What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

Welcome to our Sunday morning service.

Explaining the power of the gospel in salvation; in stabilizing the believer; in separation; in service to God; in sanctification; ...

Explaining the power of the gospel in salvation; in stabilizing the believer; in separation; in service to God; in sanctification; ...

? Temple Baptist Church - 5-1-2024John 15:17-25? Introduction:? A.? ? The Lord is giving some last words to His disciples just prior to going to the Cross.? ? 1.? If they kept His commandments and continued to abide in Him, the world would hate them in His stead and take their wrath out on them.? Tonight, we will take a short look at why the world hated Christ so much and now hates the Christian.? 2.? Peter would deny Christ thrice shortly for fear of retribution from the crowd who took Christ.? B.? In these verses, Christ reiterates His command that we should love one another.? Spiritually, we are all that we have outside of Christ.? Though they still hate Christ, He now sits at the right hand to the Father and there is nothing that they can do to Him.? We MUST be there for each other.? C.? I preach quite a bit on loving the brethren because the world and Satan are doing their best to divide us.? “Divide and Conquer” is a biblical principle that Satan knows full well:? Matthew 10:36? And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.? Mark 3:25? And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.? D.? Christ wanted His disciples to know what would happen to them and why it would be so.? Their persecution would be linked to obeying Christ's commandments.? 1.? Verse 17.? They had the human option of not obeying so as to not draw attention to themselves.? In that case, they would not be identified and persecuted.? 2.? If they obeyed Christ's commands, they would be easily identified and singled out for persecution.? 2 Timothy 3:10-12? But? thou hast fully known? my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,? (11)? Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.? (12)? ? Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.? E.? Let us look at what Christ said to the disciples as he gave them reasons for persecution.? ? 1.? Christ wanted His disciples to know that they were in the right Company!? “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”? Acts 2:1? And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.? Hebrews 10:24-25? And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:? (25)? Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.? 2.? Christ wanted them to know that they were not of the world.? “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world.”? 1 John 4:4-6? Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.? (5)? They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.? (6)? We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.? 3.? Christ wanted them to know that He chose those who believe to be His.? “but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”? 2 Thessalonians 2:13? But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:? 4.? Christ wanted them to know the fellowship of His suffering.? ” Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;”? 1 Peter 4:16? Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.? 5.? Christ wanted them to know that the world rejected His word.? “if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.”? Revelation 1:9? I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.? 6.? Christ wanted them to know that they hated them because of His name.? “But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.”? Philippians 2:10-11? That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;? (11)? And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.? 7.? Christ want them to know that He exposed their religion as false.? “because they know not him that sent me.”? 2 Corinthians 4:4? In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.? Ephesians 6:12? For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.? 8.? Christ wanted them to know that they hated Him because He exposes their sinfulness.? “If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.”? Romans 5:12-15? 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:? (13)? (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.? (14)? Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.? (15)? But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.? 9.? Christ wanted them to know that the works they hated would be done by His followers.? “If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.”? 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.? 10.? Christ wanted them to know that they hated Him because He fulfilled the Scripture.? “But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law.”? When we fulfill scripture, they will not like us either.? John 19:36? For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.? 11.? Christ wanted them to know that they hated Him for no good reason.? They just hated Him!? “They hated me without a cause.”? Luke 23:41? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.? 12.? Christ wanted them to know that He was still their Friend in persecution.? John 15:14? Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.? 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.? James 4:4? Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

