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CAUSES TO BE THANKFUL
                                       1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 
Intro:  The church of the Thessalonians was going for a while  when Paul wrote this epistle to them. This church has been referred to as "the model church" (1:6-7).
One thing that is emphasized in these epistles is Paul's expression of thankfulness for this young church.
When Paul thought of them, he was thankful. 
People in our churches need the encouragement of thanksgiving. 
We as a  church need to be encouraged.
Thankfulness is one of the most important attributes of a child of God.
Paul instructed this new church, (1 Thes. 5:18).   "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you"
What Paul was thankful for in this church should be a model for what we are thankful for in our own church.
 
I. He was Thankful for their ACTIVITIES in the WORK of God
 (1 Thes. 1:2-3)     2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;   3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
 
 I am thankful for people who want to get ACTIVE working for God!!!
A. This verse talks about a "Work of FAITH"- Thank God for people who have a WORKING FAITH!
1. True faith leads to work
(Gal 5:6;)    For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
It isn't religion, or ceremony, it's a love of faith
 
(James 2:18;)  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
A Christians faith is shown by what he does for the cause of Christ
 
 (Eph. 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. If you don't have the kind of faith in Christ that motivates you to work for Him, you probably need an overhaul on your faith and what it means to you.
 
B. It also talks about a "Labor of LOVE"- V-3 Not a labor of obligation. Thank God for this!!!!
1. If you love something, you will bestow labor for it.
2. Love is the fuel of labor. Galatians 5:6- "...faith which worketh by love."
3. Labor becomes drudgery and burden when love is absent.
 
Do we have a ...
1.  Love for the morning service
2.  Love for S.S. class
3.  Love for Wednesday Bible study
4.  Love for greeting people
5.   Love for the house of God (maintenance; construction and taking care of what God has given us?)
6.   Love for the lost!
7.  Love for coming to church
 
C. Verse 3 also talks about "Patience of HOPE"- If you have hope, you will be patient in waiting for the results of your labor.
 Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Don't quit.
 
II. He was Thankful for their ACCEPTANCE of the WORD of God
(1 Thes. 2:13).   For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
 
A. I thank God for every Bible believer that we have in this place!  They are harder and harder to find.
B. I am thankful because I know the Bible is the only answer to real and lasting change.
IT IS EFFECTUAL!
1.  How has the Word of God changed you?  How has it worked in your life.
 Have you recognized any proofs of this in your daily living?  If not, you need to look for what God is doing with you through His Word.
 
III. He was Thankful for their ADVANCEMENT in the WAYS of God
Turn to....
(2 Thes 1:3-4).   3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
There was a length of time between the two letters that Paul wrote, and we see that he was thankful for their spiritual progress. But...
Any pastor is always thankful for spiritual progress that he sees in the church that he pastors.
A. "exceedingly"- growth exceeded all expectations.  V-3
1. Growth is exciting!
2. Growth is the result of a proper diet
(2 Pet. 2:2).   As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3. Growth is the result of exercise.
 
B. "Aboundeth" V-3 - An abounding love is a love that is active and constant.
 
This was in answer to Paul's earlier admonition in 1 Thes. 4:9-10. 
9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 
10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
 
What we see in all of these is that Paul's thankfulness for the Thessalonians is not based on the world's measure of success.
Our responsibility is to be faithful. Faithful in serving, faithful in praying, faithful in giving, faithful in witnessing. It is up to God to provide the results.
 
Thus we see Paul thankful for these two things:    
1. A growing faith which will enable them to continue faithfully and   
2. An abounding love for one another which will allow the power of God to work in their midst.
C. "endure" (v. 4)- They did not quit in the face of tribulation and persecution. Praise God for church members who will not quit!
 
CONCLUSION: Are you and I  the kind of Christian that others around you can be thankful for?   Can God be thankful for us?
1.  Are we working for the lord,
2. Do we accept God's teaching  and  instruction from His word,
3.  Do we see the advancement we have made in our lives.?
 
 If you were to die today, would you go to heaven? Are you saved today?  Have you been scripturally Baptized since you have been saved. Do you need a change in your Christian life.  A change that would cause you to look forward to everyday When  you wake up,  you would realize a joy and happiness in the Lord?
 
  
Skyline BC 
Things We Have In Christ
II Peter 1:1-4
 
 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,
3 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..
 
 
Intro:   If the world only knew!  When we try to win them to Christ, they act as if we are trying to give them a dose of castor oil.
 If the world only knew the blessings and joy of being saved! 
In our world, the lost have equated salvation with religion and religion is enough to turn anyone away from Christ.
 If they would only be saved, then they would know the truth about salvation.
God would give them the understanding about the Gospel.
 
1.  In Christ they will have the forgiveness of sins.
2.  In Christ they will have the gift of the Holy Ghost.
3.  In Christ they will have the peace of God that passeth all understanding.
4.  In Christ they will have a life that satisfies.
5.  In Christ they will have a conscience that Is pure.
6.  In Christ they will have joy unspeakable and full of glory.
 
C.  You can tell them that Jesus loves and died for them; you can tell them that hell is a fearful reality; you can beg and plead and they continue to walk the same road.
 
It is the "broad road" and the "wide gate" where the many of the people that  Matthew 7:13-14 talks about
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
 
 It is heart breaking to see so many people that we know reject our wonderful Saviour.
D.  Sometimes, we that are saved forget what we have in Christ and take for granted His great salvation.
 
Paul said,  In Hebrews, 2:3
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him];
 
It is truly a "great salvation" and should be cherished by those that are redeemed from what.....?
 
I call this the 4 "D's"
 
1.  A Life Of Despair
2.  A Life Of Defilement
2.  A Life Of Destruction
3.  A Life Of Damnation
 
E.  We have so much in Christ but, in our verses for this morning, Peter set forth some wonderful truths concerning our COMMON salvation.
 
I.  We Have A Like Precious Faith - vs. 1a
A.  Faith Brings A Relationship With Christ That Is Precious - "precious faith"
 
Turn to...
1 Peter 2:4-7   4.  To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 
6.  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7.   Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
 
b.  Faith Brings A Fellowship With the Saints That Is Common - "like precious faith"
 
Jude 3   Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
 
Titus 1:4  To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
 
 
II.  We Have The Grace To Endure -
V-2  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
 
a.  Grace That Is Abundant - 1 Corinthians 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
 
In other words, it's always there more than enough and overflowing. 
 
 
b.  Grace That Is Available - I Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
 
Grace is always available because God is faithful
 
c.  Grace That Is Multiplied - II Peter 1:2  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
 
There is always enough Grace
 
d.  Grace That Is Sufficient - II Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
 
This grace is sufficient for you and me as a child of God,   to enable us with patience to bear it, support and comfort us, and make us more happy and useful than we would be without it.
 
III.  We Have A Wonderful  Standing with Christ-
V-3-4   3 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
 
This is the power of God through Christ as a believer.
 
IV.  We Have The Peace To Trust -
 
a.  Peace In The Midst Of A Storm -  Example:  Mark 4:39  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
 
We can trust Jesus to help us through a storm or any problem
 
b.  Peace In The Midst Of Sorrow - John 11:21-23  Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.  But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.  Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
 
This is probably the worst situations that we can go through...Death of a loved one.
Jesus won't raise your loved one from the grave as he did Lazarus, but He will give you the same peace as he did Mary and Martha.
 
Turn to...
 Psalm 23:4   4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
 
We quote these verses to one that may be dying and God calls it walking through the shadow of death.
However the folks that are there with the one dying are suffering as well, they are in a sense walking through the same shadows.
So this verse shows that God gives that same peace in the midst of sorrow.
 
c.  Peace In The Midst Of Confusion -
 
Turn to...
 Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
 
 
Have you ever felt sometimes that your world is not so peaceful with what you are going through?
 
You are so whacked out that you can't think straight with all the junk bothering you?
This will sometimes make you afraid and you don't know why??
 
This is when you Go to God and say, "I don't know what's wrong with me today, but Lord Help me.
Give me something...help me!!!!
 
So what does God do, in the midst of all your confusion...?  All of a sudden He gives you peace that you can't explain.
 
God does this for the Child of God.  God does this for you as a believer in Jesus.
  This is wonderful stuff.
 
 
V.   We Have The Reality Of A Changed Life - 4a
We are partakers of a divine nature, a Godly nature.
We are a changed person
 
a.  A New Life Of Holiness - II 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.
 
 
b   A New Life Of Faith - Romans 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
 
One more....
 
