Bible Class Questions
HEBREWS – Hebrews 3-4
Jesus Is Better than Moses; Jesus Is a Better Rest
- Who/Which is better: (a) Moses or (b) Jesus?
(a) House or (b) builder?
(a) Sabbath rest or (b) eternal rest? Hebrews 3:3; 4:1-11 - Who makes up the house of Christ? Hebrews 3:6
- When should believers encourage each other in their faithfulness?
Hebrews 3:12-14 - Why were many of the Israelites led by Moses not allowed to enter into eternal rest? Hebrews 3:18-19; 4:6
- To what is the Word compared? Hebrews 4:12
- How much of each individual can God see? Hebrews 4:13
- Why can Jesus sympathize with our weaknesses? Hebrews 4:15
Automated Transcript:
<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> Alrighty. We are in the book of Hebrews. We started with Hebrews chapters one and two on Wednesday night, and we’re going to continue with chapters three and four this morning, and then five and six on Wednesday night.<inaudible> I’ll double check. See if I can get a list printed off for the order of the classes for the rest of the quarter.
So that those who want to be reading ahead can do that. We have AF after taking an impromptu vote on Wednesday, we’re going to continue with covering the questions from the class before at the beginning of each class. So that we kind of use that as a review, keep what we talked about in the previous class and in the forefront of our minds as we get started.
But let’s begin with a word of prayer, dear heavenly father. We thank you for this day. We thank you for its blessings. We thank you for all that you do for us on a daily basis, we ask that you be with us as we go through this time of study, we are mindful of those who we are separated from because of COVID.
We are mindful of those that are throughout the world who are serving and ministering and evangelizing in places of, of great difficulty. And we pray that in all of those situations, they will be able to be blessed and prosper in serving you that they will be healthy and able to continue their work in their labors. We ask that you watch over us as we go throughout this day and the remainder of it way,
the worship that we offer to you this day be that which is in accordance with your will and in spirit. And in truth, we ask that you forgive us when we sin and fall short of your glory, all this, we pray in Jesus name. Amen. By way of just kind of a quick thought review. What is the primary audience of the book?
All right. Jewish Christians. What were, what, what was the reason that the book of Hebrews was written to these Jewish Christians? Okay. Right. There were, some of them were considering turning back to the law of Moses and drifting away or turning away from Christ. The Hebrew writer who is not identified like very few other books of the Bible.
This is one of those books that just simply the author is not provided. The pen bin is not provided. Some have suggested it’s Paul, some have suggested as Timothy, others have suggested it’s neither. And it’s somebody else. Ultimately it’s the Holy spirit, No matter who, Who writes it, but it is interesting in its writing style, in that all throughout the book,
as the writer addresses those who are struggling quite frequently, if not exclusively, as he says, you basically, here’s what you’re struggling with. And here’s the solution. He includes himself in the solution. He says, let throughout the book, he says, let us, let us, let us, let us. And so he is, he is writing style is,
is such that he’s constantly bringing, not just the, the realization of what they need to do before them, but he’s including himself. He’s he does it in a, in a very inclusive way to say, this is what we as Christians must do. And so it’s, it’s very interesting in somewhat a contrast to some of the other books of the new Testament.
Alright, let’s go over the questions from Wednesday. Question Number one from Hebrews chapters, one and two. How did God speak long ago to the fathers, By The prophets? How has God spoken to the readers of Hebrew through Christ or by his son? Question two after completion of what task did Jesus sit down at the right hand of the majesty on hot Purged,
our sins, okay. Number three, who is better Jesus or the angels, Jesus. And that brings us there in that, that question to really the theme of the book of Hebrews all the way through is that Christ and his law and his house and everything that he created and everything that he did as part of the new covenant is better than the old covenant.
Why was Jesus made a little lower than the angels for a little while?<inaudible> All right. For the suffering of death, taste death for every man discuss the eternal nature of the earth and heavens, All right, It’s not eternal. It will perish, okay. Discuss the eternal nature of God. He will remain. He is unchanging. Those are kind of two of the things that are brought out there in those verses,
who has the power, excuse me, who had the power of death, the devil, how did Jesus render him powerless? All right. By defeating death, or another way you could say that is through death. He used the devil’s own tool against him. All right. Why do believers need to pay closer attention to what they have heard so that they do not slip away or less?
They drift away? What does Jesus do in his service as our high priest?<inaudible> He intercedes and makes propitiation for our sins or pays the price for our sins. Okay. So that’s kind of in very short form chapters one and two, the focus in chapters one and two is Jesus is better than the angels. Secondly, Jesus is our high priest.
Thirdly, Jesus overcame death. And if you return back to the law, given by angels, as the Hebrew writer describes the law of Moses, the law, given my angles, you’re returning to an inferior law. And if you’re returning to the old law, you’re referring to ref you’re returning to an inferior priesthood. And if you’re returning to the old law,
you’re returning to a law under which there was judgment and death and no solution. Okay. So chapter three, you have, and it is, it’s kind of amusing. You know how I feel about chapter breaks to begin with let alone chapter breaks that begin with the word, therefore like, okay, here’s the law, here’s the argument. And now stop right there.
All right. Now here’s the conclusion. It’s like, w w why did you stop before the conclusion stop somewhere else? But the problem with the book of Hebrews is it is long one continuous argument there, which is why I think about half or more of the chapters begin with the word, therefore, okay. Because Hebrew writer never stops making his argument.
He just keeps rolling. So we begin with chapter three, verse one, therefore, Holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the apostle and high priest of our confession. Jesus Christ. Now, what does the word apostle mean in its literal sense? Not now talking about what was the office, but what’s the word mean? 1 cent. Okay.
So he is 1 cent and he is the high priest. Okay. He is sent by God, nicotine. This John chapter three said to Jesus, we know that you’re a messenger sent from God. You’re a man sent from God for no one could do the things that you do, except God be with him. Okay? So this, this idea here is he is the one who God sent,
but then also you have here his high priesthood, but it’s the high priest of our confession. Here. You have Jesus acting in his intercessor capacity. Jesus Christ is not just the high priest who goes in before God to make the offering for sin. But he is that continual intercessor on behalf of us. Okay? Now this word confession here. We generally think when we hear the word confession,
confession of sins, that’s not really the idea here. This is profession. Profession of faith is really the better idea in this context. So he is the high priest of our profession of God. It is closer to the idea of one who confesses the name of Christ, as opposed to one who confesses sin that they’ve done wrong. So those are two different ideas that are in the new Testament in English.
