Preaching

Words for Christian Living – Edification

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“Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.”  2 Corinthians 13:10 (KJV)

A lot of times as a pastor, preacher of the gospel there will be times things within the Church, the local congregation you lead with strike up a hot response in your heart.  There are things that go on sometimes that ought to make us angry.  We see a family angry at another family; one member mad with another member; and they are casting insults at one another.  Maybe one member maligning another when the other being maligned is not guilty of much, or anything that is being charged.  It could be a member you know is in personal sin.  These things should cause some anger, with self-control [temperance] from the pastor, preacher.

In the above verse Paul has expressed that he should use “Sharpness”  or “Severe reproofs and censures… the exercise of the apostolic rod” (John Gill Commentary e-Sword).  You will note his words though “To edification”.  It should never be the intent of correction, reproof, rebuke to destroy; but to always edify.  To build up takes more effort than tearing down.  Sometimes tearing down is necessary, but the ultimate end is for “Edification”

Words for Christian Living – Jealousy

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“Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”  2 Corinthians 11:1-4 (KJV)

We would not in a normal sense think of “Jealousy” as being a good thing.  However, the apostle is dealing with a people who are not strong on the doctrine of Jesus Christ alone for salvation.  We are servants of the Jealous God (Exodus 20:5; 34:14;  Deuteronomy 4:24; 5:9; 6:15).  Jealousy from God should be expected.  He created all that is.  It is proper of Him to desire the worship and adoration of His creation.

Christians should be jealous for Him.  Christian pastors and preachers ought always “defend the faith” because there is not other to worship.  We ought to be jealous for God.

Contrary to what Oprah may have said concerning the jealousy of God.  He is still a jealous God.  He alone is worthy of worship, adoration and praise.  He alone is worthy of our jealousy for His worship.  When others proclaim “Another Jesus” which is not the Jesus who died on the cross, was buried and bodily arose from the grave; and is eternally seated at God the Fathers right hand; we must speak out vehemently against that “Jesus”.  That “Jesus” is not the Jesus of grace and mercy, but another of deception.

Christian, be “Jealous” for Christ Jesus.

Through the Bible in a Year – 071413

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The Poverty of Christ:  Our Riches

I.  We Are Changed Into the Image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).

II.  Having Received Mercy,  We Do not Quit (2 Corinthians 4:1-2).

III.  Our Confidence is in the Work of Christ and His Word (2 Corinthians 5:6-11).

IV.  The Most Important Time is… NOW  (2 Corinthians 6:1-2;  Exodus 3:13-15).

V.  Our Motivation for Being Holy are the Promises of GOD (2 Corinthians 7:1;  1 John 3:2-3).

VI.  In His Poverty We are Made Rich – His Poverty; Our Riches (2 Corinthians 8:7-9).

Words for Christian Living – Speech that Edifies

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“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.”  1 Corinthians 14:1-5 (KJV)

Someone once said, “It is better to be thought a fool; than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

In Paul’s writing above he speaks of the spiritual gift of “Tongues” and “Prophecy”.  One of the things I have noticed is that many of  those who claim the “Gift of tongues” want to make it a requirement for the “Baptism of the Spirit”.  Now I am not going to get into that; just saying.  Those may have a bigger problem controlling the tongue, speaking for the glory of God, rather than cursing.

At any rate Paul says Prophesy or Preaching the Word of God for building up, calling for a decision, and comfort is something that will “Edify” the Church; while “Tongues” edifies self.  That is plenty clear to me.

As Christians our speech – the use of our tongues – is to glorify God, build up and encourage, strengthen – by calling for commitment, decision, and trust in the Lord – and comfort the Body of Christ.  Also see James 3:1-12.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Words for Christian Living – Living the Gospel

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“But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.”  1 Corinthians 15:15-18 (KJV)  

The apostle Paul did not seek to improve his stature in the Church.  His mission was to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He had the right to be paid for his labors, yet he asked for nothing.  Far too many times ministers of Christ exalt themselves in ministry.  That is an assault, and an insult against the work of God, the Spirit of God, Christianity, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is free of charge; yet it is not free, because it cost Jesus His life.

-Tim A. Blankenship  

Through the Bible in a Year – 022413

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THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

Things That Really Count
Numbers 11 – 30

In our world today everything is digital. What does that mean. Some how the “experts”, at least those in the know about such things have figured out how we can have cell phones digitally; with their towers digitally; televisions are digital now; the computers are digital.

