to avoid the serious

mistake that is so common among God's people.4. Seventh-Day Adventists claim to have the highest moral standard known

by men:a. The law of the Ten Commandments.b. We refer our friends to Rev. 12:17; 14:12 as proof.c. We call attention to the prophetic forecast of the final Reform

Movement, which we believe we carry today - Acts 3:19-21; Isa. 56:1-7; 58:1-145. We sincerely believe that this Advent Movement carries the Three Angels'

Message in this present generation:a. Announcing the hour of God's judgment.b. Exposing the fall of Babylon.c. Warning against the beast, his image, and his mark - Rev. 14:6-12

6. All these heavenly blessings add up a serious responsibility to God's people, which must not be taken lightly:

C. "PROVE YOURSELVES"1. That we enter into judgment with ourselves, prove ourselves, not by

determining our own concept of truth, but rather of what the truth is in itself:a. This is the very heart of self-examination.

(1) Is our knowledge of the truth workable? Does it stand up in practice? Luke 6:46

(2) For not the hearer but the doer of the law shall be justified in the sight of the Lord - Rom. 2:13

b. All tests of our lives have but a twofold aim -(1) To discover our need.(2) To apply the remedy God has for our need - Rev. 3:14-17

2. Such self-examination will be most helpful:

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a. To our ownselves -(1) It will keep us from spending time and energy in finding

fault with others.(2) It will bring us closer to the Lord.(3) It will be beneficial to the church of God.

b. Thus Paul gives us timely instructions for our own good.c. Let us be humble enough to apply them to our own sinful selves.

VICTORY OVER THE WORLD1 JOHN 5:4, 5

A. THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BETWEEN CHRIST AND SATAN1. Began in heaven: Rev. 12:7, 82. It was transferred to this world: Gen. 3:1-22; Job 1:1-9; Rev. 12:12

B. OUR CONFLICT IN THIS PRESENT WORLD1. Was forecast in the Garden of Eden: Gen. 3:152. Will become more intense as we near the great and final battle between

good and evil:3. This conflict is twofold:

a. Moral principles are involved -EXAMPLES - (1) Joseph's temptation by a lewd woman concerned moral

principles - Gen. 39:9(2) Daniel and his friends were subjected to a test of moral

principles - Dan. 1:8; 6:10; 3:1-30b. God's remnant people will be tested on the same principles - Rev.

12:17c. Heb. 11:34-40 records a panorama of the saints, who, in past ages,

were tested, but remained faithful to the end.4. The customs in this present world are, in some ways, most difficult to

fight against:a. There is the great difficulty by God's children to differentiate

between the things that are most modest and becoming to the saints and those which are a denial of the faith.

b. Only a working knowledge of Bible standards and guidance by the Holy Spirit will enable God's people to walk safely in this present evil world - 2 Cor. 4:2; Rom. 13:11-14

5. Three powerful snares we must avoid at all cost:a. The lust of the flesh - 1 John 2:15, 16. Think of its victims!

Include such persons as king David - 2 Sam. 11:2-17; Solomon - Neh. 13:26b. The pride of life - That was the downfall of Nebuchadnezzar -

Dan. 4:30. That kept the young ruler from becoming a follower of Christ - Matt. 19:16-19. Will it keep you out of the kingdom of God?

c. The lust of the eye - This is, perhaps, the most deadly enemy man has. Think, please, of its untold victims throughout the reign of sin?

EXAMPLES -

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(1) Eve fell for this enticement - Gen. 3:6(2) Achan became victim and dragged his family with himself

into eternal ruin - Josh. 7:1-10(3) Samson, too, became a slave to this evil - Judg. 14

C. VICTORY OVER THE EVILS OF THIS PRESENT WORLD1. No one has any reason to become discouraged because our mighty Captain

has gotten the victory over sin:a. "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" - John 16:33b. "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our

Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:572. The heaven provided weapons that will insure victory, if used right:

a. The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God - Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12. This is the weapon used so successfully by the Son of man - Luke 4:1-12

b. The shield of faith. Faith is the victory that overcometh the world - Eph. 6:16; 1 John 5:4, 5

c. The breastplate of righteousness - Eph. 6:14; Isa. 59:17, 19; 1 Thess. 5:8

d. Fervent and persevering prayer - 1 Thess. 5:17. More and greater victories are won by the saints than by any other means -

EXAMPLES - (1) Moses on the day of the great battle with the enemies - Ex.

17:11, 12(2) Elisha and the army of the enemy of Israel - 2 Ki. 6:17-19(3) Hezekiah and the mighty army of the Assyrians - Isa. 39

e. It is important, however, that we disassociate ourselves from worldlings, who would entice us to do evil.

f. That we keep ourselves occupied with the work of the Lord and so prevent the enemy to lead us into sin.

THE CHRISTIAN CONFLICT1 TIMOTHY 6:12

A. EXPERIENCE TEACHES THAT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A CONSTANT CONFLICT FROM WHICH NO ONE IS EXEMPT

1. This conflict began in the Garden of Eden:a. Temptation and fall of our first parents - Gen. 3:1-6b. This conflict was to continue to the end of time - Gen. 3:15

2. Satan will intensify this struggle against the children of the Lord as we near the end of the conflict:

a. He goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour - 1 Pet. 5:8

b. He has great wrath against God's children because he knows that his time is just about run out - Rev. 12:12

B. NATURE AND IMPLICATION OF THIS CONFLICT

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1. It is a conflict over our loyalty to Christ and His law:a. The seal of God and the mark of the beast are the two great issues

in the conflict - Rev. 7:1-3; 13:1-17; 14:9-11b. Satan will declare war against the people that are loyal to the law

of God - Rev. 12:172. It will become more marked as we near the end of time:

a. Daniel saw the climax of this conflict - Dan. 12:1b. Peter speaks of this conflict as, "the fiery trial" that shall befall the

people of the Lord - 1 Pet. 4:12c. Paul says that "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer

persecution" - 2 Tim 3:12d. He says, further, "that we must through much tribulation enter into

the kingdom of God" - Acts 14:22e. But there is a promise for us, "as thy days, so shall thy strength be"

- Deut. 33:25f. For our God will not allow us to be tempted above that which we

can bear - 1 Cor. 10:13

C. GOD'S WONDERFUL ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS

1. Our armor:a. Our Christ centered faith - 1 John 5:4, 5; Matt. 17:20; Luke 17:6b. The blood of Jesus Christ is a mighty weapon against Satan - Rev.

12:11c. The word of God - Eph. 6:17; Luke 4:1-8; Heb. 4:12d. The Holy Spirit - Isa. 59:19; Gen. 39:7-9e. Earnest prayer.f. Eternal vigilance - Mark 14:38

2. We must keep in mind that our victory centers in our Captain, Christ our Lord:

a. He won the victory for us - John 16:33; Rev. 17:14b. All we need is to resist the devil and he will flee from us - Jas. 4:7

3. A rich reward awaits all who overcome in the conflict:a. The right to eat of the tree of life - Rev. 2:7b. We are saved from the second death - Rev. 2:11c. The crown of life awaits them - 2 Tim. 4:7, 8d. A royal welcome awaits them at the gates of heaven - Ps. 24:1-10

4. The Christian conflict is based upon a just cause:a. Truth and righteousness are the banner of the saints of God.b. Justice and mercy are our goal in the struggle against the forces of

evil.c. The eternal glory that comes to all that are faithful to the end will

far exceed the trials we will have to pass through in this conflict.d. Let us consider these divinely inspired words, "For I reckon that

the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us." Rom. 8:18

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GOD'S GRACIOUS PROVISIONFOR THE DEFENCE OF HIS PEOPLE

A. "HE SHALL DWELL ON HIGH: HIS PLACE OF DEFENCE SHALL BE THE MUNITIONS OF ROCKS; BREAD SHALL BE GIVEN HIM; HIS WATERS SHALL BE SURE." - Isa. 33:16

1. The context of the chapter shows that God warns:a. The spoilers against the oppression of his people - Isa. 33:1b. He will deal with them according to their deeds - Rom. 6:23; Gal.

6:72. On the other hand, the Lord makes provision for:

a. Them that walk uprightly.b. That despiesth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from

holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil - Isa. 33:15

c. God does make a difference between the righteous and the wicked - Mal. 3:16

B. GOD'S GRACIOUS PROVISION FOR THE DEFENCE OF HIS PEOPLE1. This heavenly provision indicates, clearly, that serious difficulties face the

saints in the last days:a. These trials are mentioned by Daniel in Dan. 12:1b. The prophet Zephaniah, too, speaks of the time of trouble ahead of

us - Zeph. 2:1-3c. In Revelation 12:17 we read that Satan will declare war against the

remnant of the church of God.2. That means that there will be a time when all civil protection for the saints

will be taken away from us:a. That means that God's children will flee from their habitations to

places prepared by the Lord for refuge.b. The massive rocks in some places of the earth will be the defence

of the oppressed. c. Cities, in ancient times, were built upon high places; such places

are always an excellent defence against an enemy.3. The godly man's security:

a. His main defence is, as we all know, the Rock of Ages - 1 Sam. 22:1-3

b. That will be true of God's people in the final time of trouble.c. Satan knows that the Lord will not forsake His people in the day of

trouble - Job 1:10; Ps. 91:1-6

C. LET US TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE LORD'S CARE FOR HIS PEOPLE IN THE TIME OF TROUBLE

1. "Bread shall be given him":a. That was true of Elijah - 1 Ki. 18:1-7

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b. The Lord cared for the widow that ministered to Elijah - 1 Ki. 18:8-14

c. He fed ancient Israel for forty years - Ex. 16:35; Num. 14:332. We are taught to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread": Matt. 6:11

a. That is heavenly assurance that the Lord will supply all our needs - Phil. 4:19

b. Those who trust in Him shall never lack any good thing - Luke 22:35

3. "His water shall be sure":a. Water is as necessary to live as bread is; and when God promises

us bread he will also supply the water.b. He cared for Hagar and her son - Gen. 21:15-19

4. The heavenly provision of bread and water for God's oppressed people is most revealing:

a. It shows that bread and water are the two main essentials for the sustenance of our physical health.

b. There are many other so-called luxuries that will not be needed, and for that reason will not be supplied by the Lord.

c. Note, further, that bread and water and shelter are the gift of heaven, and come to them that have put their trust under the care of their heavenly Father, who careth for them.

d. That ought to remove from us all worry as to how we shall fare when the time of trouble comes upon us in the last days.

e. How gracious is the Lord to all who trust to dwell under the shadow of His wings!

WE, AS A PEOPLE, ARE ON TRIAL1 CORINTHIANS 4:9

A. WE CLAIM TO BE GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE WITH A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO A JUDGMENT BOUND WORLD

1. We are, indeed, proclaiming the everlasting gospel of Rev. 14:6-12:a. The angel that announces the hour of God's judgment; what a

solemn calling!b. The fall of Babylon is shown from Bible prophecy.c. Warning the world against the mark of the beast.

2. We sincerely believe that we have been entrusted by God to finish the work of the Reformation: Acts 3:19-21; Rev. 18:4

a. The restoration of the truths of the Bible.b. The proclamation of the Sabbath Reform Movement - Isa. 56:1-7;

58:1-14

B. OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE TO US AND TO THE WORLD IS THE FACT

1. That we apply three specific Bible marks of God's people to ourselves:a. The patience of the saints.

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b. The keeping of the commandments of God.c. And the faith of Jesus - Rev. 12:17; 14:12; Matt. 5:17-19

2. We sincerely profess to believe in the soon coming of Jesus Christ:a. That coming is near at hand - Matt. 24:33; Rom. 13:11-14b. We believe that we interpret correctly the prophecies foretelling

his second coming.c. We know that current events are indicative of the end of this

present age; and that it means that the consummation of all things is at hand.3. All these facts lead us to consider very prayerfully:

a. Our own relationship to Him and to the world today - 2 Cor. 13:5b. What must shake us out of our lethargy is the testimony of the true

witness about Laodicea - Rev. 3:14-17c. How can we, with good conscience, read this testimony without

being humbled into desiring a change for the better?d. We know that getting ready for the coming of the Lord is a

personal work each one of us must do for ourselves - Mal. 4:5, 6; 1 John 3:1-3e. We are warned that this is the hour of crisis for the nation and the

church -(1) It is now - Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 9, p. 11(2) We are not ready - Testimony for the Church, Vol. 6:16;

Volume 5, p. 713.

