The King Building His Kingdom
Matthew 13 – 19
1. What the Kingdom is like (chapter 13);
2. The King Provides for the Subjects of His Kingdom (chapter 14);
3. The Challengers of the Kingdom (chapter 15);
4. The Doubters within the Kingdom (chapter 16);
5. The Power and the Glory of the Kingdom (chapter 17);
6. The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (chapter 18);
7. Those Who will Enter the Kingdom of Heaven (chapter 19).
-Tim A. Blankenship
Scheduled for the evening message of January 13, 2013; however, we did not have services due to sickness in the congregation.
The Greater of Jonah, and Solomon
Matthew 6 – 12
1. The Giver of a Greater Commandment (6 – 7);
2. The One who calms Storms, and Heals (8);
3. He is the One who Forgives Sin, and sends Laborers to the Harvest (9);
4. He Calls His Disciples to be Empowered for the Task at Hand (10);
5. The One who Shares our Load, and the Burden is Light (11);
6. He Speaks of a New Day of Rest (12).
-Tim A. Blankenship
Generations of Righteousness
Matthew 1 – 5
1. The Lineage of Jesus Christ (1:1-17);
2. The Birth of the Righteous One (1:18 – 2:23);
3. The Fulfillment of Righteousness (3:1-17);
4. The Trial of the Righteous (4:1-25);
5. The Words of the Righteous One (5:1-12, 17-20, 48)
-Tim A. Blankenship
Be Fruitful
Col 1:10 (KJV).Might be fruitful in every good work…
When a tree matures enough to begin bearing fruit it will bear the fruit it is supposed to bear. An apple tree will bear apples. A peach tree will bear peaches. A thorn tree will bring forth thorns. You get the picture.
People bear fruit as well. When you were a lost sinner you bore fruit which would be compared to a thorn tree – basically useless and certainly not glorifying the Lord. We all were in that “thorny situation” at one time. A sinking ship, that was going down fast.
Now, that we are saved we will bear fruit that is honoring to our Savior, and will glorify Him. What kind of fruit do Christian’s bear? 1) Evidence of a changed life; 2) Telling others about Jesus; 3) Praising God; 4) Living a holy life; 5) Displaying holy attitudes. The Christian, when sin has invaded the heart, is convicted, and immediately upon the conviction by the Spirit of God will seek forgiveness. She/he does not let sin lay around for long, but wants that fellowship with Jesus Christ sweet and glorious.
When we pray for fruitfulness in one another we ourselves will become fruitful.
Last Sunday morning we looked at the first part of the prayer Paul prayed here in the first chapter of Colossians, “…to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;“ Col 1:9 (KJV), and Sunday evening at the second part, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing” Col 1:10 (KJV).
Is this prayer important to the life of the church? Is it important that the Christians of today pray a prayer similar to this? I believe so to both of the above questions. It should be every Christian’s desire to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. It should also be our desire to walk worthy of the Lord and be pleasing to Him; glorifying Him. It should also be our desire to see all our brothers and sisters in Christ fulfilling the same. Therefore, we must pray for one another to that very effect.
The desire of Paul’s heart for this part of the prayer is that, “We might be fruitful in every good work”.
Let’s define what ‘Every good work’ is. It would seem to me that every is self explanatory, as is good, and work. Does anyone do “good works” apart from the work of Jesus Christ in us though? It is necessary that on the outward appearance, there are many who do ‘good works’, but what is meant by us being ‘fruitful in every good work’? It would most certainly mean that all the good things we do in the Spirit of God working in us, which brings glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.
A quote from John Gill, “being fruitful in every good work; saints are trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord; good works are the fruit, which, under the influence of divine grace, they bring forth; and this is not of one sort only, as trees usually do, but of every kind; being ingrafted into Christ the true vine, and deriving life, sap, and nourishment from him, they are filled with the fruits of righteousness by him, which they bring forth and bear, to the glory of his heavenly Father; and being such, they are pleasant plants to him, as fruit bearing trees are to the owner of them: wherefore, in order to the saints walking in their lives and conversations unto all pleasing, or pleasing in all things, the apostle prays they might be fruitful in good works, and that in everyone, in every kind of good works: “ (From John Gills Exposition of the Entire Bible – e-Sword).
