Tag Archives: Humility

OTHERS

By | |
Comments Off on OTHERS

Listen online

 Download audio

Download

“OTHERS”

 Acts 3:2  And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

THERE COULD HAVE BEEN MANY WRONG POSSIBLE ACTIONS TAKEN BY PETER AND JOHN.

  1. THEY COULD HAVE PLACED THE EXPECTATIONS OF MOST OF THE BEGGARS ON THEIR AGENDA (what were they people gathered for ? To obtain an alms).

 

  1. THEY COULD HAVE PLACED THEIR OWN PRIORITIES UPON HIM. THEY WANTED TO GO AND WORSHIP, SO THE COULD HAVE BRUSHED HIM OFF.

 

  1. THEY COULD HAVE LOWERED THEIR EXPECTATIONS BY ASKING FOR SOMETHING NICE FOR HIM. LIKE A NEW SUIT OF CLOTHES, OR A FULL HEAD OF HAIR.

 

  1. THEY COULD HAVE EXCEEDED THE PLAN OF GOD BY ASKING FOR THE MOON. THEY COULD HAVE ASKED FOR HIS HEALING OF HIS LAMENESS, AND FOR EVERY MOLE, WART OR BLEMISH TO DISAPPEAR, FOR EVERY TOOTH TO BE HEALED, AND FOR HIS EYES AND EHARING TO BE PERFECT TILL HE DIES.

 

 HOW DO YOU MINISTER TO OTHERS ?  WITH GODLY LOVE ?

SOME HERE DO THAT, AND ARE SUCH POWERFUL BLESSINGS TO OTHERS.   BUT, SOME COME UP VERY VERY SHORT.

 ———————————-

****Interactive portion of message where scriptures are given to each person who is asked to read the scripture aloud and tell what verse means to them.****

 DO THESE VERSES TELL US WHAT GOD WANTS US TO DO FOR EACH OTHER ?

YES !

–John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

–John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

–John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

–Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

–Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

–Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

–Romans 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

–Romans 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

–Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

–Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

–Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

–Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

–Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

–1 Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

–1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

–1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

–Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

–Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

–Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

–1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

–1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

–1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

–1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

–1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

–Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

–Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

–Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

–Luke 14:10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

 ———————————-

 THREE QUESTIONS:

 

  1. WHAT WOULD JESUS WANT DONE ?

 

  1. WHAT WOULD THAT PERSON WANT DONE ?

 

  1. WHAT WOULD I LIKE TO HAVE DONE IF I WAS THAT PERSON ?

 ———————————-

LOVE IS A COMMAND FROM GOD.  AND IT IS FAR MORE THAN WHAT MOST CHRISTIAN WANT IT TO BE WHEN APPLIED TO OTHERS. 

John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. 

Romans 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Romans 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

LOVE DOES SOMETHING.  IT JUST DOESN’T “FEEL.”

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

BE HUMBLE.

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

GOD FIRST, OTHERS SECOND.

Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Luke 14:10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

 

TRYING TO HELP A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST ?

HOW DO WE DO THIS ?   PASS THIS TEST–

  1. HOW WOULD JESUS FEEL ? IF WE KNOW IT, CONSIDER HOW JESUS WOULD HANDLE IT. DO WE REALLY KNOW ?  IS THERE A BIBLICAL BASIS FOR YOUR CONCLUSION ?

ARE WE DOING IT BECAUSE GOD COMMANDED US TO LOVE AS HE LOVED ?   SOME SEE THIS AS THEIR ESCAPE FROM DOING SOMETHING.   THEY FIGURE THAT IF THEY CANNOT LOVE AS JESUS DID THEY ARE EXCUSED FROM DOING ANYTHING.   NOT SO !  INSTEAD, JESUS SET A STANDARD BEFORE US WHERE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO COME UP TO THOSE STANDARDS, NOT THROW THEM AWAY SAYING THAT WE CANNOT DO THEM.

 

  1. HOW WOULD YOU FEEL ? CONSIDER HOW YOU WOULD FEEL IN THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

 

  1. HOW WOULD THE OTHER PERSON FEEL ? CONSIDER HOW THE OTHER PERSON WOULD TAKE WHAT YOU SAY OR DO.

ASK YOURSELF WHAT RESPONSE A PERSON MIGHT HAVE TO WHAT YOU SAY.  (Do NOT say, “I would have this or that reaction.”  You could take things differently than the other person).  THIS IS TAKING ANOTHER PERSON INTO CONSIDERATION.   THE FIRST AND THIRD POINTS ARE MOST IMPORTANT.