C. WHY THIS SPECIAL SERMON?1. God's people are in constant danger of being ensnared in the world and its

cares: 1 John 2:15, 16; Luke 21:34, 352. We know that there were sinners in Zion: Amos 6:1; Rev. 3:17; Luke

12:203. The wrath of Satan will soon be directed against God's remnant people:

Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 9, page 11.a. He will seek to blot out the people that keep God's

commandments. Testimonies to Ministers, page 37.b. Peter foresaw this attempt and warns us to be on guard - 1 Pet. 5:8

4. This is, indeed, a time when we must, for our own good, do some searching of our own hearts: Vol. 4, page 486.

5. The world is forming a definite opinion of us and what we profess to believe:

6. The sifting time is upon us, and let us not think of the other fellow, but of our own selves!

7. Who will stand before the Son of man when He comes in the clouds of heaven: Luke 21:36

8. Let us heed the words of the prophet Zephaniah in Zeph. 2:1-3:9. As we near the end of time, we must seek the Lord in prayer more

earnestly: Luke 18:7 10. There must be a daily searching of hearts to remove the things that are offensive to the Lord: Heb. 12:1-4; Judg. 5:16

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11. This is the time when the words of Paul in Rom. 13:11-14 should be taken very seriously. Let us make sure that we are ready when the Master comes.

THE SECOND MILE

A. "WHOSOEVER SHALL COMPEL THEE TO GO ONE MILE, GO WITH HIM TWAIN" - Matt. 5:41

1. Our Lord's audience was familiar with the practice of the Romans:a. They pressed anyone into the service, to carry burdens for the

soldiers.b. They did this with one called Simon, whom they compelled to

carry our Saviour's cross - Matt. 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:262. By coincidence a group of Roman soldiers passed during our Lord's

discourse, which was a strong reminder to the listeners of the Roman practice:

B. THE GOSPEL OF THE SECOND MILE1. This gospel of the second mile has its source:

a. In the life of the Son of God -(1) He ever went beyond the point of duty, beyond all human

expectations and comprehension.(2) This is amplified in His teaching - Matt. 5:1-48(3) In his life - Acts 10:38; Matt. 11:1-5(4) It is expressed in the golden rule - Matt. 7:12

b. It is repeated in the lives of God's children over and over.2. Implications of the gospel of the second mile:

a. It accepts imposition upon God's people, forced upon them -- "compel thee".

b. Such impositions were frequent in the early days of the gospel of Christ.

c. Uncalled abuse and hardship were heaped upon those who professed Christ in their lives - Matt. 10:22-24

d. "If they take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also" - Matt. 5:40

e. "Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also" - verse 39

3. This gospel of the second mile:a. Was in direct opposition to human nature.b. It was the very opposite of what men believe and practice in their

daily life.c. It takes a person filled with the Spirit of Christ to live up to this

heavenly directive.

C. THE REASONABLENESS AND BLESSING OF THE GOSPEL OF THE SECOND MILE

1. It is reasonable:a. It represses or kills the spirit of human selfishness.

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b. It brings to light the true spirit of Bible Christianity - Matt. 5:13-16c. It shows that faith in Christ will enable us to go beyond the point

of what some call our duty -EXAMPLES - (1) Think of David and Jonathan. Out of love for David,

Jonathan relinquished his right to the throne, risked the wrath of his father - 1 Sam. 18:1-4

(2) We think of Joseph and his brethren. There came a time when Joseph could have paid them back for their cruelty, but he did not do that - Gen. 45:1-15

d. It takes a real Christian to live so completely unselfishly, that he will go the second mile.

2. But let us take a brief look at the blessing of living the gospel of the second mile:

a. The Jews hated the Samaritans, and the Samaritans might have had a perfect right to shun them, but the story of the good Samaritan shows that it pays to go the second mile - Luke 10:30-37

b. David went beyond the point of duty when he spared the life of Saul, who had hunted him like a wild beast, but it paid off - 1 Sam. 26:17-23

c. Think, dear reader, of what blessing our Lord pronounces upon those who are willing to take abuse at the hands of their enemies - Matt. 5:11; 1 Pet. 4:14

d. It has been said, truthfully, that the blood of the martyrs of Christ has been the seed of great harvest of souls for God's cause.

e. It took the courage of a Roman soldier to obey the command of his officer to walk into the river and drown, to led a whole regiment to follow him, accepting Christ, and dying for him.

"FOLLOW PEACE WITH ALL MEN"HEBREWS 12:14, 15

A. THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IS, ESSENTIALLY, THE GOSPEL OF PEACE

1. That was the message of the angels to a peaceless world at the birth of the Prince of peace: Luke 2:13, 14

2. He, the Lord of glory, is called, "The Prince of Peace": Isa. 9:63. Our heavenly Father is called, "the God of peace": Rom. 15:33; Heb.

13:204. Peace is the great pursuit of the children of God: Col. 3:15

B. "FOLLOW PEACE"1. That means that we are to cultivate:

a. A peaceable disposition.b. But to cultivate a peaceable disposition means that it will take

some effort on our part.EXAMPLES -

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(1) It must have taken some effort on the part of Abram to restore a peaceful relation between him and his nephew Lot - Gen. 13:1-11

(2) That must have been true of Joseph in dealing with his brethren after they had so cruelly mistreated him - Gen. 49:14-21

2. It takes the spirit of good will toward others to follow peace with all men:a. The spirit of good will is embodied in the golden rule -- "Therefore

all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even unto them." Matt. 7:12

b. That means that we will not seek our own, but another man's wealth - 1 Cor. 10:24

3. Some characteristics of peace:a. Long-suffering - Eph. 4:2; Gal. 5:22b. Envieth not - Envy is one of the main disturbers of peace. That

was true of Cain toward his brother - Gen. 4:8c. Easy to be intreated - 1 Tim . 5:1; Phil. 4:3d. Slow to anger and being ever ready to forgive - Jas. 1:19

4. The motive of peace:a. The love of God in our heart is the true motive of being peaceable.b. We seek peace because the God of peace dwells in our heart - Ps.

133:1; 2 Cor. 6:16c. Because that is the very purpose of the gospel of peace - Luke

2:14; John 14:275. The price of peace:

a. To begin with, Christ purchased peace through his death on the cross - Eph. 2:14-17

b. Such a price by the Prince of Peace shows the emphasis Heaven places upon peace.

c. This is certain that the price of heaven is measured by our desire for peace.

C. BLESSINGS OF THE PURSUIT OF PEACE1. Our Lord pronounces a special blessing upon all who follow peace:

a. "Blessed are the peacemakers"b. "They shall be called the children of God" - Matt. 5:9; Jas. 3:18;

Matt. 5:44, 452. By pursuing peace we become:

a. True representatives of the God of peace and effectually uphold the gospel of peace.

b. We shall leave a favorable impression with those who observe or experience our attitude of peace.

c. We shall reveal to a world at war and strife, that God desires peace and tranquility among men.

3. Follow peace with all men:a. That, dear friends, gives direction to the life of a child of God!

Peace!

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b. That becomes a test to our claims to true Christianity! Are we truly men of peace? Does our life represent the Prince of Peace?

c. If the peace of our Lord rules in our hearts, our influence will reveal it; we will bring peace to all who come under our influence.

d. What a challenge to all of us to re-examine our lives to find out why there is so little of the peace of God in our hearts.

e. That means that if we are not men and women of peace, it is because sin prevents it. We need a new experience in the realm of God's kingdom.

POPULARITY, THE MOST TRYING TEST OF OURCHARACTER

A. "AS THE FINING POT FOR SILVER, AND THE FURNACE FOR GOLD; SO IS A MAN TO HIS PRAISE" - Prov. 27:21

1. It is common knowledge that men, ancient and modern, submit precious metals, such as silver and gold, to the test of the fire: Prov. 25:4; Mal. 3:3

2. What fire is to these and other metals, Solomon says popularity or applause is to man's character:

a. It tests it.b. It discovers the man.

B. POPULARITY, THE MOST TRYING TEST OF OUR CHARACTER1. It reveals the vanity of the proud:

a. He, who by some brilliant faculty, or dexterous deed, or propitious circumstance, has won the applause of the multitude and falls for such applause, reveals the weakness of his character -

EXAMPLES - (1) Herod fell altogether - Acts 12:21-23(2) Absalom is another case of vanity - 2 Sam. 14:25

b. That was Lucifer's weakness which led him to rebel against the government of God -

(1) His high position and his unholy ambition led him to be self-centered.

(2) He began to admire himself more than his Maker - Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:12-17

2. Popularity, on the other hand, brings to light the true strength of character:a. That was true in the life of Moses. No other public figure outside

of Christ, had reached the height of usefulness as did Moses.b. He was a leader of leaders, a legislator of legislators, and yet the

Lord says of him that he was the meekest man on earth - Num. 12:3c. Meekness is a Christian virtue to be coveted by all - Gal. 5:23d. To the meek it is said that they shall inherit the earth - Matt. 5:5e. The meek will the Lord guide in judgment - Ps. 25:9f. Meekness is one of the ornaments of a true Christian - 1 Pet. 3:4

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C. LET US NOTE SOME OF GOD'S SAFEGUARDS AGAINST FALLING FOR POPULARITY

1. He exposes men to special tests:a. He did this with Jacob after he had given wonderful promises -

Gen. 32:24-32b. He sent Moses to the desert country to herd Jethro's sheep for forty

years - Exodus chapters two and three.c. He placed upon Paul, one of the greatest preachers of all time, an

infirmity to keep him humble - 2 Cor. 12:9d. He allowed the beautiful face of Madam Guyon, the French

Mystic, to be disfigured, to keep the true strength of her character to the view of others.2. Our text is, in fact, a warning to the aspiring person to remember that there

is a price attached to popularity:a. Experience shows that popularity is very unreliable even to the

noblest - EXAMPLE - (1) No nobler person ever walked on the earth than the Son of

man; no other person has ever been exposed to greater acclaim than He, yet in the hour of final crisis in His life, the public abandoned Him completely.

b. The people that sought to make Him king, cried, "crucify him".3. True strength of character does not necessarily rest on public acclaim:

a. Christ was the very embodiment of virtue; yet of him it is written that he was despised and rejected of men - Isa. 53:5

b. The applause and praise of men are at times an abomination to God - Luke 16:15

c. Much of the public applause is very superficial and unreliable; it is shallow and very fragile.

4. Popularity, when examined with care:a. Is based upon the gratification of the human ego.b. That was true of Nebuchadnezzar; that is how the enemies of God's

people caused him to bring great hardship upon them.c. The same was true of Darius, who made a decree that no one

should ask anything of his god for thirty days - Dan. 6:1-9CHRISTIAN ENDURANCEMATTHEW 10:22

A. OUR LORD PUTS GREAT EMPHASIS UPON CHRISTIAN ENDURANCE1. "He that endureth unto the end shall be saved": Matt. 24:132. He connects endurance with:

a. The increase of lawlessness in the last days - Matt. 24:12, 13b. The impact of lawlessness upon some of the professed followers of

God - Rev. 2:4c. Satan will stir great hatred in the hearts of worldlings against the

people that keep the commandments of God - Rev. 12:17; Matt. 5:11; 10:22; 24:9

B. CHRISTIAN ENDURANCE

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1. Presupposes difficulties, trials, hardships, and even death; it recognizes Christianity as a conflict between Christ and Satan:

a. Paul speaks of Christianity as, "Our warfare" - 2 Cor. 10:4b. James writes about "wars and fightings among you" - Jas. 4:1c. Peter, too, speaks about "fleshly lusts which war against the soul" -

1 Pet. 2:112. But Christian endurance is needed in our war with Satan and his angels:

a. Paul recognizes this fact in his letter to the Ephesians - Eph. 6:11-18

b. In Satan we face an experienced antagonist, and we must be well prepared to resist this vile foe - 1 Pet. 5:8, 9

c. As we near the end of time, Satan will increase his pressure against the people of the Lord because he knows that his time is short - Rev. 12:12, 17

3. What makes people lose out in their fight against sin and the devil:a. Being unwilling to break with the works of darkness - Rom. 13:11-

14b. Carelessness in their daily lives; too much worldliness - Matt.

24:12c. Wholly unprepared for the conflict of a true and experienced Christ

- Rev. 3:14-17

C. ARMOR OF BIBLE CHRISTIANS1. Negatively:

a. They do not use carnal weapons - 2 Cor. 10:3, 4b. Only they who are carnally minded will use carnal means to fight

with - Jas. 4:1, 2c. Apostate Christianity, under the leadership of the Papacy, used

carnal weapons against God's people during the dark ages.2. Positively:

a. Our weapons are spiritual all the way. The people of the Lord, born of the Spirit will not make use of the weapons that would destroy their own spiritual life.

b. Here are some of the weapons employed by the saints in their conflict with sin and the devil -

(1) The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God - Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12. That is the weapon used by our mighty Captain - Matt. 4:1-10

(2) The girdle of truth, used by Joseph, Daniel and his friends, and Martin Luther in their fight against the enemy - Gen. 39:1-12; Dan. 1:8; 3:16-18

(3) The shield of faith which assures protection against the fiery darts of the evil one - 1 John 5:4-6. We look, in faith, to Jesus, the Author and finisher of our faith - Heb. 12:1-6

(4) The breastplate of righteousness is a must for us to keep our hearts free from the defilements of sin.

