Month: July 2010

THE VERY GOD OF PEACE SANCTIFY YOU WHOLLY–I THESSALONIANS 5:23-24–PART 2: THE STRONG FAMILY RESEMBLANCE

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THE VERY GOD OF PEACE SANCTIFY YOU WHOLLY
I THESSALONIANS 5:23-24

PART 2: THE STRONG FAMILY RESEMBLANCE


Introduction:

When the believer is truly separate from the world he bears a family resemblance to his Savior Jesus Christ. That should be our goal in each of our lives for His glory,

I. THE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN A MAN IS A STRONG FAMILY LIKENESS TO JESUS CHRIST

Psalms 17:15, “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.”

A. Man was created in the likeness of God, Genesis 1:26, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”

B. God gave man and woman the ability to reproduce themselves in their own image, Genesis 1:27-28, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

1. Man disobeyed God and brought sin and death to mankind, Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

2. Death passed upon all men:

a. God had warned man, Genesis 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

b. Man failed to listen and died spiritually and began to die physically, Genesis 3:19, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

3. However, God did not leave man without hope, Romans 5:17, “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)”

a. By the First Adam came death, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

b. The Second Adam brought life, 1 Corinthians 15:47, “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”

C. Now in Christ man returns to the likeness in which God created him:

1. God has redeemed man, Romans 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

2. God has made him a “new creature,” 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

II. THAT CHARACTERISTIC GIVES HIM FREEDOM FROM EVERYTHING THAT IS UNLIKE JESUS

Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

A. Christ has made us free, John 8:33-32, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

1. We are free from condemnation, John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

2. He is free from the law of sin and death, Romans 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

B. Here SANCTIFICATION enters into the life of the Believer – “be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage,” 2 Peter 2:19, “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.”

1. We are to walk in newness of life, Romans 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

2. We are not to be the instruments of sin, Romans 6:13, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”

3. We are to separate ourselves from sinners, 2 Corinthians 6:17, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”

III. THAT SETS US APART FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT’S MINISTRY IN US

Ephesians 3:16-19, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

A. Being FIRMLY Established in the LOVE of Christ, John 14:23, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

B. Knowing the love of Christ that passes knowledge, Ephesians 5:2, “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

C. Being FILLED with the FULNESS OF GOD in Christ, Romans 8:29, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

CONCLUSION

THE VERY GOD OF PEACE SANCTIFY YOU WHOLLY–I THESSALONIANS 5:23-24–PART I

Art Davison I THESSALONIANS 0 Comment
THE VERY GOD OF PEACE SANCTIFY YOU WHOLLY
I THESSALONIANS 5:23-24–PART I
John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Introduction:

When we trusted Christ as our Savior, the Lord sanctified us. This word means to render pure, or to cleanse from sins, 1 Corinthians 6:11, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

It consists in his becoming more like God and less attached to the world. However there is a cost that we pay to be more like Christ.


I. THE COST


A. Are we PREPARED for what sanctification will COST?

1. It will cost an INTENSE NARROWING of all our interests on earth, Philippians 4:6-9, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

2. It will cost an IMMENSE BROADENING of all our INTERESTS in God, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, “To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”

3. It will cost EVERYTHING that IS NOT OF GOD in us, Ephesians 5:26, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,”

B. Sanctification means intense concentration on God’s point of view, HOLINESS, Romans 6:19, 22, “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”

1. It means every power of body, soul and spirit chained and kept for God’s purpose only, Romans 6:13, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”

2. Are we PREPARED for God TO DO IN US ALL that He separated us for? Philippians 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

a. This is NOT by moral persuasion, but by HIS OWN POWER, 2 Corinthians 3:5, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;”

b. We are to BE STRONG IN the Lord, Haggai 2:4, “Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and WORK: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:”

c. We were CREATED to do GOOD WORKS, Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

d. We have been equipped, Ephesians 6:13, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

II. THE STANDARD

A. After His work is done in us, are we prepared to separate ourselves to God even as Jesus did? John 17:19, “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”

B. Sanctification means being in TOTAL AGREEMENT WITH Jesus, John 17:22-23, “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”

1. That the DISPOSITION that ruled Him WILL RULE US, Matthew 11:29-30, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

2. Are we prepared to say, “Lord MAKE ME AS HOLY as You can make a sinner saved by grace?” 1 Peter 1:15,“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;”
PART TWO WILL FOLLOW OF: “THE VERY GOD OF PEACE SANCTIFY YOU WHOLLY”

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST–I CORINTHIANS 15:1-8

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THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST
I CORINTHIANS 15:1-8

Introduction:

The resurrection of Jesus Christ set the seal of God’s approval on everything that He did here on earth. He came to earth in a humble way to feel what we feel and to experience first hand our life. He knew pain, loneliness, thirst, hunger, etc. He became flesh and dwelt among us.