? Temple Baptist Church - 4-17-2024John 15:11? Introduction:? A.? In verse 11, we find two kinds of “Joy.”? ? 1.? My Joy.? “remain in you”? A Joy that is found ONLY in Jesus Christ!? ? a)? The Joy of Salvation.? The Joy of Sanctification.? The Joy of Security.? The Joy of Serving.? ? b)? The Key words are “remain in” which implies that the joy of God is given to every believer and can be removed by the believer.? ? ? ? c)? “Living for Jesus” is a song that describes our Joy that is found in abiding in Jesus Christ:? Living for Jesus, a life that is true,Striving to please Him in all that I do;Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,This is the pathway of blessing for me.Refrain:O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.Living for Jesus Who died in my place,Bearing on Calv'ry my sin and disgrace;Such love constrains me to answer His call,Follow His leading and give Him my all.Living for Jesus, wherever I am,Doing each duty in His holy Name;Willing to suffer affliction and loss,Deeming each trial a part of my cross.Living for Jesus through earth's little while,My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.2.? Your Joy.? The key words here are “be full.”? The implication here is that the believer can have Joy to some degree and still not have fulness of Joy.? To have fulness of Joy is totally tied to the “My Joy” that is found only in our abiding in Christ.? “I had rather be an old time Christian that anything I know!”? Nehemiah 8:10? Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.? 3.? “Your Joy!”? I hear so much “Woe is me” preaching in our day.? People live lives of quiet desperation because of circumstances while God wants His people to enjoy life!? He wants them to enjoy His creation!? Proverbs 15:13? A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.? Proverbs 17:22? A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.? Ecclesiastes 2:24? There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.? Ecclesiastes 3:10-13? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.? (11)? He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.? (12)? I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.? (13)? And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.? Ecclesiastes 3:22? Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?? Ecclesiastes 5:18-19? Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.? (19)? Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.? Ecclesiastes 8:15? Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.? Ecclesiastes 9:7-9? Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.? (8)? Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.? (9)? Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.? B.? What is this joy of Christ?? I want to look at the best definition that I have ever seen, and it comes from your Bible because “My Joy” is not found in our circumstances which are subject to change.? It is completely found in the “God of my salvation” and the “God … my strength!”? *** Habakkuk 3:17-19? Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: ? (18)? Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. ? (19)? The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.? 1.? In these verses, we find both the “Cause” and “Effect” of the Christian's Joy.? The cause and effect is certainly not found in our circumstances as our days are so full for sin and sorrow!? Noah's Day, Lot's Day, Falling Away Days, Laodicean Days, Perilous Times all work together in our day to cause God's people to fret and fear.? Habakkuk used the word “Yet” to introduce “I will rejoice” and “I will joy!”? 2.? In Verses 18-19, we find the Cause of Joy:? a)? The God of my Salvation.? True Christian Joy comes from God in the form of Eternal Salvation.? John 15:13? Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.? b)? The LORD God, my Strength.? True Christian Joy is maintained in the spiritual Strength that comes from God, not circumstances.? John 15:5? I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.? 4.? In Verses 17-18, we find the Effect of Joy:? a)? Though things go wrong, and they do; though life is hard, and it is:? b)? Rejoicing comes from our inner fountain of Joy.? ? ? ? ? ? ? 5.? There was a day when praise and rejoicing were spontaneous, not something “worked up” by emotion.? “Popcorn Testimonies” have become a thing of the past.? We need to get our Joy back and Rejoicing will follow without having to be stirred or worked up.? Rejoicing is more than an emotion; it is a realization brought about by relationship and remembrance!? 6.? We live in days when pastors feel the necessity to stir our emotions with fleshly music and preaching as to produce rejoicing.? Thus, they become Promoters—not Pastors, Entertainers—not Preachers.? ? a.? A Pastor is none of these things.? He is to feed the flock of God, not stir them up.? Churches now have “Praise Leaders!”? ? b.? I find that preaching the Word is a divider because the Word brings about the knowledge of sin, the need for repentance, and division from the world.? c.? Rejoicing should be a spontaneous result of an inner Joy found in the Lord.? Rejoicing is a product of that inward Joy, not the cause of Joy.? Romans 12:12? ? Rejoicing in hope;? patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;? Philippians 3:1? ? Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.? To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.? Philippians 4:4? ? Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.? 7.? The hymns of the Faith no longer cause Rejoicing, so the modern day “church” is now in the “Entertainment Business” instead of reproving, rebuking, and Exhorting with all longsuffering and doctrine.? Modern day preaching and music reflect the world because most professing “Christians” are more worldly than spiritual.? C.? Both rejoicing and joy are to be despite our circumstances, not because of them!? Most Christians live in discouragement with little joy.? ? Why?? The answer is simple.? 1.? Because Of Sinfulness - Matthew 24:12? And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.? ? (God's people are not drunks and harlots, but sin creeps in and we now walk at a guilty distance from God and the joy is gone.)? 2.? Because Of Our Situations - Matthew 14:30? But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.? ? (God's people have their eyes upon the “wind and waves” of circumstance and not upon Christ.? When Peter looked up instead of looking down, he saw the Lord of the “wind and waves” and once again walked on the water.)? D.? Many Christians live in defeat with no joy at all.? 1.? For The World, Joy Is Found In Circumstances – Luke 12:16-21? And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:? And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.? ? And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.? But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.? 2.? For The Christian, Joy Is Found Despite Circumstances - 2 Corinthians 7:4? Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.? 2 Corinthians 8:2? How that? in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty? abounded unto the riches of their liberality.Colossians 1:11? Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power,? unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;? 1 Thessalonians 1:6? And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord,? having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:? E.? Loss of joy comes through:? 1.? Losing the freshness of our salvation.? 2.? Losing the burning love for our Saviour.? 3.? Losing the excitement of our service.? WHERE THE CHRISTIAN FINDS HIS JOY? 1.? Christian Joy Is Found In Salvation - Luke 10:20? Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.? Psalms 35:9? And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall? rejoice in his salvation.? Psalms 51:12? Restore unto me? the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.? Psalms 132:16? I will also clothe her priests? with? salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.? Isaiah 12:3? Therefore? with joy? shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.? 2.? Christian Joy Is Found In The Holy Ghost - Romans 15:13? Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,? that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.? Joy Is Not Found In The Things Of The World - Romans 14:17? For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink;? but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.? 3.? Christian Joy Is Found In God's Word - Nehemiah 8:9-12? And Nehemia

? Temple Baptist Church - 4-14-2024Psalm 119:113-120? Introduction:? A.? Psalm 119 – The Magnification of the Word of God.? 176 verses broken down into 22 stanzas with each stanza containing 8 verses.? Each stanza begins with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet with each verse of the stanza in Hebrew beginning with the correlating letter.? An Acrostic. A masterpiece that only God the Word could have given to us.? B.? SAMECH – infinity or infinite – also used for support or ladder – The 15th? letter of the Hebrew alphabet – its numerical number is 60 which represents completeness.? It is one of the two closed letters with the other being found in MEM in its final form at the end of a word.? It is circular in form with no beginning or end and protects that which is within.? C.? We understand that we live in a sinful world and in sinful times.? ? 1.? In my lifetime, I have seen the world changing in so many ways as it downwardly spirals into utter depravity.? As God's children, we try to abstain from all appearance of evil while living in the midst of it.? 2.? More than ever before, we need to realize that God holds our lives in His hands.? We have a promise of perpetual protection as we walk with God within the Word of God.? ? 3.? We need to make sure that we remain within the “hedge” that God has placed around us.? Through willful sin and willful ignorance, we often remove ourselves to some degree out of the protection of our Lord.? D.? In Jewish tradition, SAMECH represents one's inner journey.? Verse 113 begins with the words “I hate vain thoughts.”? ? These words show the importance of maintaining the invisible man as well as the physical man.? Proverbs tells us “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)? E.? While we can only see the outside, God is a Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.? Who we are is what we are inwardly!? This 15th stanza shows the believer that there are Divine inner and outer protection available and this protection is found in God's Word.