(5) Fervent prayer is another must for us in our Christian warfare against sin and the devil. Satan fears kneeling Christians more than any other

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force. It is said that the weakest saints are the most powerful fighters for the cause of God when they face the enemy on their knees.

3. Things to remember on the Christian conflict:a. We are not alone in this conflict. Our Captain and the holy angels

are with and for us - Matt. 28:20; Ps. 34:7b. They that are with us are more and mightier than they that are with

them - 2 Ki. 6:16THE DAY OF PROSPERITY

A. "IN THE DAY OF PROSPERITY BE JOYFUL" - Eccl. 7:141. Among the varied excellent qualities of a Christian is the ability of

adoption and adjustment to all circumstances and conditions in this life:a. Paul was a master in this - "I have all and abound" - Phil. 4:11-13;

"I am made all things to all men" - 1 Cor. 9:22b. John had to learn this lesson - Acts 13:13

2. Prosperity, its blessings and dangers are a very timely subject:a. To some, a state of success in the undertaking of an enterprise is

considered prosperity - Luke 12:16b. Possession of material wealth or gains is looked upon, by some, as

prosperity.c. Spiritual frugality can be considered real and abiding prosperity - 3

John 2.d. Growth in grace and usefulness is an indication of true prosperity.e. Promotion from lesser to greater responsibility and trust is a major

element of prosperity - Gen. 39:1-63. Elements or essentials for prosperity:

a. There must be a measure of competency -(1) A successful farmer is one who is able to get a maximum

result out of his farming.(2) That is true of any profession.

b. A state of health, body, soul, and spirit, is a must for one to enjoy the day of prosperity - 3 John 2

c. Peace of mind and the favor of the Lord are imperative to true prosperity - Luke 1:30

d. The interchange of true friendship with other people is another must to be truly happy. Think of some who possessed material wealth but were miserable -

(1) The prodigal's brother - Luke 15:28(2) Nabal the fool - 1 Sam. 25:1-38(3) The rich young ruler is still another case to remember -

Matt. 19:16-22

B. THE DAY OF PROSPERITY, ITS PRIVILEGES AND ITS SNARES1. Its privileges:

a. Be joyful and happy -

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(1) God gives us of the abundance of the material things of life to enjoy them.

b. He provided ancient Israel with a set time when they were to rejoice and be happy - Deut. 14:23-26

c. Such joy should be a special occasion to give thanks and praise to Him who gives power to have riches - Eph. 5:20; Deut. 8:18

EXAMPLES - (1) David set a good example of gratitude to God for all

material blessings - 1 Chron. 29:11-17(2) Let us ponder his statement in Ps. 116:12

2. Snares of prosperity:a. A prosperous man is tempted to forget God - Luke 12:19; Prov.

30:7-9b. "If riches increase, set not your heart upon them" - Ps. 62:10c. "He that trusteth in his riches shall fall" - Prov. 11:28d. Pride is one of the dangers that prosperity may bring - Dan. 4:30e. Worldliness or conformity to the world are definitely to be guarded

against - 1 John 2:15, 16f. Earthly or carnal mindedness is still another danger we must guard

against - Jas. 5:1-9g. But most of all, if we are not careful, we may lose our own soul -

Matt. 16:26; 19:16-223. Moderation is in place:

a. "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." Phil. 4:5

b. Prosperity, in itself, is no evil; it is a blessing, if used rightly -EXAMPLE - (1) Abraham was very wealthy, and God wanted it that way;

but Lot, who also was wealthy, used it the wrong way, and it was against him.c. If the day of prosperity comes to us, let us rejoice on it, and use the

power given to us to the glory of God.

THE DAY OF ADVERSITY

A. "IN THE DAY OF ADVERSITY CONSIDER" - Eccl. 7:141. Man, born of a woman, is of few days:

a. So says Job - Job 14:1b. Jacob utters similar words - Gen. 47:9c. The Psalmist prayer was, "teach us to number our days" - Ps. 90:12

2. Experience teaches us:a. That man is born for trouble and adversity.b. "Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward" - Job 5:7c. We become heirs of sorrow as surely as we are born into this world

- Ps. 127:2d. Man is exposed to misery as surely as he breathes - Eccl. 8:6

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B. THE DAY OF ADVERSITY1. What is to be understood by The Day of Adversity?

a. When we are deprived of the temporary things in this life, as Job was, we are in the day of adversity.

b. So long as we are in this present world, we will need and strive for the possession of this world's goods.

c. Yet, some of the very best men have been deprived of the material things of this life -

EXAMPLES - (1) Our Lord, Creator of the universe, heir to all there is in the

world, lived about thirty-three years in this world without being recognized as the rightful owner of all there is - Matt. 8:20; 2 Cor. 8:9; Luke 9:58

(2) Hagar had spent considerable of her life in the home of Abraham, yet, when she left, she could carry all her possessions on her head - Gen. 21:14

(3) Elisha, a mighty man, fled his homeland with but his staff in his hand - 1 Ki. 19:4

d. Family bereavements keeps most of us in the shadow of adversity -EXAMPLES - (1) Adam and Eve had their sorrow - Gen. 4:8(2) Job had plenty of it - Job 1:12-21(3) Recall the sorrows of David - 2 Sam. 18:33(4) Ezekiel was told that his desires would be taken away with

a stroke - Ezek. 24:16(5) Then there is the case of a man by the name of Lazarus -

Luke 16:20, 21(6) The widow of Nain, who was following her son's coffin -

Luke 7:11-13

C. THE COURSE PRESCRIBED: "IN THE DAY OF ADVERSITY CONSIDER"1. It cannot be denied that we all are adverse to adversity:

a. Even the Son of God was pained at his heart when the day of adversity approached -

(1) He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief - Isa. 53:3

(2) See Him in the garden of Gethsemane - Luke 22:41-45b. If that was true of Him, who knew no sin, what may any one of us

expect!2. Consider:

a. "O that they were wise, that they would consider their latter end" - Deut. 32:29

b. "Israel doth not know, my people will not consider" - Isa. 1:33. Afflictions, sorrows, have often turned into great blessings in disguise:

a. Note how the story of Job turned into glorious triumph - Job 42:10-17

b. God requires for us to go through the refining process - Isa 48:10

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c. We shall be satisfied when all our trials are over, and the eternal rest comes to us.

4. Afflictions are but transitory or seasonable:a. "For our affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far

more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." - 2 Cor. 4:17b. "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things

which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporary: but the things which are not seen are eternal." Verse 18

5. Job's answer to his discouraged wife expresses the correct attitude of the children of God in the day of adversity: "shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" - Job 2:10A GOODLY HERITAGEPSALMS 16:5, 6

A. "THE LORD IS THE PORTION OF MINE INHERITANCE AND OF MY CUP: THOU MAINTAINEST MY LOT. THE LINES ARE FALLEN UNTO ME IN PLEASANT PLACES: YEA, I HAVE A GOODLY HERITAGE."

1. Whatever one may think of some of the shortcomings of David:a. His love and affections for God are worthy of being cherished by

God's people in all ages.b. Psalms 16 is rightly styled "The golden Psalm" in some Bible

translations.2. One can build a number of timely messages upon our text:

B. A GOODLY HERITAGE1. David laid claim to a wealthy estate -- "The Lord is the portion of mine

inheritance":a. In the division of the land of Canaan, the tribe of Levi received no

inheritance - Deut. 10:9, 10; 18:1b. The Lord was to be their portion.

2. Note, please, the wealth of such an inheritance, as claimed by the Psalmist:

a. A wealth of goodness - Ex. 33:19; 34:6; 2 Chron. 6:41; Ps. 23:6b. An abundance of security - Deut. 33:26-29; Rom. 8:31-39; Ps.

121:1-3c. It is a permanent, eternal, inheritance; it will never pass away - 1

Pet. 1:4; 5:4; Heb. 9:15d. It is secure tenure -- "Thou maintainest my lot."e. There are misguided souls who think that they are their own

keepers; but the facts are that if the Lord does not keep us, we are not kept - Ps. 121:5-8f. David expressed the sentiment of all the saints when he wrote that

beautiful and inspiring Psalm as recorded in Psalms 23.g. Said Jesus, "Without me, ye can do nothing" - John 15:5h. One must experience the blessings of God to realize their worth to

the children of God. They, who do not know the Lord, will not understand the writings of David when he says, "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance."

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C. A SATISFYING AMBITION: "THE LINES ARE FALLEN UNTO ME IN PLEASANT PLACES."

1. The man, who finds his treasures in God, tells us that he is satisfied, and why should he be otherwise?

a. It includes the forgiveness of his sin - "If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." Ps. 130:3, 4

b. "To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him." - Dan. 9:9

c. It includes God's blessings now and in the world to come - 1 Tim. 4:8

d. It brings wonderful contentment - Ps. 17:15; 23:1; 1 Tim. 6:6e. Peace of heart is another priceless part of the inheritance - Ps.

29:11; 119:165. Think of the words found in Isa. 48:18!EXAMPLES - (1) Stephen - Acts 6:15, 7:56(2) The three Hebrews - Dan. 3:16, 17(3) Simeon - Luke 2:25-32

2. Included in these blessings are:a. Continued access to the storehouse of divine mercy or grace - Heb.

4:15, 16b. When God is our portion, we have an anchor for the soul steadfast

and sure even when the billows roll - Heb. 6:17-203. Finally, friends, our finite minds can not, as yet, comprehend the

inclusiveness of our inheritance in Christ:a. We might as well attempt to enumerate the wealth of God's

treasures, which are infinite.b. Paul must have seen some of this wealth when he exclaims, "O the

depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out." Rom. 11:33

c. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Cor. 2:9FRIENDS OF GODJOHN 15:14

A. A MAGIC WORD1. "There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother": Prov. 18:242. "A friend loveth at all times": Prov. 17:173. "Abraham believed God . . . and he was called the friend of God": Jas.

2:254. "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you": John 15:14

B. THE LAW OF FRIENDSHIPS1. The first requisite of the association of hearts is that they shall believe in

each other:

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a. God's faith in us is seen in the investment He made in us - John 3:16

b. He is eternally attached to us - Isa. 41:17-20; Matt. 28:202. Man's friendship is tested by his fidelity to God's cause:

a. Abraham was dependable and that is why he is called "the friend of God" - Gen. 18:17, 19

b. Daniel proved his fidelity to God and His word by going into the lion's den - Dan. 6:10-28

c. That was true of Joseph and other worthies.d. Ruth stands out as a true example of true fidelity - Ruth 1:16e. Enoch, who was translated without seeing death, was so close to

the Lord that the Lord removed him from this world - Gen. 5:22, 23; Heb. 11:53. Friendship grows through association:

a. This truth is illustrated by Enoch's walk with God.b. Also Ruth's association with Naomi, her mother-in-law - Ruth

1:16-22c. Our Lord's attachment to His disciples and His promises to them

illustrates how our association ties us closer to each other - John 14:1-3d. And think, loved ones, of what God says about his attachment to

His people, "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee." Isa. 49:15

4. Association with friends makes us become more like our friends:a. That was true of Moses when he was with God for forty days - Ex.

34:28-36b. The aim of the gospel of Christ is to recreate us into the likeness of

the Son of God, who is the express image of God - 2 Cor. 3:18; 1 John 3:1-3; Rom. 8:28, 29

C. BEHOLD, MY FRIENDS, THIS FRIENDSHIP1. It does not depend on color or race:

a. God is not a respecter of person - Acts 10:34, 35; Gal. 3:26-29b. Jesus Christ removed all barriers between the nations - Eph. 2:11-

162. Yet we know that true friendship is conditional:

a. To have friends we must be friendly.b. Says the wise man, "A man that hath friends must shew himself

friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." - Prov. 18:24c. Loyalty to God and His word is a must to be known as a friend of

God.d. "Ye are my friends, if ye do what I command you" - John 15:14e. True friends to God will bring any sacrifice to show their love and

loyalty to him - Gen. 22:123. True friendship with God is the union of hearts in thought, word, and

action. It is a joyful interchange of life, an affinity of soul that flourishes amid the trials of time and survives the shock of death:

4. What an honor it is to be called a friend of God!

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a. But that can be true only when our lives are in harmony with His will.

b. Think of these statements by our Lord, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" - John 14:15; "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." - John 15:10

c. When we have the same attitude that our father Abraham had in his relationship with God -- "Here I am".

d. Let us strive to be the friends of God, not in word only, but much rather in deeds.

