A study of the book of John. Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the sermon from October 30th:
1. The Gospel of John gives a distinctive portrait of Jesus Christ. Ninety-two to ninety-three percent of the content of the book is unique to John as compared with the synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. Dr. Edwin Blum writes: “When one compares the Gospel of John with the other three Gospels, he is struck by the distinctiveness of John’s presentation. John does not include Jesus’ genealogy, birth, baptism, temptation, casting out of demons, parables, transfiguration, instituting of the Lord’s Supper, His agony in Gethsemane, or His Ascension. John’s presentation of Jesus stresses His ministry in Jerusalem, the feast of the Jewish nation, Jesus’ contacts with individuals in private conversations, and His ministry to His disciples.”
2. John’s purpose in writing is seen in the key verses of the book, 20:30,31. Walter M. Dunnett writes: “Thus, John has stated his purpose. In writing the story of Christ, he has sought to bring his readers face to face with this person who by His words and His works confronts men and women with a great decision. From first to last Christ is described as deity (1:1; 20:28). Yet He has come in human form (1:14) so that He might give Himself to bring life to those who sit in the shadow of death (12:23,24). No only did Christ die, but He rose again (chap. 20). As the living Lord, He calls forth the devotion and loyalty of His followers (21:15-19).
3. The outline of the book is as follows:
Prologue 1:1-18
Public teaching and miracles 1:19-12:50
Private teaching 13-17
Passion and Resurrection 18-20
Postlude (or epilogue) 21
Monday, October 31, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
The Marks of a Cult
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the sermon from October 23, 2011 (I John 4:1-6):
The nine marks of a cult (sources: Understanding the Cults by Josh McDowell & Don Stewart; The Four Major Cults by Anthony A. Hoekema):
1. A source of authority other than, or in addition to, the Bible (including new truth or new interpretation of Scripture).
2. Salvation by works, denial of justification by faith.
3. Devaluation of the person of Christ (denying His deity or His humanity).
4. Denial of the Trinity or an inadequate view of the Trinity.
5. The group as the exclusive community of the saved.
6. A strong, charismatic leader.
7. False prophecy.
8. Changing theology and subsequent practices.
9. Deceptive double talk, saying one thing in public and another in private.
Recap of the sermon from October 23, 2011 (I John 4:1-6):
The nine marks of a cult (sources: Understanding the Cults by Josh McDowell & Don Stewart; The Four Major Cults by Anthony A. Hoekema):
1. A source of authority other than, or in addition to, the Bible (including new truth or new interpretation of Scripture).
2. Salvation by works, denial of justification by faith.
3. Devaluation of the person of Christ (denying His deity or His humanity).
4. Denial of the Trinity or an inadequate view of the Trinity.
5. The group as the exclusive community of the saved.
6. A strong, charismatic leader.
7. False prophecy.
8. Changing theology and subsequent practices.
9. Deceptive double talk, saying one thing in public and another in private.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Choosing What Is Better
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the October 16, 2011 sermon (Luke 10:38-42):
1. There are three incidents recorded in Scripture involving Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus. They are found in John 11:17-37; John 12:1-8 (and its parallels in Matthew 26 & Mark 14); and Luke 10:38-42. In each incident we find Mary at Jesus’ feet in devotion to Him.
2. The point of Luke 10:38-42 is that activity for Jesus (life, ministry) must be built upon time with Jesus. As a writer put it to be occupied with Jesus is more important than to be occupied for Jesus. It is a call to a balanced life with right priorities.
3. “The great enemy to the Lord Jesus Christ in the present day is the conception of practical work that has not come from the New Testament, but from the systems of the world in which endless energy and activities are insisted upon, but no private life with God. The emphasis is put on the wrong thing. We have to get rid of the plague of the spirit of the religious age in which we live. In Our Lord’s life there was none of the press and rush of tremendous activity that we regard so highly, and the disciple is to be as his Master.” (Oswald Chambers)
4. Gordon MacDonald, in Ordering Your Private World, put it this way: “If my private world is in order, it will be because I am convinced that the inner world of the spiritual must govern the outer world of activity.”
5. Dr. Stanley Toussaint suggested the following six priorities for the Christian: persons before things; home before occupation; partner before children; children before friends; partner before self; and spiritual before material.
Recap of the October 16, 2011 sermon (Luke 10:38-42):
1. There are three incidents recorded in Scripture involving Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus. They are found in John 11:17-37; John 12:1-8 (and its parallels in Matthew 26 & Mark 14); and Luke 10:38-42. In each incident we find Mary at Jesus’ feet in devotion to Him.