VII.  We Have The Hope Of Eternal Life - vs. 4b
Whenever we accept Jesus and get saved we have to know that....
 
1.  Hell Is Gone - Revelation 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
 
John 3:18   He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
 
b.  Heaven Is A Reality - John 14:2-3  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
 
Heaven
Want to go there?  or would you rather reject Jesus and wind up in hell....
You pick.
 
Are you saved today
 
 
Skyline BC
 
         Some things that will change after Salivation   
                                                                                                                 
 (II Cor. 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.
Intro:  Last week we began to talk about what happens when a person gets born again.  He begins to have changes in his life brought on by the power of God, to conform the Christian to the image of Christ.  Salvation begins to build Christian character and holiness.  What I mean by holiness our disposition changes toward acting like Jesus wants us to
 Ro 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.
 Col 3:10 And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
When I was saved, I began to notice many new things that came into my life that I never had before. This proved to me that I was saved for sure. I had talked about some things that changes in a life that has been saved by the blood
I. We began to believe the SCRIPTURES.  
We go from a natural person to a spiritual person, se we believe what God says     
II.   We have Faith in the power of the Gospel
A.  1.  This means that you put your very life and soul in the truths of the Gospel of Christ.  What is the Gospel??
a.  The Death, Burial, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the very basis of our salvation, and that we put our complete faith and trust in that.

1. We have faith that the Gospel is true.

 
III. We have A Confirmation of SALVATION
A. We have a witness within ourselves..
I John 5:13   These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
B.  We have a Witness of the Holy Spirit
1.  (Rom. 8:16). The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
a.  How do we know we are saved???   Something inside me tells me.  That is the witness of the Holy Spirit, which gives you a surety of your faith and salvation.
1.  We know-- that we know --that we know-- that we know, that we are born again?  That witness comes from the heart, it comes from the Holy Spirit, which confirms our salvation.
 
IV. We are joined to the family of God
A.   (1 John 3:14). We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
We get a new family!
A. We should have a desire to seek the company of Christians.   We talked about Paul when he got saved
 (Paul- Acts 9:26). And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
B.We show the love of God when we show that we love each other.  We show that we love each other, when we want to get together with other believers.
 
V. We should have a FEAR of what Sin can do
We should know that sin will harm us. 
Example: 
A. Why do you lock your doors? Fear of robbery. Why don't some people drink alcohol?  Because they are afraid of becoming an alcoholic, and getting cirrhosis of the liver and dying, like my mother.
1.  Why should we stay clear of sin? Because we should fear the effects of what sin can do.
B. "Fools make mock of sin".... (Prov. 14:9).
1.  Sin will make you do things that will get you in trouble with your life.
Example: 
John 5 when the guy was waiting by the pool of Bethesda to be healed. 
An Angel would come down, stir up the water and the first person stepping into the water was healed.  He had a physical problem for 38 years and couldn't walk.  Anyway...Jesus heals the man.  This is a strange story, but a great story.
But Jesus finds him the next day.. look what He says..
 John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
Evidently this person was in some form of sin, and because of the sin he wound up a cripple.  It doesn't say how or what he did, but it happened.
A.  I believe Jesus healed that man for two reasons.
1.  To show the Pharisees. the religious crowd, and all the people around, m God's grace of the power to heal.  It was a testimony of who Jesus was.
2.  To bestow the grace and mercy of Christ to this man who had suffered so long because of the consequences of his sin.
But Jesus said to this man.   "sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." 
1.  That word lest in this verse means that something may or may not happen to him if he goes into sin again.
2.  We can see that Jesus might have been watching him, as He does all of us.****  We can never hide our sin from God.
Here is something to think about....  just because we have sickness or somekind of disease, doesn't mean it is from some sin we committed.
Jesus used that man for an example of His love, mercy, grace, and His power.
But we have to know Jesus can use the sin we get into to get our attention.  only you will know that one.
 John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Sometimes people think that sin is funny
1. Examples:
a. Dirty jokes
b. T.V. sitcoms  with jokes about drunkenness; drugs; fornication; adultery; homosexuality; etc.)
2. God is not amused. God sees nothing about sin to laugh at.
3. Sin is not funny, it is fatal. Sin helps to send people to hell and there is nothing funny about that.
4. Sin cost Christ His life. Nothing funny about Calvary.
As a child of God.....
 
VI. We  should have A desire to SERVE -
(1 Sam. 12:24).  Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
A sense of indebtedness to do something for the Savior and tell others about what God has done for you.
VII.  We should get A FOCUS on the SECOND COMING (Tit. 2:11-13).
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 Saviour Jesus Christ;
When I see the sin in this old world, and how I see sin, the flesh, and the Devil controlling this world, I wish Jesus would come back soon. Do you???
CONCLUSION: BLESSED HOPE!!!
A better hope than the world could devise;
A bigger hope than the world's biggest prize.
A brighter hope than the world could afford.
The blessed hope is the return of the Lord!
Are you saved today?  Are you born again into the family of God.  Have you dedicated your life to take an active roll to serve Jesus?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Skyline BC
 
 
Peace in TribulationJohn 16:33
 
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
 
 
Intro:   The Lord spent three chapters  John 14,15, 16   making sure that the disciples would be comforted by the coming of the Comforter and have faith and peace in the tribulations that would come upon them.
 
The will of Christ for His disciples was for their hearts not to be troubled because He was leaving.
 
John 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
 
John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
 
 In chapter 17 of the Book of John, we will find Christ Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane interceding for not only His disciples but for all of His children who will come later.
 
Our Lord wants His children in these last days of today to have the same faith and peace!
 
 
 John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
 
1.  This is the will of God for you and me.  "Joy full" makes one "Joyful!"
 
2.  Now, the choice belongs to each of us.  A heart ruled by joyfulness or a heart ruled by fearfulness.  You choose!
 
Colossians 3:15-17  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
 
 (We must allow peace to rule.)
 
 F.  Now, to the crux of the matter.  God promised the disciples "tribulation" in this world.
 
 Promised the disciples and prophesied to the rest of us.
 If we think that this world is going to get better, we had better think again. 
The Bible says that things will wax worse and worse as we approach that day when Christ will come for His own.
 
But,  here is our Lord's promise of peace. 
John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
 
 
J.  When writing to the church at Thessalonica, Paul said this:
II Thessalonians 3:16) "Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
 
1.  "The Lord … give you … the Lord be with you"  "Always by all means" - in both the good and bad times.  "By all means" - God has given to us precious promises in the Bible that will instill peace in our hearts.
 
2.  Anytime, anywhere!  Every time, everywhere!  The God of peace will give to each of us His wonderful peace.
 
 God's desire for His children is that they have peace in all things which includes all our tribulation and troubles.
 The disciples' problem was simple: a lack of faith in what the Lord said.
 
Their lack of faith involved the Person of the Son of God and also the Truth of the Word of God.
 So is our lack of peace today!  The Bible says:
 
 (Proverbs 3:5-6)   "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
 
Does that sounds simple enough to quote and should be simple enough to live.  Hello?
 
M.  Here are some areas of our lives where there is often a lack of peace through a lack of faith.
 
 
1.  Peace in our Salvation.  I thank the Lord for assurance of salvation.  Everything else takes second place.
 
Turn to...
Psalms 62:5-8  My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.  (6)  He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.  (7)  In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.  (8)  Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
 
2.  Peace in our Promises.  I thank the Lord for the promise of peace to those whose mind is "stayed" on the Lord.
 
Isaiah 26:3-4  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 
(4)  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
 
 3.  Peace in our Companionship.  I thank the Lord that I am never alone.
 
Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
 
4.  Peace in our Supply.  I don't know what tomorrow will be like for America, but I know that the One who feeds the sparrow will feed me.
 
Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
 
 5.  Peace in our Protection.  The Lord has and will continue to take care of His children.
 
1 John 4:4  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.
 
 
6.  Peace in our Circumstances.  No matter what comes, there will be peace in the storms of life.
 
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.
 
 
7.  Peace in our Persecution.  
 
II Timothy 4:16-17  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 
(17)  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
 
 
Back to ....
 John 16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
 
Conc:  Everything said this morning points to the Child of God.  Someone who has accepted Jesus as their saviour and taken His gift of salvation.
 
I trust that as a believer you have this peace that passes all understanding.
 
If you are here without Jesus in your life, the Bible says you don't have this kind of peace no matter how hard you try to get peace in your life.
 
Wouldn't you like to have this peace with Jesus?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Skyline BC
 
 
I Thank God for You
Philippians 1:1-6 
1  Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3  I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
 
Intro:  The Apostle Paul had a great love for the people that he associated with in the ministry.  They certainly were not a perfect people, but they were God's people.
 