It’s kind of the same, same word, but it’s important to really kind of keep the two ideas, separate one, being a profession of faith, a declaration of faith, and one, a confession of wrongdoing and admittance of wrongdoing. So who was faithful to him who appointed him as Moses also was faithful in all his house as we go through the,
the book and we’re going to continually get a comparison and a contrast. Now we’ve talked about angels. Now we’re going to move into the discussion of Moses. The Hebrew writer is as he describes, and as he compares Jesus to the old Testament, you’ll notice throughout the book. It’s not in any way, a denigration of the old Testament. It’s not in any way him denigrating Moses or the angels,
or later on in Hebrews, chapter 11, all those who by faith, by faith, by faith, by faith did this and that. No, no, he’s not saying Jesus is better. And therefore you should, you should just, those people ignore those. We don’t need those. Those are unimportant. No, no, no. That’s not his attitude.
His attitude all the way through it is to glorify those who did these great things here. He describes Moses as one who was faithful in all his house was Moses. Perfect. No, but was Moses faithful? Yes. And so the Hebrew writer in no way is taking away from Moses. He and said, is saying, Jesus Christ is faithful like Moses,
but ultimately we’re going to see, he’s not only faithful like Moses. He’s also better than Moses. Okay. So notice what we read for who was faithful to him, who appointed him. That’s a pointed, I carries back to that idea of the apostleship as Moses also was faithful in all his house for this one, being Christ has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses in as much as he who built the house has more honor than the house.
The Hebrew writer is going to use it analogy here. It’s, it’s going to kind of cross between through, throughout this text, the analogy of a household and the physical structure. Okay? The, in the old, in the old and new Testament, you’ve got the house of God. And sometimes we’re talking about a physical structure, and sometimes we’re talking about the people of God and the Hebrew writers going to kind of use both.
He’s going to use the analogy of both. He’s going to describe Moses, being faithful in the house of God. And he’s going to describe Christ as being faithful in the house of God. But as the builder of the house of God, when you look at a structure, when you look at a house that house has in and of itself, it,
it has recognized it has Laura. You can look at a house and say, wow, somebody really put some time and effort into this. But even that phrase right there, somebody really put some time and effort to that. You, you realize that back behind every house is Tom buddy, who actually made it into what it is and what the analogy is going to be here in Hebrews.
Chapter three is Moses was faithful in the house. Jesus is the builder of the, and in view of that, the greater glory is the one who built the belongs to the one who built the house, not the one who served in the house. Okay. So there’s the analogy. As we go through this for every house is built by someone, but he who built all things is God.
Now that he writers already described the creative function of Christ in the old Testament, or excuse me, in, in the beginning of time in creation. So when he says he who built all things as God, he’s not looking straight at the father, he’s looking straight back to Christ. Okay. So verse five, he says, and Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant for a testimony of those things,
which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a son over his own house, whose house we are, if we hold fast, the conf the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope from, to the end. So here’s where kind of the analogy jumps from the structure idea of building to the people he says, Moses was faithful as a servant. Moses served in the house.
Moses was one who was faithful as a servant for a testimony of things that were to come. He said, what, what Moses did as Moses laid a groundwork, Moses set a foundation for things that looked forward all throughout the book of Hebrews. We’re going to find the, a significant emphasis on types and anti types. In other words, the old Testament tabernacle as a picture of eternity of heaven of the church,
the, the functions of the high priest as a picture of the real high priest, the functions of the sacrifice as a, under the old law, as a picture of the true sacrifice, Jesus Christ. So there’s going to be this constant analogy. And what he’s going to emphasize here and introduce is everything Moses did as a servant in the house of God,
looked forward to one who was to come. If you’re doing something and you’re serving to accomplish something that is, is being done to look forward to something else, what’s the greater thing, the thing you’re doing, or the thing you’re looking forward to you’re laying the foundation. John, the Baptist was to prepare the way of the Lord. He came beforehand to set things ready for one who would come,
would come after. And John, the Baptist said concerning his own place in view of Christ. I’m not worthy to stoop down and unloose sandals. The one who prepares the way for someone else is of less glory than the one he’s preparing the way for. Okay. So there’s what the Hebrew writer is saying here, but Christ as a son over his own house,
whose house we, We are First Timothy chapter three, verse 15. I believe it is. Paul writes to Timothy and says that he needs to be faithful in or describes him how to be faithful and how to behave in the house of God. Is he talking about how he’s supposed to behave in the church building? No, Hi, I am regularly.
And you all know it telling my children how to behave at a church building, but that’s not the instructions that Timothy is getting from Paul. Timothy is getting from Paul, how he ought to behave in the house, which is the church of God. So as we read here, verse six, that same idea is brought forward Christ as a son over his own house,
whose house we are, the Hebrew writer is not declaring all of humanity to be the house of Christ. The house of God. He is declaring the church to be the house of God whose house we are. If we hold fast, the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope from to the end. There’s something that is required. If we’re going to be in the house of God,
we have to hold fast. The word of God, if we let go of the word of God, where do we stop belonging To the church? We stopped. We stopped belonging to the house of God. We’ve told God like the prodigal son told his father, I don’t need you anymore. Give me what belongs to me and let me go. And it was in this,
this, this relationship is considered as if that child was dead. He was no longer part of the house. He was no longer part of the household. Okay. And yet he comes back. So verse seven, the Hebrew writer wants to address their faithfulness. Now he’s just said, Moses was faithful. Christ was faithful. Christ is greater than Moses,
but you’re going to become unfaithful if you returned to Moses instead of Christ, okay? Notice what he says. He says, therefore, as the Holy spirit says today, if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. As in the rebellion, in the day of trial, in the wilderness, where your fathers tested me, tried me and saw my works 40 years.
Therefore I was angry with that generation and said, they always go astray in their heart. And they have not known my ways swore. So I swore in my wrath, they shall not enter my rest. This refers back to Psalm 95, Psalm 95 looks back at the actions of the previous generations. Going back to those who came out of Egypt and tries to exhort the Israelites of his day,
not to be like the Israelites that came out of Egypt, the Israelites that rebelled, the Israelites that God said, you’re not going into the land. I’ve promised to you. I promised you a land, but I promised you a land. If you would be faithful and you won’t be faithful. So you’re going to wander in the wilderness for 40 years and you’re going to die out here.
You’re not going to enter my rest. But the view here is Jesus Christ, who is better than Moses is going to provide a rest that was better than Moses is rest. Moses brought them to the promised land. He didn’t get to go in himself, but he brought them to the promised land. He brought them to the rest. God had offered them under the old Testament,
but Christ brings us to a better rest, verse 12, but where brethren less there being any of you and evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God, when he, when the Hebrew writer looks at these Christians who are considering going back to the law of Moses, he doesn’t describe them as those who are going back to an inferior law by the law of God.