Then He died.

I. THE REVEALING OF THE CHRIST

A. The Coming of Christ.

1. A humble beginning, Gal. 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,”

2. A normal childhood, Luke 2:40, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”

3. A remarkable man, John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

B. The Death of Christ.

1. Betrayed by a friend, Mark 14:10, “And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.”

2. Beset by false accusers, Matt. 26:59, “Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;”

3. Blasphemed and mocked by the crowds, Matt. 27:29-30, “And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! 30-And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.”

C. The Burial of Christ.

1. Buried in a borrowed grave, Matt. 27:59-60, “And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.”

2. Broken hearted and scattered were his followers, Matt. 26:31, “Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.”

II. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

A. The Verification of the Resurrection.

1. The Wonder of the resurrection, John 11:25-26, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

2. The Witnesses of the resurrection, 1 Cor. 15:5-8, “And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. “

B. The Victory of the Resurrection.

1. The Sting of death is no more, 1 Cor. 15:55-57, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56- The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57-But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2. The Sting of defeat for Satan is known. Christ redeems his people from “him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14). Satan has the “power of death,” not as lord, but simply as executioner.

III. THE RETURN OF CHRIST

A. The Promise He made.

1. The Preparation for the believer, John 14:1-3, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

a. A place for the believer is being prepared.

b. It will be a mansion in which to dwell.

2. The Promise to return, v. 3,“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

B. The Purpose of His Coming.

1. To fulfill His promise, 1 Thess. 4:13-18.

a. The Resurrection of the dead in Christ, v. 16, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”

b. The rapture of the living believers, vs. 15, 17, “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

2. To give comfort to the believer, v. 18, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

CONCLUSION

The resurrection of Jesus Christ was the climax of His work here on earth. He ascended to the Father where is acts as our Advocate presently. He is preparing for His return to receive His people to himself of whom I am one. I say with the Apostle John, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

THE LOVE OF GOD–ROMANS 5:1-11

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THE LOVE OF GOD
ROMANS 5:1-11
Introduction:
The love of Christ is manifested in these verses here in Romans 5. It is a love that was extended to those who were unlovely. It is the Grace of God.
The Apostle Paul shows us the extent of God’s love toward us in the giving of His only Son. It is by His blood that we are justified and reconciled to God.
Look with me as we consider these things.
I. WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS.
A. Christ died for us, while we were yet sinners, v. 8.
1. The Grace of God manifested to us, Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
2. The Mercy of God is demonstrated to us, Titus 3:4-5, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
B. His death demonstrates His great love for mankind, John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”
C. His death was vicarious, i.e., He died in our place.
II. RECONCILED TO GOD.
A. We were enemies of God without Christ.
1. Without God, Ephesians 2:12, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”
2. We were at times hostile to the truth, Romans 8:7, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
B. We were reconciled to God.
1. We made peace with God by trusting Jesus as our Savior,
2. We have been made happy and content in Christ,
III. JUSTIFIED BY FAITH.
A. God disregards our guilt.
1. He shows mercy, Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”
2. The Lord forgives our sin, Psalm 86:4, “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”
B. We stand as if acquitted.
1. We are guilty, Romans 3:11-12, “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
2. BUT we are justified by His blood, v. 9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
a. The blood made the atonement, Leviticus 17:11, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”
b. Without blood it is impossible, Hebrews 9:22, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”
C. We are saved from the wrath to come by His blood, v. 9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
D. We shall be saved by His life, v. 10, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
1. Because He was raised from the dead, we shall be raised also, 1 Corinthians 15:19, 22, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
2. Because He lives today, we shall live forever, 1 Corinthians 15:23, “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”
CONCLUSION
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. Jesus has already done this for you. What is left is for you to accept this gift of eternal life that he offers you right now. Faith in Christ as your Savior is all that is necessary for life eternal.

THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST–ROMANS 14:10,

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THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

ROMANS 14:10,
“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Introduction:

Some time in the near future, God’s people who are alive on this earth at the coming of Jesus Christ, will be raptured out of this life and into the presence of God. The dead in Christ will have been resurrected just moments ahead of the rapture. Then what happens?

The Bible gives us information regarding what happens next. The saints of God will be reviewed and rewarded for their service here upon the earth. This event is called the Judgement Seat of Christ and you don’t want to be ignorant about this doctrine. Ignorance is not bliss regarding this event.

This judgement is three-fold and every believer will face it.

I. WE WERE JUDGED IN THE PAST AS SINNERS.

A. 2,000 years ago God took every sin that you have committed or will commit and PLACED THEM ON JESUS CHRIST at Calvary, Isa. 53:6.

1. The JUST suffered for the UNJUST, 1 Peter 3:18.

2. He who knew no sin became sin for us, 2 Cor. 5:21.

B. The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ judged sin and His blood paid for sin so perfectly that God can find nothing for which to condemn us, Rom. 8:1; John 5:24.

II. WE ARE BEING JUDGED PRESENTLY AS SONS.

A. We have the OPTION of judging ourselves during this life, 1 Cor. 11:31-32.

1. This means walking in fellowship with the Lord, 1 John 1:6-7.

2. This means confessing our sins in order to maintain fellowship, 1 John 1:9; Ps. 32:5.

B. When we DO NOT judge ourselves the Lord judges us.

1. He deals with us as sons, Heb. 12:5-7.

2. Chastening is not payment for sin.

a. It is a sign of sonship.

b. It is a means of directing us back to God’s will.

1) Loss of health.

2) Loss of possessions.

3) Loss of joy.

4) Loss of loved ones.

III. WE WILL BE JUDGED PROSPECTIVELY AS SERVANTS AND STEWARDS.

A. No believer will miss this judgement, Romans 14:10b.

B. Christ will examine every son regarding his service to the Lord.

1. This will not be a judicial bench. Salvation is not the issue here. If you are not a Christian your judgement is at the Great White Throne Judgement of Rev. 20:11-15.

2. It is the “Bema” judgement. In the Grecian games, the arena had a raised platform on which the presiding judge sat. From this seat he watched the contestants and awarded all of the winners. This was called the “bema” seat. It was a place of reward. But before the reward came the review.

C. The books will be opened.

1. The book of Revelation – the Bible, Isa. 40:8.

2. The book of Redemption – The Lamb’s Book of Life, Rev. 21:27.

3. The Book of Remembrance, Mal. 3:16.

a. The Lord is not writing down your sins – they are blotted out.

b. He is writing down the little things that no one else knows or things others have overlooked.

1) Bottles of our tears, Ps. 56:8.

2) Our midnight prayers that were uttered when no one else could hear. In the Temple boxes held the burnt up wicks from the lamps in the sanctuary.

3) A cup of water, Matt. 10:42.

D. Every Believer has to GIVE AN ACCOUNT of …

1. His building, 1 Cor. 3:10-15.

2. His body, 2 Cor. 5:10.

a. Our works, 1 Cor. 3:13; Eph. 2:8-10.

b. Our faithfulness, 1 Cor. 4:2, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

c. Our motives, 1 Cor. 4:5.

E. Some will receive REWARDS from God, 1 Cor. 3:14. Five crowns are mentioned in the Bible:

1. Incorruptible crown, 1 Cor. 9:25. “Those who conquered in these games were crowned only with the withering leaves or boughs of trees, of olive, bays, or laurel. But Christians have an incorruptible crown in view, a crown of glory that never fadeth away, an inheritance incorruptible, reserved in heaven for them.” Matthew Henry

2. Crown of Rejoicing (a soulwinners crown), 1 Thess. 2:19. These are expressions of great and endeared affection, and high estimation.

3. Crown of Glory (Shepherd’s reward), 1 Peter 5:4. These are expressions of great and endeared affection, and high estimation.

4. Crown of Life (Sufferer’s reward), James 1:12. The crown of life is promised not only to great and eminent saints, but to all those who have the love of God reigning in their hearts. Every soul that truly loves God shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above where love is made perfect.

5. Crown of Righteousness (for those who love the appearing of Christ), 2 Tim. 4:8.

F. Some will LOSE rewards, 1 Cor. 3:15. The great day will pluck off all disguises, and make things appear as they are.

CONCLUSION

With great joy we will lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus. Rev. 4:1-4, 10-11.