01-24-2021 – Luke 12:22-13:9 (Class)
Noah Olsen preaching Sermon
Collierville Church of Christ
575 Shelton Road, #Collierville, TN
www.colliervillecoc.org
Automated Transcript:
<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> Welcome to our Sunday morning Bible class. I’m recording this according this Saturday night, Saturday night. Want to want to let all of you know that right now, my grandmother is still with us. They’ve given her meds and she finally has started sleeping. She really hasn’t slept any of the last 20 hours, 20 hours in any substance,
in any substantive way, but appreciate, appreciate your all’s prayers for us. She’s in a lot of discomfort at this point, at this point in time, but thankfully the, the medication has made it to where she could sleep. So thank you for your, thank you for your thoughts, your prayers, and all the, all the contacts and the messages that we’ve received,
letting us know, letting us know that you’re thinking about us and her and praying for us. And we appreciate it. Greatly. Also want to say also want to say thank you to Noah for filling in for me preaching this morning. Let’s get in, let’s get into Luke chapter 12. We’re going to continue our study in Luke chapter 12, beginning verse 22 as we get started,
but let’s begin with a word of prayer. Our gracious father gracious father in heaven. Rebal before you incredibly incredibly grateful for all of your many gifts, your many blessings, most especially most, especially your son who died on the cross for our sins and has delayed as delivered to us the hope of eternal life. We pray that as we pray that as we go through this period of study,
the things which Christ Christ spoke while he was on this earth will enlighten our hearts and help us to incur, to be encouraged by the things that we read, but also to be provoked, to be, to be what you would have us to be. We ask that you forgive us. When we sin and fall short of your glory, we pray all this.
We pray in Jesus name. Amen. So as a result, so as a result of not being there and not having them in front of me, I’m going to leave the review of the questions Wednesday night for another period. Hopefully this coming Wednesday night or Sunday, we can go over those. So I encourage you to study those on your own. We’re going to begin in Luke chapter 12,
verse 22. Then he, then he Christ said to his disciples, therefore I say to you do not worry about your life. What you will eat nor about the body. What you will put on life is more than food in the body. More than clothing. I remember the context of this that actually began in our, in our study on Wednesday night,
there is a man who came to Jew, came to Jesus and said, tell my, tell my brother to give me or to divide with me, inherit the inherited. He said, Jesus said, may have I been made a judge or a arbitrator between you and your brother, and then gave the parable of the rich fool follows. He follows the parable of the rich fool up with this statement,
therefore, or do not be worried, do not worry about your life. This is a, this is a similar statement that is made over in. We saw in the sermon on the mountain, made over in Matthew chapter six. But Jesus said, as he speaks to this man, as he speaks to those who are around, as he speaks to his disciples who are listening to this,
and they’re seeing this, he says, do not worry, do not worry for the things of this world. Life do not focus, do not focus on this life, especially, especially in this context to the neglect of these next life of eternity. This man, this man is standing before Christ. He standing before the Messiah, he’s standing before the one who the Israelites were waiting to arrive for 1600 years.
And what is he? What is he worried about? His inherit, his inheritance he’s missed. He’s missed the importance of everything that is right in front of him because he’s because he’s too worried about physical possession. So then Jesus. So then Jesus says this life is more than food. Verse 23 and the body more than clothing. Consider the consider the Ravens for they neither sow nor reap,
which have, which have neither storehouse nor barn. And God feeds them of how much more value are you than the birds. And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature. If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Jesus, Jesus lays upon them. The reality that they’re not in control,
they’re not, they’re not in charge and much effort as they might expand, expand in order to, in order to achieve their own goals, they can’t do the smallest of things in view of God’s ability, God’s power and God’s power with a word, with a word. God spoke the universe into existence with all, with all of our thought and being an effort we can’t fall by fault,
extend our life even for an, even for an hour. And here and here, Jesus let Jesus lays for reality. The reality that This person is missing greatest thing, the thing of greatest value in his own, in his own life, the value of his soul, if he has, if he has his soul and he has salvation and he has the kingdom,
then the inheritance and the inheritance is of little consequence in the grand scheme of things. But instead, it’s the only thing he’s thinking about. And notice he then notice he goes on. If then you are not able to do the least, why are you anxious to do the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow. They neither toil nor spin.
And yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed. Like one of these, if then God. So clothes, the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven. How much more will he clothe you? Oh, you of little faith and do not do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink,
nor have an anxious mind for all of these things. The nations of the world seek after. And your father knows that you need these things. See, but see the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you. Jesus, Jesus emphasizes that we need that. We need to prioritize correctly. I need to learn. We need to lay forth our priorities in the right order.
And when we do that, God can, God can take care of the rest and is knowledgeable and understanding of what it is that we need. He created us to begin with. Of course he knows what we mean. Of course he knows what is required to sustain our daily life. So Jesus, so Jesus is saying you’ve, you’ve lost the Hey and the confidence you have in your father,
your eternal father. And instead you buy your own mind and your own ability or striving to accomplish these things. And you can Can’t do it, not on your own, Not on your own. And if you try, you will miss. You will miss. What is of the greatest value to you. And that is eternity. Do not fear, do not fear.
Little flock, 32 verse 32, four. It is your father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Jesus said, Jesus said, not only will God give you the things that you need. Not only will God take care of your daily provisions, but he will also give you, which is that, which is of greatest value His kingdom. And he will,
and he will do it gladly. Now here’s the contract. Now here’s the contrast. There’s the, there’s the brother who has an inheritance that he won’t share with his brother and the other brother. The other brother wants the inheritance to be shared with him. And he’s looking for anybody who can get him. Part of that inheritance yet. He’s missing it.
He’s missed out on the opportunity to receive the kingdom. God is God is over here with the kingdom of greater value than his inheritance. And he’s waiting anxiously desiring to give it to the man, but the man’s not, but the man’s not interested because he’s interested in Fashions in, in this life. Jeez, Jesus said, Jesus said, sell what you sell,
what you have. You have all and give alms, provide yourselves money bags, which do not grow old treasury, a treasure in heavens that does not fail. No where no thief approaches nor moth destroys for where your treasure is there. Your heart will be also, I don’t believe. I don’t believe this is a blanket statement by Jesus. That every person,
every person who’s going to have entrance into the kingdom has to go sell all of their possessions and give it to the poor. It’s not, that’s not what Jesus is saying here. Remember, remember, he’s talking to his disciples, but he’s also talking to this man, this man wants more possessions. And Jesus said for fit what you Have first forfeit,
Forfeit, what you have for the sake of the kingdom. And then we’ll, and then we’ll see where your treasure, where your treasure is there. And then we’ll see where your heart is. Get your, get your heart right first or all, or all the, all the, the substance, all the possessions, all the treasures in the world.
Won’t do you Any good because one of these, because one of these days, you’re Going to, you’re going to leave this Life and you’re not taking, you’re not taking any of it with you and yet, And yet do what you do with it. Now can as hand as he makes this, as he makes the statement here, create or provide yourselves money Bags and account and account.