2. The point of Luke 10:38-42 is that activity for Jesus (life, ministry) must be built upon time with Jesus. As a writer put it to be occupied with Jesus is more important than to be occupied for Jesus. It is a call to a balanced life with right priorities.
3. “The great enemy to the Lord Jesus Christ in the present day is the conception of practical work that has not come from the New Testament, but from the systems of the world in which endless energy and activities are insisted upon, but no private life with God. The emphasis is put on the wrong thing. We have to get rid of the plague of the spirit of the religious age in which we live. In Our Lord’s life there was none of the press and rush of tremendous activity that we regard so highly, and the disciple is to be as his Master.” (Oswald Chambers)
4. Gordon MacDonald, in Ordering Your Private World, put it this way: “If my private world is in order, it will be because I am convinced that the inner world of the spiritual must govern the outer world of activity.”
5. Dr. Stanley Toussaint suggested the following six priorities for the Christian: persons before things; home before occupation; partner before children; children before friends; partner before self; and spiritual before material.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Previews of Coming Events, Part 3
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the sermon from October 9th (Daniel 12:2-13):
1. In Daniel 12:2 Daniel mentions the resurrection to everlasting life and the resurrection to shame and everlasting contempt. Resurrection refers to the re-animating of a physical body sometime after death and re-uniting it with a person’s spirit. The biblical order of the resurrections is as follows:
-Church-age saints will be raptured and resurrected before the start of the Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58)
-Tribulation saints and Old Testaments saints will be resurrected at the second coming following the Tribulation but before the Millennium (Revelation 20:4-6), though some scholars believe Old Testament saints will be resurrected with the church or at the conclusion of the Millennium.
-All unbelievers of every age (Old Testament, Church age, Tribulation) will be resurrected at the end of the Millennium; they will be judged at that time and cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:5, 11-15). The Bible describes Hell or the Lake of Fire as a place of torment, of darkness, of the complete absence of God and of good, and a place where there will be anguish, despair, weeping and gnashing of teeth.
2. Those who survive the Tribulation period, living Jew and Gentile alike, will face a judgment to determine if they go alive into the Millennium or are cast into Hades (temporary abode of the dead). Living Israelites will be judged on the basis of faith in the Messiah (Ezekiel 20:33-44). Living Gentiles will be judged on the basis of their treatment of the Jews during the Tribulation thus showing their faith or absence of faith (Matthew 25:31-46).
Recap of the sermon from October 9th (Daniel 12:2-13):
1. In Daniel 12:2 Daniel mentions the resurrection to everlasting life and the resurrection to shame and everlasting contempt. Resurrection refers to the re-animating of a physical body sometime after death and re-uniting it with a person’s spirit. The biblical order of the resurrections is as follows:
-Church-age saints will be raptured and resurrected before the start of the Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58)
-Tribulation saints and Old Testaments saints will be resurrected at the second coming following the Tribulation but before the Millennium (Revelation 20:4-6), though some scholars believe Old Testament saints will be resurrected with the church or at the conclusion of the Millennium.
-All unbelievers of every age (Old Testament, Church age, Tribulation) will be resurrected at the end of the Millennium; they will be judged at that time and cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:5, 11-15). The Bible describes Hell or the Lake of Fire as a place of torment, of darkness, of the complete absence of God and of good, and a place where there will be anguish, despair, weeping and gnashing of teeth.
2. Those who survive the Tribulation period, living Jew and Gentile alike, will face a judgment to determine if they go alive into the Millennium or are cast into Hades (temporary abode of the dead). Living Israelites will be judged on the basis of faith in the Messiah (Ezekiel 20:33-44). Living Gentiles will be judged on the basis of their treatment of the Jews during the Tribulation thus showing their faith or absence of faith (Matthew 25:31-46).
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Previews of Coming Events, Part 2
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of October 2, 2011 (Daniel 12:1,2):
1. Daniel is a prophetic book; a revelation of things to come. Prophetic revelation should have the following effect upon us:
2. “Revelation of the future is for encouragement and the development of hope, faith, and love, rather than for speculation. The godly will always find comfort in the revelation of God.” (Willem A. VanGemeren)
3. Dr. Charles C. Ryrie, in his book Basic Theology, writes: “For the believer, the knowledge of prophecy
(a) provides joy in the midst of affliction (2 Corinthians 4:17)
(b) cleanses and encourages holy living (1 John 3:3)
(c) is profitable, like all Scripture, for a number of important needs in the Christian’s life (2 Timothy 3:16,17)
(d) gives facts about life after death (2 Corinthians 5:8)
(e) gives truth about the end of history
(f) gives proof of the reliability of all Scripture, for the number of prophecies that have come to pass precisely as predicted cannot be accounted for by chance but only by God
(g) draws our hearts out in worship to the God Who is in complete control and Who will accomplish His will in history. To slight prophecy is to miss these benefits.”