A CHRISTIAN HOMEGENESIS 26:25

A. THE PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS1. Dwelt in tents: Heb. 11:9; Gen. 26:3; 33:20; 35:12. They were active missionaries:

a. Built altars - Gen. 9:20; 12:8; 13:4; 35:1-3b. Preached the gospel or righteousness by faith - Gen. 4:26; Jude 14;

2 Pet. 2:5

B. A CHRISTIAN HOME1. Is, in most instances, of a temporary nature:

a. It is a sign of pilgrimage - Gen. 47:9; Ps. 119:54b. It indicates that we have no abiding city here in this present world -

Heb. 13:14; 1 Chron. 29:15c. True Bible Christians freely confess that they are pilgrims and

strangers in this present world - Ex. 6:4; Heb. 11:13; Ps. 119:54d. They are looking for a heavenly country - Heb. 11:14-16; 2 Pet.

3:132. A Christian home is where:

a. The altar of God is found.b. This altar is a sign of a state of grace - Gen. 8:20; 22:9c. It is a symbol of continuous self-surrender by the occupant - Gen.

26:25; Rom. 12:1-3d. It is a mark of their confession of faith - 1 Ki. 18:33-36

3. The Patriarchs dig wells: Gen. 21:22-25; Ps. 84:6, 7a. A meeting place for Jacob and Rachel - Gen. 29:1-12b. The meeting of Christ with the woman of Samaria - John 4:1-29c. It symbolizes the fountain of life where thirsty souls may drink

freely - Gen. 16:4; Rev. 21:6d. Our blessed Saviour is that divine fountain out of which we all

may drink to the quickening of our spiritual nature - John 7:37-39e. The Spirit and the Bride invite all who are thirsty to come and

drink freely - Rev. 22:17

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C. THE HOMES OF THE PATRIARCHS ARE BIBLE PATTERNS FOR THE CHRISTIAN HOME

1. Bible informed Christians know too well that we all are but pilgrims and strangers in this present world:

a. They know that death disrupts their sojourn here.b. They know that this earth and the works therein will burn up some

day - 2 Pet. 3:1-102. Our sights reach beyond this sin-sick world:

a. We are, indeed, looking for a better world - Heb. 11:14-17; 2 Pet. 3:13

3. No Christian home can be complete without these essentials:a. A consecrated priesthood. Someone in the family serving between

God and the members of the family - Job 1:1-6; Josh. 24:15b. A daily family altar where all the members of the family are laid

on the altar for God and His kingdom - Rom. 12:1-3c. This family altar is the place where all we are and all we have is

tied to the horns of the altar - Ps. 118:27d. It is a specific meeting place of the family for the study of the word

of God and prayer - Matt. 18:20; Acts 10:1-9e. These are but minimums to keep a living connection between our

home and heaven.4. Let us take a closer look at a few homes which typify the Christian home:

a. Noah and his family made it their first duty after the flood to build an altar for the Lord; the Lord liked this - Gen. 8:20-23

b. Joshua, a very busy man, made the family relationship with God the first thing in their daily vocation - Josh. 24:15

c. Philip, the Evangelist, was noted for being the head of a Christian home. What a wonderful experience it must have been for him to see his daughters in a vision of the Lord - Acts 21:8-11

d. The converted keeper of the prison set a wonderful example of establishing a Christian home - Acts 16:34

e. Is our home a Christian home?THE MOTE AND THE BEAMMATTHEW 7:1-3, 4

A. "AND WHY BEHOLDEST THOU THE MOTE THAT IS IN THY BROTHER'S EYE, BUT CONSIDEREST NOT THE BEAM THAT IS IN THINE OWN EYE."

1. Our Saviour was a Realist:a. In His life,b. In His teaching,c. And in His ability to read character.

2. Our opening text proves my point:a. His standard is lofty and He admits no compromise.b. Yet He deals gently with the erring.c. And He urges a similar line of conduct upon the disciples.

3. He came not to judge the world, but to save it:

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a. He bids us not to judge one another.b. While we are to be severe with our own selves.

B. LET US CONSIDER THE EVIL OF CENSORIOUSNESS1. To pass judgment upon others is, saying the least, very dangerous:

a. We are not capable to judge right,b. Because we cannot read the heart or mind and are most apt to fail

in our judgment.2. But, perhaps, the deeper reason for our inability, lies in the fact that when

we pass sentence upon others we may be the ones deserving it:a. We, ourselves, are encumbered with many infirmities at best - Jas.

3:1-9b. If we are guilty of the same failing, we have no right to be severe

with those who may fail also - Rom. 2:1-23!c. Think of the judgment that overtook David - 2 Sam. 12:1-7d. Or consider the judgment that overtook Felix the Judge - Acts

24:253. The Mote and the Beam:

a. The Mote is a very tiny speck, hardly noticeable.b. The Beam is a great plank by comparison.

4. The simile teaches this striking lesson:a. The fellow that has a Beam, or plank, in his eye is totally incapable

to see sufficiently to pass a correct judgment.b. His vision is blurred.c. That was the difficulty of the Pharisees -- they were blind to their

own sinful conditions -EXAMPLES - (1) Look at the scene as recorded in John 8:1-9. Those

hypocritical Pharisees were guilty of the same sin they charged the woman with.(2) Think of their condition morally - Matt. 23:1-33(3) Even Peter fell short of the glory of God at certain times -

Gal. 2:11, 12C. LESSON FOR GOD'S PEOPLE

1. Our mission is not to judge the world, but rather to do our best to save it:a. Our own faults are apt to blind us to judge the shortcomings of

others.b. We will do much better if we look into our own life and discover

our own needs.2. The words of our opening text are to the point and should be heeded by

all:a. Because it is possible that Satan will keep us busy to discover the

specks in others and he will let us forget the beams in our own lives.b. Let judgment be to Him, who knows the intents of the heart and

who will judge with equity and truth.LOVING AND HATING TO THE GLORY OF GODLUKE 14:25-35

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A. WE FIND THAT THE BIBLE TEACHES GREAT TRUTHS BY CONTRASTS1. The two men that went to the temple to pray:

a. One was a Pharisee,b. The other was a publican - Luke 18:10-14

2. The prodigal and his brother: Luke 15:11-323. The priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan: Luke 10:30-37

B. OUR OPENING TEXT SHOWS THAT OUR LORD EMPHASIZED GREAT TRUTHS BY USING CONTRAST

1. A lover who knows how to hate:a. "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and his mother,

and wife, and children and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple."

b. These are strong words, centering on the little word "hate"!c. Who can claim to be a true child of God and yet hate his parents,

his wife, his brethren, yea, his own life?d. How can these things be?

2. The interpretation of our Lord's words focus on the word "hate"; if we understand the meaning of the word "hate", we will see the reasonableness of our Lord's statement:

a. The general concept of the word "hate" is to feel an intense aversion to, to detest, abhor, to dislike exceedingly.

b. This attitude to our fellowmen is strictly forbidden in the Bible. Read our Lord's discourse in Matt. 5:38-45; Ex. 20:12-17

c. The word "hate" in our text actually means -- love less - Deut. 21:15; Prov. 13:24

d. Matthew does not use the word "hate"; he uses the word "love more" - Matt. 10:37

e. The point is that we must make God first, regardless of relatives or even life itself -- that is the law of heaven.

3. Loving and hating to the glory of God:a. Loving to the glory of God means to make Him and His word and

work first and foremost in our life -EXAMPLES - (1) Mary Magdalene and her ministry to Jesus - Luke 7:44-47(2) The poor widow and the treasury - Mark 12:42-44

b. Loving to the glory of God simply means that our affections for God and His word are such that they can easily be read by men -

EXAMPLES - (1) Paul and the brethren - Acts 21:13(2) Stephen - Acts 7

c. True love means renunciation of all personal claims - Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23

d. Loving Christ is cross-bearing.4. Hating to the glory of God:

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a. Hate sin.b. Hate hypocrisy.c. Hate every evil way.d. Hate the world of sinful pleasures.

C. LESSON FOR US1. No man can serve two masters:

a. That is what our Lord teaches - Matt. 6:24b. We cannot be halfway in our relationship with God and the world -

1 Ki. 18:21c. A double minded person is unstable in all his ways - Jas. 1:8d. There are some among God's people, they have a double standard -

Jas. 4:82. If we set our affections on the things above, we will do both -- love to the

glory of God, and also hate to his glory:a. Love righteousness.b. And hate iniquity - Heb. 1:9

THE SECRET OF THE LORDPSALMS 25:14

A. THE SECRET OF THE LORD IS WITH THEM THAT FEAR HIM; AND HE WILL SHOW THEM HIS COVENANT

1. Bible students know that the book of the Psalms is among the most influential books of the Bible:

a. It shows David's close connection with God.b. It unfolds the rich experience of one instructed in the things of

God.2. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them

his covenant:a. What is the secret of the Lord.b. What is the covenant which He will make known unto them that

fear Him?

B. THE SECRET OF THE LORD1. The phrase "secret of the Lord" occurs about twelve times in our English

Bible:a. It denotes the special favors of the Lord. b. His intimacy and close relationship with certain persons.

EXAMPLES - (1) Abraham - Gen. 18:17, 18(2) Moses - Num. 12:1-8(3) Enoch, the seventh from Adam - Heb. 11:5(4) The disciples - Mark 4:11, 12

2. I can think of seven special enjoyments which come to us because of a close relationship with God:

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a. The knowledge of the word which leads unto salvation - 2 Tim. 3:15-17

b. Wisdom which appropriates the knowledge of God's word - 1 Ki. 3:9; Eccl. 2:13; 7:19; Deut. 4:6; Prov. 3:13; 1 Cor. 1:30

c. Confidence, the basis of true and lasting fellowship - Acts 28:31; Job 4:6; 13:15; Ps. 118:6, 7

d. Strength which enables us to live the truth - Neh. 8:10; Zech. 4:6; Deut. 33:25

e. Courage which is necessary to undertake for God - Josh. 1:7; Acts 28:15

f. Endurance - Matt. 24:12-14g. Accomplishment or fruitage - 2 Tim. 4:7

3. The Beneficiaries of God's secret:a. It is with them that fear him -

(1) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom - Ps. 111:10

(2) The fear of the Lord is clean - Ps. 19:9(3) The fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life - Prov.

22:4b. Let us note, briefly, the chief purpose of raising man to greatness -

(1) It is to reveal the manifold grace of God.(2) To teach man to trust in God only.(3) To influence others for God and good.

C. A REVELATION OF THE COVENANT OF GOD1. We know that it is the covenant of peace:

a. Made with the Patriarchs of old - Gen. 3:15; 9:11-15; 12:13b. It is, in fact, the New Testament - Heb. 9:6-11; 10:15, 16c. It is light from heaven which is the fruit of loyalty to God's law -

Ps. 119:97, 982. The covenant referred to in our opening text has reference to:

a. The divine pledge to His people which assures them of God's faithfulness - 1 Thess. 5:24

b. Paul leaned heavily on God's faithfulness as to his own standing before God - 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Tim. 1:15

c. He will keep His promise to those who will keep their promise to Him - Heb. 6:13-20

3. This covenant was ratified with the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord:a. This is a part of the great doctrine of our salvation - Heb. 9:14-17b. This is the very life of the hope of the penitent sinners - Matt. 1:21;

1 Cor. 15:1-34. The secret of the Lord is the great mystery of godliness -- Christ in us the

hope of glory.REDEMPTION OF GOD'S PEOPLE

A. "HE SENT REDEMPTION UNTO HIS PEOPLE"

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1. Redemption of God's people will come at the right time; it always has:a. Deliverance of ancient Israel came at the right time - Compare

Gen. 15:13-16 with Ex. 12:40-43b. Our time, too, has been set by our Redeemer, and when it is here

God will redeem His own - Rev. 14:6-12; Dan. 8:13, 142. God plans wisely, and God will do all things for the good of His people

and to the glory of His wonderful name:a. He guided his ancient people by the gift of prophecy - Ex. 4:10;

Num. 12:1; Deut. 34:3; Hos. 12:13b. He is guiding His remnant people by the same gift back to the

Bible - 1 Cor. 1:6; Rev. 12:17; 19:10; Isa. 8:16

B. EVENTS CONNECTED WITH THE DELIVERANCE OF GOD'S PEOPLE1. Anciently: The plagues and marvelous protection of the Israelites from

the plagues - Ex. 8:18-222. Before the deliverance of the remnant of the church:

a. The seven last plagues will fall after probation has closed - Rev. 15; 16

b. The Lord will protect His people from the plagues - Ps. 90:1-83. There will be a sifting time before the deliverance:

a. Amos 9:9b. Luke 22:31; Heb. 3:7

4. Deliverance will come at midnight:a. That was true in the experience of ancient Israel - Ex. 12:42b. The church will be delivered in the darkest hour - Job 34:20; Dan.