YOU CAN CONSIDER HOW YOU WOULD REACT, BUT THE FOREMOST CONSIDERATION IS THE OTHER PERSON.

WRONGLY, MOST CHRISTIANS MINISTER TO OTHERS AS IF IT WAS NOT BIG DEAL TO BE CONSIDERATE.   JUST SPEAK YOUR MIND AND SAY SOMETHING SPIRITUAL, AND EVERYTHING WILL BE OK.   NOT SO !

 

POSSIBLE SITUATIONS:

 

A PERSON HAVING FINANCIAL TROUBLES.  You don’t talk about all the things that they COULD have done.   Help them think about what’s ahead if they seek God’s will.

 

A PERSON WHO IS SICK.  Do we tell them about all the problems at work that they missed out on ?  Is that thoughtful ?   Do you tell them all the problems at work, and how bad different people have been ?  Do you drop the rumor that says their job is about to be taken by someone else ?

 

A WOMAN IN THE HOSPITAL WITH 2 BROKEN LEGS FROM CAR ACCIDENT.  Do you visit and tell how the Lord saved you from a very similar situation ?  Or, do you tell her that you had a relative who had the very same thing, and she never was able to walk right again ?   What does THAT leave her thinking ?

 

“CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER”

  • HAVE I CONSIDERED THEIR SPIRITUAL CONDITION ?  ARE THEY BACKSLIDDEN ?  IN REBELLION ?   WEAK ?  A NEW CHRISTIAN ?   **You will be totally unsuccessful if you spend time talking about specifics of the Greek language or intricate meanings of a Greek word in Scripture that blessed you so much this morning.  If you expect too much of them, you miss the mark.  If you shoot too low, you insult their intelligence and their spiritual life.
  • DO I HAVE A PLAN TO EDIFY ?   Or, do I speak off the top of my head, which may not bring the best results ?
  • DID I PUT MYSELF IN THAT PERSON’S PLACE AND KNOWING THEIR (NOT my own) PERSONALITY, DO I UNDERSTAND WHAT I CAN DO TO HELP THAT PERSON ?   People often say, “I would take it this way.”   BUT, you are NOT them !   Try to consider them, not yourself !
  • DO I POINT THE PERSON TO CHRIST ?
  • CAN I LIFT THAT CHRISTIAN’S SPIRIT ?

“Others”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
021716

 

 

CLOSET PRIDE

By | |
Comments Off on CLOSET PRIDE

Closet Pride – 10-04-15 Sunday Morning
Download

LET GOD DO THE LIFTING

By | |
Comments Off on LET GOD DO THE LIFTING

 Habakkuk 2:4  Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

“I’m so glad I’m humble,” prayed a deacon.  Everyone thought he was humble, but he was proud of his humbleness.  That was sin, and he didn’t see it that way.  He wouldn’t have the sense to recognize the value of being humble if the Lord didn’t give him the sense.

 

1. SOME OF OUR SINS MAY BE A SECRET TO OTHERS.

BUT, GOD IS AGAINST IT, EVEN IF WE DENY IT’S EXISTENCE.  SOME SINS MAY BE THE REASON WE CANNOT BE LIFTED UP.

Psalms 90:8  Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance.

 

2. IT IS GOD WHO HAS THE POWER AND DESIRE TO RAISE PEOPLE UP.

We are here on this earth for such a short time. It will seems like a split second compared to eternity. Those who lose sight of that, will place all their emphasis on NOW rather than the future. The poor and sickly may be among the very highest people in heaven.

1 Samuel 2:7-8 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: He bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and He hath set the world upon them.

A. IT IS FOOLISH TO LIFT OURSELVES UP. GOD DETERMINES WHO WILL BE EXALTED.

–GOD RAISES UP THOSE IN AUTHORITY.
–BLESSINGS SOMETIME MAKE PEOPLE LIFT UP THEIR HEART AGAINST THE TRUTH. GOD IS THE SOURCE OF TRUE BLESSINGS. WHEN WE TAKE CREDIT FOR THEM, WE BRING SURE JUDGMENT.

Deuteronomy 8:13-14 And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

–BEING SECURE AND WITHOUT FEAR CAN ALLOW A HEART TO BE LIFTED UP IN PRIDE, AS IF IT WAS BECAUSE OF OUR OWN WISDOM.

2 Chronicles 26:14-16 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones. And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

–GOD RAISES UP LEADERS. (Leaders are not born that way. They grow through experiences).