We cannot bear fruit except we abide in the vine. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 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. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 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. 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. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.“ John 15:1-8 (KJV). Part of being in the vine and bearing fruit is getting answers to your prayers. That is seen in the above verse seven.
Let’s look at some of the fruits that we bear when we give ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. There will be evidence of a changed life, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.“ 1 Cor 6:9-11 (KJV). Note, particularly the last verse. “Such were some of you…”
2. Telling others of Jesus, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” Matthew 28:18 (KJV). This commandment/commission is for all who follow Jesus;
3. Praising God, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Heb. 13:15 (KJV);
4. Living a holy life, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” 1 Cor. 5:7-8 (KJV);
5. Displaying the “Fruit of the Spirit”, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Gal. 5:22-26 (KJV).
This fruit is not the same fruit. It is multiple fruits, and they are the good fruits of the Spirit of God, that works in us to accomplish the will of God and glorify Him.
Without knowledge which we spoke of last time, there would be no fruitfulness. Fruitfulness is a product of righteousness, which is produced through knowledge received by the Spirit of God, working in the mind, accomplishing the will of God in us. Every Christian bears fruit.
Let’s look now at how this fruit it produced.
1. Comes by union with Christ Jesus, “ 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. 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.” John 15:4-5;
2. The wisdom of God is needed, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17. John MacArthur writes, “Lack of fruit is directly related to lack of spiritual wisdom”. (From THE MACARTHUR NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARY pg. 32).
3. As Christians we must make every diligent effort, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 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.” 2 Peter 1:5-8.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Sermon notes from a sermon preached at Carr Lane Baptist Church September 17, 2006.
Be careful not to water down the word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The same blood of Jesus that was shed on His cross, that saved then, still saves today. The Gospel, nor the Word of God has changed one dot or tittle since the day it was given.
“Preach the Word. Be instant; in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine”. 2 Timothy 4:2
-T.A.
In the Old Testament the people of Israel were to worship God, and rest on the seventh day of the week. It is called the sabbath day. It was on the seventh day that God ceased in His work of creating.
As Baptists we do not see the First day of the week as the sabbath, but as the day of remembering the resurrection of our Lord. It is the beginning of a new week. It represents a New Life, and particularly New Life in Jesus Christ. We are living resurrected lives, no longer condemned under the law lives.
The following is our Statement of Faith:
“VIII. The Lord’s Day
The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord’s Day should be commensurate with the Christian’s conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28; Acts 20:7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation 1:10.”
Though this day is not the sabbath day of the Old Testament, nor one of the other sabbath days the Israelites were required to honor, we must still respect a day of rest.
The Lord’s Day has always been a day of rest in my family. We have attended worship services on Sunday morning and evening. It is a wonderful day for remembering the wonder of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is surely a sign of our departure from the Lord, that everything in the business world is doing business on this day. One day there will be the Day of the Lord where there will be judgment and that day will not be pleasant.
-T.A.
Here is our SBC Statement of Faith on “God’s purpose of Grace”:
“V. God’s Purpose of Grace
Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.
All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-8; 1 Samuel 8:4-7,19-22; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 31:31ff.; Matthew 16:18-19; 21:28-45; 24:22,31; 25:34; Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32; 19:41-44; 24:44-48; John 1:12-14; 3:16; 5:24; 6:44-45,65; 10:27-29; 15:16; 17:6,12,17-18; Acts 20:32; Romans 5:9-10; 8:28-39; 10:12-15; 11:5-7,26-36; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 15:24-28; Ephesians 1:4-23; 2:1-10; 3:1-11; Colossians 1:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10,19; Hebrews 11:39–12:2; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:2-5,13; 2:4-10; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19; 3:2.”
There are some who want to tell us that people who were saved in the Old Testament were saved by their works. That is not so. They were all saved by faith looking forward to the cross of Jesus Christ. People today are saved looking back to the cross of Jesus.