12:1-3; Matt. 25:1-12c. Severe persecution will prevail; many of the saints will be hidden

in places prepared by the Lord - Dan. 12:1; Rev. 12:17

C. PREPARATION FOR OUR DELIVERANCE1. Must precede our deliverance:

a. The Lord warns His people, in these words: "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."

b. "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh". Matt. 24:42-44

2. Our preparation must be completed before the door of probation closes:a. The door of mercy will close and not open again. Compare Luke

13:24-28 with Rev. 22:10-12b. God will have a people that have made themselves ready for the

appearing of their Lord and Saviour - Rev. 19:7; 1 John 3:1-3; Eph. 5:24-273. The Three Angels' Message will be God's means to prepare a people for

the coming of the Lord:a. The hour of the Investigative Judgment.b. The announcement of the fall of Babylon.c. The warning against the beast, his image, and his mark, will

prepare a people - Rev. 14:6-12

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4. The coming of the Lord will be marked by a great shout: Compare Josh. 21:45 with chapter 23:14; Ex. 15:1-6; Rev. 15:2-4

5. How our hearts should be set to be among those who will be ready to meet the Lord in the air when He comes to receive those that are ready and waiting!

6. Dear reader, will you, will I, be among God's waiting people? Or will the cares of this world keep us so occupied that we will not be ready when the Master appears!

7. Surely, none of us wants to be lost, and yet the testimony of the true witness to the church is against us; we are totally unprepared to face the crisis of the last days; we are not ready to meet the Lord when He comes: Rev. 3:14-17

8. But we must not become discouraged; there is, as yet, time to make ready; let us cast off the works of darkness, and put on the Lord; walk in the light, lest darkness overtake us at last: Rom. 13:11-14

THE LIBERTY OF GOD'S CHILDRENROMANS 8:20, 21

A. THE WORD "LIBERTY" IS ONE OF THE MOST EXPRESSIVE AND ENTICING WORDS IN OUR VOCABULARY

1. It is the most cherished and most abused word:a. It is interpreted in so many different ways that it means everything

to everyone's notion.b. And yet, the very mention of this word electrifies the oppressed of

this world.2. It is a subject worthy of prayerful consideration:

B. THE LIBERTY OF GOD'S CHILDREN1. It is not natural, from a human standpoint:

a. By nature, man has become a slave by birth - Ps. 51:7b. By reason of selling out to Satan - Rom. 7:14; 1 Ki. 21:20c. By reason of having been made a captive to sin and the devil - 2

Tim. 2:26; 2 Pet. 2:192. The liberty of God's children is priceless:

a. It was purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ - 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 2 Pet. 2:1

b. God found a ransom - Job 33:24c. The life of the Son of God is that ransom - Matt. 20:28; 2 Cor. 5:21d. All this is an expression of the redeeming of God - John 3:16;

Rom. 8:31-33e. Only when we realize the infinite price at which our liberty was

purchased, will we treasure it as we ought to.3. I love to dwell on the liberty of God's children:

a. It encompasses all that is dear to the heart of the child of God.b. Said Patrick Henry, "Give me liberty or give me death."c. Too many people use this word too loosely, either in their

conversation, or by their actions.

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d. Only they who have come from under man-made oppression, will cherish liberty in the way it is worthy to be cherished.

e. To me, personally, Liberty is synonymous with salvation through Christ Jesus - John 8:36

C. NATURE AND LIMITATION OF THE LIBERTY OF GOD'S CHILDREN1. The liberty of God's children is fourfold:

a. Freedom from the guilt of sin - Rom. 8:1; John 8:36; Rom. 8:31-39b. Freedom of the power of sin - Rom. 6:14-16; Acts 27:18, 19c. Freedom from the eternal consequences of sin - 2 Cor. 5:17; Rev.

21:4d. Freedom to serve the Lord with all we are and with all we have -

Rom. 6:16-182. Limitation of our liberty:

a. We must abide in Christ Jesus to retain it - John 15:1-10b. We must walk in the Spirit to enjoy true liberty - Gal. 5:16; 1 John

1:3, 9c. We must keep God's commandments to be truly free - Jas. 1:25;

2:12; Ps. 119:165d. Think of this promise - Isa. 48:18!

3. The freedom of God's children is within; it comes through the indwelling of God's Spirit:

a. That means that so long as we are in this sinful world, we shall have tribulation - John 16:33

b. Persecution comes without us waiting for it - 2 Tim. 3:124. Let us, in closing this message, ask ourselves this twofold question:

a. Am I truly free? The answer to this question must be found in my life, and in my daily experience - Rom. 6:16; John 8:34

b. There are some, according to Peter, who boast of liberty, but are, in fact, the slaves of their evil habits - 2 Pet. 2:19

c. Do I want to be truly free? This is a very forceful question and needs careful consideration. Why? Because there are many who talk about being free, yet they refuse to allow the Son of God to set them free.

d. Liberty is the great objective of heaven, and it paid an infinite price to obtain it for all who will accept it as it is offered through Jesus Christ our Lord.

THE TEN VIRGINSMATTHEW 25:1-12

A. "THEN SHALL THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BE LIKENED TO TEN VIRGINS, WHICH TOOK THEIR LAMPS, AND WENT TO MEET THE BRIDEGROOM"

1. The disciples, and the Jews in general, knew the custom of wedding ceremonies in their country:

a. It was customary for the bridegroom to come to receive his bride ceremoniously and with a lot of fanfare!

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b. Many of those ceremonies took place at night or early in the morning.

2. Our Lord used this ancient custom to portray his second coming. The story of the ten virgins has a timely application for our day:

B. THE TEN VIRGINS1. A virgin in Bible terminology:

a. A woman, unmarried, never having known a man, is spoken of in the Bible as a virgin - Gen. 24:16; 2 Sam. 13:2; Isa. 7:5

b. A virtuous woman, even though she has been married is called a virgin - Ruth 3:11; Prov. 12:4; 31:10

2. This expression is used, also, to describe the purity of the true church: 2 Cor. 11:1, 2; Rev. 12:1-17

3. The ten virgins represent two classes of people in the church of God:a. Five were foolish.b. Five were wise.

4. Let us note, briefly, their similarity:a. They all were of the same faith.b. They had the same form of worship and followed the same

profession of their faith in conversation and in dress.c. They all were members of the same church, and enjoyed the same

privileges.d. They all believed in the imminency of their Lord's return.e. They carried lamps, a mark of their faith - Ps. 119:105f. They all fell asleep in the waiting period. There was no seeming

difference.5. Their dissimilarity:

a. Five were wise and five were foolish.b. The wise provided oil in their vessels while the foolish neglected

this opportunity.c. Neglect is one of the deadliest dangers facing the people of God -

Heb. 2:3d. It is not enough to have a form of godliness, we must have more.e. Oil, spiritual life and energy in the soul is our greatest need at this

time - Rev. 3:14-17

C. THE CLIMAX OF THE PARABLE1. A delay of the coming of the bridegroom:

a. Creates a waiting period for the saints.b. That, in turn, causes relaxation and sleepiness.

2. Fell asleep:a. That means that they became unconscious of their own condition

and the events that took place.b. It meant that the five foolish virgins neglected precious time to

provide oil in their vessels.3. The Midnight cry: "The bridegroom cometh":

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a. An awakening takes place; all have been aroused out of their slumber.

b. They all trimmed their lamps; that means that all made sure that they lived up to the form of their faith.

c. Up to this moment, no difference seemed in evidence.4. Suddenly a difference is found between believer and believer:

a. Self-examination shows that five of them were unprepared to march with the bridegroom to the banquet hall.

b. In desperation they turn to the follow believers for sharing their oil, but that does not work; everyone must provide for his own.

c. The period of "share your faith" is over; each has just enough to keep safe for himself.

5. That, dear friends, gives us the picture of the closing events as they affect the members of the church of God:

a. Shall we use the waiting time wisely?b. Do we have oil in our vessels?

HUMILITY

A. "BE CLOTHED WITH HUMILITY" - 1 Pet. 5:51. The chief ingredient in the origin of sin was pride:

a. Lucifer was so proud of himself, that he conspired against the government of God - Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek. 28:12-18

b. Pride caused Eve's downfall - Gen. 3:62. Pride is one of the Trinity of sin: 1 John 2:15, 163. It is one of the most universal sins known to men: Mark 7:224. The Bible is full of warnings against this hideous sin: Ps. 31:20; 36:11;

59:12; 73:6; Prov. 29:23

B. HUMILITY - WHAT IS IT?1. Humility consists:

a. Low and abased views of ourselves -EXAMPLES - (1) Moses was a very humble and meek person - Ex. 3:11;

4:10; 6:12; Num. 12:3(2) Jacob was a humble person - Gen. 32:9, 10(3) David, too, was a humble man - 1 Chron. 29:4, 15(4) Job was a meek person - Job 40:4

b. A humble person will feel his native unworthiness, his imperfection, his moral weakness, and defects -

EXAMPLES - (1) Paul is a typical example - Rom. 7:24; 1 Tim. 1:15; 1 Cor.

15:9; Eph. 3:8(2) There was a time when Saul, the king of Israel, felt his

unworthiness - 1 Sam. 10:22; 15:172. "Be clothed with humility."

a. That means that we are to wear humility like a garment.

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b. It is to clothe our profession.c. It includes our speech, or relationship with other people, and it

should mark our business relationship with others.d. Humility, so we are told, is the mark of a person that has

discovered the dimensions of truth about things outside himself, and those he is lacking.

C. THE TRUTH ABOUT HUMILITY1. It is not native to human nature:

a. Sin has man's concept of true humility.b. Sin has blinded the human mind to the proper perspective of

ourselves -EXAMPLES - (1) The Pharisee that went to the temple to pray had no concept

of his own sinfulness - Luke 18:11, 12(2) The Jews, in the days of Christ, were totally blind to their

sinful condition - John 8:33(3) That is true, also, of the Laodiceans - Rev. 3:14-17

2. Humility is one of the virtues that is centered in Jesus Christ:a. "I am meek and lowly" - Matt. 11:29b. "He made Himself of no reputation" - Phil. 2:7c. "Thy King cometh unto thee, meek" - Matt. 21:5

3. True humility is:a. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit - Gal. 5:23b. It comes through experience -

EXAMPLES - (1) Moses was one of the meekest persons on earth, but that

took forty years of wilderness experience and much hardship.(2) Job is a symbol of true patience, but he, too, got that virtue

in his trials.c. Humility is gotten through association or fellowship with Jesus

Christ.d. "By beholding we become changed" - 2 Cor. 3:18e. We must never become discouraged when we fail to measure up to

true humility; God will bless us with this divine virtue as we trust in his grace.f. It is a worthy objective to strive for, as Paul says - Phil. 3:13-15g. Much prayer for the grace to see ourselves in the light of the truth

will bring us closer to our goal to be more Christlike.

CHRISTIAN UNITYPSALMS 133:1-3

A. UNITY1. That word "unity" is most enchanting because it stands for that which

gives harmony and great strength:a. "Then join in hand, brave Americans! By uniting we stand, by

dividing we fall." (John Dickinson)

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b. "He that is not with me is against me." Luke 11:232. Unity is the very soul to true happiness and endurance:

a. A rope or a cord consists of so many strands which when tightly twined will be strong, but when separated will be proportionately weak.

b. That is true of God's people! United they will be strong, but divided they are weak.

B. CHRISTIAN UNITY1. Is most desirable among God's people:

a. Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 236b. Paul gave strong emphasis to Christian unity - 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph.

4:11-142. Simple faith in the message and the brethren is a must for an enduring

union among the brethren:a. The message - Gospel Worker, page 307 - 1 Cor. 3:11; Gal. 1:7b. The brethren - 1 Cor. 1:10, 11; Testimonies for the Church,

Volume 8, page 132.c. Paul's timely admonition as found in Eph. 4:32 and in 1 Cor. 10:38

3. Good will toward one another:a. Is the golden rule of Christian unity - Matt. 7:12; Ps. 133:1-3b. If we possess true love in our hearts, we will have no difficulty of

living unity with the brethren - 1 John 4:8; John 13:34, 35c. Willingness, on my part, to make all my own interests subservient

to the interest of the church is one of the main elements of Christian unity - 1 Cor. 10:24; 13:5

d. When we walk in the light of these facts, we have the secret of true Christian unity.