GOD DID NOT WANT NEW CHRISTIANS TO BE ORDAINED INTO ANYTHING OF LEADERSHIP UNTIL THEY GREW SPIRITUALLY FIRST TO RECOGNIZE GOD’S WORK IN THEIR LIVES.

1 Timothy 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

2 Chronicles 25:19-22 Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee? But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom.  So Joash the king of Israel went up; and they saw one another in the face, both he and Amaziah king of Judah, at Bethshemesh, which belongeth to Judah. And Judah was put to the worse before Israel, and they fled every man to his tent.

B. JUDGMENT WILL COME UPON THOSE WHO LIFT THEMSELVES UP.

Isaiah 2:12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

–THIS WAS THE DEVIL’S SIN. HIS HEART WAS LIFTED UP.

People today are encouraged to rewrite hymns glorifying God, and substitute the name of mere men. They are taking out Jesus and putting in the names of prominent politicians, singing praises to them instead of to God Almighty.

Ezekiel 28:2  Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
Ezekiel 28:5  By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches:
Ezekiel 28:17  Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

C. WE CAN BE LIFTED UP WITHIN OURSELVES AND NOT EVEN RECOGNIZE IT.

The test is if we see that we can do something better than others, we don’t attribute it to our education or skill, natural or inherited behavior, but always attribute it to the grace of God. Nothing wrong in knowing that you are a good cook, or that you are smarter in math than someone else. But, always give glory to God.

Psalms 147:6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: He casteth the wicked down to the ground.

In trying to comfort Job, Eliphaz is sharing what he thinks Job is thinking. Eliphaz is almost mocking Job, but he does tell the truth about what Job believes.

Job 22:29 When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and He shall save the humble person.

 

 

”Let God Do The Lifting”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
090815

HOW CAN GOD USE THAT ?

By | |
Comments Off on HOW CAN GOD USE THAT ?


Download

 

“Little is much when God is in it!”

.                       – Kittie L. Suffield

WHO HAD EVER HEARD OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS BEFORE GOD DID SOMETHING AMAZING IN HER LIFE ?   WHO EVER HEARD OF HER HUSBAND TO BE, JOSEPH ?  WHO EVER HEARD OF A LITTLE SLAVE BOY BY THE NAME OF DANIEL BEFORE HE BECAME GREAT THROUGH THE BABYLONIAN EMPIRE ?   WHO EVER HEARD OF A LITTLE SHEPHERD BOY NAMED DAVID UNTIL HE SLEW THE LION AND BEAR ? 

 GOD DELIGHTS IN USING LITTLE PEOPLE.  PEOPLE NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT, TO BLESS HIS KINGDOM AND BRING PEOPLE TO HIMSELF.

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT THAT BECAUSE YOU GO THROUGH DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES, THAT YOU CAN’T BE THE VICTORIOUS PERSON GOD WANTS YOU TO BE, OR THAT YOUR LIGHT IS DIMMER THAN MOST BECAUSE YOU HAVE TRIALS ?  GOD USES PEOPLE IN CRISIS TO SHOW HIS POWER AND GLORY.

 PAUL SPEAKS OF IT TWICE TO THE CHURCH AT CORINTH. 

2 Corinthians 1:4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

2 Corinthians 7:4  Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

IF PAUL WAS SOME RICH GUY WHO WAS CHARMING, AND LOVED BY EVERYONE, WE WOULDN’T BE READING ABOUT GOD’S POWER THROUGH HIM.

 

1. GIDEON WAS THE LAST PERSON ANYONE WOULD EXPECT TO BE USED BY GOD IN SUCH A GREAT WAY.

Judges 6:15-16 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house. And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

2. THE LEAST INFLUENTIAL AND THOSE WITH THE LEAST OPPORTUNITIES ARE OFTEN GIVEN GREAT OPPORTUNITIES BY GOD.

SAUL.

1 Samuel 9:21 And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me ?

BUT, ONCE WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN RESPONSIBILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES, GOD EXPECTS US TO USE THEM PROPERLY.  SAUL TOOK THE ROUTE OF THINKING OF HIMSELF MORE HIGHLY THAN HE SHOULD.

3. AN INSIGNIFICANT WOMAN, WHOM MANY BELIEVE USED TO BE A PROSTITUTE, CAME TO JESUS.

SHE ACTED UPON WHAT JESUS HAD TAUGHT THEM–THAT HE WOULD BE CRUCIFIED. AND SHE ANOINTED HIM. BECAUSE OF HER FAITH, AND BECAUSE SHE ACTED ON IT, SHE IS NOTED IN THE GOSPELS.