Often, in his epistles, Paul had to "straighten out" problems that hindered the spiritual growth and work of the gospel but always did so with love and longsuffering.
 
Turn to for a minute
Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.
 
The first three aspects of the fruit of the Spirit are inward, Love, Joy, Peace
God gives us these things from the heart.... inward
 
The second three are outward, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness.
We show these things outwardly to the world
 
The third three are upward.  faith, Meekness, temperance:
We go to the Lord and we say Lord I really need help with these
 
Or you can say about the fruit of the Spirit.
 
The fruits named are not our fruits, but of the Spirit in us.
If we bear these fruits we show that we have the Spirit.
There are actually  four groups:
 (1) Love, the Christian grace which works in the child of God..
 (2) Joy and peace, which shows the  state of the Christian.
 (3) The graces which relate to others, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, fidelity (faith), meekness.
(4) The last fruit looks to oneself, temperance, or self-control.
 It is our control of the temper, the tongue, the desires, they are the passions we have for different things.
 
Anyway...
Notice with me the outward manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit:  longsuffering, gentleness, and goodness. 
Paul was certainly a Spirit filled preacher!
 
C.  Paul thanked God for them upon "every remembrance."  V-3
 
Often, we pray for each other and our known needs, but how often do we thank God for each other? 
As we take for granted the blessings of life, we are also often guilty of taking each other for granted.
 
1.  We are not perfect people.  We are not a perfect church.  I am not a perfect pastor.
 
2.  But, through the Holy Spirit of God, we are a loving people.  We are a forgiving people.  We are a unified people.
 
3.  We are an inclusive people, which means everyone is welcome at Skyline BC.
 
D.  The Apostle Paul was thankful for the Lord's people from all his ministries.
Are we thankful for each other??
 
What did Paul thank them for..
Now he is specifically talking to the Child of God.
 
 
Here are several things that we can take note of, and compare our lives, and our church to Paul's life in Jesus
 
1.  Paul Thanked God For Their Faithfulness - Romans 1:8  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
Are you and I a faithful person to the Lord?
 
2.  Paul Thanked God For Their Obedience - Romans 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
 
I Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
 
 3.    Paul Thanked God For Their Helpfulness - Romans 16:3,4   Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
 
5.  Paul Thanked God For Their Loyalty - Romans 16:4  Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
 
Priscilla and Aquila were also loyal to Paul and the Lord.
 
6.  Paul Thanked God For Their Maturity - 1 Corinthians 1:4-5  I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
5  That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
 
How mature are we in Jesus.  For instance, if we have been a Christian for years, how much of the Bible do we know, and do we pray every day?
Are we still babes in Christ?
 
7.  Paul Thanked God For Their Prayers - II Corinthians 1:11  Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
 
Are you a praying person, are we a praying church??
 
8.  Paul Thanked God For Their Caring - II Corinthians 8:16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
 
I believe we are a caring church, but are we a caring person at home or outside these walls?
 
9.  Paul Thanked God For Their Unity - Colossians 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
 
We need to have unity in our church  in many things.  Here are a few things
1. Doctrine
2. Church Attendance
3. Fellowship
 
Most importantly..
10.  Paul Thanked God For Their Love - II Thessalonians 1:3  We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
 
I Peter 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
 
Do we have the love of Jesus in our hearts and lives like He loves us?
Do we have love for each other?  Do we feel like our love is growing.
 
Sometimes our Love growth is a hard process.
 
Conc:  When I think about all this and I think about you folks, I thank God for each of you this morning. 
We are not a perfect people, but we are a special people because we are God's people!
God has given us another year and we have a chance to be better in Jesus.
 
But are you saved today and on your way to heaven???
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Skyline BC
 
 
 
OUR BATTLE WITH LIFE'S STRONGHOLDS                                                                                     Joshua 5:13-6:5
 
13 ¶ And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
 
Ch 6: 1-5     1  Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in
2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
3 And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.
4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.
5 And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.
 
Intro: The ancient city of Jericho was a great walled city. History tells us that it was surrounded by 2 massive stone walls. The outer wall was 6 feet thick and 20 feet high. The inner wall was 12 feet thick and 30 feet high. There was a 15 foot guarded walkway between these two walls. From a military standpoint, it was practically impenetrable. This great walled city stood as an obstacle between the people of Israel and them claiming all that God had for them. Before they could go deeper into the land of Canaan, Jericho had to fall first.
 
For us, this ancient city represents those things that are entrenched and rooted in our lives that prevent us from going on with God. Oh, we all have them! Regardless of how pious you may want to think you are, there are things embedded in your life that hinder your walk with God. It may be some besetting sin that prevents you from going deep in the things of God. It may a root of bitterness and unforgiveness that stands between you and God's best. It may be some old, bad attitude that is holding you back. It could be something from your past that you continue to struggle with to this day. Whatever it is, it is a stronghold in your life and it stands between you and God's best for your life. Before you will ever receive all God has for you, that stronghold must be torn down!
 
In this page from Israel's history, we uncover some truths that help us as we fight the battle against our own strongholds in our day. There are elements revealed here that point us to the path of spiritual victory. Let's spend some time in these verses this evening as we thing about Our Battle With Life's Strongholds.
 
I. 5:13-15 INVOLVES CONFRONTATION
 (Ill. As Joshua surveys the city of Jericho, he has a strange encounter. However, this encounter would change the course of events at Jericho.)
 
A. With The Person Of God - This individual that Joshua meets outside the walls of Jericho identifies Himself as "The Captain of the host of the Lord."
It is my humble opinion that this is a Christophany. That is, it is a personal, pre-Bethlehem manifestation and appearance for the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
In other words, Joshua came face to face with Jesus Christ!
 
For us, this pictures the matter of Salvation. Before we can continue on to victory, we must first commence the journey.
And, the journey is commenced at salvation. I wonder, have you met the Lord Jesus Christ?
 
 Is He your Savior this morning?  Notice that I didn't ask if you were a Baptist.
There will be lots of Baptists in Hell! I didn't ask if you were a church member.
There will be lots of those folks in Hell too.
I didn't ask if you have been baptized, or confirmed, or conformed, or anything else.
 
Lots of folks who have passed through the religious traditions of our churches will go to Hell when they leave this world.
 My question was, and still is, are you saved? Has there ever been a specific moment in your life when you knew that you were a sinner headed to Hell and that only Jesus could save you.
 
 Do you remember the time when you were saved by the power and grace of God. If it has happened to you, you will know it! When Someone the size of God gets in you, you will be aware of it!
Have you had a personal confrontation with the Person of God, Jesus?
 
(Ill. This is just a thought but notice that Joshua's encounter with the Lord caused him to bow in worship, v. 14. Did you see that?
 Your desire to worship says a lot about your relationship to God. Some have already decided that they won't be able to make it Wednesday night. Did you ask the Lord about that?
Or, is it your decision? You see, salvation will leave you worshiping, but it will also leave you bowing, v. 14.)
 
B. With The Position Of God - Next, the Lord tells Joshua that He is the Captain of the Lord's host.
That is, He is the One Who is always victorious. He is the One Who is walking in victory even before the battle is fought.
 In other words, He is the One Who is in control of all situations. He is merely reminding Joshua Who is really fighting the battle!
 
For us, this speaks of the great matter of our Sanctification.   That is, of our coming to the place where we recognize that if there will ever be any victories in our life, they will come about because of His power and not our own.
 
 We must understand that we are to yield to His power in every area of our life and that we are to trust Him to secure the victory for us in every battle we fight.
 
 So then, sanctification is our coming to the place where we dedicate our lives to Him and trust Him to bring us to the place of victory.
Sanctification is us acknowledging Him to be Lord in every area of our lives.
 Is that true for you? Or, are there areas of your life that are off limits to God?
Real sanctification knows that He is Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all!
It knows that He must be given the Master key to every area of life.
 
Have you come to terms with Who is really in control? Until you do, you can forget about sustained victory, you might as well get used to defeat.
 
 
C. With The Power Of God - When Joshua meets this man, there are a couple of things that are strange about there meeting.
 First, there is the Lord's answer to Joshua's challenge. Joshua asked Him, "Are you for us or for them?"
The Lord answered, "No!" That's really strange! Then, there is the matter of what the Lord tells Joshua to do in verse 15.
There he is told to loose his shoe (singular) off his foot (singular). Why just one? When Moses met the Lord at the burning bush, he was told to remove both shoes, Ex. 3:5.
That sure is strange to me.
 