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? F.? God affords the believer “layers” of protection that will help to keep one's heart and mind (1) Stable and therefore (2) Stayed upon the Lord.? Then there is the outward layer of protection afforded the believer.? 1.? ? Verse 113.? Our Spirit.? The Word of God protects our thought life.? The godly man's hatred of vain thoughts.? Vain – to no avail or worthless.? The most dangerous battlefield known to man is the struggle of good and evil thoughts.? The greatest wars are waged in the mind of the believer.? Inherently, man has a God given understanding of both right and wrong.? I heard it said that man does not have a problem knowing right from wrong.? The struggle is choosing right over wrong.? Here, we once again find the love of God's Law as the deciding factor in our thought life.? ? 2 Corinthians 10:3-5? For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:? (4)? (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)? (5)? Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;? 2.? Verse 114.? Our Surety.? God protects our temporal life.? The child of God is hated by Satan, the world.? God is our infinite Refuge during the hard times of life, but it is through God's Word that we find our sanctity and peace.? When everything is going wrong in life, everything we need is in our hand tonight.? Protection from temporal calamities and persecutions.? God's Word is our chamber of retreat where we hide and find safety both physical and spiritual.? It is in the Word of God that we hide while taking the “shield of faith” in our hands.? The Word of God? supplies us grace, strength, light, life, and comfort here, and for glory hereafter.? Psalms 9:9? The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.? 3.? Verse 115.? Our Sanctification.? God protects our interaction with the world.? The world is a constant distraction of God's people and the ultimate state becomes defilement.? Our protection is through the Word of God.? We that are saved are not only separatist, we are separated from.? In this verse, we see the desire of the godly to distance himself from those who do evil.? This does not speak of staying away from every sinner for the Bible says that we would have to leave this world to do so.? It means to stay away from those who have a pattern of life that is wicked.? “Evildoers” is a persistent condition.? The Power of the wicked:? Psalms 37:35? I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.? 4.? Verse 116.? ? Our Stability.? God protects our feebleness in life.? The Word of God is the “Rock” upon which we stand.? Unmovable, unshakable, unerring, an anchor is an ever changing world.? Through the Bible, we can be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord according to 1 Corinthians 15:58.? Paul said, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”? Psalms 94:17-18? Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.? (18)? When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.? 5.? Verse 117.? Our Safety.? God protects us in the perils of life.? We live in perilous times.? In the news, all we hear is about the dangers of living in the greatest nation on earth.? Because sentence against evil works is not executed, people have no respect for law and order.? ? Ecclesiastes 8:11? Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.? Proverbs 21:31? The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.? 6.? Verse 118.? Our Sinfulness.? God protects us in our temptations in life.? One of Newton's Third Law of Motion states: “? For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”? Spiritually, though God is so often gracious to the sinner, with willful sin, for the most part it is followed by a willful judgment.? Their deceit is falsehood.? What they appear outward is not the reality of that which we see outwardly.? Hebrews 4:12? For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.? 7.? Verse 119.? Our Salvation.? God protects us from our enemies in life.? The Lord will take care of the wicked.? We just need to love and stay with the Word of God.? The wicked may seem to be on the winning side for a while but the justice of the Lord will be manifested.? Jeremiah 6:28-30? They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters.? (29)? The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away.? (30)? Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.? 8.? Verse 120.? Our Submission.? Our protection, “safety is of the Lord,” is perpetually in the hand of God.? Life is still hard at best, but remaining in the will of God through the Word of God affords the child of God a perpetual protection.? Proverbs 19:23? The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