C. BLESSING OF CHRISTIAN UNITY1. Our opening text pictures unity in vivid and living words:

a. Such a union is comparable to the precious ointment that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard.

b. That oil was a symbol of God's approval of Aaron's ministry for his people.

c. It represented the gift of the Holy Spirit in a special way.2. It is comparable to the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended

upon Mount Zion:a. "For there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life ever more."b. I doubt that our finite minds are able to comprehend the deep

signification of this great promise!c. It means, for one thing, that if we lack the blessing, as promised in

this text, it is because the essential unity is lacking among us.3. Think, dear reader, what is included in the blessing of true Christian unity:

a. The presence and indwelling of the Holy Spirit; that became true on the day of Pentecost - Acts 1:12-14; 2:1-3

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b. It means that God will hear the prayers of His people, and respond as He did in the days of the Apostolic prayer meeting - Acts 4:24-31

c. "Life for ever more." That was the secret of Enoch's translation, so that he did not see death - Gen. 5:22-24

4. Beware of the enemies of Christian unity:a. It was when Lucifer succeeded to create mistrust against God's

government in the minds of his fellow beings, that he created rebellion in heaven.b. Satan will do his utmost to create mistrust among the brethren;

when that happens he will have weakened the church.c. Beware of the talebearer, he is an enemy of Christian unity.d. Be honest in your relationship to the brethren, and you will build

up a wall against all who seek to destroy Christian unity.THE ANCHOR OF THE SOULHEBREWS 6:19, 20

A. "WHICH HOPE WE HAVE AS AN ANCHOR OF THE SOUL, BOTH SURE AND STEDFAST, AND WHICH ENTERETH INTO THAT WITHIN THE VEIL."

1. No other writer knew the value of the anchor better than did Paul:a. Think of his experience during his voyage to Rome - Acts 27:1-44b. It is he who is so apt to use the anchor of a ship and apply it to the

security of the soul, when anchored in Christ Jesus - Rom. 8:31-382. The anchor is indispensable to sea voyager:

a. During a severe storm.b. When repair on the ship is needed.c. After entering a harbor.

B. THE HOPE OF THE SOUL AND ITS ANCHORS1. It is a strong anchor of the soul when it centers in Jesus Christ, our Lord:

a. "Christ in you the hope of glory" - Col. 1:27b. "The Lord Jesus Christ which is our hope" - 1 Tim. 1:1c. "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the

great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" - Tit. 2:13d. "And having the hope toward God, which they themselves also

allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead." Acts 24:152. This hope is, also, anchored:

a. In God the Father, who is faithful to His promises given to His children - 1 Pet. 3:5; 1 Tim. 5:5; Num. 23:19

b. In God's word - Matt. 24:35; Heb. 6:19, 20c. This hope is firm because it was confirmed by an oath made by

God, who cannot lie - Heb. 6:17-19d. It is made doubly sure by the death and the resurrection of Jesus

Christ our Lord - Heb. 9:17; 1 Cor. 15:14-18; John 6:57; 14:19

C. HERE, DEAR FELLOW BELIEVERS, IS A GLORIOUS LESSON FOR US 1. Those among us who study Bible prophecy in the light of the Spirit of

Prophecy know:

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a. That a severe test will be brought to bear upon God's commandment-keeping people.

b. This test will be so severe that it will strain every claim we are making to the light of Present Truth - Dan. 12:1; Rev. 12:17

c. We are facing perilous times which will affect God's people, no matter where they are - 2 Tim. 3:1-9

d. Our greatest danger will be that we shall become so engrossed with the cares of this world, that we shall neglect prayer and the study of the word of God - Luke 21:34, 35

2. It is then that we are in need of the hope that is a strong anchor to our soul:a. We need a steadfastness like that of Joseph - Gen. 39:8, 9b. Like that of Daniel and his friends - Dan. 1:8; 3:17, 18; 6:10c. Like our brother Job - Job 2:9, 10d. Or like that mighty man of God, Paul - Acts 21:13

3. How different is the hope of those who know not God:a. They trust in the traditions of their fathers - Matt. 6:26-28; Mark

7:7-13b. Others put their trust in the material things of this world - Isa. 59:4;

Dan. 5:1-9; Luke 12:19, 204. My friends, can we affirm with Paul, that we have a living hope that is the

anchor for our soul?a. If we cannot have this hope, why not? It is held out to every one

of us in this service!b. God, who is no respecter of person, offers us the hope in the Bible,

the word of God.c. All we need is to receive the word of God in our hearts, and

nothing can shake us loose from our mooring in Christ our Lord - Rom. 8:1-3, 31-38TO KNOW HIMPHILIPPIANS 3:10

A. "THAT I MAY KNOW HIM, AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERING, BEING MADE CONFORMABLE UNTO HIS DEATH."

1. Paul, upon discovering Christ, was fascinated:a. By the suffering of our Lord - Phil. 2:6-11b. And by the power of His resurrection - Rom. 1:4; 6:4

2. He made the resurrection of Christ the very pivot of our resurrection: 1 Cor. 15:12-18

3. What is more, he sought and found the signs of true happiness and life in the study of the life of Jesus Christ our Lord:

B. LET US, VERY PRAYERFULLY, CONSIDER THE IMPLICATION OF PAUL'S WORDS IN OUR OPENING TEXT

1. The incentives that motivated Paul's attachment to Christ:a. It was the Person of our Lord -

(1) His meekness - Matt. 11:28, 29; 21:5

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(2) His Might in counsel and His Prudence in judgment - Isa. 9:6

(3) His power - Matt. 28:18(4) His majestic character - Col. 2:9; Heb. 1:3

b. His singular life -(1) One of total self-denial and service - Acts 10:38; Phil. 2:7(2) He was holy and separate from sinners - Heb. 7:26

c. His unmatched mastery in teaching the truth - Matt. 7:29; John 7:17

2. The price Paul was willing to pay for his attachment to Christ:a. He counted all else but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of

Jesus Christ.b. He suffered the loss of all things.c. And he counted them but dung, that he might win Christ - Phil. 3:8

3. He gloried in the cross of Christ and was very proud to be able to say:a. "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus" - Gal. 6:17b. "For God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord

Jesus Christ" - verse 14.

C. EFFECTS OF THIS ATTACHMENT TO CHRIST1. Our counting will be different:

a. "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ" - Phil. 3:8

b. "I count not myself to have apprehended" - verse 13.c. Had the rich young ruler been minded like Paul, the end of his life

story would have been different - Matt. 19:16-22d. Had Orpah, the daughter-in-law of Naomi, been minded like Ruth,

the end of her life story would have been different - Ruth 1:12-182. Resolve:

a. Forgetting the things that are behind; that is not always too easy to accomplish -

(1) "Remember Lot's wife" - Luke 17:32; Gen. 19:26(2) That was the great stumbling block of the young man who

wanted to know the way to life - Matt. 19:16-22b. Setting the face, like a flint, toward the mark that is set before us -

Isa. 50:4-7c. Ready and willing to die, if need be, for the name of the Lord Jesus

- Acts 21:13; Gal. 5:17; 2 Cor. 4:103. The supreme and primary objective of every effort -- "That I may be like

him":a. That is the central truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ --

Christlikeness! Rom. 8:29; 1 John 3:1-3b. Because, to be Christlike, means to be godlike, for He is the image

and likeness of God the Father - Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:15; 2 Cor. 4:44. Friends in Christ:

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a. Do we have this vision of our relationship to Christ so vivid in our minds?

b. Has Christ, his life, his death, and his resurrection become the science of our life, as was the case of Paul?

c. Do we really stretch every nerve, put forth every effort to attain unto the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ? If not, then why not?"I HAVE FOUND DAVID"ACTS 13:22, 23

A. A STARTLING AND A MOST ENLIGHTENING STATEMENT FOR GOD TO MAKE

1. David, the youngest of the sons of Jesse, had been in comparative obscurity:

a. Caring for his father's sheep - 1 Sam. 16:11b. He had no prominent place either in his father's house or in the

community.c. When Samuel was looking for a king, Jesse brought all the other

sons before Samuel, but not David.2. God knows us and our whereabouts:

a. Jesus saw Nathaniel without him knowing anything about the Messiah - John 1:48

b. God saw Hagar, fleeing from her mistress - Gen. 16:6-8c. There is nothing hid from the eyes of the Lord - Ps. 139:1-9

B. "I HAVE FOUND DAVID, THE SON OF JESSE, A MAN AFTER MINE OWN HEART."

1. These words have been the target of the infidels and skeptics of the Bible for years:

a. They judge David by the mistakes he made, but they overlook his virtues.

b. They ignore God's method of recording the life story of persons; for God does not give a one-sided report of my life, He records the dark and the light side of my life alike.

2. They overlook that:a. God hates sin in the life of man -

EXAMPLES - (1) He hated sin in the life of his servant Moses - Ex. 4:24(2) And David learned from experience that God did not

approve of his sins. David's remorse over his sins is recorded in the Psalms.3. God loved David, not because of his sins, but because of David's penitent

and trusting attitude in God's mercy - Ps. 32:1-9a. David's sorrows because of his sins are a constant reminder to all

of us of what sin will do to the sinner.b. Thus we see that God loves sinners but not sin.

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C. LET US TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE MAN DAVID, AND WHY THE LORD LOVED HIM SO MUCH

1. He was a man of strong faith in God and His providence:a. He demonstrated that on many occasions -

EXAMPLES - (1) In his combat with Goliath - 1 Sam. 17:45, 46(2) He ranks with our father Abraham.

b. He was a man of prayer. I know of no other Bible character that exceeded David in the life of prayer. The Psalms confirm my personal conviction.

2. He was a man of the hour, a great leader and a great king:a. God and Israel could count on him in the hour of crisis and need.

This fact is so well established that we need not cite examples.b. When the hearts of the soldiers in Israel were faint, David saved

the day for the honor of God.3. Most important of all is the fact that he was wholeheartedly for God:

a. The Lord knew this attachment and that is why He expressed confidence in David - "He will do all my will."

b. Such a compliment was rare in the experience of God's people; Abraham received a similar testimony - Gen. 18:17, 18

c. Enoch, too, received such a testimony from the Lord - Heb. 11:54. But our text reveals another gospel fact, overlooked by the critics, namely,

that God looks at us, not what we are, but what God can make out of us:a. There is a vast difference between David the sinner and David the

transformed son of God.b. Here, dear friends, is our hope: God does not look at us as what

we are, but what He can make out of us.c. We become men and women after God's own heart when we allow

the gospel of Christ to transform us into the image and likeness of His dear Son - Rom. 8:29

d. This is the very heart of our opening text -- let us keep it in mind!TRUTH AND FREEDOMJOHN 8:32

A. "AND YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE."

1. In these words, by the embodiment of truth, we have the key to:a. True freedom.b. And its relationship to truth.

2. Our Saviour spoke these words to a people that boasted of liberty while they were in bondage to sin and the Roman government:

a. They claimed to be free men, but by their deeds they showed that they were the bond servants of sin.

b. There are ever so many professed Christians who boast of liberty, but by their works they show that they are slaves of sin - John 8:44; Rom. 3:9-22

B. TRUTH AND FREEDOM

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1. The need for liberation makes our opening text timely:a. Both Jews and Gentiles are, by nature, under sin - Rom. 3:23; John

8:34b. Since sin is enmity against God, all sinners are, by nature, enemies

of God - Rom. 8:6, 7c. They all are under condemnation because all have sinned and come

short of the glory of God - Rom. 5:12-192. The Bible speaks of a threefold bondage:

a. The bondage of the mind - Prov. 21:27; Gen. 8:21; Matt. 15:19b. The bondage of the will - Rom. 7:15. The sooner we recognize

this fact, the better it will be for us and others.c. The bondage of the conscience - 1 Tim. 4:2; Heb. 9:14

3. It is possible for a person to be unaware of this enslavement:a. It may be force of habit that controls us and we become

accustomed to the bondage - Ezek. 8:10, 11b. Sin blinds us to our true condition - 2 Cor. 4:4; Rev. 3:14-15c. Self-conceit is the very bottom of this blindness - Luke 18:9-12;

John 8:334. The truth that liberates:

a. This we know, that all truth brings liberty.b. There is a desire among men to be free -

(1) Some use force to get freedom.(2) Others use legislative measures.

c. Our Lord states plainly that only truth can set men free - John 8:32(1) Christ is the truth - John 14:6(2) It is He that sets men free - John 8:36(3) The Bible is truth - Dan. 10:21; John 17:17(4) God's law is truth - Ps. 119:142, 151

C. TRUTH, LIKE ALL OTHER BLESSINGS, IS EFFECTIVE WHEN APPLIED RIGHT

1. We must know the truth to be set free by it:a. "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John

8:32b. That was the one essential the self-conceited leaders of the Jews

lacked - Matt. 22:29c. Paul wrote to Timothy these words, "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." 2 Tim. 3:15-17

2. The truth must become a part of our life before it can be truly effective in our behalf:

a. It is the truth in our hearts which helps to resist temptation - Ps. 119:9, 11

b. Because not the hearer but the doer of the word can truly be free - Rom. 2:13; Jas. 1:22, 23

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c. But before we can have the truth in our hearts we must free ourselves first of falsehood, the enemy of truth - Mark 7:7-13

d. Truth and freedom are heaven's immortal twins; where the one is, the other must be there also.