However, these two events speak to us about the matter of Surrender.
When Joshua asked the Lord if He was for Israel or for Israel's enemies, the Lord said, "No!"
 
What the Lord is saying is this, "Joshua, I didn't come to take sides, I came to take over!"
This is a call for Joshua to surrender to the authority of the Lord in the battle at Jericho.
 Joshua is made to realize that God, not Joshua, is the power behind the victory that will come.
 
 What a lesson for the church! When will we ever learn that our success and our personal victories are not a matter of our power or ability?
When will we understand that this is about God and not us? God is saying to us today "I am not here to take sides, I am here to take over!" Will you do as Joshua and bow to His authority? That is how victory is won!
 
Then, there is the matter of the shoe. Why did the Lord just ask for one shoe?  The answer lies in ancient custom.
When a covenant was made between two individuals, in which one possessed power to keep the covenant and the other didn't, the weaker individual handed the other individual one of his shoes.
 
It was his way of saying, "I can't, but you can." This is seen in the book of Ruth chapter 4 and verses 6-8.
For Joshua, this was a challenge for him to come to the place where he could admit his own weakness and inability to gain the victory.
 It was a call for him to surrender to the Lord.
For us, we need to learn the truth that we can't, but He can!
There may be some in this room and you have been trying to fight your battles in your own power.
 
 You keep getting whipped. Friend, you need to draw off your shoe, hand it to God and say, "Lord, I can't fight these battles, but you can! I can't win the victories I need in my life, but you can!"
 
We need to come to the place where we are willing to say, once for all, "I can't Lord, but You can!"
 
 
II. 6:1-5 INVOLVES CONFIDENCE
 
(Ill. Another major step in the path toward spiritual victory over the strongholds of life demands confidence in the Lord.
There are three areas in which Joshua displayed confidence.
These need to be true concerning us as well.)
 
A. V.1-2 In God's Promises - Before Joshua goes to battle against the city of Jericho, he is reminded of the Lord's promises to give Israel the victory.
There were Past Promises - Josh. 2:9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land,
 
and there were Present Promises - Josh. 6:2. And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
 
The past promises reminded Joshua of what the Lord had promised to do long ago.
Rahab had known about these promises for 40 years.
The present promises reminded Joshua that the Lord had not changed His mind about the matter. God still intended to give Israel the victory in this matter.
 
As we look at our strongholds today, we may think that we will never see them fall at our feet. However, may we ever remember that God will always keep His promises!
 He has promised us the victory, and the victory shall be ours,
I Cor. 15:57;  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
 Whatever God has promised, He is well able to bring to pass,
 Eph. 3:20.  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
 Therefore, let us face our strongholds well assured in the fact that God will do everything He has promised us He will do!
  
B.   God had a plan for Israel to succeed- On the surface, God's plan for Israel's victory seems really strange..
What was His plan? Seven priests bearing seven trumpets were to walk before the ark. The priests would blow the trumpets and the people were to walk behind the ark, and the whole parade was to walk around the city once a day for 6 days. On the seventh day, they were to walk around the city seven times and at the end of the seventh time, they were to shout. When this happened, the walls would fall down flat. Strange!
 
I think the lesson for us becomes clear when we take the time to look closely at what the Lord told them to do.
 
 
4. They were simply to  walk  around the city. God promised them that the walls of Jericho would fall down as a result!
 In other words, all they had to do was have confidence in God's plan, walk with the things He had given them and they would enjoy the victory.
 He wanted them to do nothing but to walk by faith!
 
What a lesson for the church! The secret to living the Christian life, enjoying victory over your besetting sins and seeing your strongholds brought down is this: you can't do it!
 
 You cannot live the Christian life! You don't have to live it, Jesus already has! As you yield to His plan, and let Him live through you, you will enjoy His victory,
 
Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
 
 
All God wants you to do is to stop trying and just rest in Him. He has already won the victory. We win by doing nothing! By merely being in Him and having absolute confidence in His plan, we enjoy the victory that only He can give.
 
C. V. 5b In God's Power - Israel was about to learn the truth that victory was in the Lord and not in themselves. They were about to participate in the strangest victory in the annuls of history. For them, victory would come about, not as the result of trying, but as the result of merely trusting God.
 
(Ill. Aren't you tired of trying to live the Christian life and failing? Then stop doing both! Just start trusting! Rest in the finished work of Christ. Realize that you have no one to please but God. And, if you are in Jesus, He is already satisfied with you! I am not advocating loose living. Far from it! If you live God's way, you will be holier than ever, you just won't have to work so hard to enjoy it. He is the perfect Advocate. He is the perfect Atonement. He is the fulfillment of the Law for us. There is nothing left for us to do, but to rest in the finished work of Jesus and enjoy the trip to Heaven. Why do you think He said "It is finished.", John 19:30? Because it is! Far too many folks in church are always defeated because they are trying to live up to some standard that has been imposed on them by men, when all they really have to do is rest, Matt. 11:28-30. If we will learn to walk in what Jesus has already done for us, then we will receive the victories that He has prepared for us. He has already done all the work. All that is left for us to do is walk!)
 
 
This is  the thrilling story of the victory Israel received at Jericho. Imagine what the people inside the city must have thought! They received the fulfillment of the Lord's promise to them.
 
A. V. 6-15 Involved Determination - To do it God's way,  As has already been said, they simply did it God's way.
They might have been tempted to fight. After all, the people of Jericho were terrified of the Israelites! Yet, they just walked! That is all God said to do! When you do it God's way, there will always be victory! When will the church ever learn this?
It isn't about new means and methods! We don't need a new Bible our a new kind of service.
 Just do it God's way
 
B. V. 16-20 Involved Dedication - Israel walked around that city 6 days. When they did what happened to the walls of the city? Nothing! When they walked around that city six times on the seventh day, what happened? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Why? Because the number six in the Bible is the number of man, Rev. 13:18. Man can try has hard as he pleases in his own power and he will never obtain the victory! But, when they marched around that wall the seventh time and shouted, the wall fell down flat! You see, seven is the number of completion, or of God's fulness.
Israel kept going in their dedication until they passed from the realm of their own power, into the realm of the power of God!
After marching around that city seven times, they would have been too pooped to fight anyway!
When they came to the place where they couldn't, but knew He could, a miracle took place and the stronghold fell down flat!
That's the point of them shouting before the wall fell down! They were praising God for the victory by faith, even before it could be seen with the eyes!
That is what faith is all about, That kind of faith honors the Lord!
 
For us, let us remember that victory over our strongholds will come when we get to that place where it is totally out of our hands and in His alone! When we get away from the realm of our ability and move into the realm of what God can do in our lives, then we will see all what God can bring to pass in a life wholly dedicated to Him!
 
Conc: What is it that is keeping you from going forward with God? Is it lust? Is it hatred? Is it envy? Is it unforgiveness? Is it a bitter, critical spirit? Whatever it is, that stronghold needs to be conquered right now. Will you bring it to the Lord and defeat it His way?
 
Some of you are trying so hard. I invite you to come to Jesus, lay down you sword, hand Him your shoe and say, "Lord, I can do it, but you can." He will change your life. He will enable you to live for His glory.
 
Whatever the nature of the strongholds in your life may be, there is help and hope in the Person of Jesus tonight. But, only if you will come to Him.
 
 Maybe some here have never had that first confrontation with the Lord. You are not saved. If you died tonight, you would be lost and you would go to Hell. It doesn't have to be that way! If you will come to Jesus Christ, He will receive you and save you!
 
Are you saved by doing it God's way. Receive Jesus as your saviour
 
 
 
Skyline BC
 
The Peace of Jesus
Col 3:12-15
 
12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.                                                                                         
 
Intro: I Want to concentrate on V-15, which talks heavily about peace. 
Peace is an important aspect of both salvation and sanctification.   
                                