As I think, as I think Peter States it as Paul certainly States it in Philippians four in heaven that cannot be touched. It cannot be, it cannot be stolen. The, the dollar us dollar currently, currently, and in, in the upcoming years, the, the federal reserve has said that they are going to try and wholly inflation to around two to two and a half percent.
That means I means every year, you’re the, you’re the value of a dollar. You have decreases by two and a half Per cent. Now think about now, think about that. If, If you have a hundred dollar bill, how many, how many years until that hundred dollar bill at a decreasing rate of two and a half percent, every year is value is valueless.
And it wasn’t even, it wasn’t even stolen. It was stolen. It was stolen by inflation. It was inflated. It was inflated to the point where it had no real U value. There was a time and there was a time in American history where Penny’s could actually could actually buy something. And now we, and now we regularly hear the discussion about whether or not we should even have pennies anymore because,
because they have been flayed inflated out of value, the value that is worth anything Substantive. Now, now Jesus, Jesus said where your, where your treasure is there. Your heart will be also where you, where you make preparations for your treasure to be where you actually store up. Your treasure is where your heart is, where your heart is. So if also,
if all your efforts in all of your game and all of your prosperity and all of your, your use of time and money in substance goes towards achieving more possessions in this life, more accounts or accounts, larger dollar amounts and larger things, more possessions, all of these things. Then Jesus said, you’ve put, you’ve put your heart into a treasure that has,
that has no Lasting value, but 35 versus 35. Okay? He says, he says, let your waist be girded. And your lamps burning. Luke gives us, gives us a transition here from, from the dizzy discussion of possessions, to the discussion, to the discussion of the kingdom And preparation. He says, He says to his disciples, let your waist be girded.
This was an action done in preparation for battle. Quite often, he said, let your, let your waist be girded. And your lamps burning, familiar were familiar with the parable of the, of the first verge, the 10 virgins. Some of them had burning lamps ready to go. Others did and others didn’t. And you yourselves be like men who wait for the master when he will return for the w excuse me,
who will, excuse me, who will wait for their master? When he will return from the wedding, that he may know that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately. It’s an interesting statement That they will open to him immediately. Immediately. Why would a servant not open to his master when the, the master arrives at the door and knocks,
why would a servant not open immediately think about it this way. This is pointed out by brother Franklin camp. And in this passage, he said, you know, sometimes someone comes over to visit the house and you’re not ready for them. You weren’t planning on them and, and their stuff everywhere. And the house looks lived in. And, and,
and you just, before you even go answer the door, you’re shoving stuff in the closet. You’re putting stuff in our room. You’re tidying up. You’re not prepared. And so where are they? They’re standing at the door waiting. You didn’t open the door immediately. Why? Because you weren’t prepared here. The illustration Jesus gives is that type of servant who is not ready for the master’s return.
And so instead of immediately opening the door, he’s scurrying around to become prepared at the last minute. But notice what Jesus says blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, we’ll find watching assuredly. I Say to you that he will gird himself and Have them sit down to eat and we’ll come and serve them. Jesus goes so far to say this.
Jesus said, I am looking for a servant, not who’s got the house prepared for when I return. I’m looking for a servant. Who’s watching for my return. The master doesn’t even come and knock. The master. Doesn’t spend any time outside waiting. The servant, sees him coming and opens the door. No wait time. But then the reaction of the master is to serve the servant.
Now, yes, I know that Jesus will say in Luke chapter 19, that, or chapter 17, that when we’ve done all that we’ve been commanded to do, we are still unprofitable servants. I understand that. But Jesus is saying the master in the kingdom will serve the servants to do what they need because they sought first. The kingdom goes right back to what he was just saying.
If you will seek first the kingdom. Yeah. If you will be prepared, if you will be watching, if you will be a good servant, then your heavenly father will serve. You will provide for you. But know this verse 39. That is if the master of the house had known what hour the thief let’s actually go back to verse three.
And if he, you should come in the second watch or come in the third watch and find them so blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, had not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready for the son of man is coming at an hour.
You do not expect. He’s telling me these people and he’s telling his disciples. And he’s telling those who will listen. You be ready, always because when Christ returns there won’t be any signs. There won’t be in a great announcement. There won’t be any seasons to look at the forecast. There will be no signs of Christ return. Instead they are to be,
be prepared. Always. Then Peter said to him, Lord, do you speak this parable only to us or to all people? It’s interesting to notice when Jesus gets asked a question, how sometimes, sometimes he doesn’t just answer the question he answers what’s needed. And not necessarily what’s. I asked the Lord said, who then, then is a faith.
Is that faithful? And why steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household and to give them their portion of food doozies season, bless it is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, by master is delaying his coming and begins to beat the male servants and female servants and to eat and to drink and to be drunk.
The master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour, when he is not aware and will cut him into an appoint him, his portion with the unbelievers and that servant who knew his masters will and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know yet committed things,
deserving of stripes shall be beaten with view. For everyone to whom much is given from him, much will be required. And to whom much has been committed of him, they will ask the more Jesus replies to Peter, that God has entrusted to individual’s responsibility and has entrusted to them, the work of the kingdom, the care, and providing for of the kingdom,
the function of the kingdom. And if those servants failed to carry out their obligation, or if they become those who think, you know what Christ isn’t returning anytime soon, I’ve got time to fix it later. I can glorify myself right now and I can do his will later crisis. That’s not going to work out for that person. That individual will be judged.
Now think about it. This is truly an accusation against the scribes and the Pharisees, the chief priests, the Sadducees, and the religious leaders, because prophetically speaking, the prophets would look forward to the days of Christ. And they would proclaim that the shepherds that were supposed to be shepherding Israel had instead chosen to consume the flock. And he’s about to transition to a discussion of a flock.
He’s about to use the old Testament analogy of the shepherds and the flock and the evil shepherds who would be judged. And that was the scribes, the Pharisees, the chief priests and the religious leaders of the day. So verse 49, I came to send fire on the earth and how I wish it were already kindled, but I have a baptism to be baptized with and how distressed I am till it is accomplished at,
at times, Jesus will begin to give insight into what’s coming his crucifixion and the things that would happen, but they wouldn’t understand it. His disciples wouldn’t comprehend what he was saying. And yet would say in any way, and later on, as John will point out, they’ll remember all of these things and they’ll understand, but they didn’t at this point.
Note is also that Jesus is speaking about a judgment, a judgment that would come. And I believe this is specifically referencing the judgment of the Jewish nation, the judgment against Israel for their unfaithfulness. And again, that goes back to those shepherds that were not faithful. Verse 51. Do you suppose that I came to give peace on the earth? I tell you not at all,
but rather division four from now on five in one house will be divided to three against two and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her. Mother-in-law Jesus came to bring peace. But the kind of piece that it bring is brought about when individuals obey God,
that is they hear the truth. They obey the truth. They hold fast to the truth and they don’t depart from the truth. When they do that, they have peace with God, but Jesus did not come to bring peace to those who refuse to obey the truth. And so Jesus said, I did not come to bring peace, but division. He came to bring judgment and the vision against those who would not hear the truth and who would not obey the truth.