Recap of October 2, 2011 (Daniel 12:1,2):
1. Daniel is a prophetic book; a revelation of things to come. Prophetic revelation should have the following effect upon us:
2. “Revelation of the future is for encouragement and the development of hope, faith, and love, rather than for speculation. The godly will always find comfort in the revelation of God.” (Willem A. VanGemeren)
3. Dr. Charles C. Ryrie, in his book Basic Theology, writes: “For the believer, the knowledge of prophecy
(a) provides joy in the midst of affliction (2 Corinthians 4:17)
(b) cleanses and encourages holy living (1 John 3:3)
(c) is profitable, like all Scripture, for a number of important needs in the Christian’s life (2 Timothy 3:16,17)
(d) gives facts about life after death (2 Corinthians 5:8)
(e) gives truth about the end of history
(f) gives proof of the reliability of all Scripture, for the number of prophecies that have come to pass precisely as predicted cannot be accounted for by chance but only by God
(g) draws our hearts out in worship to the God Who is in complete control and Who will accomplish His will in history. To slight prophecy is to miss these benefits.”
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Previews of Coming Events
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the September 25th sermon (Daniel 12:1,2):
1. When the persecution of Israel is the fiercest in the last three and one-half years of the Tribulation (called the Great Tribulation) God will send Michael the Archangel (who bears a special relationship to the people of Israel) their champion to deliver them. As one author writes: “When it seems as if their strength will collapse, the kingdom will be established.”
2. At that time living believers will be delivered to enter the Millennial kingdom. Believers who died in the Tribulation will be raised to everlasting life (one of several resurrections which the Scripture speaks of). Unbelievers will also be raised to shame and everlasting contempt at the end of the Millennial Kingdom.
3. Though the body “sleeps,” that is dies, and is buried (death appears as sleep) the soul is immortal, it never dies. At a future time the body and soul will be reunited. This is resurrection. The soul (the immaterial part of man, sometimes called spirit) experiences conscious existence after death either in the presence of God or in the torment. The following Scriptures affirms this truth: Matthew 22:29-33; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:22-24; Luke 23:43; Luke 16:19ff.
4. Some unscriptural views of what happens to the soul at death are: Purgatory, Soul Sleep, and Annihilationism.
Recap of the September 25th sermon (Daniel 12:1,2):
1. When the persecution of Israel is the fiercest in the last three and one-half years of the Tribulation (called the Great Tribulation) God will send Michael the Archangel (who bears a special relationship to the people of Israel) their champion to deliver them. As one author writes: “When it seems as if their strength will collapse, the kingdom will be established.”
2. At that time living believers will be delivered to enter the Millennial kingdom. Believers who died in the Tribulation will be raised to everlasting life (one of several resurrections which the Scripture speaks of). Unbelievers will also be raised to shame and everlasting contempt at the end of the Millennial Kingdom.
3. Though the body “sleeps,” that is dies, and is buried (death appears as sleep) the soul is immortal, it never dies. At a future time the body and soul will be reunited. This is resurrection. The soul (the immaterial part of man, sometimes called spirit) experiences conscious existence after death either in the presence of God or in the torment. The following Scriptures affirms this truth: Matthew 22:29-33; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:22-24; Luke 23:43; Luke 16:19ff.
4. Some unscriptural views of what happens to the soul at death are: Purgatory, Soul Sleep, and Annihilationism.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Defiance And Defeat
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the sermon from September 18, 2011 (Daniel 11:36-12:3):
1. “The entire section from Daniel 11:36 to 12:3 constitutes a revelation of the major factors of the time of the end, namely: (1) a world ruler, (2) a world religion, (3) a world war, (4) a time of great tribulation for Israel, (5) deliverance for the people of God at the end of the tribulation [those who become converted after the NT church has been removed by the Rapture at the beginning of the seventieth week], (6) resurrection and judgment, and (7) reward of the righteous. All of these factors are introduced in this section.” (John Walvoord)
2. Daniel 11:36-45 describes the Antichrist of the end times; his character, activities, and demise. He is self-willed with absolute power; he defies God and exalts himself above God abolishing all religion; he deifies himself; through political and religious power he becomes vastly wealthy; he controls the economies of the world; he will be attacked from the South and the North; he will defeat Egypt and her allies and make Palestine his base of operations; he will be defeated by Jesus Christ at His return. His career is catalogued in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10 and Revelation 13:1-10; 19:20; 20:10.