It is said of Noah, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” Genesis 6:8 (KJV). The word ‘Grace’ is found more often in the book of Genesis than in all four New Testament Gospels combined (12 times in Genesis; 4 times in Luke and John with 3 of those in John). Now, would someone tell me that the Old Testament people were saved by their works. Go figure.
The one New Testament Scripture that stands out as a favorite for all Christians is Ephesians 2:8-10. That is right I include verse ten. It is one we too often leave out. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Trust the God of grace.
-T.A.
GOD Of My Righteousness
Psalm 4:1-8
1. The Psalmist pleads with God for help remembering past helps (v. 1).
2. The Psalmist confronts the “sons of men” concerning their unrighteous behaviors (vv. 2-5).
3. The Psalmist finds rest and peace in the safety of the LORD (vv. 6-8).
I. SPEAKING FIRST WITH GOD; THEN WITH MEN (v. 1)
“He who dares to face his Maker will not tremble before the sons of men.” C. H. Spurgeon from Treasury of David Psalm 4:1
II. THE CONFRONTATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE UNRIGHTEOUSNESS (vv. 2-5)
The unrighteous see little benefit to righteousness; and love vanity and “leasing” which is lying, empty fancies, vain conceits, wicked fabrications.
The unrighteous watch for the fall of the righteous.
Stop along the way and take pause, reflect on righteousness, and the GOD of righteousness.
“The godly are the chosen of God, and are, by distinguishing grace, set apart and separated from among men.” ditto
The cry for men to search their hearts, and believe in the righteous God; and the righteousness of His Son our Savior; the sacrifice of Calvary.
III. THE DWELLING PLACE OF REST AND SAFETY (vv. 6-8)
There are many who would see; rather than believe (Matthew 27:39-44).
Jesus said, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed (John 20:29b).
There is gladness and joy in the LORD; more than just when the crops come in.
With the LORD of our righteousness there is peace, safety and sleep (Ps. 127:1-2).
Summary –
i. When the sons of God are in the righteousness of God, then we can and will stand before the sons of men.
ii. There will be confrontation between righteousness and unrighteousness; between the sons of God and the sons of men.
iii. There is peace, safety and rest for the righteous through the Lord our righteousness.
-T.A.
Preached at Carr Lane Baptist Church 08/07/11 a.m. worship.
Living in this world we often hear people ask the question, “What do we need salvation from?” As mentioned in the previous post concerning our Statement of Faith on “Man” we do believe that man is a fallen being; meaning that we have fallen out of fellowship with our Creator, and therefore, we are a condemned race. We need the salvation which only our Creator can provide us.
Here is our Statement of Faith concerning Salvation:
“IV. Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.
A. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God’s grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace.
Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour.
B. Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God.
C. Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God’s purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person’s life.
D. Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.
Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-14,29; 3:3-21,36; 5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-16; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-12:8,14; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5.”
Let me try and clarify the meaning of “Justification”. It is the act of God declaring righteousness on the believer. It is the same as God’s declaring us as “Saints”. It is certainly undeserved on our part. It is God’s declaration and the placing of the righteousness of Jesus Christ on us. Jesus Himself taking our unrighteousness while on the cross and putting it to death at His death.
It is truly a marvelous salvation.
-T.A.
The estate of man is often questioned and discussed. When it comes to knowing the truth of the matter concerning humankind, there is only one reliable source of information and that is God’s Word – the Bible. Below you will see the Baptist Faith and Message statement concerning Man:
“III. Man
Man is the special creation of God, made in His own image. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. The gift of gender is thus part of the goodness of God’s creation. In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original innocence whereby his posterity inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. Therefore, as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become transgressors and are under condemnation. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purpose of God. The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore, every person of every race possesses full dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
Genesis 1:26-30; 2:5,7,18-22; 3; 9:6; Psalms 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 16:26; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18,23; 5:6,12,19; 6:6; 7:14-25; 8:14-18,29; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19,21-22; Ephesians 2:1-22; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11.”
Originally, man was created in the state of innocence, with no sin. God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and made him a living soul.
In our Statement of Faith (BF& M) we say, “endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice”. Adam, the first man, used that freedom, sinned against God, thus condemning the whole human race – his children, grandchildren; all who would come from his seed.