So to in congregations today, if the choice is between holding fast to the truth and maintaining the doctrine of Christ and living out what Christ has said, or getting along with a group that wants to change the doctrine, or wants to change the practice of the church, or wants to change the worship of the church, we don’t need unity. We need division.
You say, well, wait a minute. Jesus said we weren’t to divide the church. Paul said that the Christ didn’t want the church divided or correct, but he also doesn’t want an unfaithful church. It’s not enough to have unity. It must be unity based upon obedience to the truth or it’s unity that will never matter in eternity. He goes on to say,
then he also said to the multitudes verse 54, whoever, excuse me, whenever you see a cloud rising out of the West, immediately, you say a shower is coming. And so it is, and when you see the South wind blow, you say there will be hot weather. And there is hypocrites. You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth,
but how is it? You do not discern this time. Jesus looks at the multitude. Who’s regularly pictured as those who, well, they think Jesus is the, is the Messiah. Well, they maybe he’s the prophet. Maybe he’s Alijah. Maybe he’s he’s John, the Baptist, maybe he’s somebody else. And he said, you can look at the sky and understand what the weather is going to be.
And you can’t understand all of this old Testament, scripture that tells you the time of the kingdom is at hand. And that the Messiah is here. Yes. And why verse 57, even of yourselves, do you not judge? What is right? When you go with your adversary to the magistrate and make every effort along the way to settle with him,
lest he drag you to the judge. The judge deliver you to the officer. The officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you shall not depart from there until you have paid. The very last mite. Jesus said there are consequences for not observing the truth. There are consequences for not putting first the kingdom. There are consequences for not being obedient to God and Christ and being ready for his return.
And all of that is used here in an analogy of a person who owes a debt. They will not have not paid. And they’re going to have to pay it by being put in prison until the debt is paid. There were present at that season. Some who told him about the Galileans whose blood pilot had mingled with their sacrifices and Jesus answered and said to them,
do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered such things. Having been told you can’t, you can look at the sky and you can determine the weather, but you can’t understand what’s right in front of you. Some people say, well, didn’t you hear about those? Galileans didn’t you hear what happened to them? That,
that, that these Galileans pilot took their blood and he sprinkled it with their sacrifices and abomination that God, that’s a clear indicator. This is kind of in the subtext here, the implications, this is a clear indicator that these Galileans, who were offering the sacrifices were evil, bad people, otherwise, such a terrible thing would never happen. Had them.
Jesus said, do you suppose that these Galileans were right? Worse, sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered such things. I ain’t tell you. No, but unless you repent. Yeah, you will all likewise perish or those eight keen on whom the tower of Salone fell and killed them. Do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
I tell you no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise as perish Jesus, and it’s time for you to start cleaning your own house. It’s time for you to start getting right in your own heart, in your own life and repeating hinting or yeah. This example, not a tower falling on you, not a Roman ruler coming and killing you and mingling your,
your blood with the sacrifices. That’s not what Jesus said. Coming destruction, judgment, death. That’s what’s coming unless you repent. And we’re reminded that the message of repentance is what John came preaching. He came preaching to Israel. The people of God who the Messiah would be born among them and was among them. He came preaching, repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
And Jesus preaches the same, the message, repent or perish. There are, are no other alternatives. We need to examine our hearts and our right minds. We need to examine our lives and figure out are we in need of repentance? Is there something in our lives that we’re ignoring? Is there a motivation that desire for riches, for glory, for possessions,
for, for the things of this earth that we can’t let go? Yeah. He spoke this bearable, sorry, man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he looked or said to the keeper of his vineyard, look for three years, I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and found none.
Cut it down. Why does it use up the ground? Interesting principle here is Jesus fully comprehends and illustrates within his teaching that a plant exists and pulls nutrients from the ground. It, yes, with this example, the fig tree pulls the nutrients from the ground, but produce it. It is nothing. It produces no fruit. It uses up resources,
but has no productive value. So the vineyard owner says, cut it down and get rid of it. But he, the vineyard keeper answered and said, sir, let it alone this year. Also until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit well, but if not after that, you can cut it down. I want to remind us that we’re in the second year of Jesus’ ministry.
And in the second year of Jesus’ ministry, Jesus uses the illustration of one who has taken three years to come find any fruit born by this nation of Israel. And he’s not finding any, that’s not to say he’s not finding an individual and individuals who would be obedient to him, but the nation, the nation was not producing the fruit of the kingdom and the nation was going to be judged.
So notice Jesus said, I didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword. I didn’t come to bring peace, but division, I came to bring fire. He says, and then he says repent or perish. And then he says, if you produce no fruit for my kingdom, I will cut you down. I will destroy you. We need to learn the necessity of bearing fruit.
And that fruit must be righteousness and the producing of righteousness, not only in our own lives, but in the lives of others, hope you all have a good class and have a good worship this morning. And I pray that everything will be well with you until we’re with you. Again, we love you very much. You’re dismissed.<inaudible><inaudible> Good morning and welcome to the Collierville church of Christ.
Sunday morning, worship service. It is so good to see each of you here this morning. We have several visitors with us and especially the Olsen family that came all the way from central Missouri to, I think they have some special interest here, but anyway, it’s good to have them. And the hatchers are with us. They once worshipped here several years ago and quiets back with us again today,
appreciate him. And we appreciate our minister from Holly Springs. Good, good to have you folks here, if you haven’t, we wouldn’t like for you to take a card from the Pew in front of you and fill it out and just leave it on the Pew or drop it in the collection plate or hand it to one of us, just get it,
get it to here so that we have a record of your attendance. And as you came in, if you did not pick up the Lord’s supper on the table, as you walked into the auditorium, this is good time to do it. We’re just going to go through a few administrative announcements. And so go back and pick up the little cup of bread and grape juice,
and we’ll be ready for the Lord separ when it is offered, need to remember our sick Joan sprayer, still very weak at home. Dorothy Wilson is doing better with her heart blood pressure problem that she has. And we have a note here that her blood pressure is, is stabilizing. And she is scheduled the 1st of February, which is Monday to have ultrasounds and blood work to see if her stage three chronic kidney disease has improved since her last hospital stay.
When her count was 43, where it should be around 70. So let’s keep definitely her in our prayers and ed Richardson, which is the Halvorson’s father-in-law is doing about the same. As I understand, Barbara Diller is still at home suffering with the recovery of her shoulder, from a procedure that was done on it. It has to be a mobilized for a period of about two weeks or better.
And she’s still working on that need to remember her Elena sharp as well. And Ken and Frankie Phillips that’s Dale’s the Dale’s friend. They are recovering from COVID. That’s all of the sick that I’m aware of as you came in the auditorium, there’s a basket of names we’ve been working on this for awhile. It’s names of people that previously worshiped here, or have we have some record of them having visted.
If you’d pick up one of those names out of the basket and make contact with that person and just invite them back to the church is what it’s all about. The Potter’s children home up in Kentucky, that we helped support. We’ll be here to pick up the commodities that we assemble the week of February 15th. So if you haven’t been bringing your commodities, this is a good time to get update on that.
