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                              Our Glorious Resurrection
                                          John 20:1-18
 
Intro:   Once again, we come to Resurrection Sunday Morning.
Yes, I had rather call it this because Easter was a pagan holiday that was observed during bible days.
 
1. Today, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead.
 Everyday should be Resurrection Day to the child of God as we glory in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
He came, He died, He was buried, and He rose bodily from the grave for you and me.
 
2. Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, died on the cross of Calvary for the sins of the whole world.
 Every person, everywhere, in every dispensation or time, for your sins, for my sins, for the drunkard's sins, for the harlot's sins, for the gay's sins, for the drug addict's sins, and for every race's sins! Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
 
3. When Christ was placed into a garden tomb, on the third day He rose victorious over death, hell, and the grave!
 I believe that with all of my heart! I thank God for the resurrection of His Son from the dead.
 
I Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
 
4.  Without the resurrection, we would have no hope.
The resurrection has been often called "The Capstone Of Christianity."
 Without the promise of the resurrection, Christianity is just another form of religion which holds no eternal hope.
Men would die like animals and their souls cease to exist. Many cults believe this.
(I am glad that there is hope! Praise the Lord, when this life is over I will spend an eternity with the Lord in my "long home" called Heaven!  How about you???
 
Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
 
5. Without the resurrection, we would be wasting our lives in God's service.
 Paul said, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." I Cor. 15:19
 
I have not wasted one single moment that has been spent for Him! It will be worth it all when we see Christ!)
I Corinthians 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.
 
6. The resurrection was the final touch: it is finished and eternity secured for the believer! You cannot add anything to the gospel (death, burial, and resurrection) and you cannot take anything away from it.
 
The gospel is a completed work! You do not re-crucify Christ; He is not still on a cross;
He is risen as He said!
 
1. We see that sin's penalty has been paid!     I John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
 
2. We see that sin's power has been broken!    Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
 
3. We see that sin's person has been defeated!
 
Turn to...
Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
 
We that are saved ARE "risen with him through the faith of the operation of God."
There is more in that statement than we could ever perceive in our finite minds.
 
Turn to...
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
 
1. We are gloriously saved through faith in the resurrection.
Romans 10:9 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.
 
2. We are raised to walk in newness of life.
 
Turn to...
Romans 6:4-5    4. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
(5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
 
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.
 
3. We are raised to live for Christ.
 
Turn to...
 Romans 6:9-11 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
(10) For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
(11) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
 
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
 
4. We are raised to set our affections on things above.
Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
(2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
 
Turn to...
II Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (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.
 
5. We are raised to personally know Christ.
 
Turn to...
Philippians 3:7-10 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
(8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
(9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
 (10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
 
6. We are raised to spend an eternity with Him.
Colossians 3:3-4 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
(4) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
 
Turn to...
Ephesians 2:5-6 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
(6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
 
Are you going to spend eternity with Jesus?  Wouldn't you just love to walk around heaven
being a child of God with others?
 
Salivation has nothing to do with...
1.  Belonging to a certain church or a name of a religion
2.  Or being Baptized.  That does not save you  Jesus does
3.  Taking Communion does not even come close to saving you.  It has no saving power.
We take the Lord's supper to represent what Jesus did for us personally.
His blood was shed and His body was broken for the sins of the world, which includes you and me.
We do this to honor Jesus Christ for what He did on the cross.  He died and arose again to life, and solidified eternity in heaven for all who accept Him.
 
This is a beautiful day to ask Jesus into your life and accept the gift of eternal salvation.
That is what the Resurrection Sunday is all about. 
That Jesus loves you and paid the price that you wouldn't have  to go to hell.
 
 
                                          The Old Rugged Cross
                                                    Isa 53:1-7
                                               Matt 27: 27-36
 
Intro:   I like to preach the Sunday before Resurrection Sunday on the Cross of Christ.
Crucifixion was the worse form of putting a man to death during the time of Christ.    So we see Jesus suffered like no other for your sins and mine. 
God imputed the sins of the world on Jesus that day and he paid the supreme sacrifice of His body and His blood.
 
What can wash away my sins, "nothing but the blood of Jesus."
 
Jesus didn't just die.. He paid for all sins in full
Every wound had a meaning
Every drop of blood spoke of redemption
The crown took our mental battles
The stripes carried healing
The nails restored our purpose
The cross became our victory
You are not broken-- you are redeemed
You are not rejected--you are chosen
It is finished .. so we can live free
 
The death of Christ was not just suffering--it was intentional substitution
Every pain had a purpose
Nothing was wasted
Nothing was random
Everything was redemption
 
The Death of Christ Here is a list of spiritual meaning to the child of God.
 
1.  Crown of Thorns---Freedom of the mind
Matt 27:29  And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
 
Jesus wore thorns (the curse )  on  His head.  He took mental torment, anxiety and the curse.
You now have access to peace and a renewed mind.
 
2.  The Purple Robe  Restored Identity
 Joh 19:2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
 
They mocked Him as King.  He carried shame and rejection.
We now walked in dignity, identity, and spiritual authority.
 
3.  The Stripes  Healing released
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
 
He was beaten before the cross.  He carried pain and sickness.  Healing was paid for in His body.
 
4. Nails in His hands The works of  Redemption
Ps 22:16  For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
 
Your sins and actions were nailed with Him.  Your hands can now produce righteousness
 
5.  Nails in His feet We see a  Directed walk
 I Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
 
Your path and destiny are restored.  you are no longer lost---you are directed by God.
 
6.  His Pierced Side The New Birth
John 19:33-34  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
 
Blood and water flowed out.  Redemption and cleansing  released.  You are born from Christ, not just created.
 
7.  The Cross  The Great Exchange
Gal. 3:13  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
 
He took your sin, shame, and death.  You received righteousness, glort, and life.
 
8.   The Blood  Total redemption
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Lev 17:11  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
 
His blood covered every area of your life.  Nothing about you is beyond redemption.
 
9.  It Is Finished  The Debt was paid
John 19:30  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
 
The work is complete.  You don't earn salvation--you receive it.
 
10.  The Veil Is Torn Wide Open  Access To God.
Matt 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
 
Separation ended.  You can come to God anytime.
 
Concl:  We, as believers, have nothing wherein we can boast!  We were nothings when He came to us and we are nothing without Him.  Thank you, dear Lord, for the "Cross of Christ."
 
Are you saved today?  Have you been to the cross of Calvary?
             
                   
                                                       Abiding and Purging
                                                              John 15:1-5
 
1  I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
 
Intro:   John 15 mentions purging  of the branches. 
This basically means to clean and cut the dead branches off the tree or bush, so the it can grow healthier fruit. 
 
V-2  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
 
Some folks will call this pruning.
 
 By purging, We break off the unfruitful branches.
 Bad branches! 
 
2.  By purging, We trim the branch. Good branches!  Though the branch has brought forth fruit,
We trim off that which is not productive, allowing more of the sap that comes from the Vine to invigorate and grow more and much fruit.
 
a)  By purging the branches, removing the shoots and suckers that are not fruit-bearing, thus directing the sap to the part of the branches that bear.
 It not only increases the quantity of the fruit, but it also increases the quality of the fruit.
 
b) In our humanity, we often have things in our lives that hinder spiritual fruit-bearing that must be removed.
 
C.  I want to look at two pairs of verses that will explain what purging is.
 Here are two of the most quoted verses that explain this.
 
 
1.  Purging has to do with removing weights (anything that hinders us from loving and serving the Lord) and besetting sins (sins that we constantly have to avoid that are particular to us individually).
 
 Turn to...
Hebrews 12:1-2  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 
(2)  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
 
 
When we put those two verses to work in our lives, we can fulfill these next two by presenting our bodies to Christ, a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service.
 
Turn to...
Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
 (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
 
 
D.  Now, how does God purge the Child of God, His branches? 
With the Word of God. 
We should jump into the Word of God, the Truth of God that makes us free.
 Free from sin, discouragement, disappointment, doctrinal confusion, failure, and falling.
 
Ephesians 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
 
 E.  Here we find the importance of God's Word in our lives.
 
1.  Reading the Word of God.
2.  Studying the Word of God.
3.  Hearing the Word of God.
4.  Applying the Word of God.
 
 The Word of God is essential for the spiritual welfare of the believer. 
We all tend to get "a little out of sorts" at times.
 This is because, though saved, we are still human. 
The problem is not the condition; the problem is to remain in that condition.
 