A “digit” is defined in the MIRRIAM/WEBSTER DICITONARY as “any of the figures 1 to 9 inclusive and usually the symbol 0.”

Some how the numbers 1 and 0 are the link to it all. When you have the right equipment you can place those numbers in “cyber space”, pull them out with a CD player, DVD player, or HDTV picture, and you have music, movies in your home and over the air, sattelite TV.

We look in the Bible and we see Digital is nothing new with God. Numbers or Digits do count with God.

1. The People Count;

2. The Sacrifices Count;

3. Disobedience Counts toward Judgment (Chapters 11-16);

  • We see complaining of hunger in the numbers (11);
  • We see unbelief in the numbers (12-14);
  • We see envy of leadership (16);

4. There is a Prophet who Counted for Profit (23-25);

5. The Rock in the Wilderness Counts (20:7-11; Exodus 17:6; 1 Corinthians 10:4);

6. The Inheritance Counts for All (26-30; Romans 8:16-17).

-Tim A. Blankenship

Through the Bible in a Year – 021713

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THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

The Greatest Act of Service

Mark 12 – 16

1. Loving God and loving your neighbor (12:28-34);
2. Preparing others for what will come (13:5-13);
3. Receives the blessing of others who recognize who He is (14:1-11);
4. Gives the ultimate gift – His life for others (15:15-21);
5. Rises victorious over sin, death, hell, the grave; and justifies all who will believe (16:1-8).

-Tim A. Blankenship

Through the Bible in a Year – 021013

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THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

I Do Not Like the Old Testament, Especially Leviticus

(Reading Exodus 38 – Leviticus 18) Exodus 39:30-32; 40:34-38; Leviticus 13:1-3
I just recently realized that I do not like Leviticus. It is painful to read. It is hard to understand. It is judgmental about human life and living. It condemns me.
Even if I do not like Leviticus there are some things I can learn from it. Then I need to apply that to my life.

1. We are continually reminded that God is Holy, and that He is the LORD.
2. We are reminded again and again that we are unholy and unclean.
3. We are reminded again and again that there must be a sacrifice, or there is no approaching God.
4. We are reminded that that the most basic sacrifice is the blood of a Lamb.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Through the Bible in a Year – 020313

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THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

The Destination to Worship of GOD

Exodus 19 – 37  focus 19:1-9;  37:25-29

1.  God’s Direction and Man’s Good Intentions (19:1-9)
A.  God commands obedience in worship.
B.  Man intends worship, and fails at obedience.

2.  God Provides the Law and Commandments; Man is Religious (chapter 20:1-21)

3.  God Provides for Worship Through Sacrifice and the Tabernacle in the Wilderness (chapters 24-31)

4.  God is Gracious Through the Disobedience of His People (chapter32)

5.  God renews His Promises, and Gives Plans for the Building of the Altar of Prayer (chapter 37).

-Tim A. Blankenship

Through the Bible in a Year – 012713 Evening

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The Kingdom Coming

Matthew 20 – 26

1.  The King’s Vineyard (20)

A.  The laborers (vv. 1-19)
B.  The Great ones (vv. 20-28)

2.  The King’s Presentation (21:1-10)

A.  Cleansing the temple (vv. 11-17)
B.  Authority (vv. 18-27)

3.  The Identity of the King (22:41-46)

4.  The Ruling of the King (23)

5.  The Kingdom Coming (24-25)

6.  The Price of the Kingdom (26)

-Tim A. Blankenship

Through the Bible in a Year – 012713

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Introduction of I AM

Exodus 1 – 18 (6:1-8; 3:113-15)

1.  “LORD” is used 212 times in Genesis; 406 in Exodus; 1,890 times in the first five books of the Bible;  “I am the LORD” is used 17 times in Exodus; the first 15 are in the first 16 chapters.

