First Words Of The Lord Jesus Christ
July 14, 2007
Text: Mark 1:21-22 & John 7:45-46.
Mk 1:21-22 “And they went into Capernaum; & straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority & not as the scribes”
Jn 7:45-46 “Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.”
Introduction:
Mt 12:34 “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
THINK OF THE POWER OF WORDS.
A. Hitler whipped Germany into a frenzy of hate with words harshly spoken.
1. Roosevelt roused America with his fireside chats.
B. Preachers have led thousands into the Kingdom of God by their words.
1. Johnathan Edwards – in a monotone.
2. Whitefield – with his powerful voice.
3. Wesley – moving messages.
4. Spurgeon – great eloquence.
5. Billy Sunday – with great dynamics.
BUT OH THE WORDS OF JESUS.
THE SOFTNESS OF A MOTHER.
THE ELOQUENCE OF A STATESMAN.
THE BEAUTY OF AN ANGEL.
NO MAN EVER SPOKE LIKE JESUS SPEAKS.
I. KNOW YE NOT THAT I MUST BE ABOUT MY FATHER’S BUSINESS. Luke 2:49
A. THAT WAS JESUS AT THE AGE OF 12 YEAR
1. At Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover.
2. Jesus left behind.
3. Mary & Joseph found him they rebuked him and Jesus answers Know ye not that I must be about my Fathers Business
B. THROUGH LIFE KEPT THAT SAME SPIRIT
Jn 9:4 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”
C. HIS BUSINESS IS STILL THE GREATEST ON EARTH.
1. Greater than GM or AOI.
2. George Truitt said “I would give a thousand lives, if I had them, to God as a preacher.”
II. SUFFER IT TO BE SO NOW FOR THUS IT BECOMETH US TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS
A. JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS A GREAT COUNTRY PREACHER
1. People came from all around to hear John.
2. Jesus came to be baptized of him.
3. John says “Oh no, not me.”
4. Jesus answers “Suffer it to be so not for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.”
B. JESUS’ BAPTISM SERVES AS A PATTERN FOR EVERY REDEEMED SOUL.
1. Baptism is a matter of obedience.
2. Not for the washing away of the filth of the flesh
3. Answer of a good conscience toward God.
III. REPENT YE & BELIEVE THE GOSPEL Mk 1:15
A. JESUS WENT INTO GALILEE PREACHING THAT THE KINGDOM WAS AT HAND.
1. Question – How can I get through to God?
2. Answer given…No man cometh to the Father except through me.
B. PEOPLE SEEK HIM IN DIFFERENT WAYS.
1. The savage – by cutting & mutilating self.
2. Pagan – by bowing down before an image.
3. Civilized men – through religious forms/customs.
C. REPENTANCE IS A BIBLICAL DOCTRINE.
1. Not merely the fear of God.
2. Not simply sorrow for your sins.
3. Or conviction for your sin.
D. REPENTANCE IS A COMPLETE CHANGE OF HEART, SOUL, MIND AND LIFE.
1. Involves turning from sin to the Savior.
2. Coming over to God’s side.
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
IV. WHAT SEEK YE. John 1:38
A. JOHN SAW JESUS COMING
Jn 1:29 John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
1. Two disciples with John were pointed to Jesus Christ.
2. A True preacher points to Jesus & not self
3. This caused men to follow the Savior.
4. Jesus turned and said “What seek ye?”
5. They reply “Master, where dwellest thou?”
6. Jesus answered “Come and see.”
B. ONE OF THESE MEN WAS ANDREW.
1. Andrew immediately went after Peter.
2. Peter later was allowed to preach at Pentecost.
WHAT SEEK YE? MEN STILL SEEKING TODAY.
C. WHERE CAN A PERSON FIND THAT WHICH SATISFIES?
1. Not in science. 2. Not in profit.
3. Not in pleasure. 4. Or in earthly honor.
LISTEN TO WORDS OF JESUS…
THEY ARE WORDS OF WISDOM FOR OUR YEARS.
GUIDANCE FOR OUR LIVES.
STRENGTH FOR NEEDS.
COMFORT FOR SORROW.
HOME FOR OUR SOUL.
The Cry Of The Perishing
July 13, 2007
Mark 4:36-41
Introduction: Christ in the ship.
1. The trip is not always smooth.
2. The trip will always be safe.
3. This act is a picture of forgiveness.
I) THOSE READY TO PERISH. Vs 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. The boat was logged to the point of sinking & 2 things could sink the ship.
A) Storm Without Everything against them
1) The Wind Of Adversity.
(a) Business may fail.
(b) Family Members may go astray.
(c) Disease may fasten like a viper.
(d) The death Angel may visit a loved one.
2) May Think Jesus Is Asleep – HE IS NOT
B) The waves Within – Fills with Alarm…
1) The ship may wither a storm.