Physical growth is something God does, and we can help. 
Spiritual growth is something we do, and God helps us  with this!
 
Here are two things that will stunt both physical and spiritual growth:
 
 1. A lack of appetite. Healthy children and adults will have a healthy appetite.
When a person becomes sick or old, they will often lose their appetite, and it is virtually impossible to get them to eat.
They do not eat because they do not feel like eating.
How often, at the end of a loved one's life, do people tell them they have to eat for strength, but they refuse food? Thus, the physical man and the spiritual man will lose strength.
 
2.  An appetite for the wrong things.  I love buying cakes and stuff  at Walmart. 
You know, the ones with an inch of icing and all the flowers and designs, all made of pure sugar.
  I love ice cream, which I am sure is not the healthiest of foods.
 Meat, bread, and vegetables build strong bones and muscles.
 Cake and ice cream build big bellies and fat. 
Physically and spiritually, we must eat a proper diet.
 
 H.  Abiding in Christ finds the Word of God as an imperative. 
 
 
What God's Word does.....
1. The Bible Teaches us.  The importance of the teaching of God's Word.
 We Are Taught by the Spirit of God; He teaches us by personal reading and study;
It teaches us to be faithful to the house of God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
 
A believer will never spiritually grow as they should until they become learners.
A person can go to college, spend a fortune, goof off and party, and never get an education.
 One must apply themselves to learn properly.
 
Isaiah 54:13  And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
 
Turn to...
John 6:45  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
 
2.  The Bible Enlightens us.  Helps me to understand God's Word.
 Learning can be a set of facts memorized, but enlightenment gives the learner the wisdom and knowledge it takes to excel. 
The Enlightener is the precious Holy Spirit
 
 Proverbs 4:7  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
 
Psalms 36:9  For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
 
3.  The Bible Leads us.  To follow God's lead, we need to learn to trust the Lord in His guidance.   We need to ask  the Lord to remove all our ways and force us to do His will.
 
This reminds me of...
Psalms 23:2  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
 
 Believers are free moral agents.  God has given to each of us the right of choice, but the serious child of God does not want to unknowingly make the wrong choice.
 
I sometimes ask God to close all other doors so that I have only the right door to choose.
 
Years ago when I was praying about where to pastor, I prayed Lord don't send me to the south part of the US.
Then I prayed Lord I certainly don't want to go to Mexico or any other foreign country.
But I also knew that I wanted God's will and if He sent me to any of these places, He would give me the desire and enable me to Pastor where ever He sent me.
 
I wanted to b a doer of God's Word and a doer of the work.
This reminds me of ...
 
Turn to...
James 1:22-25   22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 
(23)  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  (24)  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
 (25)  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
 
 
 
4.  The Bible Draws us.  We need to pray...Draw us near in heart through the Scriptures. 
That we may spend quality time with the Lord. 
Relationships are established by conversion.
 You speak to God in prayer and allow God to speak to you through the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.
 One of the greatest enemies of the believer in these days of plenty is the sin of covetousness.
  We sometimes say we can't help it and man I got to have it.
 
 Through the lure of the worldly things, so many believers have lost their excitement and desire for God's Word.
 
Turn to...
Romans 8:6-8   6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 
(7)  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
 (8)  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
 
 1 John 2:15-17  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
 (16)  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 
(17)  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
 
 5.  The Bible Stabilizes us.  Establishes us in the unshakable Word.
 Lord  Help us to be stable-minded instead of double-minded.   
The world and churches are full of unstable people.
 
James 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
 
1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
 
One of the most important aspects of spiritual growth, stability, and having a firm foundation is found in the Word of God.
 
 
6.  The Bible Encourages us  In the Word, in the Lord, and in the church. 
Every child of God needs encouragement.  This is why the Bible commands us to faithfully assemble.  Faithfulness and communion bring about encouragement.
 
 Turn to this familiar verse...
 
Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
 
 
Conc:  Biblical  growth makes the Child of God what he should be ********
 
So, we need to pray... Psalms 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
  
                                                    Abiding And Joy
                                           John 15:11; Nehemiah 8:10
 
John 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
 
Nehemiah 8:10  Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
 
Intro:  Joy and Happiness are not the same:
 
Happiness is circumstantial. The word itself is tied to what happens to us. It rises and falls with conditions. 
Based on outward circumstances, Temporary and changeable; dependent on comfort, success, health, money, people, etc.
 
Joy is spiritual and internal.  Joy is rooted in God, truth, and relationship with Him-not in what is happening around us. 
Based on inward assurance. Enduring and stable.  Can exist alongside sorrow, trials, and suffering
 
 Our Lord summed up His discourse on abiding in Ch 15 with one word, "Joy."  Two "joys" are mentioned in verse 11: "My joy" and "your joy."
 
John 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
 
 a) "That my joy might remain in you."  "My Joy" is the joy that our Lord finds in our abiding in Him, walking in Truth.   
 
b)  "And that your joy might be full. "Your Joy" is the fullness of joy in both the Lord and things of the Lord.
 
Nehemiah 8:10  Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
 
1)  Supply of  joy is the things of life that God has given to us.
 
 We can either endure life or we can enjoy life. 
What do you do everyday?
 
"Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord:"
 
 2)  Strength - is found in the joy of the Lord.  "for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
 
B.  What was the joy of Christ?  I want to look at the best definition that I have ever seen, and it comes from our Bible.
 
Habakkuk 3:17-19  Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 
(18)  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 
(19)  The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
 
1.  In these verses, we find both the "Cause" and "Effect" of the Christian's Joy.
 
2.  As is the case many times in the Bible, we find the order reversed.  Rejoicing, the Effect, before Joy, the Cause.
 
3.  In Verses 18-19, we find the Cause of Joy:
a)  The God of my Salvation.  True Christian Joy comes from God in the form of Eternal Salvation.
 
b)  The LORD God, is my Strength.  True Christian Joy is maintained in the spiritual Strength that comes from God, not circumstances.
 
4.  In Verses 17-18, we find the Effect of Joy:
 
a)  Though things go wrong, and they do; though life is hard and it is:
b)  Rejoicing comes from our inner fountain of Joy.
We need to get our Joy back, and rejoicing will follow without being stirred.
 
 
5.  There was a day when praise and rejoicing were spontaneous, not "worked up." 
 Rejoicing should be a spontaneous result of Joy, not the cause of Joy.
 
C.  Both rejoicing and joy are to be in our lives, despite our circumstances, not because of them! 
Most Christians live in a state of discouragement, with little joy.  Why?  The answer is simple.
 
1.  Because of Our Sinfulness - Matthew 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
 
God's people are not drunks or murderers,   but sin creeps in, and we now walk at a guilty distance from God, and the joy is gone.
 
2.  Because of Our Situations - Matthew 14:30  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
 
God's people have their eyes upon the "wind and waves" of circumstance and not upon Christ. 
When Peter looked up instead of looking down, he saw the Lord of the "wind and waves" and once again walked on the water.
 
D.  Many Christians live in defeat with no joy at all.
 
1.  For The World, Joy Is Found In Circumstances
Turn To...
 - Luke 12:16-21  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
 
 
2.  For The Christian, Joy Is Found Despite Circumstances -
 
Turn To...
II Corinthians 7:4  Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
 
 II Corinthians 8:2  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
 
Colossians 1:11  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
 
1 Thessalonians 1:6  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
 
E.  Loss of joy comes through:
 
1.  Losing the freshness of our salvation.
2.  Losing the burning love for our Saviour.
3.  Losing the excitement of our service.
WHERE THE CHRISTIAN FINDS HIS JOY
 
1.  Christian Joy Is Found In Salvation -
Turn To..
Luke 10:20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
 
Psalms 35:9  And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
 
Psalms 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
 
2.  Christian Joy Is Found In The Holy Ghost -
 
Turn to...
Romans 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
 
Joy Is Not Found In The Things Of The World -
 
Turn to...
Romans 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
 
 
3.  Christian Joy Is Found In God's Word
 
 Ps 119:11 ¶ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
 
II Tim 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
 
Reading God's Word should bring us joy and peace. But we have to read it and practice it.
We hide the Word in our hearts, that we won't sin against God, and you do that by reading it.
 
Also studying God's word will make us perfect throughly furnished unto all good works.
Knowing what it does for us brings joy.
At least it should.
 