2.  What is the significance of  “…But by My name JEHOVAH was I not known to them” have in our text? (6:1-3)

A.  JEHOVAH had never revealed Himself to so many in so powerful a way as He is about to do in Egypt.

B.  Though the name was known, the character, power and glory was yet to be seen.

3.  First Moses and the children of Israel would realize His power (6:6-8; 15:26; 16:12);

4.  The Pharoah and the Egyptians will know that GOD is the LORD (7:5; 7:17; 8:22; 10:2; 14:4, 18; ).

-Tim A. Blankenship

Through the Bible in a Year – 012013 Evening

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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

Through the Bible in a Year – Evening 011313

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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

Through the Bible in a Year 011313

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Mysterious Faith

Genesis 14 – 32

1.  Mystery of the Priest of the Most High God (14:17-24);

2.  God’s Promises fulfilled (15 – 21);
15:6;  16:15-16;  17:19;  18:16-33;  19:15-16;  20:1-2;  21:1-3, 12;

3.  Faith, Sacrifice, and a Bride (22 – 24);
22:1-6, 12-18;  23:1-2;  24:1-6, 34-36, 64-67;

4.  Faith, Lying, Deception, Scheming, Deceiving and Back to Faith (25 – 29);
25:5, 19-28;  26:25;  27:33-35;  28:10-15;  29:21-25;

5.  Rachel’s, Leah’s and Jacob’s Struggles; and Their Faith (30 – 32);
30:1-2, 22-24;  31:9;  32:1-2, 24-30

-Tim A. Blankenship

Through the Bible in a Year – Evening 010613

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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

Through the Bible in a Year 010613

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The following is the first outline prepared; and a short outline; which follows the daily Bible reading schedule for our church – Carr Lane Baptist .

Of course these are only summaries of each segment for the Scripture.  This is the first time in nearly thirty years of pastoring churches that I have endeavored this particular task.  My prayer is that God will use it to inspire, inform, instruct, correct, rebuke, and exhort the people of our congregation.

The Creator, the Temptation, the Fall, and the Promises of God
Genesis 1 – 13
1.  The Creation By the Creator (Chapters 1-2);
A.  1:1-2, 31
B.  2:1-3, 21-25
2.  The Tempter and the Temptation (chapter 3);
A.  3:1-6
B.  3:22-24
3.  The Fall of Mankind and the Perils of that Fall; and Grace Shown (chapters 4-11);
A.  4:1-13, 26
B.  5:1-2, 21-27, 32
C.  6:1-8
D.  7:1 – 10
E.  11:1-9,
4.  The Grace of the Creator and His Promises (chapters 12-13).
A.  12:1-3
B.  13:1-4, 14-18

-Tim A. Blankenship

Blessed is the People…

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The following is the sermon p0ints from the sermon I preached Sunday November 18, 2012.

Blessed is the People…

Psalm 89:15-18

1.  The people who know the joyful sound;
2.  The people who are in fellowship with the LORD;
3.  The people who are in the light of His countenance;
4.  The people rejoice all day;
5.  The people are exalted in His Righteousness;
6.  The people have the LORD as the glory of our strength and power;
7.  The people have the LORD as King and Defender.

-tim

The Peril of Vain Preaching

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And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, ‘Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, ‘Hear ye the word of the LORD;  ‘Thus saith the Lord GOD; ‘Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!  O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.  Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.  They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, ‘The LORD saith:’ and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.  Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, ‘The LORD saith it;’ albeit I have not spoken?  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; ‘Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord GOD.  And Mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of My people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.'” Ezekiel 13:1-9 (KJV)

Vain preaching is attempting to preach anything except what God says; and claim the “Thus saith the LORD” authority.  God says, “Mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of My people…”  Woe to the preacher; of any  day; who does not preach the Word of God.

-T.A.

The Rights of our Creator

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A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is Mine honour, and if I be a master, where is My fear; saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise My name?’  And ye say, ‘Wherein have we despised Thy name?’  Ye offer polluted bread upon Mine altar; and ye say, ‘Wherein have we polluted Thee?’  In that ye say, ‘The table of the LORD is contemptible.’  And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil, and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it now unto thy governor.  Will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person; saith the LORD of hosts?'” Malachi 1:6-8 (KJV)

Just for a note.  The above verses are the text for the sermon I will be preaching this morning at Carr Lane Baptist Church.  Today has been called, and I have also said that I was participating in Pulpit Freedom Sunday.  In the United States of America pastors have the freedom to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to stand up from the pulpit for moral values, and for moral values that have become political hot potatoes.  In the U.S. of A. we hold to our freedoms quite strongly; at least many of us do.