Mark 14:7-9 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but Me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint My body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

4. SAVING FAITH MAY NOT SEEM LIKE MUCH AT FIRST. BUT IT BECOMES A HUGE FACTOR IN OUR LIVES.

Matthew 13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

5. THINGS YOU DO WHICH SEEM INSIGNIFICANT CAN BRING PEOPLE TO TRUST THE LORD.

MANY TIMES WE DON’T KNOW THE THINGS WHICH WILL MOTIVATE PEOPLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR OPEN WINDOW TO GET TO THE LORD.

Acts 5:15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

6. THINGS YOU DO CAN CHALLENGE OTHERS TO EXERCISE THEIR FAITH AND BE STRONGER IN FAITH.

THE WIDOW WHO GAVE HER ALL FOR THE LORD. SHE WAS AN EXAMPLE TO THE MOST EDUCATED AND MOST RELIGIOUS PEOPLE ON EARTH.

Mark 12:42-44 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And He called unto Him His disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

7. THE ONE WHO CONSIDERS HIMSELF THE LEAST CAN OFTEN ACCOMPLISH THE MOST.

DON’T THINK YOU ARE LIMITED. IT IS GOD’S SPIRIT THAT DOES THE WORK. YOU SIMPLY SUBMIT TO HIM.

1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

8. IN THE FUTURE, EVERYONE WILL KNOW THE LORD.

SOME WILL KNOW HIM MORE THAN OTHERS, BUT ALL WILL KNOW HIM.

Jeremiah 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

NOW IS YOUR TIME TO KNOW HIM !

YOU MIGHT NOT THINK OF YOURSELF AS BEING IMPORTANT. BUT, YOU WERE IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO GOD FOR HIM TO DIE FOR YOUR SINS. REPENT OF YOUR SINS, AND TRUST HIM TODAY.

”How Can God Use That ?”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
090615

 

GOOD EXPECTATIONS

By | |
Comments Off on GOOD EXPECTATIONS


Download

EXPECTATIONS MUST BE :

  • BASED ON GOD’S WORD
  • NOT ON WISHFUL THINKING
  • NOT ON PREDICTING RESULTS OF YOUR EFFORTS
  • NOT ON HEARTFELT DESIRES FOR THE OTHER PERSON

 ….OTHERWISE, OUR LIFE WILL BE FILLED WITH HUGE DISAPPOINTMENTS, ONE RIGHT AFTER THE OTHER.   BUT, IF OUR EXPECTATIONS ARE BIBLICAL, WE CAN APPROACH EACH DAY WITH JOY, PEACE, AND THE EXPECTATION THAT GOD WILL BRING US THROUGH VICTORIOUSLY.

 

1. EXPECTATIONS OF OURSELVES.

A. DON’T HAVE EXPECTATIONS OF OURSELVES THAT MAKE US GREATER THAN OTHERS. ANY GOOD THING IN US COMES FROM GOD ANYWAY.

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

–BE REALISTIC, HONEST. GOD GAVE YOU GIFTS. ACKNOWLEDGE THEM TO BE FROM HIM. YOU CAN’T BE PROUD ABOUT WHAT SOMEONE ELSE DID. SO, GIVE GLORY AND THANKS TO GOD. The Holy Spirit ties together what a person thinks of themselves with their faith.

B. HAVE EXPECTATIONS THAT YOU WILL BE GETTING BETTER AND WILL BE GROWING IN THE LORD.

ARE YOU RIGHTEOUS ? THEN, YOU KNOW THAT WHAT IS UP AHEAD IS GOOD.

Proverbs 11:23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

YOU HAVE A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON WHAT IS AHEAD.

–MUST HAVE FAITH IN YOUR EXPECTATIONS. BUT, WHAT IS FAITH ? IS IT SOMETHING YOU MAKE UP, OR IS IT BASED UPON THE FACTS THAT GOD SETS BEFOPRE YOU AND SAYS, “TAKE, EAT.”

C. HAVING AN EXPECTATION ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.

PAUL ALREADY HAD SEVERAL PHYSICAL PROBLEMS. YET, HE HAD EXPECTATION THAT ALL WOULD WORK FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.

Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

2. EXPECTATIONS OF THE LOST AND THE WILLINGLY BACKSLIDDEN.

WHY HAVE EXPECTATIONS OF THE LOST ? DID JESUS COME HERE EXPECTING THAT THE WHOLE WORLD WOULD FOLLOW HIM ? NO. DID THE APOSTLES TRAVEL THE WORLD EXPECTING THAT ALL PEOPLE WOULD FOLLOW JESUS ? NO. YOU PRESENT THE GOSPEL, PRAY FOR PEOPLE, AND WAIT ON THEM TO RESPOND. YOU DON’T KNOW THEIR ACTIONS, IF THEY WILL OR NOT. Don’t anticipate that they will respond in the way you want them to.