3. These events all take place during the last three and one-half years of the Tribulation period. The land and people of Israel will be the focal point for the end times wars, the world will be in turmoil and without hope, God’s people [believers of that day, the Church will already have been raptured out] will be persecuted and be without hope except in the Lord. God will intervene to deliver them and those killed in the persecution will be resurrected at the end of the Tribulation.
4. The lesson for believers of all era (Old Testament, Church Age, Tribulation) is as expressed by Warren Wiersbe: “No matter what kind of affliction or tribulation God permits you to experience, He is still in control.”
Recap of the sermon from September 18, 2011 (Daniel 11:36-12:3):
1. “The entire section from Daniel 11:36 to 12:3 constitutes a revelation of the major factors of the time of the end, namely: (1) a world ruler, (2) a world religion, (3) a world war, (4) a time of great tribulation for Israel, (5) deliverance for the people of God at the end of the tribulation [those who become converted after the NT church has been removed by the Rapture at the beginning of the seventieth week], (6) resurrection and judgment, and (7) reward of the righteous. All of these factors are introduced in this section.” (John Walvoord)
2. Daniel 11:36-45 describes the Antichrist of the end times; his character, activities, and demise. He is self-willed with absolute power; he defies God and exalts himself above God abolishing all religion; he deifies himself; through political and religious power he becomes vastly wealthy; he controls the economies of the world; he will be attacked from the South and the North; he will defeat Egypt and her allies and make Palestine his base of operations; he will be defeated by Jesus Christ at His return. His career is catalogued in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10 and Revelation 13:1-10; 19:20; 20:10.
3. These events all take place during the last three and one-half years of the Tribulation period. The land and people of Israel will be the focal point for the end times wars, the world will be in turmoil and without hope, God’s people [believers of that day, the Church will already have been raptured out] will be persecuted and be without hope except in the Lord. God will intervene to deliver them and those killed in the persecution will be resurrected at the end of the Tribulation.
4. The lesson for believers of all era (Old Testament, Church Age, Tribulation) is as expressed by Warren Wiersbe: “No matter what kind of affliction or tribulation God permits you to experience, He is still in control.”
Monday, September 12, 2011
The Greatest Threat
The study in Daniel continues in Chapter 11. Click here to download the sermon which is about 47 minutes in length.
Recap of the sermon from September 11, 2011 (Daniel 11:21-35):
1. Some purposes of suffering:
-to strengthen our faith, James 1:2
-to demonstrate that our faith is genuine, 1 Peter 1:6,7
-to remind us of eternity and of our dependence upon God
-to make us more human, more vulnerable and compassionate toward others
-to spread the gospel
-to show that Satan’s worst won’t stop God
-to unite us with Christ, identifying with Him, growing in intimacy with Him
2. How to deal with our suffering?
-know that God will use it for good, Romans 8:28
-seek good uses, seek to glorify God and draw unbelievers to Christ, learn compassion for others, learn to depend upon God and grow in faith
-get support, through prayer and Bible reading, through fellowship with other believers
-don’t rationalize; don’t make up reasons why God allowed the suffering
-focus on good; be thankful for the good people and things in your life; praise God for them
(credit for the above to: A Compact Guide to the Christian Life by K.C. Hinckley)
3. Scripture to meditate on in the midst of trials: Isaiah 26:3; 41:10; 43:1-3; 43:5; Psalm 31:14-15a
Recap of the sermon from September 11, 2011 (Daniel 11:21-35):
1. Some purposes of suffering:
-to strengthen our faith, James 1:2
-to demonstrate that our faith is genuine, 1 Peter 1:6,7
-to remind us of eternity and of our dependence upon God
-to make us more human, more vulnerable and compassionate toward others
-to spread the gospel
-to show that Satan’s worst won’t stop God
-to unite us with Christ, identifying with Him, growing in intimacy with Him
2. How to deal with our suffering?
-know that God will use it for good, Romans 8:28
-seek good uses, seek to glorify God and draw unbelievers to Christ, learn compassion for others, learn to depend upon God and grow in faith
-get support, through prayer and Bible reading, through fellowship with other believers
-don’t rationalize; don’t make up reasons why God allowed the suffering
-focus on good; be thankful for the good people and things in your life; praise God for them
(credit for the above to: A Compact Guide to the Christian Life by K.C. Hinckley)
3. Scripture to meditate on in the midst of trials: Isaiah 26:3; 41:10; 43:1-3; 43:5; Psalm 31:14-15a
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Troubling Times for God's People
Click here to download the sermon.