4.  Christian Joy Is Found In Church -
 
Psalms 42:4  When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
 
a.  There is Joy Of Singing in our services, and at home with our families. -
 Psalms 95:1  O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
 
Psalms 95:2  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
 
Psalms 98:4  Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
 
 
6.  Christian Joy Is Found In Eternity - Jude 1:24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
 
 
7.  Christian Joy Is Found In Sinners Saved - Luke 15:10  Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
 
8.  Christian Joy Is Found In A Finished Course - Acts 20:24  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
 
8.  Christian Joy Is Found In The Saviour - 1 Peter 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
 
Psalms 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
 
But as a person you can't have this joy within you unless you have the Saviour in your life.
 
That's where Salvation comes from Jesus with His gift to you.
 
                                        The Fruit Contrast
                                             Gal 5:22-26
 
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
 
Intro:  One of the greatest things we have in this Christian life is what God gave us when we became a Child of God.  Besides salvation, we have the Holy Spirit that we can depend on to lead us.
Not only does He lead us, but He is the great Comforter.
He is there to provide for us and help us with  love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, and  temperance:
There are 9 of these traits, Love, Joy, peace and faith is what comes from the heart through God.  They will always be there for us to access and use.
We use these traits to help us use the last five in our daily living which we should control.
Love Joy Peace, and faith is there so we can be better at  longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
Meekness, and  temperance:
 
22. But the fruit of the Spirit  
 
 The word fruit is significant for three reasons.
(1) It means it's the result, product, outcome, or effect produced by the Spirit in the believer's life.
 
(2) Unlike "the gifts of the Spirit" (plural), only some of which are given to a Christian, each believer is to have all nine virtues composing "the fruit of the Spirit" (singular).
 
(3) As fruit on a tree takes time to grow and mature, so the Spirit does not cultivate these virtues in the believer's life overnight.  We are always having to work on these traits.
 
 Love is the willing, sacrificial giving of oneself for the benefit of another without thought of return.
 
Joy is gladness of heart.
 
Peace is tranquility of mind, freeing one from worry and fear.
 
 Long-suffering is patience with others, the opposite of a short temper, a disposition quietly bearing injury.
 
Gentleness is kindness.
 
Goodness is generosity.
 
Faith here is dependability. This is also a reaction from the heart.
Here we learn how to depend on God's grace, mercy, help and everything else we need for our daily living.
 
5:23. Meekness is gentleness, that is, courtesy and consideration in one's relations with others.
 
Temperance is self-control, that is, the ability to harness and control one's passions and lusts.
 
5:24   And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
 
 At conversion every believer crucified the flesh, that is, in repentance he turned from and renounced his life of sin and all its wicked passions.
 
This verse, then, implies that the virtues of verses 22, 23, rather than the vices of verses 19-21, should characterize them that are Christ's.
 
5:25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
 
This verse means "Since we live by the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit."
That is, since the Spirit gave us new life at conversion, we then should stay in step with His leading and promptings throughout life.
 
 
Fruit Of The Spirit: In contrast to the works (plural) of the flesh, which any individual is capable of performing, the fruit (singular) of the Holy Spirit can be produced only by God. Christian character thus results from "Christ living in me"
 
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
 
For this fruit to develop, all nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit must mature.
 
The character of Christ is the fullest manifestation of this fruit in the New Testament.
So, we need to be like Jesus.
 
Today, Christians should allow the Holy Spirit to develop this character within them, so they might be blameless before others and not hinder the testimony of Christ.
 
 1Th 5:23 ¶ And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
We are to be perfect in every aspect of our lives before the Lord until Jesus comes.
 
V-24-26  24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
 
Examples of walking in the Spirit
 
1.  Exhibiting Love   This is the love you show to everyone you come in contact with.
2.  Longsuffering     This  is the good attitude you have for others.
3.  Gentleness           This is the sweet spirit and kindness that you have to treat others with
 
When you do these things it enhances your joy and peace.
Hence you are working on the fruit of the Spirit and it glorifies the work of Christ in your life, and you become more like Jesus.
 
That's the way we should be as a child of God,, which will being happiness in your life.
 
Examples of not walking in the Spirit.
 
1.  The blame game.  You blame others for your problems.  You blame others for their problems.  You don't like what they do or how they act as a Child of God.
 
The biggest problem about this that you rub off on to other people, and  it makes them think they can be that way too.
 
This is flesh and not the fruit of the Spirit
 
2.  A critical spirit  You are critical about a lot of things.  Your husband, wife, family members, and church folks.
I've seen a lot of this critical spirit in this church over the years.
But people make the comment "Oh I'm just giving constructive criticism."
 
The biggest problem about this is that you rub off on to other people, and  it makes them think they can be that way too.
 
This is flesh and not the fruit of the Spirit.
 
3.  Personality Conceit.  This is when you believe you are a better Christian than others, and you act that way.
This might be that you are an older person, or have been saved a long time. 
Maybe you know a lot about the Bible, or been in church forever.  Who knows...
 
The idea you present yourself as one who is better than others.
 
This is called respecter of persons
 
Turn to...
 James 2:1  My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with respect of persons.
 James 2:3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
 James 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
 
The biggest problem about this is that you rub off on to other people, and  it makes them think they can be that way too.
 
So you see this is the flesh and not the fruit of the Spirit.
 
Go back to Gal 5:16-17  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17.    For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
 
Go back to    Gal 5:22-23   22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith
 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
 
Question....  How do you think you and  I should be living.  In the flesh,
or like Jesus?
 
                                       Why The  Holy Scriptures Are So Important
                                                          II Timothy 3:14-17
 
 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
 
 
Intro: In our text, Timothy is challenged to maintain a close relationship with the Word of God. 
Paul tells him of the benefits that come from such a relationship.
 He is reminded that it is the Scriptures which have taught him what he knows about God. 
It is the Word of God that has fed him and led him to this point in his life.
 The Scripture has been foundational in making him the man of God he is,
 
V. 14-15.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
He is to continue in them so that he might continue to progress as a believer and as a man of God.
 
      Friends you and I need the Scriptures in our lives as well!  If we are going to be all we can be for the glory of the Lord we need a close relationship with the Bible. 
If we are going to grow in the Lord as He wants us to, then we need the Word of God.
The verses we have read today have something to say to us about the purpose of the holy Scriptures. 
They answer, at least partially, the question of why God gave us His Word.
 
Why did God feel the need to give His revelation to the original authors of the Bible?
Why did God feel the need to exert supernatural power to inspire His Word? 
Why has He demonstrated the same supernatural power in preserving that same Word?
While I would never presume to speak for God, I believe you and I can look into His Word and see for ourselves just why God gave us His Word. 
 
  I. THEY SERVE THE PURPOSE OF REVELATION
 
Revelation is the process of God telling the original author exactly what He wanted to say.
 Of course, just as God revealed His mind to the original author, His inspired Word continues to reveal Him and His mind to all those who open the book and read it. This is what is called  illumination and it is what Timothy had already experienced, according to Paul, verses 14-15.
 
 Notice what the Bible reveals about God.)
 
A.  They Reveal God's Person - The only way God can be known by us, at least now, is through His Word. 
The Scriptures reveal God to be holy, loving, just, eternal, glorious, exalted, loving, gracious, merciful and infinitely good.
 They teach us that He is Lord, He is Sovereign, He is a consuming fire, He is terrible and a God of wrath. 
In the Bible we learn truth that man could never have come to God by himself without the Word and the Holy Spirit.  In the pages of the Bible, we meet God Himself! 
We could never know Him as well any other way.
 
B.  They Reveal God's Power - In the pages of Scripture we can read of the awesome power of God.  We can read of His power to create, Gen. 1-2;  
of His power in impossible situations, (Feeding of the 5,000 and walking on the storm);
we see His power to heal; of His power to do anything that He desires to do,
 
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,
 
C.  They Reveal God's Promises - Thousands of promises fill the pages of the Word of God, and every single one will be kept,
Rom. 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
 
 The saints of God need never fear that any of the promises of God will fail!
 (Note: Everything God does is for the glory of His name! God does nothing that does not exalt Him!
  
D.  They Reveal God's Plan - It is in the pages of God's inspired, infallible, inerrant book, the Bible that we can read of God's plan to
1.   Save the Sinner - Rom. 5:8; But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
2. Secure the Saved - John 10:28; And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
  
 II.  THEY SERVE THE PURPOSE OF REDEMPTION
 (Ill. The Bible is the unfolding of the story of redemption.  Verse 15 reminds us that the Scriptures are "able to make thee wise unto salvation."
 From the moment man sinned in the garden of Eden, there is a continuous red thread that can be traced through the pages of the Bible. 
This story of redemption culminates with the death of Christ on the cross for the salvation of the lost.)
 