Man is a totally depraved race. Without God’s grace we are a condemned race.
-T.A.
There seems to be many professing Christians who are not seeing the Trinity of God in Scriptures. The teaching is clearly revealed throughout the Word of God. The Holy Spirit is the one that many want to leave out of the picture. They only see Him as a power, an influence, but not a person of the Godhead, or the final person of the Trinity.
We Baptists believe in the Trinity, because it is a doctrine of Scripture. Many will say, “That word ‘trinity’ is nowhere used and the Bible”, and they would be correct, yet the idea is clearly presented as I declared in an earlier post. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all at work “In the beginning” (Genesis 1:1-3); the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are again clearly seen at the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3).
The following is from our Statement of Faith concerning the Holy Spirit:
“C. God the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He calls men to the Saviour, and effects regeneration. At the moment of regeneration He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.
Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11,14-16,26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Revelation 1:10; 22:17.”
It was by the Spirit of God, also known as the Holy Spirit, that we have Holy Scripture and by these we can know God, His Son Jesus, and the power of the Spirit. It is because of the Spirit that we are “Sealed until the day of redemption”,
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 (NKJV).
Without the Holy Spirit of God moving there is no one who would ever be saved and delivered from sin and its temptations. Jesus was dependent upon the Holy Spirit. It was the Spirit who led Him into the wilderness and strengthened Him for those 40 days and nights. It is by the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we know we are the children of God.
“Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” Romans 8:9b (NKJV).
The Spirit of Christ is, of course, the Holy Spirit. It is also the Holy Spirit who equips Christians to serve the Lord Jesus. He points all to Christ, glorifying Him and Him alone. He does not call attention to Himself, but to Christ. We can know that anytime anyone is magnifying the gifts of the Holy Spirit in their lives they are completely out of line with Scripture, and out of fellowship with God.
We as Baptists have often been accused of neglecting the work of the Holy Spirit, but that is not really the case. We see Him as being quietly, peaceably, behind the scenes glorifying our Savior, giving us power to live for the honor and glory of Jesus, and calling no attention to ourselves, but Jesus alone.
-T.A.
A Prince Near to GOD
Job 31:35-37
1. Job has a longing to be heard in God’s court;
2. Job is willing and does sign his petition to have the Almighty answer him;
3. Job believes that if the Almighty has written a book, then he will be found guiltless of the charges against him;
4. He would present himself as a prince near to GOD.
I. HOW CAN JOB BE CONFIDENT OF HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS BEFORE GOD? (v. 35).
II. THE BOOK HAS BEEN WRITTEN AND THE HUMAN RACE, EVEN THE “RIGHTEOUS” ARE FOUND GUILTY (v. 35).
III. WHEN GOD FINDS A MAN RIGHTEOUS WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO SHOW FORTH THE ONE WHO IS RIGHTEOUS – THERE IS A “CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS” (v. 36; 1:8; 2:3; 2 Timothy 4:8).
IV. WHEN WE ARE DECLARED “RIGHTEOUS” BY GOD WE HAVE THE RIGHT, THE POWER (John 1:12) TO COME NEAR UNTO GOD AS A PRINCE AND/OR A SON(v. 37).
Summary –
i. The only way of confidence of righteousness before God is knowing that God has declared one righteous before Him;
ii. Without the just righteousness of God we all stand guilty before sinless God;
iii. God has declare many righteous, by grace, through the work of His Son Jesus Christ;
iv. We have inherited all that belongs to Christ Jesus Himself (Romans 8:14-17).
-T.A.
The sermon points of a message preached at Carr Lane Baptist Church 07/31/11 by Tim A. Blankenship
How Should Any be Just with God?
Job 9:1-35
1. The legalism of Bildad;
a. This is the judgment of God (8:1-7);
b. Look at the issues of past history (8:8-10);
c. Look at the evidence of nature (8:11-22).
2. Job’s questions;
a. How can I be just/righteous with God? (v. 2)
b. How can stand before God in debate? (v. 3)
c. In chapter 10 he asks, “Why was I even born?”