A recap of the August 28th sermon from Daniel 11:2-20:
1. Dr. Merrill F. Unger writes about Daniel chapter 11: “This marvelous pre-writing of history by the Spirit of prophecy through Daniel of the 6th century B.C. seems impossible to rationalistic critics and is the chief reason for the rejection of the genuineness of the book of Daniel. History has minutely verified these prophecies fulfilled by Persian kings, 2; Alexander the Great, 3-4; the Ptolemies of Egypt, 5, ‘the king of the South’ and the Seleucids of Syria, ‘the king of the North’, 6-35. Even the Romans, 30…”
2. Daniel is writing in approximately 536.B.C. and records events, Kings, and Kingdoms that would not come into existence for several hundred more years. J. Vernon McGee writes of this passage: “The prophecy of this chapter is so detailed and so accurate that the liberal critic will not accept the fact that it was written before it happened. He insists that Daniel’s prophecy was written after it had become history.” “Obviously, this chapter before us is one of the most remarkable passages of pre-written history in the Word of God, and conservative scholarship can sustain the early date of Daniel. This means that you have a miracle on your hands.”
3. Though these prophecies concern the people of Israel and the nations around her, we can make several applications for Christians today:
-Fulfilled prophecy should give us the utmost confidence in the accuracy and reliability of the Word of God. We can trust our lives to God’s Word, the Bible.
-God in His sovereignty sets up one ruler and puts down another according to His purposes.
-God’s plans always succeed
-God cares for His people and will deliver them in the midst of difficulties.
A recap of the August 28th sermon from Daniel 11:2-20:
1. Dr. Merrill F. Unger writes about Daniel chapter 11: “This marvelous pre-writing of history by the Spirit of prophecy through Daniel of the 6th century B.C. seems impossible to rationalistic critics and is the chief reason for the rejection of the genuineness of the book of Daniel. History has minutely verified these prophecies fulfilled by Persian kings, 2; Alexander the Great, 3-4; the Ptolemies of Egypt, 5, ‘the king of the South’ and the Seleucids of Syria, ‘the king of the North’, 6-35. Even the Romans, 30…”
2. Daniel is writing in approximately 536.B.C. and records events, Kings, and Kingdoms that would not come into existence for several hundred more years. J. Vernon McGee writes of this passage: “The prophecy of this chapter is so detailed and so accurate that the liberal critic will not accept the fact that it was written before it happened. He insists that Daniel’s prophecy was written after it had become history.” “Obviously, this chapter before us is one of the most remarkable passages of pre-written history in the Word of God, and conservative scholarship can sustain the early date of Daniel. This means that you have a miracle on your hands.”
3. Though these prophecies concern the people of Israel and the nations around her, we can make several applications for Christians today:
-Fulfilled prophecy should give us the utmost confidence in the accuracy and reliability of the Word of God. We can trust our lives to God’s Word, the Bible.
-God in His sovereignty sets up one ruler and puts down another according to His purposes.
-God’s plans always succeed
-God cares for His people and will deliver them in the midst of difficulties.
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Invisible War, Part 3
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the sermon from August 21st (Daniel 10:14-11:1):
1. Daniel 10 is a fascinating look at spiritual warfare in action. As one writer puts it: “This report [of the angel concerning the delay in answering Daniel’s prayer] gave Daniel some insight into the unseen spiritual battles going on in this world.”
2. The Bible teaches the following about spiritual warfare:
-Demons are fallen angels who joined in Satan’s rebellion against God, who have great intelligence and power. They promote Satan’s agenda in this world.
-They are spirit beings, however, they are not omnipresent (they can only be in one place at a time), nor are they omniscient (they are not all-knowing). Their effectiveness is due to their long existence and their observations of humans in all kinds of situations.
3. Dr. Charles Ryrie categorizes the work of demons as follows:
-they promote a system of false doctrine (teaching) that includes salvation by good works, denial of the deity or humanity of Jesus Christ, is deceptive (can promote evil or good to accomplish their purposes, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
-they promote destruction of men’s bodies and/or minds, they promote moral impurity, they will torment humans physically in the Tribulation (Revelation 9:11)
-they delude the nations (Daniel 1013,20; Revelation 16:13-14,16)
4. The believer’s defense against Satan and his demons is as follows:
-don’t take Satan lightly, Jude 8,9
-be alert to Satan’s attacks, 1 Peter 5:8 (but see 2 Chronicles 16:9)
-use the armor of God, Ephesians 6:11-18, especially prepared by knowledge of the Word of God and prayer
-flee sexual situations, Genesis 39, 2 Timothy 2:22
-make no provision for the sin nature, Romans 13:14
-be careful about attitudes toward sin (especially repetitive sin), toward your mate, secret sin, the things slipping into your language, actions, thought life.
