Rapture and Revelation

The rapture and the second coming are separate events. Let me contrast the rapture and the revelation:

At the rapture, believers meet the Lord in the air to go to the third heaven [John 14: 3; 1 Thess. 4: 17]. At the second coming, believers return with the Lord to the earth [Rev. 19: 14].

The rapture occurs before the tribulation [1 Thess. 5: 9; Rev. 3: 10]. The second coming occurs after the tribulation [Rev. 6-19].

At the rapture Christ comes to rescue saints from the tribulation and take them to the Judgment Seat for reward [Rom. 14: 10; 2 Cor. 5: 10; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; 5: 9; Rev. 4: 4, 10]. At the second coming He removes unbelievers as an act of judgment and reigns in His kingdom [Matt. 24: 40-41].

At the rapture Christ gathers the elect church [1 Thess. 4:13-18]. At the second coming the angels gather God’s elect Israel [Dan. 12: Matt. 24: 31].

The rapture will be secret and instant [1 Cor. 15: 50-54]. The second coming will be visible to all [Rev. 1: 7; Matt: 24: 29-30; Zech. 12:10].

The rapture is imminent; it could take place any moment [Titus 2: 13; 1 Thess. 4: 13-18; 1 Cor. 15: 50-54]. The second coming will not occur until after certain other end-times events take place [2 Thess. 2: 4; Matt. 24: 15-20; Rev. 6:18].

At the rapture he comes as a bridegroom while at the revelation He comes as “the wrath of the Lamb.”

The Blessed Hope and the Day of the Lord are different Events.

Church Servants

1 Timothy 3:1-13

 

1 Tim. 3:1-7 gives us the spiritual qualifications of those called to lead the church. Paul gave insight into the call, the personal life, the family life, the church life, and the testimony of the one called to lead the church.

 

1 Tim. 3:8-13 we look at those who are called to serve the church, the office of Deacon. When God raises up a man to serve His church, He looks for hearts right with him, not talents, not human abilities, not social status, or occupation, but He raises up a spiritual men.

 

Lets take a few seconds to look at this word “deacon” and its many variations. Originally it meant performing menial tasks such as waiting on tables [Acts 6]. It grew into any service in the church. The word means “servant, minister, ministry, or service.” He is to be “kicking up the dust" in service.

 

What are the duties of a deacon? They assist the pastor in caring for the spiritual and temporal needs of the church under the pastors oversight. They carry out whatever tasks are assigned to them by the pastor or needed by the church.

The office of deacon is one of two ordained offices in the church and serve alongside the pastor meeting the temporal and spiritual needs of the congregation.

Pastors who lead and deacons who serve perform different functions, but the spiritual qualifications are almost identical except for 2 clear differences:

(1) The pastor is to be "apt to teach” [v.2].

(2) The pastor leads, gives oversight, and superintends the work of the church. The deacons serve the pastor and church in the work of the church (vs. 4-5, 8).

W.A. Criswell says, "There is no such thing as a "Deacon Board" but a "Body of Servants." Board has to do with a business or corporation. They are not managers but ministers.

 

 

Three "Lost" Parables

The themes of Luke 15:1-32 is three-fold:

1. God’s attitude toward sinners, which is quite different from the Scribes and Pharisees.

2. God rejoices when repentant sinners turn to Him and are "found." God saves anyone who repents and comes to Him on God's terms. There are two aspects to this salvation.

There is God’s part: the shepherd seeks the lost sheep, and the woman searches for the lost silver, and the loving Father looks for the lost Son.

There is man’s part in salvation: for the lost son willingly repented and returned home. To emphasize but one aspect is to give a false view of salvation, for both the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man must be considered.

3. Joy comes when that which is lost is found.

We note a four-fold pattern: lost, search, found, and rejoice. This is the pattern of salvation: sinners are lost, they are sought by Christ, they are found, and rejoicing follows.

It is easy for us today to read these two parables and take their message for granted, but the people who first heard them must have been shocked. Jesus was saying that God actually searches for lost sinners not the self-righteous.

No wonder the scribes and Pharisees were offended, for there was no place in their legalistic theology for a God like that. They were like many today, to proud to admit their sinful condition.

Checkmate- The Scribes and Pharisees would affirm the search for the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, while condemning him for searching for and recovering lost souls.