I. JOB’S CONCLUSION IS THAT DEBATING WITH GOD IS FUTILE (v. 3).
II. THE GOD OF CREATION IS UNAPPROACHABLE BY MAN ALONE (vv. 4-15).
III. BEFORE GOD EVERY MOUTH WILL BE STOPPED/EVERY MAN CONDEMNED AS A LIAR (vv. 16-21; Romans 3:4).
IV. WITHOUT A REDEEMER WE ALL STAND GUILTY BEFORE GOD (vv. 22-31).
V. JOB AND ALL MANKIND NEEDS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN OURSELVES AND GOD (vv. 32-35).
Application –
i. Mankind in his pride, religion, moral goodness cannot stand before the just, righteous and holy GOD;
ii. As far as we are concerned He is unapproachable, because of His purity; and our impurity;
iii. All the accusations of mankind will be stopped and we shall be accounted as liars;
iv. However, there is a redeemer; He too is just, righteous, and holy; He is GOD; our “daysman” – Mediator; His name is Jesus.
-TA.
This sermon was preached in the Sunday morning worship 07/24/11
We don’t often think of a “Living stone”, though living in the Ozarks of Southwest Missouri, we joke about stones growing; and it does seem that way at times. I can remember picking rocks off the fields, carrying them off by wagon, or taking them for fill somewhere else; and they never seem to get any lower number on the fields.
Peter, the apostle, has written of vices that are not to be in the life of a Christian in verse 1 of chapter 2. We are to be growing in the “sincere milk of the word” into the image of Christ. That is “Christian” [Christ like] in living.
“To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious…” 1 Peter 2:4 (KJV)
As we look through the Bible we find the terms, “Cornerstone”, “Stumbling stone’ or ‘Stone of stumbling”, (Psalm 118:22; 144:12; Isaiah 28:16; Jeremiah 51:26; Zechariah 9:15; Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20) “Rock” (Deuteronomy 8:15; 32:13, 15, 18, 30, 31; 1 Corinthians 10:4). Those who come to this Rock, Stone to stay, to abide; those who come for Him are not as those who cast Him away, or those who crucified Him.
The Living Stone is Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God (Matthew 16:16).
For some reason there are growing numbers of people who are believing that Jesus had thousands and thousands who believed in Him, however, the truth of the matter is that He was highly rejected, by the religious establishment of the time as well as the multitudes; many of whom He fed on the mount; many of those who laid palms in His path on the day of His presentation in the streets of Jerusalem. On the day of Pentecost, there was only 120 gathered in the upper room praying (Acts 1:15). That was most likely all there were who believed in Him.
The prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled in both the life and death of our Savior. His coming, rejection by many, and His condemnation unto death are all foretold by the prophets.
He was “disallowed” (disapproved, and rejected) by the majority; showing clearly that the majority is not always right. Who in their right mind could reject so much love, kindness, and such a great salvation which is provided through His death, burial and resurrection? Only those who cannot see clearly; those who are blinded by their sin.
He is the chosen One of GOD; and He is precious, unique, no other like Him. The only precious, Son of GOD.
I pray He is precious to to you. That you have come to Him to stay, to abide with Him forever.
-T.A.
A Nail in His Holy Place
Ezra 9:5-15 (v. 8 )
1. Verses 5-15 is a prayer of Ezra for the people who have been in captivity, having disobeyed God in the matter of holiness, and sanctity (9:1-2).
2. Ezra was grieved by the disobedience of Israel, and even at this time in Jerusalem there were things which needed to be corrected (v. 3).