 I.  There is a salvation's peace, that is a peace with God which depends solely upon God.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:        
 (Peace with God is not contingent upon personal merit nor is it a matter of emotion or personal feelings.
 I am saved if I act like it or not,    and I am saved if I feel like it or not!)
b. Some people never get it. Salvation is by grace or unmerited favor. We are not good enough to be saved nor are we good enough to remain saved.
 You cannot be "unborn" because our spiritual birth establishes a relationship similar to our physical one that cannot be broken.
 No matter where I go or what I do I am still a child of God   Our sin breaks fellowship with God, not our relationship with God.
 
c. Then there is the matter of feeling or not feeling saved.
 We are people of emotion; people who have ups and downs; people who so often fail in matters of both flesh and faith; but salvation does not depend upon how we feel.
Too many people doubt their salvation because of guiltiness or emotions. What Christ did for you is an eternal work and as long as the blood is on the Mercy Seat in heaven, you are saved and secure. Salvation is in Christ alone and, therefore, it is settled!
d. The Person of peace is Christ; the price of peace is the blood; and the place of peace is in Christ.
Thank God for a peace with God that never changes!!
  V-15  a. "And" - Love and peace can and should cohabitate. If we love right, peace will permeate the church and your life.
b. "Let" - Let shows both possibility and personal responsibility. It's our responsibility to allow this to happen.
c. "Peace of God" - God's peace is not to be broken! Men often make peace but then break it; God does not.
d. "Rule" - Comes from a word that means the "award of arbitration:" to properly settle conflict.
e. "In your hearts" - The peace of God is not a mental thing; it is a heart thing.
f. "To the which also ye are called" - God hates division and has called us to peace within our personal lives, our families and the church we attend.
g. "One body" - Peace produces  unity, which is found  in one church body without divisions.
 
1) We are called to peace. We have, in the preceding verses, we see the unity that God desires for His church.
Peace is a must if unity is to be found in the local church. When speaking of peace within the context, Paul is referring to the body of the saints who are called to peace.
There MUST be peace within the local church body in order to do the work that is so necessary to evangelism, edification, and missions.
2) The criteria for this peace is found in the previous verses in which we are instructed to mortify, put off, put on, and fervently love.
When these things are accomplished, we will have peace within our church. This peace depends upon our resolve to both be right and do right. This peace depends upon our realization that we are brothers and sisters in Christ: a family.
3) The foundation of this peace is found in the Lord.    
I Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
3. There is an inward peace that needs to rule in our hearts. Here is the problem with an inward peace: you can have peace with God through salvation, peace with God's people, and not have personal peace in your heart.   
You see, this peace depends solely upon us.
 
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (Sanctification's peace is so important to God's children!
Much lack of peace comes from "walking at a guilty distance from the Lord."
When we walk in fellowship with the Lord, our hearts and minds are stayed upon Him and that perfect peace of Isaiah 26:3 in our hearts.)
Here are different aspects of peace.
 
a. The Peace Of God Comes Through Believing What God Has Said - 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.
1) Believing His Promise Of Salvation - Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
2) Believing His Promise Of Provision - Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
3) Believing His Promise Of Protection - Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
b. The Peace Of God Comes Through A Realization That He Is In Control - John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
c. The Peace Of God Comes Through Keeping Your Mind Stayed Upon Him - Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
(Stayed - to lean upon or to rest in - not in self; not in circumstances)
d. The Peace Of God Comes Through Spiritual Mindedness - Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if[there be any praise, think on these things.
e. The Peace Of God Comes Through Making Peace - 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
f. The Peace Of God Comes Through Being Filled With The Holy Spirit - Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,....
g. The Peace Of God Comes Through Prayer - Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
h. The Peace Of God Comes Through Obedience To Scripture - Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Are you saved today?
 
Skyline BC 
 
The Prayer of the righteous Availeth Much
James 5:16
 
Intro:  The beginning of this verse pertains to telling your spiritual needs to some one with the idea that that person is in a righteous attitude and can give you some spiritual comfort.
 The idea is to get things worked out in your life that your emotional and spiritual, and physical being may be healed. 
 
Example:   How many time have you asked someone to pray for you when you are stressed  about something, and the Lord uses that person to help comfort your heart and give you strength to go on in that situation.
 
 This is the healing process that God will use for you. 
The process of healing can come in different ways.
 But God in James says that we are to pray for one another, which has to do with other Christians.
 
 
I.  The effectual fervent prayer  V-16
The "effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much"
This righteous man is a person who has Christ in his heart and life, but in this sense it goes further than just being saved.
 It denotes a spiritual and holy life being lived before the Lord.
For instance:  I would not want to spill my guts out to someone who isn't in a holy spiritual attitude. 
That person just might  be the biggest gossip in the country.  It would be a dangerous thing for that person to give you any spiritual advice when his life isn't up to par.
 It could be dangerous for you too.
 
A.  This phrase  means  "To be serious and active in praying. 
B. It means to be earnest in prayer, not flippant
 
1.   1Th 5:17   Pray without ceasing.
a.  If you have a situation that needs God's attention, keep praying.
 
2.   Eph 6:18   Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,...
a.  Pray always and supplicate, which means to almost have a begging attitude.
b.  In the spirit, which means your attitude and your heart should be Godly.
c.  Being a spiritual person doesn't come from your outside activities, but comes from the heart prompted by your relationship with the Lord.
 
d.  That's the reason a person can be saved for years, but still  be an immature Christian, because he hasn't grown
C.  A growing Christian is lead by the  Holy Spirit through a prayerful relationship with Jesus.
d.  The more you pray the more you learn  how to be effectual and fervent.
 
Here are some things that are needed that we need to pray about.
 
II.  Pray for God's will in guidance
A.  Do you pray for God to show you things?
      Do you pray to make things happen in your life?  
      Do you pray and ask God to guide you in all things?
 
1.   Go back to.....Jas 4:13-15   Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14. Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 
15  For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
 
B.  These verses talk about praying about things that you do.  To pray  to make things  happen.  To pray about things in God's will.  To be guided by God in all things of your life.
1.  Vacation, jobs, buying a house, or car, or even a candy bar.
 
2.  Example:  Planning a vacation.  It's great to plan a vacation, but you should be praying about it all along.
a.  It isn't good that you just decide something and think it's all going to work out because of how spiritual you think you are.
b.  If you say, "well I want to go to the Ozarks for vacation and leave it go at that, and you don't ask God for guidance, God's will, money, and everything else that's needed to go, then don't be mad at the Lord when it may not work out.
 
c.  We should be praying about all of these things, then when you see things come together, and God gives' you peace in your heart, then you know it's Gods will.
 
C.  We need to pray for guidance in our lives...everyday.
 
III.  Pray for your actions
A.  What you say and what you do.
This is a real problem in the lives of Christians, because Christians can be real mean.
 
1.   Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion [is] vain.
a.  This verse tells me that I don't have the right to just tell people off  just because I am a Christian.
b.  This verse tells me that I have to learn how to speak to people in the right way, and the only way to do that is pray about what you are going to say to others.
 
1.  Example:  When someone comes to me and says I need help I pray about what to say.
2.  When someone comes to me and begins to chew me out for some stupid reason, or maybe they have a legitimate reason, or whatever, I pray in my heart right then what to say.
 
 Instead of allowing my flesh to take over, perhaps like they did, I ask God for wisdom in my speech.
3.  Did you ever know someone that flew off at the handle and you know they didn't pray about what they were saying or what they said.
C.  This verse says that they just blew their testimony in Christ, because they couldn't bridleth  their tongue. 
1.  In other words  They just couldn't keep their mouth shut when the6y should have.
2.  Have you ever done that?  I think we all have.
 
B.   Jas 3:6 And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
 
 Jas 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
1.  This verse can be related to gossip
What is gossip?  People talking about others.
2.  But it goes farther than that.  It's talking about others to destroy and to demean their lives.
3.  When someone does this, you know they didn't pray about what they were saying.
 
C.  A professor told a preacher boys class one day "that if you get up in front of people and start telling them about another person and how bad they are.  If you say that you are doing God's will in warning people, you are no better than that the Pharisee in Luke 18,     
 
Turn to... Luke 18:10-14   Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
 
Why did he say that????
 Because in... Jas 3:6 And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
 
D.  SO...before you tell someone what you are really thinking about them...You better PRAY about it and ask God if that is something that you should say.
 E.  And you know what, when you do???  You will have lived the truth of this verse.
1.  Jas 5:16   ..The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
 
I have been talking to Christians here today, but maybe you are here and have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour.  The Bible is the perfect truth of God's word, so salvations comes from the results of this perfect truth.  Not a religion or a church or works, but by the grace of God.
John 3:14-17 Says this....
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Are you saved today??
 
 
 
 
 
 
Skyline BC
 
Tarrieth By The Stuff
I Sam 30:21-25
 
21  And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them.
22 Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart.
23 Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.
24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
25 And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.
 
Intro:  Back in Ch 29 we see that  David had been camping out with the Philistines for while.  He wasn't fighting against them just being with them and in a sense just resting.
The problem was that some of Philistine Lords didn't like that David and his men were around, so they complained to Achish which was the leader of the Philistine group at that time.
So Achish went to David and praised him for being up right with the Philistines, but he had to ask David to leave because his presence was causing some trouble with the Philistine Lord's.
 