The point is the same for these parables- sinners are lost, they are sought by Christ through us, they are found, and rejoicing follows.

What is the Proof of Salvation

Can the truly saved lose their salvation?

The short answer is NO! If they depart from Christ and the doctrine of Christ they prove they never were saved. Continuation is the proof and evidence of salvation. True believers will persevere to the end.

True believers can backslide and live temporarily in sin, but they will be chastened and corrected by God, but they will eventually return or be taken to heaven prematurely.

Let's look at some proof passages for continuation as proof of salvation.

Matt. 13:18-23 ¹⁸ Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. ¹⁹ When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. ²⁰ But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; ²¹ Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. ²² He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. ²³ But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Note that only the "good ground" [receptive heart] was saved and continued to bear fruit.

Hebrews 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Hebrews 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

Hebrews 10:38-39 ³⁸ Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. ³⁹ But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Col. 1:21-23 ²¹ And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled ²² In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: ²³ If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Matt. 7:22-24 ²² Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? ²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ²⁴ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Three Appearings

Three Appearings

Hebrew 9:24-28

 As believers in the New Covenant, we don't depend on a human to enter a temporary earthly tabernacle. We depend the heavenly High Priest who entered once and for all into the eternal sanctuary where He represents us forever before God.

 He will never let us go, He will never stop representing us, and He will never stop His intercession for us. That is a promise given to us by God as stated in His written Word.

 "now to appear" means that Christ reported to the Father that He fulfilled His mission. The work of Christ is a completed work, final and eternal.

 Note that the word "appear" is used 3 times in Heb 9:24-28?

1. He has appeared to take away our sin by dying on the cross [v. 26]. Deals with the past and position.
2. He is appearing now in heaven for us [v. 24]. Deals with the present and progressive.
3. He shall appear to take Christians home [v. 28]. Deals with the future and perfect [complete].

These represent what is called the "three tenses of salvation" all based on Christ's finished work.

1. Justification [regeneration] we are in Christ and freed from the penalty of sin.

2. Sanctification is the journey to being more like Christ and being freed from the power of sin.

3. Glorification is at the resurrection when we will be like Christ and freed from the presence of sin.

 

 

Timeless Truths from Obadiah

1. The conflict in the Middle East has biblical and spiritual roots and will be used to accomplish God’s ultimate purposes.

2. People hate Israel because they hate God.

3. The pride of man is his downfall.

4. No matter how lofty and prideful we are, we will not escape God’s judgment.

5. God will preserve his people Israel till the end of time. There have been several attempts to annihilate the Jews but this will not happen.

6. Such a small nation will be “A cup of trembling” to the more numerous and powerful nations.

7. The promises to Israel will stand because God keeps His promises.

8. The way of Cain and human wisdom is the way of destruction.

9. The Lord God reigns.

Three in One

Romans 1:20 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:

 

Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

 

Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

 

[Refuting a Jehovah Witness as to denying the Deity of Jesus and the Trinity or Eternal Godhead]. Keyword- Godhead, Trinity, Jesus

 

1. Jesus Christ is God (OT and NT)

 

Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. ² And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

 

Genesis 19:24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

 

Psalms 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

 

Psalms 16:10-11 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. ¹¹ Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

 

Peter uses this passage to speak of the resurrection of Jesus in the Pentecost message in Acts 2:25-35 and Paul uses it in Acts 13:25 (Ps. 22:11-22)

 

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

 

Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

 

John 1:1-2 ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² The same was in the beginning with God.

 

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

John 5:17-24 Christ makes five claims of deity and being equal with God.

 

John 8:56-59 ⁵⁶ Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. ⁵⁷ Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? ⁵⁸ Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. ⁵⁹ Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.  

 

John 10:30-33 ³⁰ I and my Father are one.³¹ Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.³² Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?³³ The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

 

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.  

 

Col. 1:15-19¹⁵ Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: ¹⁶ For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

 

Hebrews 1:1-3 ¹ God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, ² Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; ³ Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

 

1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

 

Titus 2:10-13 ¹⁰ Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. ¹¹ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, ¹² Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; ¹³ Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;

 

1 John 1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

 

1 John 4:2-3 ² Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is God come in the flesh: ³ And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

 

1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

 

2 Peter 1:1-2 ¹ Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: ² Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

 

2. The Trinity or Eternal Godhead (OT and NT)

 

Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. ² And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

 

Genesis 1:26-27 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.