3. Those who were trembling because of the disobedience joined Ezra in the mourning, and prayer to GOD of Israel (v. 4).
4. It was at the time of the evening sacrifice, and Ezra fell on his knees, and spread out his hands to GOD (v. 5).
I. THERE IS SHAME FOR THE BEHAVIOR, AND DISOBEDIENCE OF GOD’S PEOPLE (vv. 6-7; 2 Cor. 6:17-18).
II. GRACE AND SECURITY ARE GIVEN TO THE REMNANT OF GOD’S PEOPLE – THE NAIL [PEG[ IN HIS HOLY PLACE (v. 8).
III. GOD’S PEOPLE GRIEVE OVER FORSAKING THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD (vv. 9-14).
IV. BECAUSE OF SIN NO ONE CAN STAND BEFORE THE RIGHTEOUS GOD (v. 15)
Summary –
i. Christians of our day need to be ashamed of our own sin;
ii. We rest assured in the security of the Nail of Jesus Christ who holds us in His hand from which no one can snatch us out of the Father’s hand;
iii. The reason for the lack of holiness, sanctification in the church is not related to the sins of a lost world;
iv. It is related, and the sole responsibility of the Christian who refuses to grieve over their own sin.
v. Remember it is the Nail of His holy place which keeps us in grace – and the Nail has a name; His name is JESUS (Isaiah 22:21-25)
-T.A.
This message was preached at Carr Lane Baptist Church Sunday July 17, 2011 – Morning sermon.
Where There is Liberty
2 Corinthians 3:17
References – Gal. 2:4; 5:1, 13; John 8:32; James 1:25; Isaiah 61:2;
1. The Spirit blinds eyes of rebellion (3:14-15).
2. The Spirit is the veil that hides the fading glory of the Old covenant (3:13, 15)
3. The Spirit is the means of the liberty of the soul (3:16).
I. THERE IS LIBERTY, FREEDOM, IN CHRIST THROUGH THE SPIRIT.
II. THERE IS LIBERTY FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN AND DEATH.
III. THERE IS LIBERTY FROM THE CONDEMNATION OF THE LAW (Gal. 2:4).
IV. THERE IS LIBERTY WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS (Gal. 5:1).
V. WHERE THERE IS LIBERTY THERE IS RESPONSIBILITY (Gal. 5:13).
Summary –
i. True freedom comes only in yeilding one’s life to Jesus Christ as Master and Lord.
ii. True freedom liberates from sin’s bondage and death.
iii. There is liberty in the faith of Jesus Christ.
iv. True freedom gives liberty to make clear, godly, righteous decisions.
-T.A.
Sunday morning sermon points preached at Carr Lane Baptist Church July 03, 2011.
When I look at our society today I see so many who are quickly perishing, and are completely unaware of it. Why do I say they are unaware of it? They live as though there was no end. They live as though there is no God. They live as though they will answer to no one.
We are all fickle at times. We can so easily be led astray, be deceived and deluded. There is something we all must realize and that is, that, there is more to life, than “Me”. “Me” will one day end, and then what. Hear what the apostle Peter has written,
“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1:24-25 (KJV).
It is a terrible thing for man who is quickly perishing to give so much confidence and power to things which we cannot take with us. I heard the story of a woman who was married to a wealthy man, on his death bed, who wasn’t leaving anything to her, and wanted it all cashed out before he died and, then, put into his coffin with him at his burial. She went and cashed everything out, and the day of the funeral put a box in the coffin before they closed the lid. A friend who was with her asked, “What was in the box?”, and she proceeded to tell her of her deceased husband’s request, and that she had placed it in the box. She went on to say, “I deposited the money in my checking account, and wrote him a check. Now he can cash it any time he chooses.”
Any one with any sense knows when you die, that, silver, gold, or paper money will be of no service to you. It too will rot, rust, decay, and one day blow away in the wind with the rest of the dust.
There is only the “word of the Lord” that endures for ever, and that will be in the lives of those who put their faith and trust in Him through His Son Jesus Christ, and His death, burial and resurrection. “Forever, O LORD, Thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89). Those who will come to God the Father through God the Son will have an eternity with Him in glory. Call on His name today.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Hear the prophet –
“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” Jeremiah 6:16 (KJV)
I ask again, “Is anything really new?”
-Tim A. Blankenship
Shame is a word that has almost fallen by the way. Who uses the word “shame” anymore? You don’t hear it much. “You ought to be ashamed” a mother would say to a child who had just kicked a sibling, or a neighbor, or a friend. “Shame on you” some Dad would say to his son when he argued and disobeyed his mother, and then would get a whipping.
Jeremiah the prophet writes,
“Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 6:15 (KJV)
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 