So David and his men went  back to Ziklag where their families were, and found out that the Amalikites had invaded Ziklag and took the wives, families captive and burned the city.
 
That hurt the men so much they cried to where they coudn't cry anymore and the wanted to stone David because of it.
 
So, David enquired to the Lord if he should go after them and God said go.
He took about 600 men but when they got to the brook Besor 200 were so faint they could not go, so David said stay and rest.
 
As the story goes, they caught up with the Amalikites, wiped them out except for the ones that escaped by camels.
 David got all the families back unharmed plus took of the spoils from the Amalikites.
 
On the way back he came and picked up the men that was at Besor, and then he was going to divide the spoils with all the men, but the wicked men of Belial didn't like that because they weren't part of the battle.
 
So again in V-22-25   We read   22 Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart.
 23 Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.
 24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
25 And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.
 
So as we read this story it reminds me about what God has done with Skyline and the people here for all these years.
 
 
I.  God has preserved Skyline V-23
A.  As David  told those guys that God preserved those men and families  through everything that they went through, and they should share in the spoil and  blessings.
B.  Skyline has had it's problems.  For instance...
 
1.  Financial Problems:   Where we almost had to close the doors because we were behind several months of payments and the folks here didn't even know it.
But God made a way to keep the doors open even to this day.
 
2.  People problems:  Like the men of Belial
a. There were some folks that couldn't get along here, with some others and they threatened to quit the church if those  folks that they didn't like leave the church.
b.  There were some folks that didn't agree with what the church was doing so they quit.
c.  Then there were some folks that quit and  railed on the Pastor and the Pastor's wife and were spreading lies around town about them and Skyline.
 
3.  Sickness:  Here comes Covid, which took a toll on some of the people and couldn't come to church because of that.
We were told we needed to shut down the church for a while, but we didn't  do that and I was scolded for that.
 
4.  Apathy problems:  Then there were some that had an attitude of I don't care what happens  the church whether it grows or not, and didn't lift a finger to try and help it to be better.
 
Anyway, whatever it was God still preserved this church.  Praise God for that.
 
II.  Look at the people in the story
A.  One group of men went to battle, because they were strong enough and God gave them victory.
B.  The second group couldn't go because they were too weak,  but they had a job to tarry by the stuff while the others were gone. V-24
In other words they took care of the stuff that the other soldiers did or could not take to battle.
They were as important to the Job as the soldiers that fought.
 
It's like when I was in the Army.  Some people had to stay away from the battle and be the cooks.
Some had to stay in the admin offices and organize everything. etc, etc, etc.
But they had as much right to claim the victory in the battles as much as the fighting soldiers.
 
Like when WWII ended, this whole nation claimed the victory.
 
III.  What does all this have to do with Skyline?
A.  One group here takes responsibility of the work that has to be done, and they are physically able.
B.  Another group here can't go out and do those things but can stay back and pray.
C.  Some takes care of the decorations, fellowship and food within the church functions.
D.  There are some that cleans the church and fixes things when they break.
 
All these things and more are important for the battle
 
So no matter what we all do, whether we are directly in the battle for Christ or not, we still participate in the spoil of God's blessings.
 
Back in V-24  For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
 
Do you understand how each and one of you and us are important to this place.
  
IV.  What part do we  need to do to keep SBC going
 
Turn to....
 I Cor 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
 
1.  Steadfast
2.  Unmovable
3.  Abound
 
Don't quit our labor is worth God's blessings.
 
Turn to....
 Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
 
We will be able to see our work for Jesus come alive and we will get the blessings from it.
 
 
 
Skyline BC
TithingLuke 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
 
I Cor 16:1-2 1  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
 
The word give in this verse means to commit or deliver up, which has the same connotation as to pay or make payment as the word tithe has, but without the strong concept as to make a payment.
 So whatever you are giving, which is giving to the Lord, in turn because you do that, God gives back to you, and he does it through men.
 The men in this verse could be anyone coming from anywhere.
Example:  Have you ever given money to someone that you really couldn't afford, but you do it in the name of Jesus? 
And low and behold you get a check in the mail, or something else that adds up to that amount , or even more?  And it comes from somewhere that you had no idea about.  Why does this happen????  You cannot out give God.
The word tithe only occurs twice in the NT 
1. Matt 23:23  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
2. Luke 11:42  But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Jesus was chewing the Pharisees out because they were stuck with the OT Law of tithing, and it was considered a payment like you pay a bill.  The problem that Jesus  was having with them is that the Pharisees made that more important as a law than what was really important, faith, mercy, love and things of this sort.
The word tithe is 10 percent in these verses, has the same content as the word giving in Luke 6.  You do it with intent. But the Pharisees was to actually pay under the law their tithe.
The Jewish law is gone.  When we tithe, we should give it.  I don't pay my tithe like other folks do I give it.
 
Examples:
Genesis 14:18-20
 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.  19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:  20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
Heb. 7:1-4 1 ¶ For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;     2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;     3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.    4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
There was no law here.
I began tithing shortly after I was saved and baptized in 1971. Praise God for a preacher that preached on money. I have not regretted tithing one time since I started tithing. But I did have questions...."Can I afford this or not."  The answer was always yes.
Tithing is not a scheme to raise funds. Tithing is God's plan for raising men!
 
I. IT IS SCRIPTURAL. Principle of tithing is seen even in Genesis.
Gen 4:3-5   And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.   4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:  5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
1.  The first thing that people say about Abel’s offering, that it was a blood offering, but it is also the first fruits of the flock..  A Tithe
The principle of tithing  is  giving God first, not just the net of the flock, but of the gross of the flock
It also was an expression of the coming Saviour
Cain's offering wasn't any of these things, and God gave him a chance to make it right. V-7 But he didn't
 
A. Commenced with Abraham (Gen. 14:18-20).
1.  We already read these verses, but know that people were tithing before the Jewish law started. 
2.  Some people say, "well I don't believe in NT tithing, we are not under the law like the OT saints
3.  But it has nothing to do with the law now, it has to do with the heart
B. Continued with Jacob turn to... (Gen. 28:20-22).  20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,   21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:   22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee....
Where is the law here?  Jacob purposed in his heart to give to God.
1.  Here we see it isn't so much the tithe itself is anything, but it is a holy thing unto the Lord.
2.  So any tithe is Holy
D. Committed by Nehemiah (Neh. 10:37)   37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
1.   Where are they bringing it?   The House of God.  Why?? Because of committment.       Are we committed to God in this area?
E. Charged by Malachi (Mal. 3:8-10)   Turn to...  8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
1.  Malachi was accusing the Nation of Israel for not tithing or giving, so he basically called them robbers of God.,  But then he gives them a challenge to prove God to be true in pouring out blessings.  Like Luke 6
2.  The point is the blessings, and in this sense, it is material blessings not just spiritual.
3.  Some Christians think that since we are under grace they don't have to tithe.                Some feel they can't afford to tithe.  Some say that they have worked so hard for their money that they won't just throw it away by tithing. 
And there are the ones that are just takers but not givers.  They expect to get from God, but never Give to God. They know it's right to give back to the Lord, but don't.
 
 Jesus and His Disciples practiced tithing and Giving.  They certainly were not under the law.
 Disclaimer:  BTW...Tithing is not a substitute for personal service.
 
II. IT IS SENSIBLE.
A. Why would you or I do less under grace than an orthodox Jew was required under the law? Jesus never lowered the standards of the Law. He raised them to a higher level. 
B. It's Good investment (Mt. 6:19-20).   19 ¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:   20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
A good investment is an investment in something long lasting
(II Cor. 4:18).  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
How do you think you do that?  By tithing and giving.
1. Investment in souls.
2. Investment in eternity.
C. A sign of allegiance (Mt. 6:24)   No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
1.  One of the points that Jesus is making here is 1.  If mammon  (money) is controlling you,    you wont be serving God in this area.                                                                                            2.  If you love money and don't give back to God, this shows where your love is for God.
 