The Nesbitt church of Christ congregation is hosting the 22nd standing in the gap lectures Wednesday through Sunday in January 27th through the 31st, there are details on the bulletin board. If you’re interested in attending there. And then I have a card from Francis Redmond that I’m going to read for you. I’ll post the code card back on the bulletin board, but it says to all my brothers and sisters in Christ,
I want to thank you for all the help you have given me. Thank you for all the prayers over all right, stays food calls, cards. Your kindness has been such a blessing to me. May God bless you all Francis Redmond. That’s all the announcements. I have the order of service today. We’re totally blessed to have so much talent in the congregation.
The song leader will be Michael Dale. He’s also a student over to Memphis school of preaching and no else. Noah Olson will be bringing us the message. The opening prayer will be Eric Halvorson. Joe caisson will be officiating on the Lord’s supper and the closing prayer will be Terry Sanderson. Thank you all for your attendance. Our opening song this morning will be number 75.
I seen the power of God, number 75, Seeing my T power of God that<inaudible> that<inaudible><inaudible>. Ah, I see where’s John dad or Dan<inaudible> the moon shines for that is a man. Oh, the stars. Oh, Hey, seeing goodness of the Lord.<inaudible> he form creatures with his word and then<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> ground tread or gaze upon<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> and clouds.<inaudible> burst.
Blow by<inaudible> from<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> and every where that man can be. God,<inaudible> The song before the opening prayer will be number 797. Lord, we come before the now seven 97 Lord we come before the ah, ah,<inaudible> ah, Oh, dune. Ah.<inaudible> shall we? The Lord in vain. We see the Lord and<inaudible><inaudible> and calm passion.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> to<inaudible> and I know<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> the God<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> Please bow with me.
God, our father in heaven, we come to you at this time, thanking you for the opportunity to assemble here this morning, to sing songs, appraised your great name and study another portion of your word Lord. We’d like to thank you for those amongst the members of this congregation that have found and had improvements in their health, because we know that you are in control of everything.
And we thank you for those that have had improvements. But Lord, we also know that there are many amongst us that are suffering from various illnesses and ailments. And we ask that you wrap your loving arms around each and every one of them. Lord, we, especially at this time would ask you that you wrap your loving arms around Shirley Cozort and ease her pain.
If it be your will. And if it be your will restore her to a measure health that she so desires. We also ask that you wrap your loving arms and comfort the entire Cozort family at this time of their need and comfort. Also each and every one of those that are suffering with loved ones that have illnesses. God. Now, as we prepare to study another portion of your word,
we ask that you help each and every one of us assembled here this morning to have open hearts and open minds so that we can understand the message that Noah brings to us this morning, your message, your word, and we can take and apply that to our lives so that we can be better servants to yours while we’re here on this earth. And we want to thank you for your son,
Jesus, because we know that the sacrifice that he and you made for us, make it possible for us to live with you in eternity. One day we pray all this through his name, amen Song to prepare our minds for the Lord’s supper will be number 332. Lead me to Calvary three, three to King of my life. Crown me, ah,
nah, nine shout Kamari bee. Last for good thorn crown bruh. Ah, me too.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> for me, the me too.<inaudible> show me the two<inaudible><inaudible> and, and Joes and robes Ray. Hey God. At the Watts<inaudible> money.<inaudible><inaudible> me, the me too.<inaudible><inaudible> through the glue, calm with a gift to the show to mean,
ah,<inaudible> the me too.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> for me, the me too.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> for the<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> for<inaudible> for again<inaudible> for me, the me too.<inaudible> As we come together this day, we often sometimes take things I think too lightly about our Savior’s death. And as we look back to the time that he was ready to cue and spit upon the time that he was beaten in the time he was led to the cross and hung there on the cross of Calvary to die for us.
And as we think about that, we need to reflect upon what he’s done for us and the hope that we have through him, that by his dying for us, he made us a way of redemption from our sins and be able to turn back to our God and to our savior, to hopefully have that home and having one day, we want to reflect upon that now,
as we protect the Lord’s supper, and as we have sung this beautiful song to remind us that he did die for us, and he’s always there for us and we gain our strength by going to him, that is pray father, I got in heaven. We know that it was a sad time when your precious son had to go to the cross of Calvary.
We know it was by his own wheel that he went and that he suffered and died for us. And as we reflect upon that father, we’re so grateful and so thankful that we are able to be your children and able to receive that blessing. While there we pray that as we partake of this bread, that we might examine ourselves and make sure that we’re taking of it in a manner worthy Jesus,
we pray amen.<inaudible> Oh God, our fathers. We continue to look to the cross where our savior hung there and he shed his precious blood upon that cross. And there’s through that blood that we have the forgiveness of our sins, opposed to always be mindful, that sacrifice that was made for us. And as we go through life that we will let it show in the way that we conduct ourselves before our fellow man,
they do know that we are your children. And then we have redemption through his blood, right? As we protected this fruit of the vine that we might do. So in a way pleasing is it represents that blood of our savior Jesus, we pray. Amen. Well, I had the opportunity to think about us giving back to the Lord and to be able to continue to conduct the work of the church,
to do our benevolent activities and also to help further the kingdom and supporting those that are teaching and preaching. Not only here, but throughout the world, that they too might come to the knowledge of God’s word and want to be a child of, he is let us pray. Father in heaven, we’ve been so blessed in this country and we’ve been blessed beyond what we really need.
And we pray father that we’re being good stewards of those blessings that we have determined in our hearts to give. And as we’ve been prospered that we’re so thankful to be able to give, to help the work of the church here, as well as in other places in the world that we played pray that we would be liberal with our giving and that we are trying to take care of the needs of those that perhaps are having difficulties with different things in their lives and,
and be very benevolent and how, how we tried to help them, bless us in our efforts, continue to strengthen us as the days, go by help us always to do all to the names honor and glory in Jesus. We pray amen. If you’re using the song book and we’d like to Mark the song of invitation is number 945. Number nine,
four five. It will be on the slides though. The song for our lesson will be number 616, the way of the cross. If you’re able to let stand for this song, please, number 616.<inaudible> I must needs go home by the way of the cross. There’s no other way, but it is shown again outside of the Gates, if the way of the cross,
the way of the<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> Sneads go on and blah sprinkles were, Hey, Pat, that save<inaudible><inaudible> to the it’s where the<inaudible> at home with. Ah,<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> then I bet to the way to walk<inaudible> for my Lords. And I see my<inaudible> no way of the cross<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> cross<inaudible>. It was a privilege to be able to be with you this morning.
You able to give you a lesson from God’s word again. I want to thank you all for that opportunity. So we want to be praying for the Cozort family continually and hope everything can go. Well, our lesson this morning is very simple. Our lesson is how to get to heaven, how to get to heaven. This question is the most important question that one can never ask.