Recap of the sermon from August 21st (Daniel 10:14-11:1):
1. Daniel 10 is a fascinating look at spiritual warfare in action. As one writer puts it: “This report [of the angel concerning the delay in answering Daniel’s prayer] gave Daniel some insight into the unseen spiritual battles going on in this world.”
2. The Bible teaches the following about spiritual warfare:
-Demons are fallen angels who joined in Satan’s rebellion against God, who have great intelligence and power. They promote Satan’s agenda in this world.
-They are spirit beings, however, they are not omnipresent (they can only be in one place at a time), nor are they omniscient (they are not all-knowing). Their effectiveness is due to their long existence and their observations of humans in all kinds of situations.
3. Dr. Charles Ryrie categorizes the work of demons as follows:
-they promote a system of false doctrine (teaching) that includes salvation by good works, denial of the deity or humanity of Jesus Christ, is deceptive (can promote evil or good to accomplish their purposes, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
-they promote destruction of men’s bodies and/or minds, they promote moral impurity, they will torment humans physically in the Tribulation (Revelation 9:11)
-they delude the nations (Daniel 1013,20; Revelation 16:13-14,16)
4. The believer’s defense against Satan and his demons is as follows:
-don’t take Satan lightly, Jude 8,9
-be alert to Satan’s attacks, 1 Peter 5:8 (but see 2 Chronicles 16:9)
-use the armor of God, Ephesians 6:11-18, especially prepared by knowledge of the Word of God and prayer
-flee sexual situations, Genesis 39, 2 Timothy 2:22
-make no provision for the sin nature, Romans 13:14
-be careful about attitudes toward sin (especially repetitive sin), toward your mate, secret sin, the things slipping into your language, actions, thought life.
Monday, August 15, 2011
The Invisible War, Part 2
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of August 14th sermon from Daniel 10:9-13:
1. When we become active for the Lord, especially in prayer, we energize the enemy. Speaking of Daniel 10, Dr. Gleason Archer writes: “These verses give us a fascinating insight into the supernatural forces involved when a believer engages in protracted and earnest prayer.” “…mighty forces are unleashed when we really devote ourselves to intercession before the throne of grace.”
2. Daniel was called “highly esteemed” in 10:11 (see also 9:23; 10:19). Literally, Daniel was precious to God. This description showed how much God loves and cares for His own. We who are on the other side of the cross should understand God’s great love and care for us even greater than Daniel did. Do we take God’s love for granted? Do we take our position for granted? Sometimes trials can cloud God’s love and care for us making us question that love.
3. The other side of the coin is that Daniel was wholly committed to God. He held back nothing.
Recap of August 14th sermon from Daniel 10:9-13:
1. When we become active for the Lord, especially in prayer, we energize the enemy. Speaking of Daniel 10, Dr. Gleason Archer writes: “These verses give us a fascinating insight into the supernatural forces involved when a believer engages in protracted and earnest prayer.” “…mighty forces are unleashed when we really devote ourselves to intercession before the throne of grace.”
2. Daniel was called “highly esteemed” in 10:11 (see also 9:23; 10:19). Literally, Daniel was precious to God. This description showed how much God loves and cares for His own. We who are on the other side of the cross should understand God’s great love and care for us even greater than Daniel did. Do we take God’s love for granted? Do we take our position for granted? Sometimes trials can cloud God’s love and care for us making us question that love.
3. The other side of the coin is that Daniel was wholly committed to God. He held back nothing.
Monday, August 08, 2011
The Invisible War
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of 8/7/11 (Daniel 10:1-9)
1. J. Vernon McGee said of Daniel 10, “We are moving into a very eerie section. Maybe you would call it weird or strange. The veil of the spiritual world is partially and momentarily pulled aside, and we get a look into the unseen world. There is nothing here to satisfy the morbid curiosity of an idle spectator. However, there is enough to produce a beneficial and sobering effect upon the humble believer similar to the effect that it produced upon Daniel.”
2. The background to Daniel 10-12, the last vision of the book, is as follows. The Jewish exiles had begun to return to Jerusalem, the exile was ending, the Temple was being rebuilt, and it seemed that at last Israel might be in the land in peace. The year of the vision is 536 B.C. Daniel’s vision, however, is not a vision of peace but a vision of war, of suffering, of persecution, of testing and crisis for Israel. This prompts Daniel to mourn, to fast, and to pray for clarification.