²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

 

Genesis 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:

 

Genesis 11:7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.

 

Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

 

Psalms 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

 

Matthew 3:16-17 ¹⁶ And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: ¹⁷ And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

 

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 

Eph. 1:1-14 The work of the Godhead in salvation

 

Ephesians 4:4-6 ⁴ There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ One Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

 

1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

 

Jude 1:20-21 ²⁰ But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, ²¹ Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

 

The Myth of the Carnal Christian

1 Cor. 3:1-9

Many teach that Paul in this passage is talking about 3 classes of people: The natural man or lost man [2:14], Spiritual Christian [3:1a], and the Carnal Christian [1b]. They present a diagram with 3 circles representing the 3 classes of people. At the center of each is a throne. The natural man has self on the throne with Christ outside the circle. The carnal Christian has invited Christ into the circle but keeps self on the throne. The spiritual Christian puts Christ into the circle and Christ on the throne.

A man named Lewis Sperry Chafer popularized the carnal Christian idea in his book, He that is spiritual. C. I. Scofield states the same in his notes in The Scofield Reference Bible.

In recent years this idea of a permanent state of a carnal Christian has been included in tracts by Campus Crusade for Christ, Dallas Seminary, and later revised by Bill Bright before his death.

According to Ernest Reisinger, "This "Carnal Christian" teaching was invented to accommodate all the supposed converts of modern evangelism. The non-lordship teachers had to have some explanation for the thousands and thousands of those who are products of an evangelism that leaves out Bible repentance from their evangelistic message. I am referring to those who make "decisions," walk aisles and make professions of being Christians, but their lives have never been changed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, they do not love what Christians love and hate what Christians hate. They act, think and live like non-Christians, but their teachers must have some explanation for their unchanged lives. Thus the unbiblical category "Carnal Christian" was invented by the non-lordship teachers."

Stage one is conversion and then stage two is to make Jesus Lord. In between the two stages the believer may live like an unbeliever.

This tract is based on our text today. Trouble is, Paul is not teaching 3 classes of people, but only 2 classes of people- The natural man [lost] and the Spiritual man [saved]. Here we see the saints and the aint's.

Note 2:14-15 He is not teaching that a Christian can’t remain in a permanent state of carnality for his whole life and be in a special class.

TT: Why? Let me defend this view with seven reasons!

1. Paul was rebuking the Corinthians for their fleshly behavior, for their state not their standing.

The church had divided into factions over the popularity of different teacher [vs. 3-9]. Paul states that they were fleshly and behaving like mere men or the natural man. Paul was accusing them of acting like non-Christians.

Paul was not defining 2 classes of Christians or 3 classes of people. He simply talks about the natural man and the spiritual man who was acting carnal in behavior.

Can true Christians be carnal? The word carnal means fleshly. Paul addresses them both as “brethren” [v. 1] and “carnal” [v. 2]. Every time we sin we act carnal.

There is no such thing as a believer who is carnal all the time.  And, there is no such thing as a believer who is not carnal some of the time.

A true Christian will not remain carnal for a lifetime. Many believe a person can come to faith in Christ and then turn to live their life in a carnal state with no signs of spiritual life, and be a Christian.

Once we set up a category for a “carnal Christian” everybody who confesses Christ is saved, but James 2:14; Matt. 7:21; 1 John 3:9; and 1 John 5:14 tell us different.

2. Spiritual Refers to all Christians.

They were spiritual because they had received the Holy Spirit,  they were spiritual by position but not practice. Their standing was as spiritual but their state was as fleshly.

Their behavior was so inconsistent with the truth that Paul had to address them as babes in Christ, carnal, acting like the natural man [2:14-15].

Romans 8:5-9, The lost have a mind set on the flesh while Christians have a mind set on the Spirit.

According to Paul then, all Christians are spiritual but do act in the flesh from time to time, and that is what he is rebuking them for in our text.

3. Paul does not urge these carnal Christians to “make Jesus Lord.”

Many think that a believer can live in a carnal state having not made Jesus Lord. They are converted, Jesus is in the circle, but Jesus is not on the throne of their life.

Phil. 2:11; Rom. 10:9-10; John 20:28; 1 Cor. 12:3

A.W. Tozer said it best, "You can't receive a divided Christ."

