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February 5, 2006 Morning Service
ADMONITIONS TO PRAISE
Text: PSALM 118
Preface: When reading Psalm 118, I began to think of how applicable the troubles David explains in this Psalm relating to Christ Himself and His sufferings for us. Every believer can retrace back his comfort to the everlasting mercy and love of our Lord. This task shouldn't take long!
What would we have ever done without His love and devotion. This world and ALL of its inhabitants, can let you down, but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
A. The Answer To Our Prayers
- Whether you look back or forward to the blessings that you have received, you will find abundant reason to lift up praise to Him.
- Every answer to our prayers is an evidence that the Lord God is on our side. (vr.6)
- His mercy is forever. (vr. 1)
B. We Need Not Fear Man
- In verse 6, David informs us; "What can man do unto me."
- God takes the believer’s part against ALL our enemies.
- David received his lesson when it came to praising the Lord for His benefits!
- What kind of lesson is He going to have to teach us before we praise Him?
C. Four Admonitions
- David gives us 4 admonitions in this chapter to pattern our life after;
- Give thanks unto Jehovah. (vr. 1 & 29)
- Let Israel speak of His mercy. (vr. 2)
- Let ministers speak of His mercy. (vr. 3)
- Let them fear Jehovah. (vr. 4)
THOUGHT
- I believe that you will agree, David surely prospered form his open praise to God.
- Many believers today would prosper a lot more if they would only praise Him more.
- What worked for David will work for us.
February 12, 2006 Morning Service
OWNER OF A BRAVE HEART
Text: NUMBERS 13:30
Preface: The entire Old Testament proclaims God’s desire for His people to follow Him and live their lives according to His Word. (John 15:14) God is very positive in regard to you living life to the fullest and to be a success, not a failure. (Ephesians 1:17-19) Pledge today to live life victoriously.
Too many today, have simply given up and bowed down to satan’s ploy to discourage us. Caleb refused to FOLLOW THE CROWD. Remember Caleb wondered 40 years in the wilderness and still ENDED UP BEING VICTORIOUS. How many of us would have thrown in the towel and quit?
A. First Positive Attitude
- At the return of the spies, sent to check out the Promise Land (Numbers 13), Caleb was the very first to speak up in favor of advancement.
- Joshua, the one chosen to be Moses’ only successor, was not the one to bring excitement to the advance party.
- Opposition can change the heart!
B. Here Today And Gone Tomorrow
- 45 years later, Caleb still possessed a most extraordinary amount of courage and a TRUE devotion to God. (Joshua 14:10-12)
- At the age of 85, he stated that he was still very strong enough to say,"Give me this land that was promised me." (vr.12)
- Are we able to serve God not only today, but also tomorrow?
C. Wholly Follow God
- In verse 14, we read the statement; "Caleb wholly followed the Lord God of Israel."
- Christians that are trying to "Straddle the fence", as we say, will never wholly follow God until they surrender WHOLLY to Him.
February 12, 2006 Evening Service
GOD, DO YOU REMEMBER?
Text: JEREMIAH 15:15-21
Preface: Sunday Evening Bible Study
February 12, 2006
Ever get to thinking that no one notices all or even part of the labor you actually do? Sometimes we might even think that we are the only one doing anything! Such is the case of Jeremiah in our text this evening.
In 3 verses, we are told of just what Jeremiah endured in his struggle to stand for what was right. Tonight, let us gleam from God’s Word, and we might even share a thought with Jeremiah.
He felt like he was;
- Neglected, verse 15.
- Mistreated, verse 15.
- Was lonely. verse 17
- Endured continual discouragement. verse 18
- Felt let down by God. verse 18
How many tonight can share the same feelings as did Jeremiah?
In verses 19-21, God gave His prophet courage to continue his mission by giving him a:
- Picture of himself - God allowed him to see a vision of Yahweh.
- Picture of the people - God confirmed the view that Jeremiah had. That the people were stubborn.
- Picture of victory - God reminded Jeremiah that the Lord is greater than any problem or circumstance we might have.
February 19, 2006 Morning Service
HOW DOES SATAN DO IT?
Text: JUDE 6-9
Preface: Our battle with satan is total warfare which involves life and death, light and darkness, truth and error, righteousness and unrighteousness, good and evil, holiness and sin, God and satan. (Revelation 12:7-9) This battle involves all creation, no one is exempt. (Romans 8:22)
Jude is telling us that Michael the Archangel had to rebuke the devil when contending for the body of Moses. Many today are under estimating satan and just try to ignore him, thinking that he will simply leave on his own. We all know that he only responds to the authority by the Name of Jesus.
Many Ask The Question, Just How Satan Works?
- 1. His first approach is charm. (Gen. 3:1-5)
- He offers much enjoyment for a season.
- He never shows you the depravity, darkness and death.
- Secondly, he will confuse you. ( II Cor. 11:14)
- He wants to dictate your religious experience with Christ.
- His third effort is to consume you. ( I Peter 5:8-9)
- He will violently oppose those who persist in faith.
- He steals, kills and destroys. (John 10:10)
- He accuses. (Rev. 12:10)
- He accuses God to man. (Gen. 3:1-5)
- He accuses God to himself. (Job 1:10)
- He accuses man to God. (Job 1:10; 2:9-10)
He Can Be Overcome
- Know his devices (II Cor. 2:11)
- In the Name of Jesus (Mark 16:17)
- Submit yourself to God (James 4:7)
- Abstain from all appearance of evil ( I Thessalonians 5:22 )
February 26, 2006 Morning Service
SOUND ENCOURAGEMENT
Text: I SAMUEL 30:6
Preface: "David encouraged himself."
- Twelve or more years earlier, Samuel had anointed David, to be king after Saul.
- During this interim time, things seemed to be going somewhat okay until Saul became very jealous over David.
- Jealously will destroy even the very best of the best. Satan loves this tool of destruction.
- David, after escaping two tries against his life with Saul throwing a javelin, David decided to flee. This however did not stop Saul, he even hunted David like an animal.
- No doubt, David was probably asking God, "Where is this job you promised me?"
- How many today think that you are still not where God wants to take you?
A. AN ECLIPSE OF FAITH
- David and his band of believers evacuated to the land of the Philistines. King Achish gave them a small city by the name of Ziklag, where they lived for 16 months.
- The Philistines once again warred against Israel, David felt obliged to go help the Philistines.
- However, the Philistines insisted that David take his men and return to Ziklag, which saved David from a most awkward situation.
- When they returned home, they found the Amalekites had burned Ziklag to the ground and carried away all the women, children, etc.
B. TURNING POINT EXTREMITIES
- This very trying extremity in David’s life became the turning-point of his vision.
- He was, as we are, faced with 2 alternatives;
- To give up faith in God altogether
- Or to give up himself to God entirely
C. GOT BETTER-DIDN ’T IT
- Well as we say sometimes, "The going just got rougher."
- Now David was faced with the people even wanting to stone him to death.
- This is where we find the TRUE HEART of a Christian.
- David at this time stated; "David encouraged himself in Jehovah his God."
- Doesn't this story teach us to HOLD ON and trust fully in our Lord.
- Choose the RIGHT PATH when you are at a turning point.
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