He describes them as those who would be departing from God, because God has said, I’m done with that. I’m done with that covenant, that covenant is over that covenant was there for a time to lead you to a better covenant. If you go back, you don’t just leave the covenant. You leave me. Okay? So he says, beware brother,
unless there being any of you in evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God, but exhort one, another verse 13 daily, while it is called today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin for, we have become partakers of Christ. If we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said today,
if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the day of the rebellion. So he harkens back to Psalm 95 again, and he says, listen, just the same way the Psalm is writer said, don’t go back to the rebellion. Then I’m exhorting. You don’t go back to the rebellion again. I don’t want you to turn your back on God.
I don’t want you to be fall or to become falling or fall prey to the deceitful ness of sin. But here’s how you do it. And this is kind of one of those things. I think we’re not really Good at as a church. Yeah. Not speaking of us, either the congregation, But the church today. He said, It says here in verse 13,
but exhort one another Daily you’ll look at acts chapter two. And it asks you After two, when the church is first created, when they have Pentecost closes out. One of the things that you read in acts chapter two verse 42 is that they continue Daily. In one accord, they can Continued in the Apostle’s doctrine. They continued in breaking of bread.
They continued in fellowship and in prayer. Well, We’ve gotten a little close to the mode of, well, I’m going to be with my brother and on Sunday and Wednesday or for some people see them Sunday morning, and then I’m not gonna, I don’t need to think about them again until next Sunday or next Wednesday. And yet the Hebrew writer says,
listen, you’ve got to guard your brethren. You’ve got to exhort your brethren. You’ve got to encourage your brother and you need to do Do it daily. That’s not just a problem for members. That’s a problem for preachers too. We, we all have to think about the things that our brethren are going through and the difficulties they may be having and the help they may be needing because It’s a lack quite often,
a lack of communication with brethren Causes a person who was faithful to drift away and not be brought back. How many times in the life of a congregation does somebody who’s showing up. Who’s faithful. Who’s assembling, who’s working slowly but surely stopped doing what they were doing. Stop doing a little bit more. Stop doing a little bit more. Stop attending on one,
one service, stop attending for another service. And pretty soon they’re Just gone. And sometimes It happens in congregations. And no one says Because they did it Just get up and leave. When they were active duty. See if they had been, if they had just walked out, when they were doing all of those things, somebody would have said, Whoa,
Wrong, but what happened? They drifted Away. Go back to chapter two, verse one. Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard. Lest we drift away. Why does a ship that wants to stay in one place, put down an anchor because a ship can’t stay in one place without an anchor. The only way you can do that is either you keep putting yourself back in the same place.
I run that motor and keep driving yourself into the same location. Or you got to put an anchor down, but you put a ship on water and it doesn’t matter how it really, I mean, outside of a perfectly calm day in a perfectly calm with no current Lake or pond. If you put a boat in water, it’s going to move unless you anchor it.
And by the way, the Hebrew writer will describe Jesus Christ as the anchor of our soul. Okay.<inaudible> yeah, absolutely. That, that, that’s a good point. You know, and, and this, again, not just exclusive to our congregation, but a struggle that exists in a lot of places in the world right now, because of COVID.
And because we have vulnerable populations of people that, that, you know, are, are susceptible to this disease. It’s easy to say, well, what let’s keep our distance, but we also have a lot of means and opportunities and technologies available to us. And let’s face it. The ability to go stand in their yard, seven feet away from,
and still go see them still interact with them and not let go of this responsibility to encourage and exhort and help those individuals in their faithfulness. So something we need to be mindful of. He says here today will, is the day that we need to be focused on. We can make plans for the future. We can make plans for what’s to come,
but the focus of our faithfulness, the focus of our interactions with our brother and needs to be on the here and now, not just the future. So then he says, verse 16, for who? Having heard rebelled we’re we’re getting back To that old Testament group. Those people that came out of Israel or came out of Egypt, those Israelites, they Heard it now,
when they heard it, Wasn’t Moses got up and told them the law. No, that’s not what he’s talking about. He’s talking about those Israelites who stood at the base of Mount Sinai and heard God Speak. And they still rebelled. They Had an interaction with God where they were so terrified. And he’s going to get into that later on in the book,
they were so terrified by the presence of God that they said, Moses, you go up on the Mount and you hear his words. And instead of him speaking directly to us And those same people didn’t believe that God could overcome the giants in the land. And the Hebrew writer says who having heard rebelled, Indeed. Was it not all who came out of Egypt led by Moses.
Now with whom was he angry 40 years? Was it not those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness and to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who did not obey watch this, he says they heard, but they rebelled. They were those who came out of Egypt, but he left them in the wilderness.
He caused them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years till they died. They were those who were living and were promised his rest. And yet they died not having received the rest. And why? Because they heard And did not obey. They turn back. Why do you think It is of such significance that Jesus described Dives? The wise man and the fool there in the end of the sermon,
On the Mount, in Matthew chapter seven, who’s the Wise man builds Upon the rock. And Jesus describes the one who builds his households on the rock as one who hears and Does what gods He says, but who’s the foolish man. The one who builds It’s hell, It’s on the sand. And he’s the one who here And does not do what God said.
Same point being made here. All right. And to whom did he swear verse 18, that they would not enter his rest, but to those who did not obey. So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Therefore, since A promise remains of entering his rest, God hasn’t removed that promise. God told those in that day,
here’s my rest. You can enter into it. Here’s what you need to do. Here’s what’s required of you. Now go do it. And they didn’t. Now God has promised us in the eternal rest. He said, here’s what you need to do. Here’s what what’s required of you. Now go do it. He said, since that promise of resto remains,
let us, here’s this, this declaration, here’s this beckoning that he does throughout the book. Let us fear lest any of you seem to have, seem to have come Short of it For indeed. The gospel was preached to us as well as to them, but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith. Those who heard it.
Now, I struggle with people who will Try and hold onto a doctrine of faith only and go through the book of Hebrews because did they believe what God told them? Yeah. Otherwise they wouldn’t have left Egypt. They wouldn’t know. They wouldn’t have come to Mount Sinai. They wouldn’t have stood there. They believed it. But did they? No. And so here he says the gospel was preached to them.
The good news was preached to them. The good news to Israel was the promised land. The good news to us is the rest offered by Christ eternity with God. But he said, they Fell short. You, We need to be faithful. We need to be diligent. Let us hold fast so that we don’t I’ll fall short as well For we who have believed do for we who have believed,
do enter that rest as he has said. So I swore in my wrath, they shall not enter my rest. Although the works were finished from the foundation of the world for, he has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way and gone rested on the seventh day from all his works. And again, in this place, they shall not enter my rest since therefore it remains that we must enter it.