4. The carnal Christian teaching perverts Justification and Sanctification.

5. The carnal Christian teaching makes no room for false converts.

6. The carnal Christian teaching negates the importance of repentance.

7. The carnal Christian teaching eliminates the doctrine of assurance of salvation.

Summary:

1. A true Christian can be carnal [3:1].

2. A true Christian will not remain carnal for a lifetime without the conviction and correction of God and ultimately physical death [Heb. 11:5-9; James 5:20; 1 John 5:16-17].

Believers can’t sin without punishment. One can’t be a carnal Christian and not experience discipline from the Lord.

3. A Christian who is acting carnal loses reward not relationship [3:15].

4. We are wrong in labeling carnal Christians as permanent carnal Christians, when in reality they that have their mind set on the flesh, and are probably lost [Romans 8:5-9; Gal. 5:17-24].

5. What about Lot? Lot is used as a example of a lifelong carnal Christian. Turn to 2 Peter 2:7-9

* He lived in Sodom but never became a sodomite.

* He was grieved, tormented and oppressed over the sin around him.

* The Lord rescued Lot with severe chastisement.

   He lost his testimony

   He lost his home

   His wife was killed by divine judgment

   His daughters disgraced and shamed him.

Young Creation

Where Did a Young-earth Worldview Come From?

 

by Bodie Hodge on May 30, 2007

 

Simply put, it came from the Bible. Of course, the Bible doesn’t say explicitly anywhere, “The earth is 6,000 years old.” Good thing it doesn’t; otherwise it would be out of date the following year. But we wouldn’t expect an all-knowing God to make that kind of a mistake.

God gave us something better. In essence, He gave us a “birth certificate.” For example, using a personal birth certificate, a person can calculate how old he is at any point. It is similar with the earth. Genesis 1 says that the earth was created on the first day of creation (Genesis 1:1–5). From there, we can begin to calculate the age of the earth.

 

Let’s do a rough calculation to show how this works. The age of the earth can be estimated by taking the first five days of creation (from earth’s creation to Adam), then following the genealogies from Adam to Abraham in Genesis 5 and 11, then adding in the time from Abraham to today.

 

Adam was created on day 6, so there were five days before him. If we add up the dates from Adam to Abraham, we get about 2,000 years, using the Masoretic Hebrew text of Genesis 5 and 11.3 Whether Christian or secular, most scholars would agree that Abraham lived about 2,000 B.C. (4,000 years ago).

So a simple calculation is:

5 days
+ ~2,000 years
+ ~4,000 years

~6,000 years

God's Favored Servants

"God's Favored Servants"

Dan. 1:1-21 [vs. 1-2, 8, 9]

5-14-14 Wed PM

There are twin themes in chapter 1:

A. Conviction [v. 8]. Biblical convictions

Someone said that a belief is something you hold; but a conviction is something that holds you. Biblical discernment and Biblical convictions are a endangered traits today.

Daniel held Biblical beliefs, but he was also held by Biblical beliefs that showed in his convictions and choices.

Conviction could mean being convinced of sin and the Savior, being cut to the heart [salvation conviction], or believing the Word of God without compromise.

Compromise is defined as the inability to deal with the biblical data as God intends because we are overwhelmed with our own personal desires. We substitute ourselves as the one to be pleased rather than God.

What is it that you are compromising today? What keeps you from your Bible study? Your witnessing? Your praying? Your doctrinal and moral purity? What is it that keeps you from faithful church attendance and ministry?

We will see in our text how God used 4 young men out of possibly 50-75 men to show us today that one can live an uncompromising life in a compromising world. That it is possible to walk Godly in an ungodly world, to live right in a wrong world with God's favor on you..

B. Favor [v. 9].

We will also see the sovereign hand of God in the affairs of men and nations by bring these men into favor with God.

1. What does it mean to have God's favor on you?

The best definition of the word favor is “demonstrated delight.” The favor of God can be described as “tangible evidence that a person has the approval of the Lord.”

2. How can you get God's favor?

(1). God shows favor to the ones who delight in and give honor to Him.

Isaiah 66:2 says, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.”

Second Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”

To be “perfect” toward Him means we seek His favor more than we seek the favor of anyone else, even ourselves.