One thing I see among Christian people in the USA is that we often forget about God’s rights.  Does He have rights?  Most definitely.  He is the Supreme Right Giver.  We all received our rights as humanity from Him.

You will note in the Scripture text above that GOD challenges the nation of Israel to honor Him, to fear Him; but they have not.  Let us think about this matter today, and remind ourselves everyday to give GOD our very lives and being.

-T.A.

In the Days of Itching Ears

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I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”  2 Timothy 4:1-5 (KJV)

With the apostle Paul believing that his life and ministry was nearing an end he leaves a challenge with the young Timothy.  That challenge is “Preach the word…” and with it the purpose of preaching is given.  The preacher is to be ready to preach at a moments notice.  The culture and society we live in today needs the preacher to be ready.  It is fast moving.  Quickly moving toward disaster.

Paul speaks of a time when there will be teachers which will preach and teach things that will tickle the itching ears of those who do not want to hear the truth.  We are living in such a time.  People are willing to believe the fables of the time; but reject the truth, even to the point of hatred toward one God, who has a Son who died for the sinners of the world.

“Reprove, rebuke and exhort with all longsuffering (Patience) and doctrine”.  Confronting sin in God’s people, rebuking it and then teaching the people how to live for the Lord.  That is so needed in the lives of Christians today.

-T.A.

Do not Neglect the Gift

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Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.  Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”  1 Timothy 4:14-16 (KJV)

Without getting into a speal about the gift given, this verse deals with the idea of teaching doctrine; it is at least one of  the things.  Is doctrine important in the Christian life?  Most certainly.  However, I see that there are many younger pastors and preachers who are neglecting to teach the teachings of Scripture to their people; the people they lead.

How important is doctrine? “…For in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”  It is very important for the sanctification of ourselves, and the people.

-T.A.

Chief of Sinners

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And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”  1 Timothy 1:12-17 (KJV)

It is quite often we make judgments about other people’s sins.  There is a time and place for doing so, and that is after we have first examined our own lives; to be sure we are not guilty of sin; the same sin as the one we accuse.  We also need to know “I am a sinner” too, and be gracious and merciful in our judgment.

I heard the story of a preacher who had been experiencing great trouble in the church congregation.  Accusations of others sins; bitterness, and anger against others.  It had not bee too pleasant for any in that church; then, one morning following his sermon, the preacher announced, “In this evening’s service I am going to declare the greatest sinner  in this church, and the biggest problem of this congregation.  The people passed the day with anticipation.  They were eager to return to evening service that night.  “Who could it be?” was the chief thing on their mind.  “Who would the preacher declare to be the greatest offense to this church?”  It came time for the meeting, all eyes were looking elsewhere with questioning eyes, asking, “Is it my neighbor?”, “Is it the deacon?”, “Is it… ___________?”  The preacher stepped into the pulpit, began his sermon; and when he ended the message he ended by saying,  “I promised to tell you who the greatest sinner was this evening, and I will.  It is me.”

Paul the apostle saw himself as the chief of sinners.  That is how every Christian should view sin.  I have no right to condemn my brother, sister, or my lost neighbor.  We are to see ourselves as the greatest offense, the greatest sinner around.  When we see ourselves in the light as sinners having received mercy and grace, then we too can be merciful and gracious.

Just so some will know.  I am not advocating not making wise judgments, but doing so with mercy and grace.  “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

-T.A.

 

Treasure in a Field

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Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.  So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”  Matthew 13:44-50 (KJV)

Jesus gave the price of His former glory, to come to purchase His treasure with His blood.  He lived glorifying His Father; died on the cross, was buried, and rose bodily from the grave and is now forever glorified at the Father’s right hand.

-T.A.

God’s Word Today 081812

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Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; ‘Behold, I have sworn by My great name, saith the LORD, that My name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, ‘The Lord GOD liveth.’  ‘Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.  Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, Mine, or theirs.  And this shall be a sign unto you,’ saith the LORD, ‘that I will punish you in this place, that ye may know that My words shall surely stand against you for evil.’  Thus saith the LORD; ‘Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.” Jeremiah 44:26-30 (KJV)

-T.A.

In the Rule, and Fall of the Kingdoms of Men

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…In The Rule, And Fall Of The Kingdom’s Of Men

Daniel 2:24-49

purpose – To show the peril and fallacious thinking in putting confidence in the rule of man; and the wisdom in putting your confidence in God and the rule of God.