And those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of just obedience. Again, he designates a certain day saying in David today, after such a long time, as it has been said today, if you will hear his voice, do not harden your hearts for if Joshua had given them rest, then he would not afterward have spoken of another day,
therefore, or excuse me, there remains therefore a rest for the people of God, for he who has entered his rest has himself also seized from his works as God did from His, he says, God ceased. And his laborers when he created this world, not saying God’s not active anymore. He’s saying God did what he was going to do in creating this earth and creating this,
this dwelling blaze and creating this universe. And then He ceased, he stopped. He was finished. And yet he says to his people, I’ll give you something more, But this is what you have to do to get it. This is what you have to do to receive It. What did any of us have to do to receive the universe God created in the first six days?
All right, Let me ask you this way. What part did I have in me being here? None. All right. I didn’t have a choice. I’ve had a lot of choices since then, but getting here, I didn’t have a choice. Now, my mother said that I was kind of stubborn and didn’t want to come for about two months or two weeks.
And so, you know, there was this, is he coming? Is he coming? Is it? But the reality was me being here. Wasn’t a choice of mine. I’m here. But whether or not I enter God’s rest is a choice of mine. It requires hearing and believing and acting out of faith in obedience in order to enter that rest.
So he says, therefore there remains a rest for the people of God, but you don’t get it. If you go back to Moses, you don’t get it. If you turn away from Christ. So he says again, let us, he petitions them again. Verse 11, let us therefore be diligent to enter his rest. If you’re going to get there,
you’re going to have to work for it. You’re going to have to be diligent. You’re going to have to put effort into getting into the promise. Rest of Christ. You’re not going to accidentally slip into heaven. It’s not going to happen. You’re not going to accidentally wake up one day and hook life’s over. And I got to heaven. No it’s not going to happen.
You’re going to get there by giving diligence. He says, therefore, be diligent to enter that rest list. Anyone fall, according to the same example of disobedience, whose example the Israelites, the Israelites that came out of Egypt, they have provided us an example of how not to enter God’s rest and we can fall the same way they did, but he says,
let us give diligence, let us be diligent to not do that for the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing. Even to the division of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him,
to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great high priest. Now here’s an interesting thing. He says, let us give diligence that we don’t follow their example of disobedience and then says, because the word of God is like, what? A two edge sword, a sharp two-edged sword. What is that? Eh, for, for any group of people that lived under Roman rule,
what is that harken to mine? The sword of a Roman soldier. They didn’t use the, the, the swords like were used in the, in the days of the pirates on the sea. And in, in early American times, sharp on one side, they used a sword that was sharp on both sides. It cuts you coming and going and God’s word here.
Oh, that’s interesting. We, we often describe this as the scriptures. God’s word, the scriptures contextually and grammatically that may not be accurate because the very next verse points out and there is no creature hidden from his sight. Grammatically. It is completely acceptable in this passage for the word to be Christ in the context, the word as a sharp two-edged sword,
being a description of Christ and his actions as, as the one who is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, okay. Either way. It’s very hard to separate as John describes him, John chapter one, the word from the, the word he gave, okay. Christ from his word, but he says seeing them that we have a great high priest context,
he’s talking about Christ. Seeing, then we have a great high priest who is passed through the heavens Jesus, the son of God. Again, third time in this chapter, let us hold fast. Our confession he’s brought us all the way back to where he started in chapter three, verse one, he’s the high priest of our confession. Okay. Let us hold fast to our confession for,
we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are yet without sin. Let us fourth time. Therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Now on Wednesday, we’re going to pick up with these verses because we don’t have time to really get into them the way I want to right now,
but he’s described Christ as better than Moses. He’s described the rest of Christ as better than the rest of the promised land. And now he’s going to, again, describe Christ as a better high priest. And we’re going to discuss that as we get into chapter five comments or questions. All right. Thank you for your attention.<inaudible> the boys did.
Okay.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> Good morning. It’s certainly good to see everyone here this morning. We’d like to, Oh, I was trying to see what time it was. I thought he was raising his hand. I thought he was more than a bit of hope. Hold up a minute. We do want to welcome those in our viewing audience.
We hope that this will be very uplifting for you too, as we worship together. And we certainly miss those that are normally here, but are staying in due to the virus. It was good to see everyone here today, especially those of you that are visiting with us. It’s our pleasure to have you here. We would like to have you fill out an attendance card.
So we might have a record of you being here. If you don’t mind doing that. And we, we do appreciate you coming and worshiping with us today. We do have a few announcements. We want to share with you. If you haven’t already picked up the Lord’s supper, we want to remind you of that right. Quickly in the back of the auditorium.
This would be a good time to do that. If you fail to do that, like I did, I just walked right in without it. So I’d have to go back and get it, but be sure and do that. We want to remember our sick Joan spring, or I didn’t get a chance to speak to Marie when he came in. But I think she’s,
she has good days and bad days. So hopefully she’s having better days. We, we pray that that’s the case. Dorothy, Wilson, I understand has been in the ER, some and actually she’s gotten home. She has been having chills. So she’s not sure whether or not she’s come down and with anything or not. So keep her in your prayers.
Also, Rudy has a twin brother ODALE and his wife Demple have COVID and he is not doing very well. And they really don’t expect him to live. So keep North and Rudel in your prayers that they’ll be able to come through this. Okay. And I know that it’s a very trying on them with his twin brother, looking like that. He might die here over this thing,
Tori, hi Ansley had her MRI and they’re waiting to hear the results of that. So keep her in your prayers. Also, Robin woods has pneumonia and we want to continue to remember her. Also, remember Jessica, she’s still having some health problems pray that there’ll be able to do those things that will be helpful for her to get back to normal way of life man’s meeting will be the 12th.
It’d be next month, a week from this Monday on the 14th. So keep that in mind. And we have a agenda item sheet on the bullets and the board there by the office. If you have anything you would like to be, to be discussed in that meeting, please go by there and, and write that on that sheet so that we can take care of those particular things.