What must I do to be saved? What must I do to get to heaven? What must I do to be saved from eternal damnation? That’s the question that we’re going to look at this morning, how to get to heaven. I want to say You to turn over to Matthew chapter seven, this is where we’re going to be this morning, Matthew chapter seven.
And we’re going to see what Jesus can teach us about how to get, how the, the path To heaven. You know, there Is a story of a preacher who, who would tell his, his congregation next week, I’m going to preach the best sermon You’ve ever heard. Of course the congregation, right? They’re excited. Next week Comes around.
The preacher gets up to the pulpit. He reads Matthew five. He reads Matthew six and he reads Matthew seven. And he has preached the best sermon that one could ever preach. And who sermon? It’s not the man’s sermon, but it’s Christ’s sermon. Matthew Five through seven often called the sermon on the Mount is The greatest sermon that anyone has ever preached.
That’s Jesus, Jesus himself is the greatest preacher to ever live, But we’re going to look at Jesus as part of his sermon in Matthew seven on a couple of things, what we need to do in order To get to heaven, you know, Chapter seven details what we must do, but Jesus kind of summed it up in John chapter 14, verse number six,
he says The way the truth and the life, we must heed to the words of Jesus. And if we follow these basic teachings that we’re going to look at this morning, we can go to heaven. It’s a blessing to know that we have all things pertaining to life and godliness. We can know that we have eternal life. If we do what?
If we obey his commandments? The question that we must ask ourselves, is this, are we going to Follow the commandments from Christ as Christ did from his father in John chapter 12, notice verse 49, John chapter 12, verse 49 for I’ve not spoken of my Self, but the father which sent me, he gave me a commandment. What I should say and what I should speak.
Jesus himself, obey the father. Are we going to obey the commands of Christ? So let’s get it Nor less than firstly, our first point this morning, if we were going to get to heaven, we have to judge righteously. Let’s go back to Matthew chapter seven and look at it. Verse number one real quick notice Jesus says, judge, not that you may not judge.
How, how often or what context do you hear? People use this verse. You can’t judge me. You can’t Tell me what to do. Even Jesus himself has, Has said that. Looking at this context, Jesus is not condemning judging at all. He’s condemning hypocrisy. He’s condemning sinful judging. There is a difference. So we need to understand that.
But yet you’ve heard people say, stop judging me. Or Jesus says, don’t judge. You. Can’t tell me how My life. That’s not what Jesus is saying here for one year, Christian is commanded to discern right from wrong. Are we not Ephesians chapter five, notice Verse number 11 and have no fellowship With the unfruitful works of darkness. Rather what reprove them,
get them out. Expose them, expose the sin in the camp. We have to, we’re commanded to purge out the 11. Are we not? We need to, to, to purge out sin and we have to practice church discipline. Do we not? When my brother who is a Saint Or living in sin, Jesus gives us the commands. I want to turn to Matthew 18 for a bit.
A moment. Matthew chapter 18. I want you to notice 15 through 17 here on the commands. Here we are commanded To, to push sin out of the way because a little 11, 11, and it’s a whole lump. A little bit of sin can affect many people, but notice Matthew Chapter 18. Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee,
go in, go and tell him his fault between the and him alone. This is a, this is Personal. Notice how, as he continues, if he shall hear that Again, my brother, but if he will not hear the verse 16, then take then take with the one or two more. Then the mouth of two or three witnesses everywhere may be established.
Notice verse 17. And if he shall neglect to hear them tell under the church, but neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. I thought Jesus said that we weren’t supposed to judge. Now we are, we are commanded to expose sin. And when one who is not going to repent the act of marking him and things such as that come into place.
Now, are we rude to this person? No, we’re not rude. Second desolate Chapter three verse 15 says yet, count him not as an Enemy, but admonish him as a brother when there was someone in the congregation or someone in the church that, that you know who is living in sin and they will not repent. You try to get them back as fast as possible.
Why? Because we don’t know when Christ is going to come. Yes, we are commanded to, to note the difference from wrong and right First Corinthians chapter five and verse number five. I want you to notice that real quick, first Corinthians chapter For five. Notice what Paul says to the Corinthians. First Corinthians chapter five in verse number five. Notice Liver is such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh That notice this why at the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
Jesus. We expose sin. Not because we don’t like the person, not just to get back at the person. We judge to make sure that their soul is saved. That’s why we should judge righteously. But going back to our text in order for us to get to heaven, we have to judge righteously. But what does it mean to judge righteously?
Does that mean to judge off of opinions? No, that’s not what Jesus is saying. Let’s look, look ever. Verse number two as well. For, with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged. And with what measure you meet, it shall be measured to you again. Let’s look At verses three through five, continuing. And why behold is now the moat that is in my brother’s eye.
But consider is not the beam that is not Oh nine or how with outside of my brother, let me pull out the mote out of<inaudible> and behold, a beam is in nine Oh nine thou hypocrite first cast out the out of nine Oh Nine and then shot that clearly see to cast out the mote out of my brother’s eyes. Jesus, Jesus hear,
I love when Jesus uses uses humor. Just imagine this man with this two by four hanging out of his eye and trying to pick out the little tiny speck and his brother’s eye. Jesus said there was no logic to that. We need to make sure that if we were, if we were going to judge righteously in order to get to heaven, what must we first do?
Jesus says, fix yourself. Make sure that you as a Christian are living faithfully. I have no right to tell you to stop lying. If I have the same problem myself, I have no authority to tell you to, to, to live faithfully. If I can not do the same myself, we need to remember to fix our own selves. Notice first Corinthians nine in verse 27,
Paul says the same idea. He says, I keep my body under or excuse me. I keep under my body and bring it this objection. That’s the, by any means. But now I’ve preached to others. I myself should be a Castaway. I need to fix myself first. And then I can go in and judge, the word judge is to call into question to,
to distinguish. That’s what the word judge means to, to, to, to distinguish right from wrong. In this instance, we need to understand, I want you to notice Romans two verses 21 and following as well now, therefore, which teaches another teaches thou not thyself thou that preaches the man should not steal dust out. Steal thou that says to man should not commit adultery,
desktop committed adultery that at abortus aisles does document sacrilege. Now that make us the boast of the law, that through breaking the law dishonors thou God, we need to make sure that our lives as Christians are right before we go out until others, their fault. That’s how we judge righteously. Let’s make sure we are living faithfully before we go and preach and teach to others.
You know, the world is not going to listen. Someone’s not going to listen to a hypocrite. Someone’s not going to listen to them. We need to make sure our lives are and as Christians are right. But if we are going to judge righteously as well, not only must we fix your own selves, but also another requirement is we judge with righteous judgment.
What’s righteous judgment. Well, John chapter seven, verse 24, Jesus says don’t judge, according to the appearance, but judge, with what righteous judgment, what is righteous judgment? It’s not opinion opinion. Doesn’t matter to God, God didn’t. Didn’t ask Adam what? Well, how do you want me to form peeve? You, you choose. He didn’t ask Noah.