A.  They Demonstrate The Wickedness Of The Sinner - The Bible is what teaches us that we are sinners in need of a Savior,
Turn to...
Rom. 3:23; But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
 
B.  They Demonstrate The Wrath Of The Sovereign God -
Turn to..
Rom. 6:23; For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
 
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.
 
.  They Demonstrate The Worth Of The Soul -
Turn To...
II Pet. 3:9;The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
 
 
D.  They Demonstrate The Way Of Salvation -
Turn To...
 ***Eph. 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:.  9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 
 
 III.  THEY SERVE THE PURPOSE OF REINFORCEMENT
 
(Ill. Verses 16 and 17 speak of the benefits that can be derived from a careful and close study of the Bible. 
 
Go back
 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works
 
The Bible serves as a reinforcement tool, helping us to grow and to develop into all that God wants His children to be.
 
A.  They Build Us Up Through The Symbols - The Bible identifies itself through several clear metaphors and similes.
 
These symbols serve the purpose of helping us understand what the Bible is and what it can do in our lives.  Let' me show  you a few of those symbols today.
 
1.   Water -
Turn to..
Eph. 5:25-27 - 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
 
As water, the Word has the power to cleanse, quench and refresh.
 
4.  A Lamp - Psa. 119:105; Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
The Word is a lamp because it shows us where we are, it guides us into the future and it keeps us from falling.
 
5.  A Sword - Heb. 4:12; For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.-
 
 Called a sword because it has the ability to pierce the heart.  It is equally effective on sinners, saints and Satan.
 
6.  Precious Metals - Gold - Psa. 19:10; Psa. 119:27; Silver - Psa. 119:127; Psa. 12:6 - The Bible is referred to as gold and silver because of its desirability, its preciousness and its value.
 
7.  Food  The Word of God is called food because it strengthens those who partake of it. 
 
A.  Milk - 1 Pet. 2:2 - As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
As milk is nourishes the young.
 
B.  Meat - Heb. 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
 - As meat it nourishes the mature.
 
C.  Bread - John 6:51 -  I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
As bread it can nourish everyone.
 
What else does the Bible do for us?
1.  It gives us comfort
2.  It gives us power  in our lives.
3.  It gives us strength to live day by day
4.  It gives us peace
5.  It shows how much God loves us
6.  Reading the Word brings upon us happiness and joy.
7.  Most of all it helps us to learn how to be like Jesus
    
 
Conc: Thank God for the Bible!  God has blessed us beyond our ability to comprehend!
 He has given us an inspired, infallible, inerrant record of Himself, His will and His ways.
 
 May we take this blessed old book, may we love it, read it and carry it in our hearts, assuring ourselves in the fact that it is the truth!  And that it will develop us, feed us, lead us and teach us all the way home to Heaven!
 
I've been mostly talking to the Child of God today.
But what about you folks that need Jesus in your life.
 
 
                                 JESUS: OUR HAVEN OF REST
                                               Matt. 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.
 
Intro: Does the word "weary" ever describe your life? Do you ever feel like you have reached the end of your rope and there simply isn't enough rope left with which to tie a knot? These are the kinds of people Jesus is addressing in these verses.
 
Chapter 11 deals with the doubts of John the Baptist, v. 1-6;
the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, v. 7-19;
and the wickedness of the cities where Jesus had been preaching, v. 20-24.
 
 He has been surrounded by those who are wearied either with their vain efforts at religion, or their equally vain struggles against sin.
These are people who need to know that there is a haven of rest.
A place to which they can run where they can rest from the labors of the soul.
 
My duty this morning is to tell you that there is still a haven of rest for the people of God and that Jesus is His Name.
 In these three little verses, there is a wealth of heavenly manna.
 If you are one of those who is "weary and heavy laden" allow me to give you some hope this morning from the blessed Word of God.
 Allow me to point you to the Haven of Rest.
There are 2 primary areas where the people of God can find rest.
 
I. THERE IS THE REST OF SALVATION
V. 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
 
A. We See The Call - In this verse we can see that there is an invitation for men to come to Jesus.
 In Him alone can one find salvation for the soul.
There is no other place to find true saving grace than in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ,
 
Turn to...
Acts 4:12; Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
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.
 
(Ill. Men seek to find their salvation in religion, in works, in goodness and in self-righteousness, but every effort of man that rejects faith in Jesus Christ alone for some other method is doomed to absolute failure -
 Eph. 2:8-9.    8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
 
B. We See The Candidates - Notice that the call of the Lord is extended to a particular group.
The group that Jesus is calling unto Himself is "all".
That is anyone, anywhere who hears the invitation from the Son of God can come and can find salvation,
 
Turn to...
 Rev. 22:17.  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
 
(Ill. Thank God He said all! If there had been any conditions placed on it whatsoever, it would probably have excluded you and me!)
 
Notice also that He called out to those who labored and were heavy laden.
 
The word "labor" refers to those who are absolutely worn out from effort, while the word "heavy laden" calls to mind those who have been pressed down by a great weight.
 
The reference here is to those who are struggling with sin and to those who are laboring under the bondage of religion and vain attempts at self-righteousness.
 
(Ill. What encourages me about this verse 28  is the fact that it is all-encompassing! It opens the door of salvation wide enough to allow whosoever will to pass through and that includes you and me!
 Sadly, though, many are still struggling to do it for themselves. They need to be reminded that their efforts will fail. Only faith in Jesus can and will save the human soul.)
 
C. We See The Covenant - Jesus promised all those who came to Him that He would give them "rest".
This word speaks of "quietness, calmness and refreshment."
 He promises to allow them to rest from their labors and their attempts at self-righteousness.
He promises to save them fully and freely by grace alone without any works whatsoever.
 
(Ill. What a blessing this thought is! When we grasp this truth, we come to understand that when we come to Jesus for salvation we truly are given rest! A rest which manifests itself in several unique and special areas.
 
1. We are given peace with God - Rom. 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
 
2. We are given rest from our attempts to please God - Eph. 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
 
3. We are given a calmness concerning our salvation - Rom. 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
 
4. We are given a quietness about our future -  John 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
 
(Ill. These are glorious promises that we have been given by the Savior!
 Thank God, there is a Rest for the Soul.  right now let's consider the Rest of Satisfaction.)
 
II.  THERE IS THE REST OF SATISFACTION
V. 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.
 
A. Satisfaction Is Found In Service - Jesus moves immediately from the picture of rest in verse 28, to the idea of work in verse 29, He does so by referring to the "yoke". The yoke was a wooden instrument that was used to connect the ox to the load which the ox was expected to pull.
Apparently, Jesus has the idea that His followers are expected to serve Him in some fashion.
 
Sadly, this is a foreign concept to many believers, but in truth, no believer will ever be fully satisfied until he or she finds themself engaged in the Lord's work.
To do anything less is to deny our destiny as Christians. You see, we are not saved by works, but work is surely expected from us after we are saved,
 
Turn to...
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.
 
Titus 2:14;  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
 
 3:8; This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
 To do anything less denies our work for Jesus and dishonors our Lord's  glory.
 
(Ill. This is one reason preachers remind folks about faithfulness and duty. There is far more to being a Christian that just making a profession of faith. 
You see, genuine salvation always manifests itself in obedience, faithful and works.
 
(Therefore, when a believer yields his/her life to the Lord in service, they will find that they will become truly satisfied in their hearts and souls. Jesus does make a difference and that difference should always be lived out!)
 
Conc: As we draw things together here at the end of this message, allow me to ask you this question:
 Does the Lord's yoke seem easy and His burden light in your life?
 If the answer is yes, then I would venture to say that you are a satisfied person.
 
If the answer is no, then . You may just need to surrender to your yoke and let the Lord have His way in your life.
 
There may be some who have never even entered the rest of salvation.
 You have been running yourself weary trying to cross every "t" and dot every "I" in an effort to please God and guarantee yourself a home in Heaven when you die.
 
 May I suggest that you just come to the Lord today and that you stop struggling and that you just surrender to the Lord Jesus and that you receive Him by faith today.
 
                                  Can I have a better year in Jesus
                                                 Col 2:6-7
 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
 
Intro:  I want to talk about some things that I believe that would help you and I to grow and get netter over the next year. 
The thing that is important is when we look  and recognize what kind of spiritual growth we had over the last year.
 What I mean by spiritual growth????  It's when we see ourelves become more Christ like by the experiences and situation of life. 
 