“The reason we have democracy is because we don’t have righteous-rule monarchy. We need some kind of checks and balances, which is why our government is established as it is.” Dr. David Jeremiah THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL pg. 62.

The following  is a quote from Professor Alexander Tyler which he wrote concerning the fall of the Athenian republic which fell over a thousand years ago. He said,

“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the public treasure. From that moment on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most money from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world’s great civilizations has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through the following sequence: from bondage to spiritual faith to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependency, from dependency back to bondage.” IBID. pg. 62.

One of the things we can see from the dream of Nebuchadnezzar and its interpretation is that man’s kingdoms are not eternal, they will fall; and that those who believe God and live for Him are promised a future eternal kingdom.  God’s King will overthrow the kingdoms of this world.  Now, for those who are “inhabiters of this world”, ie., those who love this world; they will be angry at our King, however,  their anger will go to naught.

INTRODUCTORY OUTLINE –

I.  DANIEL WAS A MAN WITH A HEART FOR OTHERS, AND A HEART FOR GOD (vv. 24-30).
II.  DANIEL WAS THE REVEALER GOD CHOSE TO REVEAL THE SECRETS OF THE KING’S MIND (vv. 31-35).
III.  DANIEL WAS GIVEN THE SECRET OF THE DREAMS INTERPRETATION (vv. 36-45).
IV.  DANIEL WAS THOUGHTFUL OF HIS FRIENDS AND WAS REWARDED (vv. 46-49).

During the rule and fall of the kingdom’s of men we must follow the heart of our Savior and Lord.  It was also the heart of Daniel.

I.  AS CHRISTIANS WE HAVE THE ANSWER FOR MANKIND’S PROBLEMS; WE MUST  BE LOVING TOWARD OTHERS (vv. 24-30).
The answer to governments who rule, and don’t rule well is Jesus Christ.  The answer for an empty bank account, is to trust the Lord.  These answers may not put food on the table or money in the bank, but it is the answer to peace of mind and heart.  Jesus saving the soul of troubled people changes the minds and hearts of government, eventually, Jesus will rule and reign on the earth.  Peace of mind, and especially “peace with God” is the greatest thing in this world to possess.

Do we sincerely believe that Jesus is the means of mankind’s salvation?  Do we sincerely believe that He [Jesus Christ] died on a cross, was buried, and three days later came out of that grave alive?  Christian, if you sincerely believe that then we need to be sharing that message.  Daniel had the answer for the king, but when he received the answer his immediate response wasn’t to run in declaring, “I have the interpretation.  I know the dream and its interpretation.”   His immediate response was for the lives of the “wise men”.  We live under the governments of men; which at any time could turn on its people and declare anything unlawful, and with a mad ruler could declare “Christians are unfit to live.  We declare it just and legal to kill anyone who calls themselves ‘Christian’”.  Let’s pray that doesn’t happen; but it could.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”  Acts 4:12 (KJV)

When Arioch hears of Daniel’s revelation he immediately tells the king, “I have found a man…”.  It seems as though he is trying to assume at least part of the responsiblity for discovering the secret.  I guess we all want some approval for what we do.

As Daniel we to should not take credit for what God has done.  We must give Him the glory for the answer for our hearts problems, and fears, and declare along with Daniel, “There is a God in heaven…”, and this is as opposed to statues, cash, bank accounts, health care, investments, bonds, any material possession; even family; which are temporary.  There is a God in heaven who has made all things, holds them together, and saves His prized creation from the death brought on by our sin.

We cannot avoid the issue of the “Latter days”.  What days is Daniel speaking of.  It seems that those latter days which the Old Testament speaks of is those days which referr to the coming of Jesus Christ; and beginning with His first coming where He died for our sins and rose from the dead, until the time He returns and sets up His kingdom upon earth; ruling and reigning from Jerusalem.  We are in those latter days.  If people don’t know Jesus Christ trusting Him for their eternity and life, then, they will be part of those who are crushed by the “stone cut out without hands”.

II.  WHEN UNGODLY RULERS SEE THE GREAT IMAGE, CHRISTIANS SEE THE GREAT MOUNTAIN (vv. 31-45).

“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”  Habakkuk 2:14 (KJV)

When Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed of this great image, which may be the inspiration for the design of the image he erects in his own honor in chapter three; we find that Daniel sees these things as “Beasts” in chapter seven when he begins to dream of these things.  We will cover this more when we get to chapter seven, however, the beasts which Daniel sees are devouring beasts, and that is how governments of men behave.  Not only do they devour people, but they devour people’s goods and gold.  Ruling men often see their empires as “great images” to pattern others by; God sees them as devouring beasts.