He said, you, you choose the wood. Whatever. You know, he, he gave a specific command opinion in most, in some instances does not matter to God. He’s given us some Liberty on some things, but there are specific things that he is required. But notice we ought to, to judge to call into question, according to how Jesus notice John 12,
verse 48, according to the Bible, notice John 12, verse 48. He that rejects me and receive. It’s not my words. Hath one that judges him. The word that I have spoken the same shall judge him in the last day we judge, we call him the question we speak from God’s word. Not my opinion. Not know his opinion,
not, not, not anybody’s opinion. It’s only from God’s word that we have the authority to do that. If I’m going to judge righteously and to get to heaven, I also must understand that my motive it has to be right. My motive is not to get back at the person. My motive is not just to make myself look good. My motive is not just to make everybody against that person.
Now my motive, again, as we stated this, to get that sold, I want you to notice. I love Galatians six and verse number one, Galatians chapter six and verse number one, I love what Paul says here. Notice what he says. Brethren. If a man be overtaken in a fault, you at your spiritual restore trust in one,
such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering myself less than I’ll also be tempted. Why do we go this brother-in-law or brother, why do, why do we go to this brother or sister and tell them their fault so that they can come back. But also, so we are not tempted to the congregation or the church abroad is not falling to sin,
but our motive must be not to, to our motive must be correct. And James chapter five also wants you to notice 1920. Notice what James says, James five, 19 and 20. He says brethren, if any of you do earth from the truth and one convert him, let him know verse 20. He which he would say she converted the sinner from the error of his way,
shall save a soul from death and shall hide a multitude of sins. That is why, that is why we approach. And that is why we are to judge righteous land, to make sure that sin is out of the camp. And you go back to Aiken. What happened when, when akin sin, who is affected, not just akin whole congregation,
we need to make sure sin is out as soon as so destructive, Romans chapter six, verse 23 wages of sin is what death, spiritual death. And we need to make sure that sin is out of the camp every day. We need to purge that. Let’s go back to Matthew chapter seven. I want you to notice verse number six as well in the,
in the context, you’re still judging. Notice what Jesus says. Give not that, which is Holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine lest. They trample them under their feet and turn again and render you. What is Jesus meaning here? I think sometimes there comes a point in some people lives when, when you bring them to the gospel that they’re too stubborn,
too stubborn to, to, to, to listen. Jesus would say to the apostles in Matthew chapter 10, verse 14, that you just have to shake the dust off your feet and go your way. Because sadly, there are those who will just not repent. Who are, I don’t want to say they’re there. No one is ever too far gone.
But sadly, there were some who hardened their hearts. How much they, according to their will, according to their choices will not repent. Now could they? Yes, but they have to choose that. But we as Christians need to understand that we can not give up just because of one, we have to keep on, keeping on. We have to keep on doing the things that God would have us to do.
Yes. We need to judge righteous sleep. Let me ask you, let’s ask this question. When we judge, when we are calling into question, when we are discerning, as we’ll talk about here in a little bit as well, who should we go to for wisdom? I think we should go to God. Let’s look at verses seven through 11 here.
Notice in Matthew chapter seven, seven through 11, It says ask. And it shall be given you seek and you shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you for every one that asked to receive it. Then he, that seeketh findeth and to him that knock it, that shall be open or what man is there of you whom have his son asks for bread will give him a stone.
Or if he asks a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to unto your children? How much more shall your father, which isn’t it. Kevin give good things to them to ask him, you know, as we, as Christians should, should note something in every situation we should always go before the father.
Should we not? We should come before the father. And specifically in this instance, when we are judging, when we are discerning, what is our motive? W w we need to ask ourselves, is this true biblical evaluation? Or is this just my opinion? We need to go before the father. And what’s interesting. I love what Jesus says here.
He says, if you, you, you is, is people can give good gifts to your children. Yet. The father Who is the most powerful being in the universe, How much more can he give you? James? One verse 17 tells us that every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the father of lights. Isn’t our father.
So awesome and awesome. God. He is. And we need to understand that we should always trust him. Matthew six, verse 33, but seek ye first, the kingdom of God and his righteousness and what all these things shall be added unto you. We love you. We should love what the father has done for us. Be thankful. And when we are In situations,
such as maybe approaching a brother, let’s go to God because we ask what does Jesus say? Verse eight, again, for everyone that asks<inaudible> I hate that. Seek it, find it. Isn’t him knocking the shabby, open James chapter one also. And the verses five Through eight, James would say, if any of you lack wisdom, Let him ask of God.
God has all the answers. And when we pray, how, how does he speak? It’s not going to be some miraculous endowment. No, we haven’t To study. Prairie is never a substitute for study. We need to understand that praying to God helps us a lot. And when you understand that every day, but yes, when we are judging,
when we are coming Up to a brother, maybe that is living in sin, Let’s pray about it as well. But also notice verse 12 of Matthew, chapter seven, therefore, all things whatsoever you would, that men should do to you do even so to them for this is the law and the prophets. What is this often called the golden rule,
right? I like the word to should here, because this means that how they ought to be how they ought to be biblically, how would I want to be judged? How would you want to be judged? According to man’s opinion? According to this brother’s Idea. No, I want to be judged from the Bible, whatever the Bible says. And that’s how we ought to judge.
According to God’s word questions we have to ask, are we binding where the Bible doesn’t bind? Are we losing where the Bible doesn’t lose? We need to ask ourselves when we are judging, when we are going up to a brother in the church, we need to go to them with humility and with God’s word in that alone. Yes. Firstly, if we were going to get to heaven,
we must judge, right? But secondly, if we are going to get to heaven, we must choose right? There is a choice. Let’s look at verses 13 and 14 of Matthew seven, enter you in at the straight gate for wide is the gate. And broad is the way that Leah’s to destruction and many there be which go in their own because Is the gate and narrow is the way which leads on to life.
And few there be that, find it. You know, since then Beginning, there’s always been a choice, right? There’s always been a choice. There’s not some unconditional election. God doesn’t well, I’m a choose you. And I won’t choose. You know, the God has always allowed us to choose. I like Joshua 24. And you know,
you’ve heard verse 15 before notice John Joshua 24 15. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord shoes, notice that word, choose you this day, whom you will serve, whether the gods, Which your father served that were on the other side of the flood Or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But notice what Joshua says.
He says, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. There’s always been a choice. God gives us that choice. That’s up to us. Yeah. We have two choices. There’s there’s not more than that. And you know, our denominational friends like to tell us, well, I’m just taking a different route to heaven.
No, Jesus says that. I’m the way, I’m the truth. And I’m the life. There’s either Christ’s way or there’s the world’s way. And, and there’s not partial obedience. I want you to notice this quote and I love this quote, notice to be almost persuaded as to be almost saved and to be almost saved as be entirely lost. There’s there’s either full for God or full for the world.
There’s not partial obedience with God. But with that choice, as we’ve talked about, we have a choice. You and I, we have the choice that we have. We’re given that there’s two choices. Again, firstly, as Jesus talks about going back to our text, Matthew seven, there’s a wide way. There’s, there’s a, there’s a wide,
the wide path. And this gate is broad and golfs many people, but guess what it is pleasurable, it feels good. First John two and verse 16 says for all those in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, all those things that man loves makes them feel good. That’s that’s this way.