? Temple Baptist Church - 3-10-2024Ephesians 1:15-23? Introduction:? ? A.? The Book of Ephesians has been called “The Highlands of Faith”? by some and it is a befitting title for the book.? It has six chapters equally divided into two parts.? ? 1.? Chapters 1-3 are Positional? as they show both the relationship of Christ with the believer and the believer's security in Christ.? ? 2.? Chapters 4-6 are Practical? as they show the responsibility and possibility of the believer in this world.? B.? In the first chapter of Ephesians,? we see Christ as He is—not as the world perceives Him.? ? 1.? The world has a warped view of our wonderful Lord.? They see Him as “god” but not as “God!”? If we see Jesus Christ through human eyes and mind, we get a worldly perception of Him.? ? 2.? Often, the believer has such a view of Jesus Christ.? We see Him as “God” when things go right and as “god” when circumstances change, and doubt arise!? ? a.? As faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God,? so our perception of Jesus Christ must (and I re-emphasis MUST) come from God's Word.? ? b.? Our faith is the substance? of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.? Whom having not seen you love!? Whom having not seen you believe!? We must believe what the Bible says about Him in order to perceive Him right.? C.? The Holy Spirit, through the Word of God, gives us gives us a right perception? of Jesus Christ in these verses.? This perception has nothing to do with our circumstances.? It is a perception that is? “far above”? anything and everything that can touch us or threaten us.? We cannot have a right perception of God unless we see Him as both all-powerful and all-wise.? D.? Here we find that Jesus Christ has no weaknesses;? He has no limitations; He has no doubts or worries. There is nothing that He cannot do; nothing that He does not know; there is no place where He cannot be found; and He knows the end from the beginning so we have absolutely nothing to worry about!? That is the “God” that Ephesians speaks of.? E.? I want to look at these verses? for a few minutes in such a way as to possibly change our view of Jesus Christ.? I say “possibly” because no matter what God said, it is up to each individual believer as to how we perceive our Lord Jesus Christ.? F.? I find it of great interest that chapter one ends? with a dissertation on the Power of God.? As the Spirit of God is the Earnest of our Redemption, the Power of God is the Guarantee of our Security!? ? G.? Notice the wording: “exceeding greatness”? in verse 19. God has power that is limitless in both its scope and demand.? ? Not power “in us” but power “to us-ward!”? His power is used in relationship to our daily needs.? He not only can but will perform upon our behalf!? He is “God” and He loves us.? He cares about what we feel, think, and need.? He is not only able, but He is also willing to meet “all your need” in every respect.? H.? What a wonderful description verses 21-23? give us concerning the “exceeding greatness” of His power:? Psalms 62:11? God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.? ? (Power both belongs to God and comes from God.)? 1.? Jesus Christ Is Far Above Principality!? The commencement, order, time, or rank of God's power.? The first estate.? God had power before anything was!? 2.? Jesus Christ Is Far Above Power!? Any force, influence, capacity, or strength.? 3.? Jesus Christ Is Far Above Might!? It speaks of miraculous power.? Force beyond any and all ability to do.? 4.? Jesus Christ Is Far Above Dominion!? Mastery, dominion, or government.? God still rules in the affairs of men, setting up and taking down authority at His sovereign will.? 5.? Jesus Christ Is Far Above Every Name!? Either literally or figuratively!? In both majesty and importance.? 6.? Jesus Christ Is Far Above All Things!? Things in heaven, earth, and under the earth!? All things were made by Him and for Him.? They are both inferior in both position and power.? 7.? Jesus Christ Is The Head Of The Church!? ? No man, no dogma, no creed preceded Christ nor is exalted above Christ.? Colossians 1:15-18? 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.? J.? ? In His power, we find:? 1.? God has power over things in heaven.? Job 1:10? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.? ? (Angels are subject to Him.? Satan is under God's authority and power.)? 2.? God has power over creation.? Psalms 135:6-7? Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.? (7)? He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.? ? (The wind and waves obey His voice.)? 3.? God has power over human government.? Romans 13:6? For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.? (He raises authorities up and He takes authorities down.)? 4.? God has power over nations, kingdoms, and dominions.? Proverbs 21:1? The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.? ? (All nations and all kings are under his control.)? 5.? God has all power, therefore nothing is impossible with Him.? ? 1 Chronicles 29:11? ? Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.? Matthew 28:18? And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.? ? (He can do anything, anywhere, and at any time.)? K.? We all know what I have just said is true? but none of the above areas of God's power are of any use to us if they are just facts concerning His omnipotence.? ? Our text says, “to us-ward!”? ? This affects both our position in Christ and our circumstances in this world.? Christ Jesus is our confidence.? ? Acts 17:28? ? For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.? 1.? The Exceeding Greatness Of His Power In Our Salvation - Hebrews 7:25? Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.? ? (Saved by God's power alone. You do not get any more saved or secure than that.? Many try to add personal merit to either saving or keeping or both.? I am so glad that my salvation is entire of and depends entire upon God's power.)? 2.? The Exceeding Greatness Of His Power In Our Preservation - Jude 24? Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,? ? 