1.  Do I read the Bible more?  Do I enjoy reading it more.
2.   How much time do I spend in prayer?
3.   How much of my life do I give to others. Am I beginning to feel more comfortable around others?
4.   And most importantly--Do I have the attitude that I need to grow and want to see results?
 
Turn to...
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.  
 
a.  Since Jesus is our Saviour, we become His project in spiritual growth. 
Sometimes this is a battle because we have to learn how to have our sinful nature under control.
Our growth is based on how we allow the Lord to help us, and everything we do is done by our choice.
 
Everyday is a new day and every year is a new year.  We shouldn't sulk about the difficulties we had this past year. 
God has given us a new future to grow in grace.
II Pet 3:18   But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
 
It's By Our Choice!!!
Here are some other things that we can work on to have a great new year.
 
I.  Yield not into Temptation.
A.  Jesus quotes some things that we need to pray about, and one is yielding to temptation.
What is Temptation?   Anything that can convince you to decide to sin against God's will for you.
 
Turn to...
B. Mt 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
1.  The consensus of this verse is to watch over yourself, be on guard, and pray for yourself that you don't yield.
2.  This means that this verse can only be said and instructed by  Christ Himself, since He was the only person that never yielded to temptation. 
 
1.  He was tempted, and he knew what it was to be tempted, but never gave in.
2. In His flesh he had all opportunity to give in except He was never beaten by a sinful nature.  Why???  He never had one.  He was never conceived by a man, but by the Holy Ghost. 
And the Holy Ghost never had a sinful nature to pass upon Him.
 
B.  So the question is,  could Jesus still have yielded to temptation?  No!!  Does he understand our being tempted?  Yes!!
 
Turn to...
1.   Heb 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
a. Succor means:  To give aid, relieve or to help not to sin.
 
Turn to...
2.   Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
 
a.  To answer the question, with this verse we know that Jesus could have yielded, but would not.
*** Can you imagine what would have happened if He did? 
 
1.  The world would have lost it's hope of eternal life.  That would be terrible. 
2.  No salvation, no redemption, no eternal life in heaven, the devil would have won, and this life as we know it would be the most evil ever.
 
Turn to...
I Cor 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].
 
a.  This verse tells  me that you and I don't have to give into temptation.  God  gives us what we need to fight against  temptation
 
Turn to...
1.   James 1:12 Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
 
B.  So what we have to do is actively watch over  our own lives that we don't yield to any temptation. 
And God gives us all the help that we need not to.
 
One more good verse
 
Turn to...
 James 1:14, 15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
The idea is not to be enticed.  Don't ever allow yourself to get to this point.
Don't yield to temptation.
 
 
II.  Exercise yourself In Godliness
 
Turn to...
A.   I Tim 4:6-7  6   If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
 7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 
 
1   Paul is teaching  Timothy,  as a young preacher, a contrast,  to shun away from old wives fables, which in this sense we know it as gossip.
2.  He contrasts it with Godly exercising.
3.  Gossip is wrong and ungodly.  Godliness is what we should practice.
4.  Like a body builder that pumps up, we should build our spiritual lives with godliness.
 
a  I Tim 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
 
1.   Was Timothy a  man of God?  Yes!
a.   But you and I are men of God as well.  
b.  This does not denote gender here, but a neutral sense in that all Christians, whether men or women are men of God and ought to be Godly.
Turn to... II Pet 1:3 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:
 
c.  How are we to get Godliness?  By having more knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1.  Knowledge comes from reading the Bible, so we can know more of the mind of Jesus.
2.  When we know more about Jesus, we sin less, and become more Godly.
 We grow in Christ and be more like him and His character traits.
 
*** Important.   Being Godly is not a great accomplishment.  It is no secret and it is not a great task to be Godly.
1.  You don't need some kind of spiritual experience in your life to make you Godly.
2.  You don't need to read all sorts of books or pray 24 hours a day to attain some kind of ultimate experience to be Godly.
3.  You just need to know more of the heart of Jesus, and live more like Him.
4.  This will keep you from sin and you will be exercising  godliness.
 
III.  Work diligently for the Lord
The word here is work,...not shurk
 
Turn to...
A.  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.
B. Lets look at this verse.
 
1.  Be ye Stedfast... This means "holding fast to your faith."
a.   One that is stedfast is one that is solid in the faith
 
2.  Unmovable is a word that relates to being stedfast.
a.  This means no matter what happens, you or I should not move from who we are, or give up this Christian life.
 
3.  Always abounding in the work of the Lord.
a.  What is the work of the Lord?  Anything that has to do with going forward for Christ, and anything that is done for the cause of Christ.  Serving Jesus and serving others.
b.  Anything that will make you grow in the Lord.
 
4.  Abounding is bettering yourself as you go along in this Christian life.  One that always wants to do better.
5.  So when you look back to last year, How much better in growth did you have?  Did you abound or did you get worse as a Christian.
6.  It takes a constant form of work and energy  to be that way....Abounding.
 
IV.  Examine Yourself Daily
A.  We need to constantly look at ourselves to see if our lives are lining up with the life of Christ.
1.   To see if we are what we should be for God, and I dare say that we don't have to look deep.
2.   We sometimes need to have someone else look at us to get a better perspective.
Ask your husband, ask your wife.  How am I doing in my Christian life. 
****This can be tricky.  Sometimes our spouses can be too critical rather than encouraging.**** Let me talk about this....  You can really spoil the day by the way you talk about this with one another.
 
a.  Ps 139:23-24   Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
 
B.    Lord...search my heart.  How did I live my life last year.  How can I have a new me this new year.
E.  Lord help me to examine my life everyday.
 
One more verse:
 
Turn to...
II Cor 13:5   Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
 
1.  Are you in the faith...in other words are you a "born again Christian?"
2.  Do you know for sure that you are a child of God.? 
3. And yes you can know.
 
Turn To...
1  John 20:31   31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
2.   1 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.
Examine yourself...Today  Are you born again.
 
                                   A Long Time Before Christmas
                                                  Isaiah  9:6-7
 
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
 
Intro:  One of my favorite verses in the Bible is a doctrinal verse of inspiration.   II Pe 1:21   "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 
 
This verse shows that God's Word is His Word and not man's. 
It shows that the Word of God was written because of God's will and by His power and not man's. 
What is written and what is spoken is what God wants us to know.
In Isaiah verses  are prophetic verses that describes a person that was to be born in the future of this writing.  But the writer in Isaiah writes like as if the person was already present.
 
As we think about Christmas time coming up next week. We know it's going to happen 
We can see that the person writing is thinking of what's going to happen in the future, and he knows it's going to happen. 
Here in this prophetic verse we see some of the first thoughts about the future Christmas, But Christmas can't be Christmas with out the  birth of  the Christ child. 
 
I.  Unto us a Child is born  V-6 
He was to born of a Virgin  
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel
 
A.  When I read this verse, I am reminded of the Scripture in Luke 1:26-35 Turn to...
 26  And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. {highly...: or, graciously accepted, or, of much grace}
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
 
For years women may have been wondering who this woman was going to be.  Do you think that Mary had any idea it was going to be her?
 
 Turn to...
 Luke 2:10 There were shepherds in a field   "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."
1.  It is a proclamation that there was a child that was going to be born.
 It was not just any child... it is the Son of God.
2.  All down through past history we see that there was a child that was spoken of that was going to be from God Himself
3.  This Child was to have a plan.  He was going to be the Saviour of the world. 
A.  God saw that this world was going to need a Saviour because of man's sin...because of my sin, because of your sin.
B.  I praise God that He had a plan like this before I was even born. 
  
II.  Unto us a child is given
A.  When we read this verse, it reminds us of a child that was going to be given, and this giving is going to be the greatest gift from God ever.
B.  It reminds me of that great gift verse in John 3:16  "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."
 
1.  Why was this child given?  Because God loved us so much that He gave all to get us reconciled back to Him. 
He gave His Son to die that you and I could have eternal life with God. 
2.  God gave his Only Begotten Son for you and me, and when we look at that we can say that God gave it all.
God gave it all for us...Jesus gave it all for us...Jesus died that we might live.
 