Rulers often see their kingdoms brightly arrayed, and glorious; and Daniel was respectful.  Nebuchadnezzar was a proud man, and “pride goes before destruction”.  How long will it take for wicked rulers to realize that their kingdoms cannot defeat the power and authority of God?  Only until Jesus comes again and defeats wicked men’s hearts will they continue on their slippery slope to destruction.

You will notice in the interpretation of the dream that the metals become less and less precious; less and less valuable.  The most valuable being gold down to the feet which are “iron mixed with clay”.  The kingdoms become more and more inferior.  John Calvin in his commentary of Daniel writing of the kings following writes,

“We see then that his kingdom is not called inferior through having less splendour or opulence in human estimation, but because the general condition of the world was worse under the second monarchy, as men’s vices and corruptions increase more and more.”  John Calvin Commentary pg. 173 Daniel 2:39

If this be the case and I believe that it is then, how far have we slid since then?  Kings and kingdoms seem even more set on setting themselves over all men and over all the earth and over God’s Word and will.

In the dream Nebuchadnezzar saw an image with a head of gold; arms and chest of silver; belly and thighs of brass [bronze]; legs of iron; and feet of iron mixed with clay.  These are representative of five nations which succeed one from the other, having great power, but deteriorating in moral strength and character.  The head of gold is representative of Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar; the arms and chest of silver represent the Medo-Persian empire; the belly and thighs of brass represent Greece; the legs of iron represent Rome; and the feet of iron and clay represent the future  new world order.

It is a wonderful and gracious thing to have the assurance, that all the kingdoms of this world are under the authoritative hand of Almighty God.  The world and her “rulers” may see an “great and awesome” image, but in the eyes of the Almighty they are devouring beasts.  Sounds like Jesus’s description of the “thief”,

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10 (KJV)

The Psalmist tells us where we are not to put our trust; and that is in the princes of this world; including the “prince of darkness”,

“Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.”  Psalms 146:3 (KJV)

There is no help in man or beasts.  Our help and our hope is in the Lord God Almighty.

III.  THERE IS REWARD AWAITING THE FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN IN THE KINGDOM OF JESUS CHRIST (vv. 46-49).
Jesus said, “Great is your reward in heaven” when referring to the blessed who are persecuted in Matthew 5:12.  There are other places He mentions reward; having “their own reward”, or not receiving “reward” because it was already received.  (See Matthew 5:46; 6:1-18;  10:41-42; 16:27).  God will always honor faithfulness to Himself and His Word.  He has promised rewards to the faitful.  The greatest reward is not escaping hell, death, punishment; not walking on “streets of gold” or through “gates of pearl”, or living in a “mansion” in heaven;  the greatest reward will be beholding the face of our Lord who bled, died, was buried, and rose again that we might be saved.

There is nothing wrong with expecting reward for faithfulness in ministry.  It is wrong if that is the only reason, or the main reason for doing the ministry.  The main reason for serving the Lord in ministry is loving Him, and giving the opportunity to others to love Him.  Remember we can only love Him, because He first loved us;

“We love Him, because He first loved us” 1 John 4:19.

Loving Him can stand alone; even with no other reward; because we cannot love Him, except we first realize His great love for us in dying on the cross for our sin, being buried, then rising again from the grave paying the debt that was ours to pay.

God loves you and me enough to send the very best; His Son.  He loves you so much to save us as we are; He loves us too much to leave us the way we are.

There is fear and dread in the rule of the kings and kingdom’s of men.  However, there is peace in knowing that God rules in the political, economical, social, and national affairs of kings.  The King of all kings reigns supremely.

application –

i.  Christians love others through Christ Jesus, and stand for their rights and their lives.
ii.  Christians are committed to the King of kings, and will loyally serve the kings of earth, in Christ.
iii.  Christians serve the Lord; the King of kings; because of love for Him, and are expecting the rewards He has promised.
iv.  Christians, by faith, know and believe that all things are in the hands of the Almighty God.

-Tim A. Blankenship