1 Peter 1:5? Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.? (The exceeding greatness of our salvation is in its eternality!? What can separate us from the love of God?? Romans 8 says, “NOTHING!”)? Romans 8:38-39? For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,? (39)? Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.? ? 3.? The Exceeding Greatness Of His Power In Our Sanctification - 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.? ? (We can do all things through Christ which strengthens us!? We can be anything and all things for Him.)? 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.? 2 Corinthians 9:8? And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:? 4.? The Exceeding Greatness Of His Power In Our Protection - Psalms 121:1-8? A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.? (2)? My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.? (3)? He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.? (4)? Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.? (5)? The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.? (6)? The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.? (7)? The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.? (8)? The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.? ? (We are truly “hedged in” by the Lord!? The only things that can touch us are the things that He allows.? As tough as this may seem at times, God knows what He is doing and He can be trusted in our hard times, which brings us to our next point.)? 5.? The Exceeding Greatness Of His Power In Our Predicaments - Isaiah 43:2? When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.? ? (This one is a little hard for my family at this time but I still believe that God can be trusted with our lives as well as with our things.? My family has been protected and will face December with the full assurance that the God of this Bible that I preach will do what He says!? When thou “passeth through the waters … walkest through the fire” they will neither overflow us nor kindle upon us!? You can trust God in the bad times just as well as you can trust Him in the good times.)? 6.? The Exceeding Greatness Of His Power In Our Provision - Matthew 10:29-31? ? Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.? (30)? But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.? (31)? Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.? ? (God has promised to supply all my need!? I have not starved as you can well see.? God has been so good to my family, and I fully expect Him to take care us until He takes us home!)? 7.? The Exceeding Greatness Of His Power In Our Promises - 2 Peter 1:3-4? According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:? (4)? Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.? ? (I still believe that you can take the promises of God to the “bank” and expect them to be made good!? God can neither lie nor can He break His promises.? We just have to learn to trust them.)? 8.? The Exceeding Greatness Of His Power In Our Providence -? Philippians 1:6? Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work

? Temple Baptist Church - 3-3-2024Genesis 1:1-4? Introduction:? ? A.? I love the Book of Genesis or Beginnings.? ? 1.? “In the beginning God” is the most profound and important statement in the Bible!? Without God, man is nothing with no purpose and no hope.? ? 2.? The Bible is a “God Book” as our Lord said in both Psalms and Hebrews, “Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me!”? It matters not what man says nor what man thinks.? If he contradicts the Bible, he is wrong.? B.? There is another “landmark” of the faith that I want to deal with this morning.? We have dealt with the landmarks of the Scripture, Sanctuary, Salvation, and Sovereignty, but one of the most important and neglected of all doctrines is that of Biblical Sanctification.? ? C.? The Doctrine of Biblical Sanctification is so important that the Bible mentions it first!? In Geneses, chapter 1, we see that God set the precedent of sanctification along with the definition of it.? God left no doubt or place for argument.? In verse 4, we find the Doctrine of Sanctification: “and God divided the light from the darkness!”? The light of God dispelled the darkness of this world.? Here, we find the first Biblical sanctification, is caused by division, which demands separation.? D.? In verse one, God created the first heaven, our atmosphere, and the earth.? In the beginning, we find that darkness shrouded the earth.? “Without form, and void.”? Darkness preceded light.? The darkness was upon the face of the deep.? E.? Darkness was before light but when God introduced light (notice I said introduced and not created), it dispelled the darkness.? The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.? And God said, “Let there be light!”? This was not natural light nor was it a man-made light.? It was the light of God.? ? In 1 John 1:5, the Bible declares that God is perfect light as He has no darkness at all.? 1 Timothy 6:15-16? Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;? (16)? Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.? 1 John 1:5? This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.? F.? In verse 4 of Genesis 1, We find the First Mention of the word “good.”