C.  Two thoughts on this living.
1.  Eternally
a.  The saved In heaven with God
b. Or in hell with the unsaved
2.  With our lives.
a.  Giving our lives for a living sacrifice to God
3.  God gave Jesus as a gift to us.  Jesus gave up His life for us.
a.  What have we given to Christ
 
Let's look at these names in Isa 9:6
1.  Wonderful  Heb  pele  (peh-leh)
A.  In this sense it means Miracle
1.  Christ was the miracle Child.  He was the miracle that happened for us.
2.  We sometimes see folks that are really wicked.
 We say, "man that guy really needs to be saved."  Then someone else says..."yeah, but it's going to take a miracle."
3.  Every time someone receives Jesus, it's a miracle what happens to that person.
 
2.  Counselor  Heb  ya'ats  (Yaw-ats)
But in this sense it means more than that.  We see this word relating to a "King Counselor."
a.  So in connection to the word Wonderful, we see that this child is a great King Counselor, and these two words are connected as one phrase.
 
3.  The Almighty God   Heb gibbowr  (gib-bore)  This phrase is the strongest of all titles in Isaiah.  It means that this person is the strongest of all and not only that, but it refers to Christ as God Himself, which makes Him equal with God, which is a excellent phrase on deity.
 
4.  The Everlasting Father    Everlasting means eternal.  This child is the Father of eternity. 
This Child is Jesus and without Jesus there would be no source of eternal life for you and me. 
 
5.  Prince of Peace  Heb  Sar-Shaloam  Sar means ruler and shaloam means peace.  Jesus Christ will one day be the ruler of Peace.
 He will someday establish His Kingdom on earth, and all will be at peace because of it.
 
a.  It's like when we get saved, A peace that passes our understanding overwhelms our lives, convincing us that because of CHRIST, we have peace with God for all eternity.
 
V-6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
 
I hope that you have the peace of God in your life, and have asked Christ to come into it and save you from your sins. 
That way you can say that Jesus was born and given to you as your Saviour
  
                                      These Things
                                     II Peter 1:1-10
 Intro: This morning I want to talk about these things that we see in Vs 5-7
 
I. These things V-5-7  Read them again with me.
5  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
 
(Here is a list of what "these things", will produce in your life.)
 
A. v. 8 "These Things" Guarantee Your Fruitfulness - If "these things" are found in your life, then you will never be barren, but you will always be fruitful  for God's glory.
 
V-8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
This implies that you will talk about Jesus and be a witness for Jesus. To have great knowledge  About the Son of God.T his, after all, is the goal of our Heavenly Father -
 John 15:1-2. 1  I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
 
B.  These Things Guarantee Spiritual Discernment
v. 9a  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off
 
- Many people have absolutely no spiritual discernment. They are blind and easily lead astray, Eph. 4:14.That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
 
 But, when "these things" are active in our lives, we will be able to see the temptations of the Devil.
We will be able to see the needs of others and not be blinded by our own selfish interests.
We won't ever be blind and in spiritual darkness ever again.
 
C.  These Things Guarantee You Absolute Assurance Of Salvation -
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
 
Who among us hasn't doubted his/her salvation? We have all doubted from time to time!
 Many people are so over come with their doubts that are of no use to the Lord.
 Evidently, they lack "these things." Because, "these things" promise us that we can have assurance of salvation.
They promise us that we can get to the place where we never doubt again!
 Folks,  I want to be secure in the knowledge that I am saved.
 
D.  These Things Guarantee That You Will Never Fall Again -
 v. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
 
This verse says plainly that "these things", if practiced in our lives, will ever keep us from falling.
How many have stumbled or fell as a Christian? Every single one of us has fallen from time to time.
 But, "these things" promise us a fall free life.  Folks, I never want to fall again.
 
If "these things" can guarantee:
 
1. That I will always be fruitful.
 
2. That I will always have spiritual discernment.
 
3. That I will never doubt my salvation.
 
4. That I will never fall as a Christian.
 
Then I want to know what "these things" are. And I want to go after them and add them to my life.
 
II.  The meaning of what these things are
 
A. v. 5 Virtue - ("Moral uprightness"; "Holiness")
This word literally means "Excellent living.
In one word, God is telling you and me that if we will live by the Bible and live morally pure lives, then He will guarantee a godly life.
 
(Ill. Moral purity refers to every aspect of our lives. Physical, mental, spiritual purity must be maintained if we expect His blessings on our lives -
I Pet. 1:16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
 
B. v. 5 Knowledge - (Literally "an understanding of the truth and how to live it out.")  This word is telling us that we can have all those things we discovered by having a sound knowledge of the doctrines of Christianity and by applying them to our lives and living them out.
 
 What we are to do is this:
 
1. We are to get into the Word - II Tim. 2:15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2. We are to let the Word get into us -  1 Pet. 2:2)  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
 
C. v. 6 Temperance - This word means "self-control."
It implies that I do not do as I please, I control myself and do as the Lord pleases!
(Ill. This is one of the fruit of the Spirit
Gal. 5:23.)
 
(Ill. This has application in every area of our lives. There are few areas where we need to practice temperance:
 
1. Our Tongues - (Gossip and telling another person off) Some people are doubting their salvation, being unfruitful, falling into sin, and have no spiritual discernment because they cannot control their tongues! 
James 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.
 
2. Our Tempers - (Flying off the handle, getting mad and getting even.) Some people lack the blessings because they cannot control their temper. Temper can get you into big trouble!
(Eph. 4:26) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
 (Never think that holding a grudge, or trying to get even will help you.
 
3. Our Temptations -  Everyone is tempted -
I Cor. 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.
 
However, not everyone falls into sin! The difference is self-control!
 
D. v. 6 Patience - (Endurance) The patient person is the one not swerved from his devotion to God even by the greatest of trials.
 The patient person is one who has endurance.
 
(Ill. He is like the vine clinging to the tree during a severe storm.
When the wind is to his back, he is merely pressed more tightly against the tree.
When the wind is in his face, he is sheltered from the storm by the bulk of the tree.
 
E. v. 6 Godliness - This word literally means, "Walking in view of His greatness."
It has reference to the person who has every action and attitude yielded to the fear of the Lord. This person spends his life in a state of "God-like-ness."
He spends his days serving God and serving men.
 
(Ill. Many are in doubt, in sin, in trouble, because they reached a place in their walk with God where they just didn't care anymore what God thought about anything.
They do what they please about church, the Bible, prayer, witnessing, sin, etc.
 
Self is the motivation and not the fear of the Lord. These people have forgotten that God hears and sees everything in our lives.
 
(Ill. The person who practices godliness is one who understands that God truly is an awesome God.
He fears the Lord, and strives at every turn to please Him and Him alone,  He realizes that it doesn't matter what others think as long as God is pleased.
 
F. v. 7 Brotherly Kindness - (filadelfia - Literally, just plain old brotherly love.)
If Christians would practice the second Great Commandment, then they would experience full blessings that we all want so badly.
 Matt. 22:39,Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
 
Remember the lesson in I John 4:20-21 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (21) And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
 
 
G. v. 7 Charity -  Love in action!) He is referring to that self-sacrificing, never-ending, all-encompassing love that Jesus exhibited when He came to the earth to die for sin.
 It is that very same love that God desires to see lived out in our lives today.
 
It is also for the lack of this love that many do not have the peace and assurance they desire -
 
Turn to....1 Cor. 13:1-3.1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
 
(Ill. When a life is lived in pure agaph love, God will be first, others second and self will be relegated to last place. The single motivation of life will be to manifest the love of Christ to everyone.)
 
(Are you disappointed with these things? Were you hoping for that something big that you could do that would make you stand out as a big-time Christian? Well, when you get right down to it, these things are pretty big. In fact, they are so big that they cannot be produced in the life of an unbeliever! The lost person just cannot fake "these things!" So, if they are present in your life then rejoice!)
 
H. v. 5 Notice the word "Add."   This little word means "to supply generously." It does not teach here that we are to first get faith, perfect that then add virtue, then add knowledge, etc.
 
What it means is, that "these things" are to be practiced as a whole and every one of them is to be active all the time. God wants us to have them all operating in our lives all the time.
 
Conc: Now, we know what "these things" are and what they can do for us. The final question for today is this, "Are ALL of them present in you life today?" If you found yourself lacking in 1 or 2, or in all 7, then the person  to deal with is Jesus. Get down on your knees and beg Him to help you.
 
1. To always be fruitful.
2. To always have spiritual discernment.
3. To never doubt my salvation.
4. To never fall as a Christian.
 
Therefore, we need to seek the Lord for all of "these things."
 
