nail

Believe the Testimony

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

“And after eight days again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace unto you.’ Then saith He to Thomas, ‘Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust into My side: and be not faithless, but believing.’ And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.  Jesus saith unto him, ‘Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed.’
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: 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.”  John 20:26-31  (KJB)

Thomas had said, “Except I see the print of the nails in His hands, and put my fingers into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side I will not believe” (v. 25). Now Jesus appears in the midst of the disciples, and it appears that Thomas does not avail himself of that opportunity.

It does not say it in the text, but I can almost see Thomas as he said, “My Lord and my God”, bowing on his face before Jesus.  I say that because I am pretty certain that when I see the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ that will be my response.

Jesus gives a rebuke to Thomas, saying to him, “…Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed.”

Who are these folks who have not seen yet believed?

It is all those who have believed since that day following the ascension of Jesus up to the Father.  It is you.  It is me.  We have not yet seen the resurrected Jesus, but we have Believed the Testimony of the disciples/apostles, and that is because of those who were generations before us who also believed the testimony.

The testimony of Scripture.  The testimony of the Gospels.  The testimony of the apostles, and all who followed them.  Have you heard them and believed?

Nailed Down

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 22:25 (KJV)

From chapter 13 of Isaiah through chapter 23 there are a series of warnings, and judgments against nations because of their unbelief, their rebellion, their sins against the LORD. The one we see in chapter 22 is against Jerusalem, which means against the nation of Israel.

They have been living in comfort; growing in rebellion against the LORD; and cold toward righteous life, and failing to glorify God.

For instance “Shebna” (vv. 15) was a chief administrator in the house of the king. He was gaining for himself great wealth, chariots, horses, and such and even planning himself a great sepulchre (tomb) for his death; proclaiming his own greatness and power.

The people of God are to glorify the LORD, not themselves. The people of God should use their means, and wealth for the glory of the LORD in benefiting others not amassing for themselves massive homes, fancy cars, and long, costly vacations. That is what was going on in Jerusalem at the time of Isaiah’s prophecy. Does it sound familiar for any other place? Does it sound familiar for the land of the free, and home of the brave?

Let me encourage you to read this chapter (22), and note what is going on. Jerusalem was the city of David, dedicated to the purpose of the glory of the LORD; yet it had departed.

Shebna (v. 15) would be replaced by Eliakim, yet he too would be removed: (“And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.” v. 23); because the LORD has spoken it.

Israel was judged. Shebna lost his seat of authority. Eliakim gained that seat. He lost it just as the LORD had spoken through the prophet Isaiah. What God says comes to pass.  It was NAILED DOWN.

A Nail in His Holy Place

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

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.