3. Price of the truth: "Buy the truth and sell it not":a. The price of the truth is high, and many are unwilling to pay for it -

Matt. 19:16-19b. Some bought at the sacrifice of their lives. Think of the price the

many martyrs paid in the dark ages.

CAUSE OF APOSTASYLUKE 8:13, 14

A. THE ALARMING INCREASE OF APOSTASY AMONG GOD'S PEOPLE GIVES SERIOUS CAUSE FOR A RE-STUDY OF THE REASONS FOR THESE APOSTASIES

1. Statistics made up by the General Conference show too many apostasies for one reason or another:

2. This writer has made a prayerful study of some of the apostasies and offers a few reasons:

B. CAUSE OF APOSTASY1. It should be clear to us that we are living in a world torn by conflict --

mental, moral, and spiritual:a. The winds of restlessness are very much in evidence in our modern

society - Matt. 8:24; Acts 27:17b. To be on guard, steadfastness must ever be the watchword of the

Christian - "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" - 1 Cor. 10:12; Jas. 3:4; 1 Tim. 1:19

c. Said Jesus, "Watch and pray" - Matt. 26:412. Implication of apostasy:

a. Departing from the living God.b. "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of

unbelief in departing from the living God." Heb. 3:12 -EXAMPLES - (1) Cain departed from the living God - Gen. 4:16(2) Judas was guilty of the same sin - John 13:30(3) The seventy disciples left Christ - John 6:66

3. How people depart from the living God:a. By neglecting prayer, secret prayer - Jer. 10:25b. By neglecting the study of the word of God - Matt. 22:29; 2 Tim.

4:1-6c. By willfully absenting themselves from the assembly of the saints -

Heb. 10:25d. Worldliness is still another sign of apostasy.

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e. Worldly association will lead to apostasy - 2 Tim. 4:10; Prov. 12:12

f. Love of sinful pleasures - 1 John 2:15, 16; 2 Tim. 3:1-9g. Breaking away from the standards of the church is indicative of

apostasy.

C. CAUSE AND REMEDY OF APOSTASY1. Our chief concern is why do people leave the truth? Is the church to be

blamed?2. Among some of the reasons for apostasy are, I believe, the following

factors:a. Hurt feelings among the brethren contribute a lot to the falling

away from the church and the truth -EXAMPLES - (1) Hagar ran away from Sarah because of hurt feelings - Gen.

16:3-6(2) The sin of Joseph's brethren was hurt feelings - Gen. 37:3-6(3) Cain became a murderer because of hurt feelings - Gen.

4:1-8b. Secret sins are also responsible to apostasy - Ps. 19:12; Josh. 7:21;

Ps. 32:1-6. Allowing secret sins to continue in our life will lead to carelessness.c. The cares of this life lead to indifference and eventually to

apostasy - Luke 21:34, 353. God's cure for apostasy:

a. Heed Hos. 14:1-6b. Also Jer. 3:12-14

4. I can think of seven specific means to stop the flood tide of apostasy:a. Through instruction in the fundamentals of the message is a must

to keep that which has been claimed for the truth.b. Loving care for those who are new in the faith. Let them know

that they are loved and appreciated. That works!c. Keep them active in the work of the church. That, too, will aid in

keeping them. Persons occupied with the work of the Lord have less time for deviations.d. Continued study of the fundamentals of Present Truth will add

greatly to their confidence in the movement.e. The family altar is a must for people to keep spiritually strong.f. Faithfulness to God in tithe and in offerings is a must not to fall

prey to Satan.g. Fellowship with the brethren, not only in the public services but

also in the home.CONSOLATION IN THE FURNACE

A. "HE ANSWERED AND SAID, LO, I SEE FOUR MEN LOOSE, WALKING IN THE MIDST OF THE FIRE, AND THEY HAVE NO HURT; AND THE FORM OF THE FOURTH IS LIKE THE SON OF GOD." Dan. 3:25, 26

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1. Our text is a part of the wonderful story of God delivering the Hebrews from the fiery furnace:

a. Nebuchadnezzar had cast them into the furnace because they had refused to obey his call to worship the golden image he had made.

b. He learned that the God of the Hebrews was able to deliver them out of his hands.

2. This story reveals that the three men were:a. Men of principle.b. Men of unshaken faith in the justice of their cause - Dan. 3:16-18

B. THE EXPERIENCE OF THE THREE HEBREW FAITHFULS HAS A NUMBER OF VERY HELPFUL LESSONS

1. Three young men in the furnace heated seven times:a. All because they believed in the freedom of conscience.b. Because they believed that their duty to God came first - Acts 4:29;

5:192. As we look back into the history of persecution, we note that Satan used:

a. The furnace of affliction to frighten the people into submission to his will.

b. What had those three Hebrews done to give them such cruel treatment?

c. Why are god-fearing men the special object of persecution? Compare Luke 11:49 with Lam. 5:5; Matt. 23:34, 35

d. We think of the oppression many of them suffered because of their loyalty to God - Heb. 11:36-40

e. Some suffered fearful temptation, yet they remained loyal to God - Gen. 39:7-12

f. Not to be overlooked are the temptations the Son of man endured - Matt. 4:1-11

g. Then let us remember what the Son of God foretold in Rev. 3:10h. That will be when Satan will declare open war against us - Rev.

12:17

C. CONSOLATION IN THE FURNACE1. Of great moment is the outcome of that experience in the fiery furnace:

a. What they lost -(1) Their physical bonds -- these had been put on them to make

sure that they were helpless against the flames.(2) Such bonds were common in the days of our Lord and the

apostles - Eph. 6:20; Col. 4:18; Acts 12:1b. But they were not harmed; no, even their garments were unharmed

- Acts 12:1-6; Ps. 34:19; 2 Cor. 4:172. Persecutions are allowed:

a. To set us free from the bonds of sin and evil habit - Isa. 63:9

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b. Think of what the Lord says in Mal. 3:3. We do not always see why the Lord permits us to pass through trials, but in the end we shall praise him for the experience he had us pass through.

3. What those worthies did in the furnace:a. They walked in the furnace showing that their walk with God had

not been disrupted - Ps. 23:1-6b. Their walk in that fiery furnace is a living testimony that if God is

for us, who can be against us - Rom. 8:30-394. Some facts to note about that walk in the furnace:

a. Christ was with them, and that made the difference.b. If Christ is with us, we have nothing to fear but fear itself.c. Their person was unharmed; that shows how completely God's

care is for those who trust in Him - Matt. 10:30; Luke 12:7d. A similar experience awaits the people of God during the last days,

just before Christ will appear - Isa. 43:2e. In fact, we shall live eternally with Him, who is a consuming fire -

Deut. 4:24f. But He is consuming fire only against sin, and not to them that

have been set free from the power of sin.TEMPTED BUT TRIUMPHANTLUKE 4:1-13

A. OF OUR LORD IT IS WRITTEN THAT HE "WAS TEMPTED IN ALL POINTS AS WE ARE, YET WITHOUT SIN" Heb. 4:15

1. He was tempted by Satan:a. When He had not eaten for forty days and forty nights - Matt. 4:1-

13b. When He was hungry - verse 2

2. He was tested by Satan:a. On altering the laws of nature to satisfy his hunger - "command

that these stones be made bread"b. Had He yielded to this sinister temptation, He would have

expressed unbelief in God caring for our bodily needs - Matt. 6:24-343. The sin of presumption was the next test Satan put to the Son of man:

a. "Cast thyself down: for it is written He will give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone." Matt. 4:5-7

b. This was designed to tempt the Son of man to assume on the goodness of His father and cause Him to sin presumptuously.

4. The third temptation:a. Was to trap the Son of man to sin against the first commandment --

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me" - Ex. 20:3b. Had the Son of man yielded to this temptation Lucifer would have

attained his original objective; he would have been like the most High - Isa. 14:12-17

B. TEMPTED BUT TRIUMPHANT

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1. Here is the bright and morning star for all who are tempted:a. Our Lord was tempted but He was triumphant.b. Not once did He yield to temptation - John 14:30

2. The secret of His victory over temptation:a. He made the word of God His defence - Matt. 4:4; Luke 4:4, 7, 10b. His victory is our assurance that through Him we too can be

victorious - Rom. 8:37

C. LET US CONSIDER, BRIEFLY, THE MAGNITUDE OF TEMPTATION1. By tempting us, Satan seeks to cause us to mistrust God:

a. That was the great sin of our first parents in the Garden of Eden - Gen. 3:1-6

b. That was what he sought to accomplish when he tempted the Son of man - Matt. 4:1-10

2. By tempting us, Satan seeks to led us to be presumptuous: Ps. 19:13a. The man of God fell for that trap and lost his life - 1 Ki. 13:1-24b. That is the sin of the last days - Matt. 7:21-26

3. Satan tempts us where we are the weakest:a. Judas is a vivid example - John 12:6; Matt. 26:14-16; 27:1-5b. That was the downfall of Achan and his family - Josh. 7:1-26c. That is the ever present danger to all who are tempted to be

dishonest with God in tithe and offering - Mal. 3:8-114. He tempts us with the lust of the flesh:

a. The lust of the flesh is a trap into which many fall.b. David, that mighty king, is one of them.c. Solomon is another.d. Samson is still another example.

5. He tempts us with the lust of the eye:a. Eve fell into this trap - Gen. 3:1-6b. So did Achan - Josh. 7c. And so did Samson - Judg. 16

6. The pride of life is still another channel through which Satan works:a. Lucifer himself fell over this ambition - Isa. 14:12-17; Ezek.

28:12-17b. Nebuchadnezzar is another example - Dan. 4:30

7. Our weapons against these temptations:a. The word of God - Heb. 4:12, 13b. Prayer - Jer. 33:3c. Abiding in Christ - John 15:1-11

OUR LORD'S COMPLIMENTSMATTHEW 13:16, 17

A. SETTING OF OUR TEXT1. Christ preached to the multitude who had come to Him with different

motives:a. Some came out of sheer curiosity.

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b. Others came for the loaves and the fishes.c. And some came to hear the words of life to feed their hungry soul.

2. It is in this connection that He pronounces a blessing upon his disciples:a. "Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear" -

Matt. 13:16b. "For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men

have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."

B. "BLESSED ARE YOUR EYES, FOR THEY SEE"1. Spiritual blindness is much worse than physical blindness:

a. This truth is exemplified in the Pharisees; they had good physical eyesight, as far as we know, yet they were spiritually blind - Matt. 15:17; 23:19

b. Unbelief blinds the mind against the light of truth - 2 Cor. 4:42. Simple faith in Jesus Christ, based upon the word of God, illuminates the

eyes of our understanding:a. That is the purpose of the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ -

Acts 26:16-18b. It opens the word to those who receive it by faith - Luke 24:32c. Paul's statement - Eph. 1:17, 18d. Christ is the Light that lighteth everyone that cometh into the

world - John 1:4; 8:123. The words of our text apply, I believe, especially to the people in the Great

Second Advent Movement:a. We are a people through the light of Bible prophecy.b. No other generation has been permitted to hear what we hear and

see what we see.c. The great chain of Bible forecasts have illuminated the minds of

our understanding.