III.   IT IS SPIRITUAL (II Cor. 4:18) 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
1.  In other words.. Lay up treasures in Heaven.
2.  If a person says that he or she is really Godly or spiritual person, but doesn't have a giving heart, he or she is not what they say they are according the God's Word.
A. There is a spiritual plan-- God's work (You are not spiritual when you with hold the Gospel from a world that needs it.)
B. There is a spiritual purpose-- To please God. (You are not spiritual when you use your money in a way that displeases God.)
C. There is a spiritual practice-- By not giving in to the flesh. If you do you are not spiritual when you live according to the flesh)
 
IV.  Giving Means Something to Jesus  Turn to...   Matt. 12: 41   ¶ And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.   42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.   43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:   44   For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
A.  A few things about her.
1.  She wanted to give.     Her heart was right with God.
2.  She had little next to nothing to give.  But she gave it anyway.  Her heart was right with God.
3.  She gave all the money she had.  Even what she needed to live on.  It was important to her.  Her heart was right with God.  This pleased Jesus Christ.  And I believe Jesus blessed her with what she needed too liuve on because of it.
B.  You want to be pleasing to the Lord Jesus, the one who died for you?   Be a tither...be a giver...  You want to be a spiritual person???  Be a tither...be a giver.  You want to get blessing after blessing?  Be a tither...be a giver.  You want to be right with God in this area???  Be a tither...be a giver. 
C.  Why Should you tithe...Because it's the right thing to do.
Are you doing right?  Maybe you need to commit your life in this area.
Are you saved today?
 
 
 
 
Skyline BC
 
The Blessings Of Giving
Malachi 3:8-12
 
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
 
Intro:  This morning, I am going to continue  preach on the blessings of tithing and giving.
Not just its command, but its blessings.
This matter of tithing and giving is one that strikes fear and anger into the hearts of some professing "Christians." I have heard people say, "All you Baptist preach on is money!"
 
 II Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
 
(Even among some of God's people, stewardship has become a thing of "necessity" which brings about "grudgingly" in our giving.)
 
1. Tithers do so because they believe they "have to tithe" instead of realizing the blessings and "want to tithe."
 
2. If tithing becomes a thing of necessity, their giving above the tithe becomes a thing of grudgingly!
 
 
 
D. Why do people hate the subject?
 
1. Because many religious charlatans have abused God's people through their begging tactics.
 I want to reiterate this morning that God is not broke! I do not have to nor will I beg for God!
 
 I will present a need and allow the Holy Spirit to work in the heart of His people to meet the needs of the church!
 
2. Because tithing and giving are matters that reflect the hearts of individuals!
Tithing and giving is a heart matter and shows both obedience to and love for our Saviour.
 
3. Because tithing has been preached the same way as separation, as a command instead of a blessing from God!
 
E. Tithing is beneficial to both the tither and a lost world.
If we had testimonies this morning from tithing families, they would praise and glorify God for both the ability and blessings of tithing.
 I have no regrets concerning God's precious tithe and offerings that my family gives.
 We tithe and give in the financially hard times as well as the good times because God is faithful.
 
F. Lets look at these verses for a few minutes and see both the command and the blessings of stewardship.
 
I.  Understanding The Tithe. (Don't get nervous on me now!)
Vs. 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
 
a. Tithing and Giving are placed on an equal plane! God requires both.
 
1) The Tithe - Stewardship is much more than simply "paying a bill" that amounts to 10% of your GROSS INCOME.
 First fruits mean just that. It comes before your taxes, bills, or entertainment. It comes off of the top.
 
2) The Gift - My family's giving above the tithe is more than the tithe. A man once asked me, "Just how much am I to give besides my tithe?"
The answer is this: "Whatever God requires of you!" Ten percent, twenty percent, or 100 percent.
It is all His and he will not let you starve through your obedience to His leading.
 
b. Failure To Tithe And Gives Brings A Curse!   Because you actually "rob God!"
 I saw a sign in a window of the bank  which reads:
 "What can you get for robbing this bank? Twenty five years!"  If robbery of a bank brings about such a severe penalty, how much worse is it to rob God?
 
Turn to....
Haggai 1:6-11 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
 7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.
9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.
10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.
11 And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.
 
c. Rob God and you will never prosper if you are saved!
 
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
 
II. Understanding The Blessing.
Go back  to     Vs. 10-11   10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
 
 
God did not command stewardship to hinder your finances or hurt your stand of living!
Tithing and giving is beneficial to the giver. It is a blessing, not a burden!
 
It should thrill our souls to be able to give back to God a portion of that which He so graciously has given to us.
 
James 1: 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from God.
 
He feeds us, clothes us, and shelters us!
It is God who supplies our every need and so graciously allows us to have a part in winning souls both here and on the foreign mission fields.
 
II Corinthians 9:7-11 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
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:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
 
NOW BACK TO MALACHI 3:10
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
 
a. The Blessing Of Plenty. God will POUR you out a blessing from the windows of heaven!
POUR, not trickle! POUR, not drop! God will bless you with so many spiritual blessings that you will not have room to receive it!
I don't know about you this morning, but God has blessed my family. No, we are not rich but we have enough!
God's blessings are so much more than just money.
It's having "ALL SUFFICIENCY IN ALL THINGS!" "BREAD FOR YOUR FOOD!"
 
b. The Blessing Of God Rebuking The Devourer.V-11  (Things that devour our living such as a "bags with holes.")
 
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
 
 
Turn to...
Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
(You take care of God's business and let Him take care of yours! "MULTIPLY YOUR SEED SOWN AND INCREASE THE FRUITS!")
 
c. The Blessing Of Being Blessed
. (All nations will call you blessed!)
 
d. The Blessing of Pleasing God - True stewardship is because we love God, not because we must give!
Faith in finances pleases God!
 We are trusting God with our lives and our living. "FOR GOD LOVETH A CHEERFUL GIVER!" If you want to shout, shout while the offering plate is being passed.
 Shout because God has so blessed your life. Shout because you have a chance to prove you love for and faith in God.
 
Conc: What a privilege to be able to give! What a blessing to be able to tither and give to God! Tithing and giving are truly faith and heart matters.
That's the responsibility of the Child of God.
Are you doing what God says?
Are you a tither today??
Are you a giver today??
Are you saved today and on your way to heaven? Have you received the gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ??
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Skyline BC
 
 
When We Miss Church
John 20:19-25
 
Intro: When II Thessalonians, chapter 2 speaks of the "falling away" of these last days, it speaks of more than just apostasy.  People today are falling away from Biblical truths, and Spiritual testimony.
 
1.  In doctrine.  Bible doctrine has become a thing of distaste as it is considered boring and unnecessary.
 
2.  In integrity.  Honesty, truthfulness, just plain old scruples.  People have lost self-respect!
 
3.  In lifestyle.  It matters not about morality or what our parents would have said about the corrupt society.
 
4.  In obedience.  Kids are disobedient to parents, parents disobedient to all types of authority.
 
 Not much that we can do about that, but what about the falling away in our lives.
 Church has become unnecessary to many as they are continually hit-or-miss in attendance. 
I get  that folks do not realize what they miss when they miss church.
 
 In our verses for today, we find our resurrected Lord assembling Himself with His disciples.
 
Look again at...
V- 15 "Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst"
 
 The Lord found it of the utmost importance for Him to be there with His people.
 He came because of both promise and need.
 
Matthew 18:20  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
 
E.  One disciples chose to miss "church" that night.  His name was Thomas.
He  missed one time and forever labeled "Doubting Thomas."  That was tough! 
I guess we all should be named "Doubting Thomas!"
I am sure that all of us, at one time or another, have missed a service that we could have and should have attended.
 
Thomas was disappointed and discouraged.  All of us get that way on occasions so I will give Thomas a break on this one. 
 
Thomas allowed his spiritual condition to keep him out of church that Sunday. 
I guess his attitude was "What's the use?" because his Lord had been crucified and, though he remained in disbelief at this time, Jesus had resurrected.
 
 Now let me say as a Pastor,  that there is no excuse for missing church, regardless of how disappointed or discouraged we get because the church is a place of revival and recovery!  With all that said, let's continue the story.
 
Later that week, the disciples told Thomas what he had missed and he still did not think that he had missed much.
 
John 20:25  The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
 
G.  Now, let's look at the reason, however frail it was, for Thomas' absence. 
His Lord had gone away!  These men, though they found the body of Christ gone, still had not at this point believed.
 I do not see where Thomas ever went to the Garden Tomb to see the resurrection for himself.
 
John 20:9  For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
 
"Let not your heart be troubled" was not evidenced in Thomas as he was disappointed and discouraged to the point of quitting.
 
What did Thomas miss?  What do we miss?  I am going to make this very simple this morning.
 
I. We miss the presence of the Lord.  A promise refused!
A.   He has promised that He would be in the "midst."  "Midst" means that He is in the middle; He is in the center of the congregation. 
I thank God that each time I attend church, I find the Lord here.
 
b.  The darkest night in Israel's history gave birth to the brightest Star ever born!  Jesus
 We have the presence of the Lord within but need to experience the fulness of the Lord when we assemble.
 
c.  In the darkest hour of our lives, we need to see the Lord!
 