Gary Carter would be speaking on tithing tomorrow night on the 9:00 PM nationwide gospel meeting that you can call in, or there’s a sheet on the table there in the four years. The best way to do that, just pick that up and it’ll tell you what you need to do in order to hear that or see it on the live stream. We want to mention that Noah Olson,
one of the young man from the school of preaching is here for a three month trial period. And hopefully it will be ongoing for the remainder of the time that he’s in school. So if you have not met Noah, please take the time to meet him and welcome him to the church here at Collierville. We’re glad to have him. He led our song service a Wednesday evening,
did a very good job and we want to continue to encourage him as well as Michael, as they go to the school of preaching and the work they’re doing, I have a card I’d like to read to you. Dear family, you all will never know how very lucky you made my Friday, the 13th, the beautiful flower spray had all of the files,
colors in them. And I enjoyed them for for many days, thanks to Sylvia and Diana and especially, yeah, to you, Eddie, what a brightful and delightful idea you had and carried it out through the throat. I can’t even read her own writing, carried it out so very well. I appreciate your thoughts, awfulness and the love. So very much I missed each of you so much this year.
May the new year find us happier, healthier, and in a, so much better place. My love in Christ, Suzanne, I’ll post this on the bulletin board there by the office or our service this morning, Michael Dale will be directing our song service. Eric Halverson has our opening prayer more Phillips has the Lord’s supper. Aaron Cozort would be bringing the message today.
And Tommy O’Neil Will lead us in our closing prayer. My first song this morning will be number 144 O worship the King one 44. Oh<inaudible> and green for Lee. Here’s one<inaudible> Oh shit. Dan. And the ancient<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> it streams from<inaudible> to play and sweetly<inaudible> for children de us and<inaudible> and<inaudible> and<inaudible> make defend.<inaudible> Ms.
Long before our opening prayer will be number 837. I need the every hour, eight 37. I need the every, ah,<inaudible> no<inaudible> I need the<inaudible> every hour. I need the<inaudible> to the, I need the every, ah, stay. Ah, ah.<inaudible> ah, ah, ah, I need the, a tiny, the<inaudible> the<inaudible><inaudible> the,
I need the, every<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> the<inaudible> the<inaudible> to the, I need the<inaudible>. Oh man.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> the,<inaudible> the<inaudible><inaudible> God, our father in heaven. We come to you at this time, thanking you for another opportunity to assemble here this morning in this building to sing songs, appraised your great name and to worship your great Lord.
We know there are many amongst us that are struggling with various ailments and we ask if it be your will, that you return them to a measure health that they so desire. But at this moment, Lord, I would like to especially ask that you reach out and comfort the Wilson family, especially Odell at this time. And if it be your will see him through this,
and if it is not your will, we understand that. Please comfort that family at this time of need. As we know only you can, God, we know that many amongst us fall short of your glory. And when we do, and we come to you with our shortcomings, we ask that you forgive us of those shortcomings and help us to stay on the straight and narrow and be your grateful servants here on earth.
And now, as we prepare to study a portion of your word, we ask that you help each and every one of us listen carefully to the message that brother Aaron is about to bring to us and take it and apply it to our lives. So we can be become better servants of yours here on earth. But most importantly, help us to have the courage to go out and reach out to those who have either fallen away from your word or have not had the chance to hear your word yet and bring your word to them so that they may also have the opportunity to make that choice and serve you.
We pray all this in your son. jesus’ name, amen Song to prepare our minds for the Lord’s supper will be number 386. He loves me. Number three, eight, six. Why did the save y’all have on the van come to me? Oh man, his grace Adri sea, the sea loves me. So he loves me. He loves me.
He loves me this. I know he gave him. So to, for me, the CACI loves me. So<inaudible> no way. And<inaudible> pray being CACI loves. So he loves me. He loves me. He loves me this. I know he gave himself to die for me. The car see loves me. So I feel the gardens ride for draws.
Why through his trials? Oh,<inaudible> cross B. CACI loves me. So he loves me. He loves me. He loves me this. I know he gave himself to die for me be<inaudible> At this time, we need to remember Jesus and his sacrifice that he made on the cross. Well, the scenes mankind, let us pray. Having a followed.
We’re thankful for this bread that represents jesus’ body. That was nailed to that cross for our sins. Pray heavenly father would partake of it in a worthy manner. Amen. And men or heavenly father that is particular. This fruit of the vine, the represents jesus’ blood that was shed on the cross for the sins of mankind and prohibited. Followed would partake of it and where the men are also amen.
Separate from the Lord’s table. We have an opportunity to give us with prosper. Well, let’s pray. Heavenly father. We’re thankful for the monetary gains we received in the youth through there out the years and pray heavenly father, you receive receive a portion back to you to help the car. You were church here. Continue its work. Amen. The song before the lesson will be number 443.
The precious book divine. If you could please stand for this song. Number four, four, three. Oh<inaudible> bye. Bye<inaudible>.<inaudible> hi to God. My Saul to<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> to my feet and to my way to guide me<inaudible> Oh, it’s sweetly. Cheers. My drooping. Oh<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> my feet. And like,
to my way to guide me<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> to my way to guide me safely. Oh, maybe seated and we’ll be on the slides, but if you would like to Mark number nine, one, one, that’ll be the song of invitation number 911. Good morning. Couple of announcements. As we begin our lesson this morning that we failed to get in the announcements.
There’s a family down in Texas, the Rodriguez family. We’d like you to remember in your prayers, old bed Rodriguez Rodriguez. The father was an instructor of the Brown trail school of preaching in Texas, him and his wife both ended up getting COVID and both passed away within about a week and a half of each other, leaving behind a 21 year old daughter.
So keep the Rodriguez family in your prayers in this time. Also wanted to make, mention this concerning Noah. He comes to us from Missouri and he actually, his family attends the congregation where my middle brother attends up in Missouri and preaches there part-time. So it is good to have him. We look forward to working with him and he was came, came highly recommended.
So we look forward to the time we’ll get to spend with Noah and looking forward to that, turning into a permanent thing. As we think about that, of course, keep in mind that the Dale family is, is coming up on their last two quarters and they’ll be looking for preaching positions. And of course that’s going to be a whole different ball game in the world of COVID because,
you know, normally you would just go travel around and visit a few of these places. And that’s going to be harder even just as a result of that. So keep them in your prayers. As they looked toward the future and graduation, there’s a lot of, lot of changes ahead In this world. We face some significant struggles and anyone who’s honest with themselves and the world we live in would admit that we don’t live in a perfect place.