(2). God seeks out those who love Him and love His commands so that He can bless, guide, and protect them (Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 3:5–6).

This does not mean that everyone who is prosperous or healthy has found favor with God (Jeremiah 12:1; Psalm 37:7; 73:16). Nor does it mean that those whom the Lord favors will never suffer difficulties.

Those who are favored of God know that God is with them and that nothing can happen to them apart from His good purpose (Romans 8:28).

(3). One way to obtain favor from the Lord is to seek wisdom.

Proverbs 8:35 says, “For those who find me [wisdom] find life and receive favor from the LORD.”

 

Psalm 5:12 says, “Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”

(4). Finding favor with the Lord keeps our lives and thoughts pure because we desire to please Him more than we desire to please ourselves.

Hebrews 11:25 says of Moses, “He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.”

When the same can be said of us, we know we have found favor with God. His delight in us will be demonstrated.

Exception Clause

What is the "Exception Clause" in Matt. 19:9?

 Matthew 19:7-10, They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?  (8)  He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.  (9)  And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.  (10)  His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

The “exception clause” in Matt. 19:9 extends to Gentiles as well as Jews in the Sanhedrin [Matt. 19:3]. Some believe this clause is not for us today but the Jews in the Sanhedrin finding out their bride was not a virgin.

What does verse 9 say?

1. “Fornication” covers a multitude of sins not just pre-marital sex. It also covers extra-marital sins.

2. There is no mention of the “betrothal stage” in the text as some believe putting it in relation to the Jews in the Sanhedrin.

3. The disciples asked Jesus, not just the Jews.

 (1) Matt. 19:10-12

 (2) Matt. 5:31-32, note here that the context is the Sermon on the Mount which is written to believers in kingdom living.

4. Note Matt. 5:31 where Jesus is talking about Moses but in v. 32 he says, “you.” In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus is talking about how our inner righteousness must exceed the outward righteousness of the Jews. “You,” refers to the disciples not just the Jews.

Therefore we believe there are two Biblical reasons for divorce (1) Unfaithfulness (Matt. 5:31-32; 19:9) and (2) The unbeliever divorces (1 Cor. 7:15-16).There is no mention of remarriage in the case of the second.

Faithful Preaching

Our calling as preachers is really very simple. We study, we stand before our people, we read the text, and we explain it. We reprove, rebuke, exhort, encourage, and teach—and then we do it all again and again and again.

- Mohler, He Is Not Silent, 64.

The Exception Clause

What is the "Exception Clause" in Matt. 19:9?

Matthew 19:7-10, They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?  (8)  He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.  (9)  And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.  (10)  His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

The “exception clause” in Matt. 19:9 extends to Gentiles as well as Jews in the Sanhedrin [Matt. 19:3]. Some believe this clause is not for us today but the Jews in the Sanhedrin finding out their bride was not a virgin.

What does verse 9 say?

1. “Fornication” covers a multitude of sins not just pre-marital sex. It also covers extra-marital sins.

2. There is no mention of the “betrothal stage” in the text as some believe putting it in relation to the Jews in the Sanhedrin.

3. The disciples asked Jesus, not just the Jews.

(1) Matt. 19:10-12

(2) Matt. 5:31-32, note here that the context is the Sermon on the Mount which is written to believers in kingdom living.

4. Note Matt. 5:31 where Jesus is talking about Moses but in v. 32 he says, “you.” In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus is talking about how our inner righteousness must exceed the outward righteousness of the Jews. “You,” refers to the disciples not just the Jews.

Therefore we believe this is one of the two Biblical reasons for divorce, the other one being desertion (1 Cor. 7:10-16).

Born of Water and of the Spirit

What does "Born of Water and Spirit" mean?

John 3:3-5, Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  (4)  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  (5)  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus had no glue what Jesus was talking about. He thought Jesus was talking about being born twice physically, being physically born a second time.

Different views...

(1). John's baptism.

Jesus nowhere makes John's baptism a requirement for salvation. John's baptism was preparing them for the Messiah.

(2). Christian baptism.

Some say water baptism but this would be meaningless to Nicodemus before the church was even born at Pentecost. Water baptism is not a condition for salvation nor was it instituted at this time.

(3). Human birth.

Some say "water" refers to the amniotic fluid of human birth. One has to be born physically before he could be spiritually born (note it is water and spirit).