Are you saved today.
You can't have God's help without the help of the Saviour in your life.
 
 
                                             Rejoice and Be Encouraged
                                                         Phil 4:1-7
 
Intro:  One of the greatest chapters in the Bible is Phil Ch 4.  This whole book has the theme of joy and rejoicing scattered through out it's pages.  Paul is encouraging the church folks at Philippi.  He calls them his joy and crown.  Joy is what God gave Paul because of the lives that he had a part in of their salvation.  He received a crown of glory or what is called the shepherds crown,  This is the crown given to preachers and Pastors for overseeing the flocks of God, which Paul was doing for the Philippian Christians.
 
Let's talk about joy for a minute.
What kind of Joy do we have as Christians.
1.  Is there joy through trials? Yes.... God produces growth and strength
2.  There is Joy of sacrificial giving of ones self.  Like Paul was explaining in
 
Turn to...
 Ch 2:17-18  17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.  18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.
 
3.  There is Joy of sacrificial giving of ones goods for the needs of others, which does the will of  God  As Paul was saying in 4:18.   But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
 
This is when we give away something to somebody, which we may not be able to afford. 
It's sacrificial giving. 
We get joy in doing that.***
4.  There is Joy in knowing Christ and experiencing His resurrection power. 
3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
 
5.  .  And there is Joy over the adequacy of Christ, which produces contentment in every circumstance of life.  
Ch 4:13,  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
19   But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
 
How do you recognize the joy in your life.  What have you done in which God gives you a joyful heart? 
 
 
 
I.  Stand Fast Ch 4 V-1
A.  Paul starts this chapter by telling the Christians to stand fast.  He comments on this a little more in
 
Turn to...Ch 1:27
   Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
 
1.  Standing fast In  One Spirit.  This basically means to get along, and have no strife.
 Act in a way that is becoming of the gospel.
 
a. God takes away blessings when there is strife among the brethren within the church.
  Not only that, if you have a bad attitude about things of God and the church, God doesn't bless you personally.
b.  I always like a sweet spirit in our services.  It makes me happy, it makes other folks happy and I believe it gives the Holy Spirit more liberty to do His work.
 
2.  With one mind and striving together  This means that we are all working together for one goal.  
a.  Accomplishing the purpose that God intended for us to do . 
Get a church built, tell people about Christ, and train Christians to grow in the Lord and mature. 
Before you can have one mind in a church you have to be  in a sweet spirit attitude. 
b.  If we always argue on how it should be done, it won't get done.
 Instead, we should do it the Bible way.  Preach the Gospel to every creature, teach Biblical growth, and be fruitful.
 
3.   For the faith of the Gospel  This means you do it for Jesus.  Not to make you look good,  or this church to look good, but to glorify Christ.
a.  We should live our Christian lives by striving together for the Lord Jesus Christ.
 Not arguing, not bickering, no strife, just living , and loving the Lord together.
 
B.  Paul makes a comment on a couple of people in that church that wasn't getting along.
 
Turn to... Ch 4 V-2   I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
1.  God deems it important to pick them out and name them.
2.  Why??? So other people in the church can know how not to act. 
3.  These were women.....  They were Godly women that must have had a problem with each other.
a.  We find out that they were just human, but it wasn't doing the church any good.
 
b.  We can understand by this that it is so important to get along with one another.
 Be of the same mind in the Lord.
c.  Paul then encourages the church to help them in this problem
 
 V-3  And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
 
1.  True Yolkfellow.  What is this?
  A Yokefellow are folks  that works together as if they were held together by an ox yoke.  An ox yoke holds two or more  oxen together, so they can share the burden of the work.
 To show the bond of togetherness in everything a church does.
b.  Believers are to work together and get along with each other as Paul was trying to indicate with these two women.
 
Joke:  Do you know what this proves???  Two women can't get along in the same house.  In this case a church house.
 
II.  Rejoice In the Lord Always. V-4
A.  What is one of the things that distinguishes a Christian from others?....
 
1.  When ones faith overrides his problems and he rejoices in the Lord.
2.  When one trusts in the Lord,  it gives him inner joy, because he knows that God is going to get him through whatever difficulty he or she has.
a.  In that sense you can rejoice.
 
3.  When there is a storm of life brewing, and you know it's going to be terrible, you can rejoice in the fact the Jesus will be beside you all of the way.
 
Example:  Sickness   Did you ever know someone that  had some sickness  that no doctor could figure out. You pray for that person, but that person makes a comment that   "I know God is helping me through this.
Did God give her this sickness???  No!  But you know that God is helping that person through to where you get better. 
When that happens you rejoice.
 
a.  Remember Paul and Silas in jail.  They were singing, praying, and praising God.
2.  When you and I consider  problems in our lives, we can rejoice and again rejoice always because God is in the middle of our problems. 
What we need to do is to look for Him during these times.
 
III.  Moderation  V-5  (Let your...) 
epieikes,  ep-ee-i-kace'   appropriate,  (by implication) mild:--gentle, graciousness       patient.
Moderation; mildness, especially towards opposers.
 
A.  The idea here is for our church to have a good reputation of our graciousness unto all men.  That means that each one of us should be gracious, be kind, be loving and any other trait that relates to this to all that we come in contact with. 
Such as our families, husbands, wives, kids, family, friends.
and people outside this church.
How can we be this way to others when we are not this way FIRST toward these folks?
 
 
a.  We need to have have moderation.  We need to have  grace. 
b. We need to have longsuffering to others.
 
5.  V-5 Let your moderation be known unto all men.  WHY????
 
The answer is ....
IV.  The Lord is at hand.
 
A.  Here is a verse
 
1.  II Cor 5:10-11  10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
 
 
B.  Jesus is coming back soon, and we don't want to be caught not having grace for others, and love for others.
 
C.  Talking about grace
 
Turn to...
1.  Eph 2:8-9    For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast
2.  God shows graciousness to us by sending His son to die for us.  We need to show this grace  to all that we come in contact with.
In other words.. Tell about Jesus and His Gospel
Do you have the grace of God in your life?  Are you saved?
Christian, do you rejoice always, Are you gracious to others.

                       Rejoice and be Encouraged  Part II
                                       Phil. 4:4-9
 
Intro:   I believe that the 4th chapter of Philippians is one of the most precious chapters in the Bible. 
 Last week in the first part of the chapter,  we got on the subject of rejoicing and encouragement
1.  We started at first talking about standing fast in the Lord.
Standing fast is trusting in the Lord's strength as you live for the Lord. Living for the Lord is the key thought here.
1.5  One of the things you can notice is that some Christians will only stand fast if it meets up and not interfere with their lifestyle.
2.  Then we talked about folks getting along in the church.
Another thing I am sure you have noticed that a way folks get along with one another is not having any fellowship at all.  Christians in this area seem to stay to themselves. 
 
3.  This way they don't have to get too close to others so not to  have any confrontations. 
But we see that fellowship is an important part of the Christian life and in the NT times they depended on each other for support.
 They wanted to be involved with others, because that was their life. 
The Christian life came first.
 
Times have changed, but the Biblical teachings and principle are still the same today.
3.  When you go to verse 4 you can see that the Bible was saying rejoice.  Paul was talking to the church in Philipi and through the instruction of the Holy Spirit, we can see that we are to rejoice together as a church with other Christians.
We should get together with each other, talk about what God is doing in our lives and rejoice together.
 
4.  Then we talked about moderation in V5.  This word moderation  means to be gentle, kind, loving.
 What kind of reputation do we have in this?
 What kind of representation do we have for the church we attend.
 When someone looks at us, or mentions our name, what do they think?
 
Now we come to the question of why should we be like this?   V-5 says that "the Lord is at hand."  What does this mean? 
 
I want to talk just a little more about this verse
I.  The Lord is at Hand  V-5
 
Turn to...
1.  II Thes 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2.  James 5:8   8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
 
Turn to...
3.  I Peter 4:7-8     7  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.   8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 
 
A.    We know that the Bible teaches that Jesus could come back anytime. 
This is the doctrine called immanency. (At any moment Coming)
1.  We are commanded to be looking for His return, not for signs
 
Turn to...
1.    I Thes 4:16-17  16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.   18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
 
B.  This should be a subject for rejoicing for us all...  The rapture is when the child of God will be taken out of this world instantly.
1.  As matter of fact.  It's going to happen so fast, we won't even know it happened until we get up there with Jesus.
2.  The problem with this, is.... what will we  be doing when it happens.
 What kind of life will we be leading?
 