3. Daniel has a vision of an angelic visitor. All his companions fled leaving Daniel alone with the angel. God often moves in our lives to remove the props which unwittingly get in the way of our hearing Him. He separates us from the familiar, the routine, the comfortable to have our complete attention. He uses that alone time with us to give us a fresh vision of Himself, to renew our commitment to Him first. Often other people and circumstances (not bad in themselves) serve to distance us from really knowing God.
4. The first casualty of that aloneness was Daniel’s strength. As Matthew Henry said: “Before God gives strength and power to His people he makes them aware of their own weakness.”
Recap of 8/7/11 (Daniel 10:1-9)
1. J. Vernon McGee said of Daniel 10, “We are moving into a very eerie section. Maybe you would call it weird or strange. The veil of the spiritual world is partially and momentarily pulled aside, and we get a look into the unseen world. There is nothing here to satisfy the morbid curiosity of an idle spectator. However, there is enough to produce a beneficial and sobering effect upon the humble believer similar to the effect that it produced upon Daniel.”
2. The background to Daniel 10-12, the last vision of the book, is as follows. The Jewish exiles had begun to return to Jerusalem, the exile was ending, the Temple was being rebuilt, and it seemed that at last Israel might be in the land in peace. The year of the vision is 536 B.C. Daniel’s vision, however, is not a vision of peace but a vision of war, of suffering, of persecution, of testing and crisis for Israel. This prompts Daniel to mourn, to fast, and to pray for clarification.
3. Daniel has a vision of an angelic visitor. All his companions fled leaving Daniel alone with the angel. God often moves in our lives to remove the props which unwittingly get in the way of our hearing Him. He separates us from the familiar, the routine, the comfortable to have our complete attention. He uses that alone time with us to give us a fresh vision of Himself, to renew our commitment to Him first. Often other people and circumstances (not bad in themselves) serve to distance us from really knowing God.
4. The first casualty of that aloneness was Daniel’s strength. As Matthew Henry said: “Before God gives strength and power to His people he makes them aware of their own weakness.”
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
A Disturbing Vision of the Future
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of 7/31/11 (Daniel 9:27-10:1)
1. Daniel 9:27 describes the seven years called Daniel’s 70th week or in other places in Scripture, the Tribulation. Sometime after the rapture and resurrection of the church (1 Corinthians 15:51ff; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) Israel will sign a peace pact with the Antichrist (called the “little horn” in Daniel 7:8). In the middle of the seven years the Antichrist will break his covenant with Israel by putting an image in the Temple (called the Abomination which causes desolation), putting an end to the sacrificial system and organized worship. He will receive worship (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 11:1,2; 13:8). Jesus, in Matthew 24:15,29,30, places these events of Daniel 9:27 at the time of His second coming.
2. The Antichrist will come to the end appointed him by God, being cast into the Lake of Fire along with the False Prophet (Revelation 19:20). “Men are free to make decisions and even rebel against God if they want to, but He will accomplish His purposes in the world. With confidence you can pray, ‘Thy Kingdom come!’” (Warren Wiersbe)
3. Just as the events of the first 69 weeks (483 years) of Daniel 9 were fulfilled completely so we would expect that the 70th week (7 years) will be also.
4. Daniel 10 introduces the last prophecy of the book of Daniel which will cover chapters 10-12. It unveils a fascinating and sober view of the warfare that is going on all the time in the realm of the spiritual (the realm that is real though beyond our five senses).
Recap of 7/31/11 (Daniel 9:27-10:1)
1. Daniel 9:27 describes the seven years called Daniel’s 70th week or in other places in Scripture, the Tribulation. Sometime after the rapture and resurrection of the church (1 Corinthians 15:51ff; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) Israel will sign a peace pact with the Antichrist (called the “little horn” in Daniel 7:8). In the middle of the seven years the Antichrist will break his covenant with Israel by putting an image in the Temple (called the Abomination which causes desolation), putting an end to the sacrificial system and organized worship. He will receive worship (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Revelation 11:1,2; 13:8). Jesus, in Matthew 24:15,29,30, places these events of Daniel 9:27 at the time of His second coming.
2. The Antichrist will come to the end appointed him by God, being cast into the Lake of Fire along with the False Prophet (Revelation 19:20). “Men are free to make decisions and even rebel against God if they want to, but He will accomplish His purposes in the world. With confidence you can pray, ‘Thy Kingdom come!’” (Warren Wiersbe)
3. Just as the events of the first 69 weeks (483 years) of Daniel 9 were fulfilled completely so we would expect that the 70th week (7 years) will be also.