2) Sea in the ship is hopeless – Abandonment
3) The Elements Of Sin Flood Our Soul.
(a) All prospect of safety are cut off.
(b) The pumps and the oars are worthless.
4) Need to cease the struggle Call on Jesus
II) THE GREAT QUESTION Vs 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow & they awake him & say unto him Master carest thou not that we perish
A) ONLY WHEN THE SHIP WAS FULL DID THEY CRY.
1) It is surely time to call before sinking
2) Carest thou not
3) Was It A Sleep Of Indifference? – “NO”
4) The Cross Is His Answer. - 1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
III) THE DIVINE RESPONSE. 39 And he arose, and rebuked the windHe arose for our justificationHe answers the cry of the perishing.
A) REBUKING WORD He Rebuked the wind
1) Look at the cause of distress…
2) Disaster was Pending.
3) He Delivered Us From The Wrath To Come
B) HIS PEACE SPEAKING WORD. Vs 39 “To The Sea – Peace, be still. And the wind ceased”
1) Not only does He remove the Cause – He heals the Effect
2) Not only Saves From Wrath – Saves from Power of Sin My peace give I unto youI
V) THE AMAZING EFFECT 39b And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
A) INSTANT OBEDIENCE The Wind Ceased
1) They Called - He Spoke – It Was Done
2) Takes vengeance on them that obey not
B) A GREAT CALM CAME.
1) The Calm of Christ is Greater than the Storm of Sin
2) Ps 119:165 “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them”
C) A TREMBLING ASTONISHMENT. “THEY FEARED EXCEEDINGLY”
1) Then Who Is This.
2) What Matter Of Man Is This?
(a) Who can calm the sea?
(b) Who can heal the blind?
(c) Who can raise the dead?
(d) Who can make the lame to walk?
DANIEL WAS A MAN WHO LEARNED THE SECRETS OF GOD
July 9, 2007
Text: Daniel 1:1-21
A. Daniel’s Amazing Book.
1. It is a book of adventures in Faith.
2. It is a book that previews the Future.
B. Daniel’s Amazing Life.
1. Taken captive from Judah to Babylon.
2. Chosen as 1 of 4 to serve Neb…..
2. He was shown God’s plan for the Future.
C. Why God share His Secrets with Dan
I. BECAUSE OF DANIEL’S CLEAN HEART
Vs 8 But Daniel purposed {made up his mind} in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
A. DANIEL MADE UP HIS MIND WHAT HE WOULD DO
1. He would be an influence to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
2. Daniel Purposed to keep their hearts clean for the Lord
B. DECISION REQUIRED FAITH & COURAGE
Ps 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will
shew them his covenant.
1. That means the secrets of his promises
2. God Reveals His secrets to those who Trust Him.
C. DANIEL DESIRED A CLEAN HEART.
Ps 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit
within me.
1. Dan decision affected his choices in life.
2. He would refuse the King’s wine & meat.
3. He would live different than his captors.
II. DANIEL’S CONSISTENT LIFE
Vs 9-10 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking {looking worse} than the children {young men} which are of your sort {age}? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
A. NOT FAR FROM RESOLUTION TO REALITY
1. Testing is sure to follow Testimony.
2. Melzar arrived with king’s wine & meat.
B. DANIEL REQUESTED TO BE EXCUSED FROM TAKING THIS FOOD AND DRINK.
1. He respectfully stated his Convictions
2. His life affected Melzar and he agreed.
C. DANIEL’S EXAMPLE OF COURAGE AND FAITH OVERCAME MELZAR’S FEARS.
Why did God share His Secrets with Daniel BECAUSE
III. DAN’S CONFIDENCE IN GOD
Vs 12-16 Prove thy servants…. ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.
A. TEST OF FAITH “Prove Thy Servants”
1. Melzar – Go on and put us to the test.
2. Give us 10 day to prove this to you.
B. THE FOUR MEN WERE LIVING LEAN IN THE AND OF PLENTY
1. Bean soup tasted better than wine/meat
2. Obedience to God makes life sweeter.
“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice”
C. MELZAR DID AS DANIEL ASKED HIM.
Vs 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
1. Took away rich food & the wine they were to drink, & gave them vegetables.
2. They were allowed to eat what God wanted them to eat
D. RESULTS OF THIS TEST OF FAITH.
Vs 15 At the end of ten days their countenances {features} appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.{delicacies}
1. Dan & friends healthier than the others
2. So much so that even the Unbelievers saw the difference.
Vs 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, {information and judgment} that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
CONCLUSION:
A. Those live close to God learn His secrets
1. God gave these 4 young men.- Knowledge – Skill in learning and Wisdom
2. Dan given an understanding of God’s secrets
B. How Close To God Are You?
Baptism Sunday August 2006
July 5, 2007