We don’t live In a perfect country. We don’t live in a perfect state. We don’t live in a perfect city. We don’t live in a perfect World. And yet we also realize that many of the struggles of this year have been for much of the world, a word that we’ve heard over and over and over on the news, unprecedented, whether they are,
whether they aren’t in view of history. This is a reality. The world faces Wars, famine, homelessness, anger, racism, riots, hopelessness, struggles, And pandemics. But as you and I look at our lives and as we look at our lives in view of one overarching detail, and that is eternity, we view our lives in view of what Jesus said in Mark chapter 16,
Jesus, as he was preparing to leave this earth said in Mark chapter 16, beginning in verse 15, he said to them, the them in this context is the apostles go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved. But he who does not believe will be condemned. Jesus did not send his disciples,
his apostles or his church into the world to become ambassadors, governors, presidents, leaders in the business world, or even entrepreneurs. He sent his disciples into the world to preach the gospel. And as we face the problems that our world faces, as we face the problems and confront the problems that our world deals with every single day, we need to come to the realization that the gospel is the solution.
And again, we always live our lives and we should live our lives. In view of the temporary nature of our lives is the gospel, the solution to the pandemic. Will it cure COVID-19? No it won’t, but what does a person need to be ready for before their life is over? Whether they die of COVID-19 or cancer or a car accident,
or they die. When they’re 21 years old, from a bad Choice in every category, What they better have right before they leave this earth, no matter how it happens is their salvation. The gospel is the solution to the problems facing this world. If the gospel was being obeyed by the population of the world, would we have Wars? No, we wouldn’t.
If the gospel where Jesus Christ said to those who are on this earth to do to others, as we would have done to ourselves, would we have fighting’s among ourselves? If the gospel was obeyed and we were to serve one another first, instead of serving our own selfish desires in this world, would we have nation against nation? No. If the gospel was being obeyed,
would there ever be a reason for riots and protests in the streets? No. If the gospel was observed and obeyed by all the world, would there be Any hopelessness left? No. The gospel also doesn’t picture the world In that way. The gospel is honest with reality. Let’s begin in Luke chapter two. I want to begin in Luke chapter two,
because the beginning of Christ’s time on this earth was introduced in a certain way. It was introduced as a moment of change. Unlike anything else that had ever happened in Luke chapter two, beginning in verse eight. Now there were in the same country, shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night and behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them.
Now I don’t know about you, but I think probably throughout the span of time, that shepherds have been out in the fields at night with their sheep. The, the quantity of times that an angel showed up during that night is pretty low. This is a pretty abnormal activity and notice what, what happens and behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them.
And they were greatly afraid their responses adequate to the circumstance here. They they’re minding their own business. They’re tending their own sheep here. They are with their sheep and the glory of God shown from heaven and an angel stands before them. And they’re afraid. And yet the message The angel says to them do not be afraid, Afraid for behold. I bring you good tidings of great joy.
The angel says to these shepherds do not be afraid. I’m not here to punish you. Judge. You inflict harm on you. Do anything negative to you. I am here for the exact opposite reason. I am here to bring you good tidings, glad things. I am here to bring you the good news, but known as this other phrase, which will Searchie to all people,
Jesus Christ. As he entered into this earth, as he took on flesh, as he left heaven to become man, as he made himself lower than the angels to take on flesh, he came and in his coming, he brought good tidings of glad things to all people, not just to Israel, not just to the Jews, not just to one nation,
but to the entire World. Verse 11 for there is born to you this day in the city of David, A savior who is Christ. The word there in the Greek would have told these Hebrew shepherds in the Hebrew, the Messiah who is the Messiah, the Christ Lord, and this will be the sign to you. We’ll find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,
lying in a manger, Or rather on usual place for a child to be lying who had just been born. So all of this will occur. But what I want us to focus on is the entrance of Christ came and was proclaimed as a solution For the world, the gospel and the good news That was first hearkened by these angels and was brought forward by Christ was not National.
It was not territorial, but it was universal. It Was, as the angel said to All people turn to John chapter three, John Chapter three, beginning in 15, Jesus makes it clear as he is speaking with Nicodemus, that the gospel is the solution to the problem that all The world has Beginning in John chapter three, beginning in verse 15, we read that whoever believes in him should not perish,
but have eternal life for God. So loved the world that he gave. His only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Jesus says to Nicodemus this Jewish teacher, this Jewish instructor, that the problem the world has is the world is headed towards destruction. The world, its population, not the universe, not the planet.
Jesus isn’t here concerned about global warming. He’s concerned about souls and he says, these souls need salvation, or they will perish. But when that salvation, they have the opportunity at eternal life. But then verse 17 for God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world. But the world through him might be saved. Now some might come to this passage and say,
ah, look, Jesus Christ came in the world. Now we all will have heaven Without exception. Of course, that would be wrong because, Because they might’ve stopped just a little too soon. Verse 18 says he who believes in him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten son of God.
And this is the con the condemnation that the light has come into the world and men love darkness rather than light because their deeds Were evil. Jesus, as he speaks to Nicodemus confronts the reality of the situation, God sent his son into the world because the world was going to perish. And those who are part of the world needed salvation. And God loved the world and loved those souls that were in the world enough to give his only begotten son.
And he didn’t send them to this earth to condemn it. He didn’t send them to this earth to destroy it. He sent him to say It’s and yet Jesus will be the first to admit that not all the world will be saved because as he said, those who do evil love darkness rather than light. So what is it that will condemn world their refusal to obey the gospel,
their refusal, to believe that which God has said, but as we notice the gospel as the solution to the world’s problems and, and it is if we will simply obey it, the solution is universal. The gospel is universal. This problems that can be solved are universal, but they must be sought Solved individually. But then notice as well. The gospel is the solution because the gospel is the divine power for a helpless world.
Romans chapter one, Romans chapter one. And in verse 16, Paul writes here to the church at Rome, a church that had not yet been visited by an apostle, a church that did not yet have the gifts of the miraculous, the miraculous, the gifts of the Holy spirit, a church that did not have in its presence. Those who could perform miracles,
who could speak by revelation the way and profits who could speak as those did in Corinth and here, Paul writes to them any, He says to them, I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes he identifies that God sent the gospel to the Jews first, but also to all of the non Jews to the Greeks.
He says, God has brought forward a gospel that needs to be preached. He said in the prior verse verse, verse 15. So as much as in me is I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome. Also, Paul said, the gospel is what needs to be praised because the gospel is the power of God to salvation.
But turn to James chapter one in James chapter one, as James writes to the first century church, he writes to these brethren who were struggling with a number of things, but he says to them in John and James chapter, one beginning of verse 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness and receive with meekness,
the implanted word. Now, wait a minute. Paul wrote that the gospel is the power of God to salvation. Why do we need the gospel? We need it Because we cannot save ourselves without the gospel. We are helpless without the gospel. We are hopeless without the gospel. We stand before a God who says, you must be judged and you must stand righteous.