4. Daniel 10 introduces the last prophecy of the book of Daniel which will cover chapters 10-12. It unveils a fascinating and sober view of the warfare that is going on all the time in the realm of the spiritual (the realm that is real though beyond our five senses).
Monday, July 25, 2011
A Glimpse of the Future, Part 2
Click here to download the sermon.
Recap of the sermon from July 24th (Daniel 9:24-27):
1. Daniel’s understanding that the Babylonian exile of Israel was about to end caused him to ask several questions: What would happen after that? What about the Messiah and the Kingdom? How and when would God’s promises (Abrahamic, Palestinian, and Davidic Covenants) be fulfilled? What about the people of Israel, the city of Jerusalem and the Temple? God sends the angel Gabriel to give Daniel a panoramic view of the future of Israel. In Exploring the Old Testament, the author writes: “God told Daniel through the angel Gabriel that it would be seventy weeks of years [490 years] before God would remove all sin, bring in everlasting righteousness, anoint the holy temple, and fulfill all prophecy (9:24). During this period, Jerusalem would be rebuilt, the anointed Messiah would come and be cut off, and then the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed, and the people would undergo great persecution and war (9:25,26). In the middle of the last week of years all worship at the temple would be halted. But by the end of that week, the one who desolated and persecuted the people of God would be defeated.”
2. To understand this passage it is essential to understand verse 24. This passage specifically concerns Daniel’s people and the city of Jerusalem. J. Dwight Pentecost writes: “This prophecy, then, is concerned not with world history or church history, but with the history of Israel and the city of Jerusalem.”
3. This passage predicts the coming of Messiah (and His rejection and death) some 483 years from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem by Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 2:1-8) in 445-444 B.C. Thus the Kingdom would be delayed.
4. Daniel 9:27 contemplates the Seventh week of Daniel, also called the Tribulation. The seven years begins with the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and the Antichrist. All throughout Israel’s history they had a tendency to trust in earthly alliances instead of in the Lord. We are not unlike Israel in this area. As several writers expressed it. “How prone we are to choose earthly alliances, confederacies of the world and the flesh, instead of God’s gentle way.” ”We recite: ‘Some trust in chariots and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God,’ we boast that our God is able to deliver us; but in an emergency we go to Egypt for help….It ought to embarrass us to ask help from this world.” By nature it is easier for people to trust limited human resources than God’s inexhaustible supply….are you trusting others to do what only God can—and will—do on your behalf?”
Recap of the sermon from July 24th (Daniel 9:24-27):
1. Daniel’s understanding that the Babylonian exile of Israel was about to end caused him to ask several questions: What would happen after that? What about the Messiah and the Kingdom? How and when would God’s promises (Abrahamic, Palestinian, and Davidic Covenants) be fulfilled? What about the people of Israel, the city of Jerusalem and the Temple? God sends the angel Gabriel to give Daniel a panoramic view of the future of Israel. In Exploring the Old Testament, the author writes: “God told Daniel through the angel Gabriel that it would be seventy weeks of years [490 years] before God would remove all sin, bring in everlasting righteousness, anoint the holy temple, and fulfill all prophecy (9:24). During this period, Jerusalem would be rebuilt, the anointed Messiah would come and be cut off, and then the city of Jerusalem would be destroyed, and the people would undergo great persecution and war (9:25,26). In the middle of the last week of years all worship at the temple would be halted. But by the end of that week, the one who desolated and persecuted the people of God would be defeated.”
2. To understand this passage it is essential to understand verse 24. This passage specifically concerns Daniel’s people and the city of Jerusalem. J. Dwight Pentecost writes: “This prophecy, then, is concerned not with world history or church history, but with the history of Israel and the city of Jerusalem.”
3. This passage predicts the coming of Messiah (and His rejection and death) some 483 years from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem by Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 2:1-8) in 445-444 B.C. Thus the Kingdom would be delayed.
4. Daniel 9:27 contemplates the Seventh week of Daniel, also called the Tribulation. The seven years begins with the signing of a peace treaty between Israel and the Antichrist. All throughout Israel’s history they had a tendency to trust in earthly alliances instead of in the Lord. We are not unlike Israel in this area. As several writers expressed it. “How prone we are to choose earthly alliances, confederacies of the world and the flesh, instead of God’s gentle way.” ”We recite: ‘Some trust in chariots and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God,’ we boast that our God is able to deliver us; but in an emergency we go to Egypt for help….It ought to embarrass us to ask help from this world.” By nature it is easier for people to trust limited human resources than God’s inexhaustible supply….are you trusting others to do what only God can—and will—do on your behalf?”
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