II.  We miss the presence of the Word.  A presence rejected!
A.  Reading the Word of God together.  I love what we do here.  I read the Word to you, and you read the Word to me.
 
b.  The preaching of the Word of God.  Faith comes through preaching that comes from the Word of God.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
 
 We all need the Word of God.  The one day when just what we needed was served and we were not there to feast on it.
 
I Timothy 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
 
III.  We miss the encouragement of the Brethren.  "Exhorting one another."
A.  Singing together.  Shaking hands and enjoying each other.
 
b.  Praying together.  One of the unspoken requests of each of us should be in the area of disappointment and discouragement.
 
We are Family!  We LOVE and NEED each other! 
What a blessing, what a joy, what thrill, what a privilege we miss.
 
IV.  We miss being an encouragement to the Brethren. 
A.  An opportunity lost!
B.  We can all be an encouragement to one another when we gather together.
 
John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
 
 Thomas not only missed what he could have received, but also missed something that he could have given to or shared with others.
 Someone may have come to church today discouraged, or disappointed.
 
They may have spiritually crawled to church got out of their cars and through the doors to get in.
 
They may have needed you and me more this morning than at any other time in their lives.  AND WE CHOOSE NOT TO BE HERE! 
What a letdown to need the fellowship of God's people and look at empty places on these seats.
We need to be at church for others.
 
V. We miss the peace of God that passeth all understanding.  
A.  A tranquility missed! 
1.  In verse 19, our Lord said, "Peace be unto you." 
2.  Unto "YOU," not unto them.  
So many of God's children live in light of their circumstances. 
Life is hard at best and discouragement and disappointment are readily available.
 A personal peace that becomes the perfect peace of 
 Isaiah 26:3. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
 
Turn to.....
 
Matthew 11:28-30  (28)  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 
(29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 
(30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
 
As a child of God are you discouraged, disappointed in life or are you hurting?
 
If you are not a child of God you need to accept Jesus as your Saviour.
Why so you don't wind up in hell.
Jesus wants to live with you throughout eternity.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Skyline BC
 
JESUS: THE WORD OF GOD
John 1:1-5 
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.
3   All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4   In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 
 
Intro: The Gospel of John was penned by the aged Apostle in about 85 AD.
It was the last of the four Gospels to be written.
By the time this book was circulated among the Christian community, the other Gospels were household words.
People the world over had already the accounts of the life of Christ as recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke.
 These first three Gospels are called the Synoptic Gospels.
 The word "synoptic" means "to see together."
 This means that the first three Gospels contain many of the same stories and teachings, but told from a different angle. Yet, each fully inspired by the Lord.
 
John's Gospel is different! In the pages of this wonderful book, we see a side of Christ that the other Gospel writers do not touch on.
 John was part of that blessed inner circle. That handful of Disciples that was with Christ during some of His most intimate moments.
In this Gospel John gives us 21 wonderful chapters. Chapters that, as each unfolds, presents a new facet of His divine character.
 
In this opening chapter, John paints a picture of Jesus: The Word Of God, and it that image that we want to focus in on today. Let's look at three truths are revealed in these verses about the Word of God.
 
I. V. 1-3 JESUS IS THE PRE-EXISTENT WORD
A. V. 1 He Is The Constant Word - According to this verse, Jesus has simply always existed! He didn't come into being in Bethlehem, but He has been here throughout all the endless ages of eternities past.
(Ill. Was in verse 1 means  Jesus always has been!) Thank God He is the constant, unchanging Word of God -
 Heb. 13:8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
 
That is why the Christian can depend on Jesus. He will never fail us nor leave us
- Heb. 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
 
B. V. 1 He Is also The Communing Word - This phrase says that Jesus "was with God."
That is, He was present in the heavenlies in the presence of God, yet He stood as a distinct Person.
 (Ill. When this phrase is taken along side the other 2 in this verse, the reality of the Trinity is on display. This verse teaches us that Jesus is God, yet He is still a unique being.
 
(Ill. Jesus Christ wasn't an after thought with God. He wasn't something conjured up when things got out of control.
 
1.   Jesus was there when God moved to make man in His image
Gen. 1:26. And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:
 
2.   Jesus was there in Heaven when the plan to redeem the world was formulated
- Rev. 13:8; And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
 
 Eph. 1:4; According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
 
C. He Is The Creative Word -
V. 3   All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
This verse tells us that Jesus was the energy behind the creation of the universe. He spoke and it was! He stood on the edge of nothing and spoke all this into existence,
 
Col. 1:16-17.   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.
 
(Ill. I am grateful that this God is my God, that this Savior is my Savior! I am glad that I can know Him the free pardon of sin and that salvation is in His control.
 
E. These  truths, taken as one give us the clear teaching that Jesus is the pre-existent Word of God.
 He has always been and He always will be! Thank God, there will never be a day throughout eternity that doesn't include Jesus!
No matter where we wind up, or what we have to face as we travel through this world, we can rest assured that the pre-existent One is, and always will be, there for us.
He is the pre-existent Word of the Living God!
 
II. V. 14 JESUS IS THE PERSONALIZED WORD
 
 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.
 
(Ill. This verse is one of the clearest in all the Bible regarding the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Incarnation being a fifty cent word that simply means "the bodily manifestation of a supernatural being.")
 
A. The Manner Of His Incarnation - This verse tells us that "The Word became flesh and dwelled among us." The manner of His incarnation is a mystery.
 How could God become a man? The answer to this question lies in the mind of God alone.
 
 All we know is that God chose a virgin named Mary and caused her to miraculously conceive and bring forth a baby.
Somehow, the Word, became flesh! While Jesus himself had existed from all eternities past, He took up on Himself a robe of flesh there in Bethlehem.
The Creator was born to the creature. God placed His life in the hands of mortals. My what a scene that must have been!
 
(Ill. This verse says that God "dwelled" among us. That word is rich in meaning. It literally means that Jesus pitched His tent here among mortals. He lived among us, worked among us, prayed among us, suffered among us and died among us.
 
 The word was "made" flesh. This word carries the meaning "to appear in history, to step onto the stage." There in Bethlehem, God stepped out of eternity and onto the stage of human history.
He came a tangible proof of the existence of God and of God's willingness to save mankind.
 
When He was here on earth and through the record left to you and me, we can see that Jesus came to this world to reveal God to man. He did this through the medium of His flesh -
 1 John 1:1. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
 
III. V. 18 JESUS IS THE PROCLAIMING WORD
 
(Ill. According to this verse, Jesus came to reveal God to man.
The word "declare" means "to unfold."
 
 Every thing the Lord did was simply in an effort to unfold more of the revelation of God to man.
Men needed to see God not just as a Lawgiver, but also as one who loves.
Not only as a judge, but as a justifier. Not as some stern, hateful being, but as a saving, caring God. Jesus did just this by His life
 Jesus came to put God on display before men and He did this in two primary ways.)
 
A. V. 4-9 He Came To Proclaim Light - He came to a world in spiritual darkness and opened the curtains of grace revealing the truth of God to men wandering in darkness.
 
Jesus came to illuminate the pathway of men toward God. This light will accomplish one of two things.
It will either cause men to repent of their sins and run to the opened arms of the Lord, or it will cause them to reject the light and continue on their course of darkness.
One will lead to salvation, the other will lead to damnation!
 John 3:36! He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
 
(Ill. Thank God for the light that He gave fallen man! . And, praise the Lord, this light reaches out to all men -
v. 9! Even me!)  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
 
IV. He Came To Proclaim Life
 V. 12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
 
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
 
(Ill. John makes it clear in verse 13 that this life comes not by our natural birth (not by blood), not by our own good works (not the will of the flesh), not the work of another, (the will of man), but only through the will of God.
 
And, just what is the will of the Father? John 6:40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
 
There is only one entrance into life and that is through the Son of God.
1.  He is the Door,
John 10:9; I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
 
2. And He is the Way,
 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.
If anyone will enter into life, they will enter through Jesus!)
 
 
 
 
Conc: I can't say that I understand all these truths that are contained in this passage, but I can say that I like them pretty good!
I just praise the Lord for revealing Himself and His Father to people like us.
I am glad that an old sinner like myself can come to Jesus by simple faith and can be eternally saved by His grace.
 I may not know a lot about this old Book, but I am glad I know Jesus the Word of God personally this morning.
 
How about you? If you have never met Jesus in the free pardon of sin, now is your time.
Jesus stands ready to reveal the Father to you.
He waits for you to respond to His light so He can give you of His life.
Will you do what you need to do this morning and come to Jesus?
Ro 10:9-13   That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
 
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