Turn to...
3.   II Cor 5:10-11  10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
 
1.  This word terror doesn't mean that God is a terrorist.  It means that there will be terror in us like we have never known. 
Why?  Because we are going to stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  And His judgment will bring terror of fear.
 
1.5  That is what that word means.   phobos,  fob'-os   (to be put in fear); alarm or fright:--be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror.
2.  I have heard some people say "hey, I'm saved, I don't have to worry about this."
3.  But this has nothing to do with salvation, but it has to do with the living of our Christian life right now.
4.  Also we have to know that God sees everything we do.
The Lord is at hand.
We should be encouraged and we should watch how we live in front of the Lord Jesus.
 
II.  Be careful for nothing  V-6
A.  This is one of the best verses that there is to encourage yourself.
1.  When things are not working right, when troubles seem to plague your life, when you have no idea about tomorrow, the promise of this verse is perfect.
 
B.  Be careful for nothing means several things.
1.  Don't worry about anything  ***
2.  Don't be anxious about anything  ***
3.  Don't take one thought about anything   ***
 
C.  Do you want to know what Christians worry about the most????
1.  What's going to happen tomorrow and the things that you can't see.
2.  Not knowing the future.
3.  Not being able to plan ahead in all things.
D.  Here are some good encouraging verses from Jesus.
 
1.  Matt   6:25-34  Turn with me 
25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 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.
 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
 
This is another sermon in itself
Do you think God cares for you?   Yes
 
I Like V-26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
 
The word better has a connotation meaning more valuable
 
Example  Sparrow hitting a car whenever you are traveling****
 
 
E. Sometimes we try to find some kind of deeper meaning in  the Bible, but we forget the basics.  These verses are what God promises his children.
 
#1  Be careful for nothing
 
II.  In Everything
A.  This word has a perfect sense  of all things.
 including all the forms of all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), always, any (one),  + ever, every (one, way), as many as, thoroughly, whatsoever, whole,
1.  Everything that has to do with your life and all that surrounds you.
 
B.  What are we supposed to do .
2.  Pray
3.  Supplicate, which means to practically beg with petition.
4.   With thanksgiving.  Being completely grateful for everything that comes your way, with a sense of worship.
5.  Let your requests be made known.
a.  In other words in Heb 4:12    Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
 
b.  Eph 3:12  In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
 
  Why can we do this?
1.  Because we can
2.  Because we are his children.
3.  God wants to hear from us.  
 
IV.  And the Peace  V-7
A.  What happens when we do all of this?
1.  Peace is what happens. 
2.  Peace that passes all understanding.  In other words we can't explain the peace of God or begin to understand it's riches.
 
B.  You want chaos and confusion???  Quit praying, quit getting truths from the Bible, quit talking to God.... Live your life on your own....without him.
Don't put Him first and foremost in your life.
1.  Peace of mind comes from God.  Not when  things work out well.
2.  Peace, encouragement, strength comes from the Lord, not our circumstances.
3.  Happiness, joy, rest, and courage in life comes from the power of God.
 
C.  Three kinds of peace in this Christian life
1.  Of eternal life in heaven 
Romans 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
 
2.  Deep Peace in our hearts from the power of God.
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.
 
3.  The peace that controls your actions with the body of Christ.
Col 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.
 
V.  Shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. V-7
A.  That peace will be a guard which will keep the heart and thoughts holy and pure. 
The idea is, that by making our requests known to God, and going to him in view of all our trials and wants, the mind would be preserved from distressing anxiety and agitation.
Do you have these things...do you live by these things?
Do you rejoice...Are you careful for nothing,  Do you pray with thanksgiving? ...Do you let all of your requests be made known to God.  Are you happy???
Are you saved. 
 
                          
                                Why I Love the  Church, My Church
                                                   Heb. 10:22-25
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
 
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
  
Intro: Hebrews 10:25 is possibly the most quoted verse concerning church attendance and, like biblical separation, has been preached as a negative. 
 
Hebrews 10:25 says, "As the manner of some is." The word manner means a custom or habitual practice.
A. Today, more is said against the Bible believing churches than for the churches.
1.  Many local churches have brought this problem upon themselves by their wicked and unscriptural behavior.
 
 When it comes to Bible believing Churches in general
 
1.  Some say that  churches are full of hypocrites. 
2. Some say that the church has become a social organization.
3. Some say that the church no longer portrays the love of Christ.
 
B. There has been a great forsaking of the assembling in the past few decades with the majority of America unchurched at the present.
1. Church attendance is at an all time low with more churches and professing Christians than ever.
2. The faithful few that make up the nucleus of the local church have become fewer in number, especially Sunday and Wednesday night crowds.
 
C. The majority of the average church's outreach program is spent visiting people who professed to be saved and either make shallow excuses for missing church or have become disgruntled over some petty problem and now are permanently excused from faithful attendance.
 
Many Of These Have Religion And Not Salvation
Many Of These Are so Worldly And Carnal That they Don't recognize The Will Of God.
 
1.Some  have the love of Ephesus.
2. Some have the deadness of Sardis.
3. Some have the lukewarmness of Laodicea.
Is our Church this way???
 
D. But I still love this local church! In spite of its shortcomings and problems.
Here are some reasons why we should love our church:
 
I.  It Is The Place That God Loves -
 
Turn to...
A.   Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.
 
II.   It Is The Place Of Worship -
Turn to...A.   Psalms 5:7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
 
III. It Is The Place Of Preaching And Teaching God's Word -
 
Turn to...
A.  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.
 
4. It Is The Place Where God's People Gather -
Turn to...
Psalms 55:14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
(The greatest people on earth are here!)
 
5 It Is The Place Where Sinners Are Both Sought And Loved
At least it should be.-
 
Turn to...
Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
 
6. It Is God's Instrument For World Evangelism
Here is a good example
Turn to...
A.   I Thessalonians 1:6-8 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
 
7. It Was There That I Heard The True Gospel Preached And Was Gloriously and Eternally Saved - 
A.  Luke 18:10, 13-14 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican … 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. 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.
 
a.  When you come to Jesus, you come humbly.
b.  The sinner..., which he was an unsaved degenerate as you and I once was, if you are saved today.
1. Would not so much as lift up his eyes. His spirit was so humble and contrite.
 2.  Smote his breast. An act denoting sorrow.
 3.  Be merciful to me a sinner. A humble confession.
 
This is like a model of what happens to one that comes to Christ.
The Pharisees probably had both hands and eyes lifted up.
 
 "I'm glad I'm not like these slime balls over here.  I'm so spiritual, so spiritual."  ***
 
B. We should pray for this kind of activity in our church. To want to see folks get saved.
1.  We should anticipate this to happen here.
 
2.  Some say..."well I am not much of an inviter."
FINE!!   Hand them a flyer and refer them to this church, like you would refer a person to Walmart, or to read a good book, or like you refer a person  to a Doctor.
 
They come here and they will hear the gospel, and maybe they will  accept Jesus.
Wouldn't you like to see them experience their new life in Christ like you did? 
 
I've heard people say..."I don't know!!"  Why would they say a thing like that?  ***
I'll tell you what I think, and this is extra...  They can't relate...They have never had that experience.
Well what do you mean by that??
They have never accepted Jesus themselves.
1.  Those people go to church,  but they do not express interest to see souls saved or to see the church grow.
2.  They come to SS, potlucks, Bible Study and prayer, but you never hear them pray for lost souls.
 
Disclaimer!!!  Sometimes we get away from praying like this because of all the things we go through in our lives,  and we pray for things that we deem important to our personal lives...Nothing wrong with that.
 Also, You might be thinking, I am saved, and just because I don't pray this way doesn't mean I'm not!!
You are right!!!  I forget to pray for souls to be saved.  Things happen in our lives.  Like...
1. I got a hang nail,
2. My teeth hurt.
3.  I don't feel good
4.  Some jerk cut me off in traffic
5.  My toaster oven just quit working.
6.  I lost my job.
7.  I don't have enough money to make ends meet.
8.  I found a bug in my Latte'.  That's enough to take you mind off everything.
9.  My deodorant is not working
10.. And last but not least...."I spilt some milk today."
 
3.  All I'm saying, as a child of God, we should be interested to see souls saved and our church to grow.
So we should be mindful of adding those things in our prayer time.
 
Do you have an interest in seeing folks getting saved here?
I hope so
 
Are you saved today?