? God declared the light to be good with the unsaid truth that darkness was not good as it obscured what God had made to be seen.? God divided light from darkness.? G.? Thus, we find Biblically that God created sanctification, separation, and division.? ? 1.? I know that this introduction is a little long, but we need to understand that God will not compromise, and it is He that brings division which brings about separation.? ? 2.? God loves sinners and hates sin.? God loves good and He hates bad.? Period!? ? 3.? Today, sanctification and division have been given a bad name by both worldly lost and religious lost.? But too often by God's children as they try to co-exist in peace with the world.? ? 4.? This cannot be done without compromise and the world does not compromise.? The world's take on sanctification is that doctrine is bad because it divides while love is good because it unifies.? ? 5.? The question now needs to be asked, “What does doctrine divide and what does love unify?”? Doctrine divides Godly from ungodly while a love without truth unifies the ungodly against the godly.? H.? Sanctification is Separation!? The word means to be set aside from something for a purpose.? Sanctification is Division!? God created both sanctification and division and in the end analysis, said that it was very good!? ? 1.? I feel that I need to make a point that the world does not like and that is compromise.? The world teaches that both side in conflict need to give somewhat.? We hear a lot about arbitration which is compromise.? 2.? Do not think for one second that God will compromise in order to bring about a peaceful solution!? Matthew 10:34-35? Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.? (35)? For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.? 3.? By the same token, God does not want His children to compromise what the Bible is clear on.? J.? Sanctification which brings division which brings separation is a Landmark that God, through the Bible has set!? It is not the believer who set the precedent, it is God, and the Bible is clear upon the subject.? Now, let us look at sanctification for a few minutes.? ? 1.? Salvation's Sanctification.? This is something that God does!? There are three distinct areas of sanctification in the life of every believer:? a.? It is Positional Sanctification - 1 Corinthians 1:30? But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:? ? 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.? At the moment of salvation, the believer is set apart from the world positionally through Jesus Christ.? He is the believer's sanctification.? We are baptized into Christ who is both perfect and eternal and therefore remain secure!? b.? It is Perpetual or Permanent Sanctification -? 1 John 3:1-2? Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.? (2)? Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.? 2.? Personal or Practical Sanctification.? Something that we do!? ? Romans 12:1-2? I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.? (2)? And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.? 1 Peter 1:15? But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.? ? a.? The Believer is the separate from the world.? 1 John 1:5-7? This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.? (6)? If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:? (7)? But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.? When we are saved, we remain just a sinner saved by the grace of God.? As we mature in the Lord and grow in our faith, we are being constantly changed by both the Spirit of God who indwells us and the Word of God that teaches and guides us.? John 17:17? Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.? b.? The Believer is to be the light of the world.? ? Matthew 5:14-16? Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.? (15)? Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.? (16)? Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.? 2 Corinthians 4:3-4? But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:? (4)? In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.? 3.? ? Doctrinal Sanctification.? Something that we do!? Romans 16:17? Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.? ? a.? We are to preach sound doctrine.? Sound means something that is not weakened or flawed.? ? 2 Timothy 4:2-3? Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.? (3)? For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;? b.? We are to practice sound doctrine. We are to remain doctrinally sound and separated.? ? Romans 16:17? Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.? 4.? Ecclesiastical Sanctification.? Something that we do!? 2 Corinthians 6:14-18? Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.? Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,? And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.? a.? Denominationalism lends itself to unbiblical unions.? Our church is not to be yoked in any manner with other churches that are liberal or apostate. You are who you hold hands with spiritually.? ? b.? One may think they are straight but if they are supporting or affiliated with liberal churches, they are liberal!? That's why Bible churches were independent and autonomous!? ? Conclusion:? Sanctification or Separation or Division of a right kind is an act of God!? The believer MUST love the sinner but not the sin and this requires (by God) Biblical Sanctification!