And you, you get to enjoy the pleasures of sin. You get to, you don’t Have to feel bad about anything you do. You get to live for Yourself every day. It’s all about you. I want you to notice something and Hebrews chapter 11, Hebrews chapter 11, I want you to notice what the Hebrew writer says about Moses choosing rather To suffer affliction with the people Of God than to enjoy.
Notice this, the pleasures of sin or seasoned sin. Doesn’t sin only lasts for a season and yes, this way might feel good. You might get to Do what you want to do, live how you want To live yet. Sadly, this one makes this, this way, makes me An enemy of God, James four in verse number four. He adulterers.
And adulteresses no you not that the friendship, The world is what enmity with God and whosoever is going to be a friend of the world is what an enemy of God being an enemy of God’s that’s a scary thing. It’s not, we need to understand that. No, we can’t choose this way. And sadly, many, many seek to enter the other way.
See they want th that the narrow way they want the straight way. Maybe they, they try. I seek it, but something’s holding them back from leaving this wide way. Sadly many will be lost. That’s a sad thing. Is it not this way is not this way. Again, as it was pleasurable, it might be easy. It’s big.
Many people go in. Yeah, sadly it’s eternal destruction. It’s not pleasant revelation 21. And verse number eight tells us that there’s going to be fire and brimstone. This is eternal damnation. This is, this is torments Burning and the fires of hell forever. It’s not going to last a thousand years, 10,000 years. It’s forever. But also this it’s going to be away from the presence of God.
That’s a sad thing. And to think, to replay in your head over and over again, Jesus walking away from you for ever. That’s a sad thing, but Jesus says there is another way. Going back to Matthew chapter seven, what does he say? He also says that there is a narrow way, a straight way. This word narrow is interesting.
When I was Looking at this word narrow, it means difficult. It means suffered. Tribulus. It’s a, it’s a hard way. This, this, this way. It requires endurance. Second Timothy four, six through eight. The title, No, my departure is at hand paraphrase and I fought a good fight. I finished the course. I’ve kept the faith.
What does Paul say? In verse eight henceforth, there is laid it for me. A crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day and not to me only, but to all them that love his appearing this way is the way to go this way. Again, as we stated with Moses, it’s hard. Moses chose rather to suffer affliction with the people Of God and do enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.
And this way leads to an everlasting life with God. We should look forward to that. It’s going to be hard. You’re Going to have temptations. You’re going to have trials in your life. Of course, God does not promise perfection just to a perfect life. I will say this. The destination is a beautiful one. I heard a joke, a story choke about,
about the, the, the, the joys of heaven. There was a, an old man and his wife. They, they died and they went to heaven and Peter was, was showing them around heaven, right? And he’s like, he shows them this, this mansion. He says, this is, this is yours. You get this. And they said,
how much, how much do we have to pay for? And Peter says, no, no, that’s yours. It’s in heaven. This is yours. And he shows them a beautiful car. And how much do we have to pay for it? He says, no, it’s yours. They get to the golf course, golf course. And, and the man says how much you have to pay for it.
And Peter’s like, Nope, it’s all free. And the man looks to his wife and he says, why did you feed me those rice cake and vegetables? I could have been eating all this cake and gotten here to heaven sooner, funny thing. And we now understand doesn’t, haven’t going to be beautiful. I think it is no, we’re not going to have any material things,
just a little illustration there, but we need to choose, right. We need to choose the path to heaven. And if we do, man, it’s going to be beautiful. Number three third, let’s go back to our texts this morning. If we’re going to get to heaven for a third point, we have to discern, right? What does it mean to discern,
to discern means to recognize or identify? We did kind of talk about this a little bit. Let’s talk about this as Jesus. Notice Matthew seven, verse 15, but where are false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly, they are ravening wolves. There are going to be those who want to deceive, right? They’re going to be those who want to persuade men to do other things,
to do other things of the world, to go with false doctrine. And yet some are wolves in sheep’s clothing. False prophets are not going to have a sign on their shirt saying false prophet, false prophet with blinking lights. They’re not going to come up to the pulpit and say, hold on, be prepared. I’m a false prophet. I’m about to deceive.
You know, they’re going to come in sheep’s clothing. They’re going to look like the rest yet. They are deceiving us. Notice. Second Corinthians chapter 11, 13 through 15, second Corinthians 11, 13 through 15 for such are false apostles. Deceitful workers transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ and no Marvel for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Notice that therefore it is no great thing. If his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works, even Satan himself comes into seat for ways. And sadly, there might even be those in the church. No, they look good. They might sound good. They might be the best and the outward.
And then the really, what does Jesus say? They’re ravening. What was, but yes, we, as Christians have to discern, we have to make sure that we are checking. You know, this morning has giving you the gospel. I hope that you just don’t take my word for it. Now. I, I’m not purposely teaching. I hope I’m not saying anything falsely.
Or there could be an instance that preachers say something accidentally that I don’t know, therefore each and every one should make sure the scriptures and the preacher that the teacher is saying something right now, we need to discern you acts chapter 17. Verse number 11 tells us that they searched the scriptures daily to what make sure that these things were were so, and we need to understand that,
but yes, we have to be adamant about testing. One another notice going back to our text verses 16 through 20. Notice what Jesus says about fruit. You shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of missiles, even so every good tree bring it forth, good fruit, but a corrupt tree. Bring it forth.
Evil fruit, a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit. Neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings us not forth. Good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruit roots. You shall know them. We need to not only discern who is teaching or our brethren, we’ll have to discern ourselves.
We have to look at ourselves. Are we living righteously? Philippians two in verse 12 says work out your own salvation. Yes, we, we need to, to watch out for, for others to make sure that their souls are living faithfully as well. We’re responsible for us. We need to make sure of that. Second Corinthians 13 in verse number five,
examine yourself, make sure discern yourselves, make sure that you were living faithfully. As we talked about before, before you go out and tell others, you have to make sure you’re living faithfully as well. And yet, sadly, sometimes I think going back to talking about those who teach falsely thinking that they can hide thinking that they can blend in, Oh,
they might be able to fool you. They might be able to fool me, but they will never, ever, ever full gone their work will be. He brought out, I love numbers, chapter 32 and verse number 23 numbers, 32, 23 notice. But if you will not do so behold, you have sinned against the Lord. Notice this next phrase and be sure your sin will fall.
Sand’s going to be brought to light whether on this earth or whether in judgment, second Corinthians five verse number 10, we’re going to, to what? Up here before everyone is going to appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Yes, we have to discern. We have to make sure that we know right from wrong. We have to make sure that our lives as Christians are living faithfully.
And to say that that everything is okay. Now we need to discern, as Jesus talks about, you know, first John chapter one in verse number five, John says that this is the message, which we’ve heard in declarance to you. That God is light. Nim is no darkness at all in him is no darkness at all. We need to understand that we have to push out the 11 push out sin every day of our lives.