And we will all stand Romans chapter three, verse 23, as those who have fallen short of the glory of God, whose wages Of our sins will be death. Romans chapter six, verse 23. And yet God says, it’s okay. I’ve presented to you the gospel. And it is my power to save you. James writes that we need to lay aside the filthiness,
the overflow of wickedness. We need to receive with meekness, the implanted word, which is able to save our souls. When we look for the solution to the world’s problems, it’s been here, it’s been sitting here for 2000 years. It’s waiting for us to actually do it. And then we can begin to have some solutions to the world’s problems. The gospel is the solution because it is the divine power for a helpless world.
God acts through the gospel, but also the gospel is the solution to the world’s problems because the gospel is the light of God to a world in darkness. Turn to second Corinthians chapter four, second Corinthians chapter four, beginning in verse one, Paul writes, therefore, since we have this ministry, the idea of ministry there is service. Since we have this service,
as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. One of the struggles that Christians have at times is we look at all of those who won’t obey and go, how will we ever make a difference? And yet when Jesus Christ left this earth, when Jesus departed, ascended into heaven and left behind those who would change the world and they did,
he didn’t leave behind an army of a million people. He didn’t leave behind the government. He didn’t leave behind the King. He didn’t leave behind a constitution and he didn’t leave behind a group or a nation willing to change everything at a moment’s notice, he left behind 12 apostles and 120 disciples who were assembling with them. And those 12 apostles and those hundred and 20 disciples didn’t stay still.
They didn’t stay stagnant. They changed the world to the point where a few decades later, it was stated that these were the people who had turned the world upside down, Jesus Christ. And so Paul says, since we have this service, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God.
Deceitfully. But by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. He says, even if there are people who cannot see what we’re trying to teach them, even if there are those who cannot see beyond their own clouded vision, their own sin,
their own bias towards iniquity, to be able to see the hope that stands before them, we will still not lose heart. Why whose minds the God of this age has blinded speaking concerning the devil who do not believe lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God should shine. What’s he saying, he’s saying The line of God is here.
The light of the gospel is present. The light of the glory of God is available to them, but they’ve shrouded themselves in darkness. They shrouded themselves in sin and they won’t let go of sin nearly long enough To walk into the light and Understand the truth. He says, verse five for, we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus, the Lord and ourselves,
your servants for jesus’ sake for it is the God for it is the God who commended light or commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shown in our hearts to give light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus. Here’s the thing we need to understand the same. God who spoke and light came for is Same God who said,
I’ll give my light to Mike People and my light will go for it. So we don’t lose heart. We instead preach the gospel because the gospel of Jesus Christ is the light of the world. But then also the gospel is the solution Because the gospel presents freedom to an enslaved World. We hear so much discussion in our society today about slavery, about Those things that have happened in our past,
in this country, those things that were unjust and those who were treated unjustly, and even those who are in other nations and in other places who are still in slavery to this day, here’s what we need to understand. You do not obtain true freedom by living in a country. That’s free. You do not obtain true freedom by having a government that dwells over you not tell you,
you are enslaved. You do not obtain true freedom in this life because you are born into a country that has no class system, or there is not someone who tells you what to do. You obtain true freedom in the way Jesus described in John chapter eight in John chapter eight, verse 31, Jesus said to those Jews who believed him, if you will buy it in my word,
you are my disciples, indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. And unless we’d begin to believe that the people who heard him, the people who were standing before him, the people who believed him in the prior verse immediately accepted that reality. And immediately believed that what he said was true. If we were to read the verses the follow-up we’d find out,
they immediately argued with him. They said, we’ve never been enslaved. Jesus said, Oh, you’ve been enslaved because you do the deeds of your father, the devil. He was a liar from the beginning and you do his works true. Freedom is not the absence of someone over us in this life. True freedom is salvation and freedom from our sins.
No matter our station in this life. So if we want to promote freedom in this world, by all means, we need to start promoting the gospel that provides that freedom. God did not solve the problem of slavery in this world by sending democracy or socialism or humanism or nationalism, he sent the gospel, but then consider As well. The gospel is the solution to the problems the world faces because the gospel that was given is a straight gospel in a crooked world.
Philippians chapter two, Paul writes to the church at Philippi and he writes to them as he confronts a number of issues, but also writes to these, this congregation that was very close to him. They had supported him while he was preaching while he was ministering, while he was going on these missionary journeys, they had supported him when no other congregations did.
He had a closeness to them that he didn’t have with many others. And he says to them in verse 12 of chapter, two of Philippians, he says, therefore, my beloved brethren brethren, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for his good pleasure.
What’s what’s Paul saying, Paul is saying, you know what? Just figure out your own way to be saved, right? No, that’s not what work out your own salvation means. He says, you have the commandments of God, you they’ve been delivered to you. Now do It. Do What must be done to obtain your salvation. Not as though I am standing here right over you looking over your shoulder and saying,
no, no, no, don’t do that. Do this. No. So much more. So in my absence, as you did in my presence, but in stand, he says, God works in you. How does God work in us? When we do what he commanded us to do in the gospel? So then he says, verse 14,
do all things without complaining and disputing that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine As lights in the world, Hold fast, the word of life. So that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I may have not run in vain or labored in vain. Yes.
And if I am being poured out as a drink, offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason, you also be glad and rejoice with me. Paul says I spent my hours, my time, my labor, my effort to come to preach to you, the gospel. And I don’t want my labor to be in vain.
And so he rejoices in the fact that they were faithful. He rejoices in the fact they were obedient. He rejoices in the fact that they were working and accomplishing what God Would have them to do, but he identifies the reality. They were alight in world. That was perverse. They were alight in a world that was Crooked. And is the world any less perverse or crooked today?
No, That means we must still be That light. Romans chapter five, Romans chapter five, beginning in verse six, Paul makes it clear. Gospel is the solution to the world’s problems because it presents the wonderful love that God had for a hating World. And we struggle with hate in this world. We struggle with hate within homes and families. We struggle with hate within those who are in a community.
We struggle with hate in our name. It doesn’t matter who won the election Cause there’s lost souls on both The sides and This president and the next one and the one after and the one all the way back at the beginning, won’t save yourself And they won’t save our country. They must Only do what they have been given the power by God to do.