(4). Regeneration by the Spirit or the cleansing by the Spirit through the Word of God (Ezek. 36:25-26).

Ezekiel 36:25-26, Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. (26) A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.” (27)  I will place My Spirit within you and cause you to follow My statutes and carefully observe My ordinances.

I want to give 4 reasons it is probably the latter view...

1. Titus 3:5 Not 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; water is not baptism or physical birth.

2. Eph. 5:26, "To make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word.

3. The Context of vs. 6-8- Wind and the spirit are the same Greek word, pneuma, which means in English, breath or pneumonia.

In creation everything is after its kind- flesh begets flesh and Spirit begets spirit.  The wind can't be controlled and is invisible but the effects of the wind can be seen and witnessed. The proof of the Spirit's work can be seen and evidenced.

4. The Lord's rebuke in 3:9-10- Nicodemus did not understand. It had something to do with OT Scriptures which Nicodemus should have known.

Follow Jesus

Follow Jesus

John 1:35-37, Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;  (36)  And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!  (37)  And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

 

John the Baptist was happy when people left him to follow Jesus, because his ministry focused on Jesus. “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

When people get saved they follow Jesus, not the preacher, the people, or the program. They believe, follow, and tell others.

The word "follow" means to imitate or mimic, to submit, and it speaks of Lord-ship. We as followers of Christ journey toward Christ-likeness and walking in His steps. We desire to walk as He walked.

 

"If any man come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me" Luke 9:23

Those Troubling "if" Clauses

Those troubling “if” clauses

 Hebrews 3:6, But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

We need to understand this in the light of the total context, which is Moses leading Israel out of Egypt and to the Promised Land (3: 7-19) and many did not continue proving they were not saved!

The writer is not suggesting that Christians must keep ourselves saved. This would contradict the major theme of the book, which is the finished work of Christ and His heavenly ministry guaranteeing our eternal salvation (Heb. 7:14).

The writer is affirming that those who hold fast their confidence and hope are proving [no maintaining] that they are truly born again, note "whose house we are, not become" [see 10:38].

Some believe these mere professors were in danger of losing salvation. The opposite was the case. If these turned out to be mere professors then departed, they did not lose salvation but by not continuing they proved they never were saved.

Three other times in this epistle, the writer exhorted the readers to hold fast to this confession (Heb. 3:14; 4:14; 6:9;10:23). It was this same confession that characterized men and women of faith in the ages past (Heb. 11:13).

Note other passages in the NT that speak of continuing or holding fast (Acts 13:43; 14:22; Col. 1:23; 1 Cor. 15:2; 1 John 2:18-19).

We should not have confidence in ourselves, because we are too prone to fail; but we should have confidence in Jesus Christ who never fails.

In other words, those who have trusted Christ prove this confession by their steadfastness, confidence, and joyful hope. They are not burdened by the past or threatened by the present, but are “living in the future tense” as they await the “blessed hope” of their Lord’s return.

It is this “heavenly calling” that motivates the believers to keep on living for the Savior even when the going is gets tough.

Led by the Spirit

What does it mean for the Christian to be led by the Spirit?

 

Romans 8:14, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

Context: After having contrasted those who walk in the flesh [unsaved] with those who walk in the Spirit [saved], Paul now states that believers (those who walk after the Spirit), have the marvelous privilege and responsibility of being a child of God and adopted as an adult Son in God’s family.

Exposition: “Are being lead” is in the present passive indicative which means “those that are being led.” This means that the believer’s life is characterized by righteousness, but also the Spirit’s leading, guiding, and directing. “Those who walk after the Spirit.”

One of the assurances of our salvation is to ask ourselves, “Do I feel God’s leading in my life?” Leading authenticates Christianity.

Doubts come from neglect of Bible study, prayer, fellowship with the church, and disobedience. Doubts can be placed in our mind in times of weakness.

We know that those who see their sinful desires and practices decreasing see evidence of the Spirit’s convicting work in leading their lives.

How does God lead his children?

1. He leads by giving us understanding of His Word. We have the “Anointed one” in us to teach us.

John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I

have said unto you.”

Eph. 1:17-18a, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened.”

2. He leads us to obey His Word. It is thru our faithful obedience that that we experience the working of the Spirit in our lives.