Bless notice our last point for this morning. If we we’re going to get to heaven, we fourthly and lastly must have to build, right? Let’s go back to our texts. Look at verses 24 Through 27, we’re going to come back to verses 21 through 23 at the end. But let’s look at verses 24 through 27, as Jesus is going to give a kind of analogy or illustration Here.
He says, therefore, whosoever, heareth these sayings of mine and do with them. I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. And the rain descended and the floods came and the winds blew and beat upon that house. And it fell not for, it was founded upon a rock and everyone that hears these sayings of mine and do it.
Them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand. And the rain is descent and the rain descended and the floods came and the winds blew and beat upon that. The house and it fell and great was the fall of it. Now, again, we talked about, we have two choices in reality, there’s only two choices,
the world Satan or gone. And so again, you look at these, these, these two people they both heard, right? They both, they both heard, they both built, but one of them didn’t do something. They both faced the storms of life, but one of them did not do the words of who? Of Christ. Yeah. He built his house.
He didn’t have a solid foundation. The outcome was different. Let’s look at the first man, the first person, the first man did what he built his house on Christ. And we, as Christians have to do that every day of loss, every single one of us have to do that. First Corinthians three, look at verse number 11, first Corinthians three and verse number 11.
Notice what Paul says here. He says for other foundation can no man, lay than that is laid, which is what Christ Jesus Christ. That’s where our foundation must be laid. We have to have him as our cornerstone. That’s our foundation. And this man, This man, he didn’t just hear The word. He also did the word James one in verse.
Number two says what we have to be doers of the word, not hearers only. We can’t be only those who hear. We have to do something about it. And yet, sadly those in Psalm and denominations, like to say faith alone, faith alone, go out. I like to use this analogy. When talking about that idea, last Noah,
how he built the Ark by faith alone. I don’t think, I don’t think he’d look at you like what he had to do something. There was a story about one who was golfing with his friend. Of course he was a Christian. And the other was, I believe of a denomination who taught faith alone and they are talking about faith and they got on the green.
And of course the, the faith alone preacher person got up to putt and The Christian was I no, no, no. Hold on, hold on. You. You have to put that in by what? Faith alone. Because faith alone doesn’t require action. Faith alone doesn’t require action. Does it? Doesn’t and the one was like, yeah, you got me there.
The faith plus works equals salvation. Not faith alone. I have to build, I have to do it upon Christ. I want you to notice also something about what this man faced. You know, he still felt face trials, even though his house was built upon the rock, even though it was built upon spiritually Christ, he still faced trials. Notice as we’ve talked about a second,
as we talked about the rains descended verse 25 and the floods came, the winds blew. He might’ve had some scratches. He might’ve even had some, maybe a minor damage on the house, but it never fell. Why? Because it was built on the rock. Second Timothy three verse number 12 year old that should live godly in Christ. Jesus will suffer persecution again.
As we’ve talked about, the way is hard. It’s narrow. It it’s difficult, but we, if we live faithfully, there’s, there’s a requirement we’ll never fall. Now, can we fall away if we choose to? Yes, but if we continue until our lives are over, I forgot is for us, who can, who can stand against us?
We got God on our side. We should be thankful for that. But what about the other man on the sand? He built his house upon the sand and this man, like, like the other Island, unlike the other, he had a faulty foundation. He didn’t build his foundation upon Christ. His foundation was tied to man known as Colossians two and number eight,
but where lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ, that’s where his foundation was. And this man forgot who he was spiritually. He didn’t, he didn’t, he didn’t build his foundation. Right? And, and when the trials of life were upon him, what happened?
He fell. He didn’t have a good foundation. He, he, he was destroyed. You know, pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before the fall. We’re going to be humble enough to do the necessary things, to build right. To make sure that our foundation is correct. Because if our foundation is correct, we can build upon that.
And that basically has a Christian, but yes, if we’re going to get to heaven, we have to build a right. But the question is, what are we going to do as Christians on this earth? And we’re going to judge, right? Are we going to choose the right path? Are we going to discern and build right as Christians? If we cannot do these simple things,
we will not be able to go to heaven. We need to choose the path and keep on that straight and narrow. But the question remains to each and every individual will we make that sacrifice. Galatians two verse number 20. I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless, I live yet. Not I, but Christ liveth in me and the life that I now live in.
The flesh. I live by the faith in the son of God, loved me and gave himself for me. We need to live our lives as sacrifices. And perhaps there was one here this morning who has not chosen the, the, the path of heaven. Perhaps you have not started the journey. Maybe, perhaps you hearing the word now, do you believe that Jesus is the son of God?
Do you believe that that he came down to die for you so that you could have eternal life? Would you be willing to repent of your sins? Confess Christ before man, and be baptized for the remission of sins to start that journey? That’s just the start that’s, that’s just the beginning. And then you get to live faithfully forever. If you choose to do so,
and you get to go to heaven, but perhaps you’ve already done. So, and you have not been living as a Christian. You haven’t been judging, right? You haven’t chosen the right path. You haven’t discerned, right? And you have not built and continued there on, would you come back to God before it is? Everlastingly too late. I know I’ve used this analogy many times.
Imagine the, the father waiting every day for you to come home so he can have you a part of his fold. Once again, second Peter three verse nine. The Lord is not Slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness, but notice this as long suffering towards us, not willing to in any should perish, but that all should come back to repentance.
But it’s up to you to make that choice. If anyone is subject, and once you come as we stand and as we see<inaudible> lift up your voice, leave with him<inaudible> and began life<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> Jesus. Well, me<inaudible> Neil at the cross<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> Jesus. Well meet you there, Neil, at the cross,
give y’all ride<inaudible> to nada, to life. Sparkling cop trust always<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible>. Jesus will meet you.<inaudible> The song. Before our closing prayer will be number 867 to Canaan’s land I’m on my way, eight, six, seven, two Cain and land. I’m on my way where the<inaudible> never jog my dark ass. Nah, well,
turn to day where the<inaudible> never<inaudible> no,<inaudible> no,<inaudible><inaudible> and<inaudible> a Rose and this blew me there. Fuck me where the<inaudible> and<inaudible> where the<inaudible> never ah, no<inaudible> no,<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> never love light beams.<inaudible><inaudible> never de<inaudible><inaudible> no,<inaudible> no,<inaudible><inaudible> I’m on my way to that fan land where there’s<inaudible> where there will be no partying and where there’s<inaudible> never ah,
no,<inaudible> no,<inaudible><inaudible> and<inaudible> Let’s pray. Father who art in heaven. We thank thee for the freedom that we have to come and meet on the first day of the weekend for your children to worship fi and sang the songs of praise. And today we pray that we will always have these freedoms in this country. We always be able to come and,
and gather without fear of home. We pray that you would be with those that have been mentioned today that are sick and unable to be with us. We pray that you would be with the Cozort family and the health of Aaron’s grandmother. We pray that things will go well with her and keep them safe. As they travel back and forth, we pray that you would go with us now and keep us safe.
Do we meet again and crash? And we pray. Amen.