And God will set up whomsoever. He will and give power to whomsoever. He will, but this, I know it is the gospel that will change the hearts and souls of men. Romans chapter six, verse five, sorry, five verse six for when we were still without strength in due time, Christ died for the ungodly for scarcely, for a righteous man,
will one die yet, perhaps for a good man. Someone would even dare to die, but God demonstrates his own love towards us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died For us, but God demonstrates his own love tore us that while we were still sinners, Christ died For us. The gospel Is this a solution to the world’s problems because it does not require us to first be worthy of the solution Before it will grant us the solution 10 or sorry,
verse nine, much more than having now been justified by his blood. We shall be saved from wrath through him for if we were, we were reconciled to God through the death of his son, much more having been reconciled. We shall be saved by his Life. The gospel is the solution to a hating world because it was the light Love of God,
granted to a world that never deserved Until it came in contact with the blood of Christ, but also, and finally the gospel’s the solution to the world’s problems Because the gospel presents the unsearchable Riches of Christ to a world in poverty so much can be said about the state of the economy in this country, countries all over the world. And so much is said on a regular basis.
But the value of the dollar will never determine Your riches, The value of the dollar and the quantity, which you possess of the dollar will never determine Your riches or your poverty. Second Corinthians chapter eight. Okay. Paul writes to these Corinthian brethren who are being reminded of their responsibility to give, as they have promised to do on behalf of the Jewish Brasier brethren that were in poverty,
that were in the midst of a struggle in second Corinthians, chapter eight and verse nine, we read for, you know, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich yet for your sakes. He became poor. Now wait a minute. What does he mean? Jesus Christ, inhabited heaven. He had the glory of the father.
He had the glory of God. He was deity. He left all of that to be born as a human, to have nothing to grow up, not enriches, not in the house of a King, not in the house of a, of a master, not, but in the family of a carpenter, He left those riches CA became poor that you through his poverty might become rich.
Jesus lowered himself to take on flesh to become lower than the angels that he through suffering might taste death for every man. But Ephesians chapter three, Fijian chapter three, We read this beginning in verse eight. To me, Paul writes to me who am less than the least of all the saints. First and foremost, Paul recognizes his own reality. Paul,
doesn’t say I, the greatest of all the apostles, he doesn’t right. I, the one who is your teacher, he doesn’t say I, the one who gave you everything you have, he said, I, the one who am The Le them less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given that I should preach among the Gentiles,
the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ, to the intent that now the manifold wisdom, the many sided wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in heavenly places, God,
in his unsearchable riches that he brought forward in Christ as established a church, an assembly of people, the called out from the world. And they are of such significance that Paul identifies that the church is what showed the wisdom of God to principalities and powers in heaven. When God said, I want to show you my wisdom. He didn’t say, look at this great nation I’ve made.
No, no, no, no, no, no. He didn’t say, look at this great King of the earth that I have. No, no, no, no. He didn’t do that. When he said to all those who are in heaven, see the majesty of my wisdom. He said, look At my church. Beginning of the ages that had been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ,
to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. According to the eternal purpose, which he accomplished in Christ Jesus, our Lord in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in him. Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you,
which is your glory. Paul would write these words from a Roman prison. Paul would be sitting in prison on trial in fear of his life. Having appealed to Caesar, Been brought to Rome and almost killed in the process. Yes. And he tells these Ephesians brethren don’t lose heart. Don’t lose heart because of my predicament. Because you look at Christ church,
you look at his gospel. You look at my ministry. That was granted to me, not because of my greatness, but because of God’s grace Greatness and his mercy, that I have been able to declare the unsearchable riches of Christ to the Gentiles. Paul writes to these brethren and says, you remember, you’re part of the light. It doesn’t just shine to the world around you,
but declares the glory of God in heaven itself, Gospel is the solution to the world’s problems, but it can only solve the world’s problems by the actions of the church, acting on behalf of God, which confronts us with a reality that we are to be the solution to the world’s problems, but it will not happen if we are not first obedient to God’s gospel that he’s given to us in our own lives.
We cannot be the solution to the world’s problems. If we won’t first SAR solve our own. So have you done that? Have you taken the gospel that Jesus said, except you believe that I am, he, you shall die in your sins. Have you taken the gospel where he said he, the believer and is baptized shall be saved. And he,
the believers have not, shall be damned. Have you taken the gospel where Jesus said, if you are not obedient to this and repent, you are without hope And have you first corrected your own life by entering into the blood of Christ, Entering into a relationship with him, entering into the church, the assembly of God, by being baptized into Christ And having your sins washed away,
because you cannot solve the world’s problems by holding a political office or rioting in the street or anything in between, but you can solve the world’s problems. One soul at a time with the gospel of Jesus Christ. You’re outside the gospel of Jesus Christ and outside of the church of Christ. You are without hope, but you don’t have to stay there. You have need of the gospel.
The gospel is waiting for you. If you have questions and need help understanding it, the church is waiting for you. All you need to do is ask if you have any meat, why not come forward now as we stand and as we say, He will create a new<inaudible><inaudible> he<inaudible> a<inaudible> bring him your<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> troubles you. Oh,
bring it. Oh,<inaudible> nah,<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> on to the, with<inaudible> but<inaudible>. And<inaudible> The song before our closing prayer will be number 622 ring out the message. I need my men to sing out on the base part for this for me please. Number 622. There’s a nurse. It’s true in glad for their sinful in the SAC ring it.
Ah, ah, it will give them courage. It will help them to be true. Ring it. Ah, ring it up.<inaudible> speed it away. Nurses G fine. Send it today. It’s sheer.<inaudible> Marilee ring. Wonderful news. Making men free, happy and free green, green, green, green.<inaudible> tell the world of saving grace naked,
known in every place.<inaudible> help. The needy wants to know him from whom all blessings flow<inaudible><inaudible> away or nurses and see, send it today. Let it cheer. Nah,<inaudible> darkness in doubt. Merely reading wonderful news. Nikki men free, happy and free green, green, green, green.<inaudible> down to sweep away.<inaudible> for Jehovah’s my Tucson ring it,
ah, ring it. Ah, ah, merrily ring the speed it away. Or messages diva and see send it today. Let’s cheer. NA<inaudible> the news wonderful news that makes making men free. Man. Free, happy and free ring, ring, ring, ring, ring.<inaudible> Yeah. You bow with me, our heavenly father. We thank you for this beautiful Dave.
You’ve given us to enjoy. We thank you for each and every opportunity that we have to gather as your children to worship you and to study that word, her God, no one. Then our adherence to your will and word is the salvation for all of Mann County. For those that seek it, our heavenly father, we know that as mortals, we do send against you.
We pray that you forgive us of these Sans. As we repent of them, strengthen us that each day of our lives, we might be an example to those lost souls around us. Our heavenly father would pray for all of those mentioned here today, that her sick and that our morning because of the loss of loved ones, Compartamos dear God and heal those that are suffering with this virus.
If that be though will our heavenly father, we ask that you go with each of us, protect us, keep us safe and help us to be a light unto the world around us. The things we pray in Christ’s name. Amen.