C. "AND YOUR EARS, FOR THEY HEAR"1. Opportunities of hearing the word of God are unparalleled in the history of

the church of God:a. We have the Radio that seems to reach the ears of the untold

millions in all lands.b. The TV media is the marvel of all times, and most people have it

in their homes.c. The Printing Press, too, is a mighty voice that reaches into most

homes.2. If the prophets of old, and the apostles could see what we see, and hear

what we hear, they would be astonished by our seeming indifference to present day events in the light of Bible prophecy: 1 Pet. 1:10, 11; Heb. 11:13

3. Refusing to hear God's message for our day leaves the world without excuse:

a. You have reason to be grateful and very happy that the Lord has made you willing to hear and to accept Present Truth - Matt. 11:25-30; 2 Pet. 1:12

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b. You have found it in your heart to pay the price of learning and accepting the truth, including the Sabbath of the fourth commandment.

c. Read these scriptures with prayer - Matt. 13:45, 46; Isa. 56:1-7; 58:1-14

4. But hearing and seeing the truth brings responsibility:a. Light from heaven makes the recipient responsible.b. "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world

for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matt. 24:14c. "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are

clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." Rom. 1:20

d. "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." Rom. 2:13

e. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." Jas. 1:22BIBLE BORDER MARKERSISAIAH 8:20

A. "TO THE LAW AND TO THE TESTIMONY: IF THEY SPEAK NOT ACCORDING TO THIS WORD, IT IS BECAUSE THERE IS NO LIGHT IN THEM."

1. Our text is God's clear warning sign on the highway of life:a. The nominal Christian world is in a state of confusion.b. We are warned against the multiplying deceptions of the last days -

(1) "Believe not every spirit" - 1 John 4:1-3(2) "Take heed that no man deceive you" - Matt. 24:4, 24

2. Religious deception will multiply in the last days:a. The old landmarks of truth have been obscured by the traditions of

men - 2 Tim. 4:1-6b. The shouting of "here is the temple of the Lord" and many other

platitudes keep people in a state of uncertainty - Jer. 7:4

B. SNARES OF LAST DAYS' DECEPTIONS TO AVOID1. The so-called supernatural phenomena to prove connection with Christ:

a. Neglect or indifference to the written word of the holy scriptures exposes large numbers of professed Christians to the so-called supernatural manifestation attributed to Christ - 2 Thess. 2:9-11

b. Our Lord foresaw this deception and warns us against it - Matt. 24:4, 24

c. Paul, too, warns us against this Satanic deception - 2 Thess. 2:9-11d. John adds his voice of warning - Rev. 13:15-18

2. Theological explanation of the Bible which makes void the fourth commandment:

a. A Bible test will protect us - Isa. 8:20; 30:8, 9; 1 John 2:4-7b. Our security rests in our opening text - Isa. 8:20. The written

word, our only defence - 2 Tim. 3:15-17

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c. They who follow traditions make void the word of God - Mark 7:7-13

3. The theory that God is not so particular as to the keeping of a certain day of the week:

a. God is very particular in what we do and how we relate ourselves to His law.

b. James warns us against the assumption that God will wink at us even if we break one of the commandments of God - Jas. 1:22, 23; 2:8-11

c. The Lord makes this truth very plain - Matt. 5:17-20; Luke 16:17d. An infraction of the law of God will not be overlooked by the

Lawgiver - Num. 23:19-21; Gen. 3:1-23C. GOD'S BORDER MARKERS ARE REMINISCENT OF THE DAYS OF THE PIONEERS

1. They gave strong emphasis to following the Bible faithfully:a. Bible prophecy was the very light of their religious soul.b. They were dedicated students of prophecy, comparing current

events with the prophecies in the books Daniel and Revelation.c. The two sanctuaries, the earthly and the heavenly, received much

prayerful study by those God fearing men and women.2. They compared the present day standards of morality with the standard set

up by God in His holy word:a. Practices inconsistent with the Bible were abundant.b. The old landmarks of truth were restored to God's people.

3. The Sabbath Reform Message was put into practice:a. The believers forsook Sunday observance at the risk of great

inconvenience and the displeasure of relatives and friends.b. "Back to the Bible Sabbath" became the burden of this great

Gospel Movement.c. Christian temperance became the watchword in the homes of the

believers.d. Modesty in dress and conduct was the guide for every member in

the family.e. A sure foundation was laid for a conservative, yet happy,

Movement that is now encompassing all men in all lands.A COVENANT BY SACRIFICEPSALMS 50:1-6

A. THE GATHERING CALL: "GATHER MY SAINTS TOGETHER UNTO ME: THOSE THAT HAVE MADE A COVENANT WITH ME BY SACRIFICE."

1. How God gathers the saints:a. Through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.b. Compare John 10:15, 16 with Eph. 4:11-16c. That is why this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the

world - Matt. 24:14; 28:18-202. The final gathering of the saints will take place at the second coming of

Christ:

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a. The resurrection of the just takes place - Luke 14:14; John 5:28, 29; 1 Cor. 15:22, 23

b. The righteous that are alive at the coming of the Lord will be changed in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye - 1 Cor. 15:52

c. All will meet the Lord in the air - 1 Thess. 4:13-17

B. "MY SAINTS"1. Who is a saint?

a. Not necessarily those who are acclaimed to be saints by men.b. A saint is a person wholly dedicated to God, His word, and His

cause - 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Thess. 1:10; Rev. 14:12c. A saint is one who has forsaken sin and has been transformed by

the power of the Holy Spirit - Rom. 13:11-14d. He is one that has experienced the new birth - John 3:3-9; 2 Pet.

1:2-92. "Those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice":

a. A covenant is a solemn agreement freely entered into with God.b. This agreement is ratified by our laying all on the altar of sacrifice

- Rom. 12:1-3c. Noah, Abraham, and other dedicated saints, entered into solemn

agreements with God by sacrifice - Gen. 8:20-22; 12:1-11d. Plan of redemption is based upon sacrifice - John 3:16; Rev. 13:8

C. HERE IS A CHALLENGE TO GOD'S PROFESSED PEOPLE1. Does God mark us as "my saints"?

a. Can we honestly before God qualify to be marked as saints?b. Let us think very earnestly and search our lives to find the truthful

answer to our question.c. Does it mean that one has to be without fault to be a saint? Not

necessarily! Noah, Abraham, and the other Patriarchs were men of like passions, as we are, yet they were God's saints.

2. What proof do we have that we have made a covenant with God by sacrifice?

a. Can we say with Peter, "we have left all and have followed thee"? Mark 10:28

b. Have we met the conditions of discipleship as laid down by our Lord? Matt. 10:34-39

3. How does our covenant compare with that of some of the saints, as recorded in the Bible?

a. Abraham - Gen. 12:1-9; 22:1-12b. Joseph - Gen. 39:1-18c. Daniel and his friends - Dan. 1:8; 3:1-22; 6:1-28d. Read the story of the martyrs of Christ as recorded in the eleventh

chapter of the book of Hebrews.4. As we near the end of time and our work is drawing to a close, are we

truly ready to qualify for the gathering call of God's saints?

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a. There is no reason why we should not be among the saints and answer the final gathering call.

b. We have been blessed with light from the word as no other people in other ages has known.

c. We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ our Lord; He has all that we need to be free from all condemnation - Rom. 8:1-3; 8:31-39

d. God has promised to pour out His Spirit in the last days upon all His people and so make them ready for the final gathering of the saints."WHO MAY ABIDE THE DAY OF HIS COMING?"MALACHI 3:1-3

A. THE QUESTION OF OUR TEXT1. Is all important:

a. It makes the second coming of Christ very definite - John 14:1-3b. Says the Psalmist, "For he cometh, for he cometh" - Ps. 50:1-4;

96:13; Joel 2:1c. His second coming is as definite as His first coming - Acts 1:11

2. It is a timely question:a. "The day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand" - Joel 2:1b. "The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly" -

Zeph. 1:14c. The last movements shall be rapid ones - Rom. 9:28

3. It is a very personal question:a. It affects those who profess to believe in his soon coming.b. Will I be able to abide the day of his coming?c. This is the question each one of us must answer personally.

B. "WHO MAY ABIDE THE DAY OF HIS COMING?"1. Who shall not abide the day of his coming:

a. Sinners in and out of Zion - Compare Isa. 13:9 with Zeph. 1:17; Isa. 33:14.

b. Transgressors of God's law - Matt. 7:23; Isa. 30:8, 9; 1 John 2:4-7c. All who are without a wedding garment - Matt. 22:12; Rev. 3:17d. All who are entangled with the cares of this present world, and are

neglecting oil for their lamps - Luke 21:34-36; Matt. 25:1-12e. The wealthy and money hungry - Compare Acts 8:20 with Zeph.

1:18; Ezek. 7:19; Jas. 5:1-92. Who shall stand or abide?

a. The Psalmist has the answer - Ps. 15:1-5; 24:4b. Every one that has been washed, made clean in the blood of Jesus

Christ - Rev. 1:5; 1 John 1:7-9; Isa. 1:18, 19; Rev. 7:14

C. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST1. The world at large:

a. Scoffs at the idea of Christ coming again - 2 Pet. 3:1-4

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b. Continues in the pursuit of material gains, as if there were no change to take place in this world - Luke 17:26-30; Jas. 5:1-9

c. It is preoccupied with its sinful pleasures - Gal. 5:19-23; 1 John 2:15, 16

d. They will be surprised and undone by the suddenness of His coming - 1 Thess. 5:1-6; Luke 21:34-36; Rev. 6:14-17

e. Even the so-called shepherds of the flock will be preoccupied by the pleasures of sin at the time of His coming - Matt. 24:48-51; Isa. 56:10-12

f. All, even if they profess to believe in the second coming of Christ, who are not prepared for His coming - Matt. 25:1-12

2. The attitude of God's children:a. They are actually looking for His second coming - Heb. 9:28b. They are waiting for Him to come - Isa. 25:9c. They are praying, "Amen, Even so, come, Lord Jesus" - Rev. 22:20

3. What is important for us is:a. To make sure that we are ready when He comes - Matt. 24:42-44;

Luke 12:40b. It means that we purify ourselves from every stain of sin and

uncleanness - 1 John 3:1-3c. The Laodiceans are woefully unprepared, as yet, but the merciful

Saviour admonishes them to make ready - Rev. 3:14-17d. It is a personal work that each of us must do for himself; we cannot

look to the other man for guidance.e. We must make sure that every sin in our life has been confessed

and forsaken.f. That we live up to the light we profess to have - Jas. 4:17g. Put on the robe of Christ's righteousness and make no provision for

the flesh - Compare Isa. 61:10 with Rev. 19:7, 8GOD'S THREE REQUIREMENTS OF MANMICAH 6:8, 9

A. "HE HATH SHEWED THEE, O MAN, WHAT IS GOOD; AND WHAT THE LORD REQUIRES OF THEE, BUT TO DO JUSTLY, AND TO LOVE MERCY, AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH THY GOD."

1. The Bible is singular in stating great truths in a few simple words:a. We think of the golden rule - Matt. 7:12b. The wise man states in a few words the Bible concept of true

morality - Eccl. 12:13, 14c. Our text gives, in a few verses, Heaven's understanding of the very

heart of all morality - Matt. 22:37-40d. The summation of the gospel of Jesus Christ is stated in John 3:16

2. Micah, too, expresses the total requirement of man's duty to God and to his fellow men:

B. GOD'S THREE REQUIREMENTS OF MAN1. To do justly:

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a. This basic requirement of man is found in the Ten Commandments - Ex. 20:3-17

b. Detailed instructions about our attitude toward others can be found in Lev. 19:35, 36; Ezek. 45:10; Prov. 11:1

c. Justice is an act of faith, revealed in our daily life - Hab. 2:4d. The first resurrection is named after the just - Luke 14:14. Bible

characters called just -Noah - Gen. 6:9Job - Job 1:1John - Mark 6:20Joseph - Luke 23:40Simeon - Luke 2:25

2. To love mercy: The word "mercy" signifies pity for the undeserving and guilty. Mercy is the handmaiden to justice.

a. By mercy and truth, iniquity is purged - Prov. 16:6b. The merciful will receive mercy - Matt. 18:25-35c. God desires mercy above sacrifice.d. This is illustrated in the parable of the good Samaritan - Luke

10:33-40e. Mercy and truth are inseparable - Ps. 85:10; Luke 15:11-32

3. To walk humbly with thy God:a. Walking with God implies a personal relationship with God.

EXAMPLES - (1) Noah - Gen. 6:9; Heb. 11:7(2) Enoch - Gen. 5:22-24; Heb. 11:5

b. Humility is the very essence of spiritual relationship with God -(1) Lucifer failed in this - Isa. 14:12-18(2) The Pharisees were marked by spiritual pride - Matt. 6:5-9;

23:20-36

C. THE LIFE OF GOD'S CHILDREN IS A WALK WITH GOD1. They are honest: Rom. 13:132. They are the children of light: Eph. 5:23. They walk in the spirit: Gal. 5:164. They walk in love: Eph. 5:25. They walk even as he walked: 1 John 2:6

a. When we walk with God it means -(1) That we are in harmony with His holy will - Amos 3:3;

Rom. 2:17-19; Heb. 10:15, 16b. Walking with God will influence the course of our life -

(1) We will become spiritually minded - 2 Cor. 3:18(2) We will be about our Father's business - 1 Pet. 2:9-11(3) We will strive for that which is most godlike - Phil. 4:8(4) We will love righteousness and hate iniquity.(5) Our walk will lead us into the Father's house - Ps. 23:1-6

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(6) Walking with God means that we commune with Him; that means a life of prayer. 2 Cor. 13:14

c. What a life -- to be walking with God! Thus we see that the three requirements of man are -

(1) To do justly,(2) To love mercy,(3) And to humbly walk with God.

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