–MANY TIMES PEOPLE EXPECT SMART PEOPLE TO GET SAVED WHEN CONFRONTED WITH THE FACTS. SOME SMART PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT THEIR HUMAN KNOWLEDGE IS ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND AND KNOW GOD SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO TRUST GOD. THEY FIRST HAVE TO COME TO REALITY.

Proverbs 26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

3. EXPECTATION OF GOD.

SOME PEOPLE THINK THEY CAN STUDY THE BIBLE AS AN ORDINARY BOOK, AND UNDERSTAND GOD AND ALL HIS PLANS. THIS IS NOT TRUE. GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR ABILITY TO COMPREHEND ALL OF GOD. SO, WE TAKE WHAT HE GIVES US, AND COMPREHEND HIS WORD THROUGH THE TEACHING OF HIS SPIRIT. IF WE COULD STUDY GREEK AND HEBREW AND KNOW ALL ABOUT THE BIBLE AND WHAT IT TEACHES, THEN SMART PEOPLE WOULD ALL BE CHRISTIANS. BUT, THEY AREN’T. Dr. Mortimer Adler, (a student of Dr. Sigmund Freud) after he came to Christ at the age of 82 said, “What’s the point of revelation if we could figure it out ourselves? If it were wholly comprehensible, then it would just be another philosophy.”

A. WE MUST DEPEND UPON GOD, NOT INTELLECT, TO BRING US TO HIM.

Psalms 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.

IT IS HARD FOR SOME PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY EXPECTATIONS OF OTHER PEOPLE, AND PLACE ALL EXPECTATION UPON GOD. IT IS A PROCESS THAT FOR SOME TAKES A VERY LONG TIME. BUT, WE MUST TRY !

B. GOD HAS A SPECIFIC END GOAL IN MIND FOR YOU.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

–GOD’S PLAN IS FOR YOU TO BE HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS AND AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS.

Ephesians 5:27 That He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

–GOD MADE PLANS FOR YOU TO BE SAVED. BUT, HE KNEW THAT SOME WOULD NOT, AND THAT IS WHY HE MADE HELL. AND HE KNEW THAT SOME WOULD, AND THAT IS WHY HE CREATED A PLACE IN HEAVEN SO THEY COULD BE WITH HIM IN JOY FOR ETERNITY.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

C. EXPECT GOD TO DO SOMETHING FOR US.

IT IS HIS DESIRE TO HELP US, TO MAKE US CLEAN, GIVING US VICTORIES.

Acts 3:5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

D. EXPECTING YOUR ENEMIES TO BE DEFEATED.

JESUS SET THE EXAMPLE FOR OUR OWN ATTITUDES TOWARD LIFE. WE SHOULD EXPECT THE ENEMIES TO BE DEFEATED WHEN WE HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS.

Hebrews 10:13 From henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool.

 

”Good Expectations”
A Bible Study with Dr. Ed J. MacWilliams
083015

PSALM 56

By | |
Comments Off on PSALM 56
This entry is part 53 of 65 in the series Psalms

PSALM CHAPTER 56

~~ Not Worthy, But Able To Ask God, Anyway ! ~~

 

1. THE APPEAL FOR GOD’S MERCY.    V. 1
A. ACKNOWLEDGES GUILT. PS. 51:3, JER. 14:20.
B. RECOGNIZES GOD’S WILLINGNESS TO HEAR. 2 CHRON. 20:9,
PSALM 17:6, PSALM 38:15.
C. IS MOTIVATED BY HIS SITUATION. (IS THAT WHAT IT TAKES
FOR EVERYONE EACH TIME ?) PSALM 94:18.
D. REQUIRES HUMILITY, LACK OF PRIDE. JAMES 4:6, 1 PET. 5:5.
E. BRINGS GOD’S ATTENTION TO YOU. HOSEA 5:15, JER. 3:13-14.

2. RECOGNITION OF THE REAL ACTIVITIES OF ENEMIES.   V. 1
A. TO BRING BELIEVERS TO FAILURE. PS. 140:5.
B. TO SEDUCE INTO FALSE PATHS.
—FALSE RELIGIONS AND BELIEFS. 1 SAM. 12:10, REV. 2:20,
—SEDUCE INTO WAYS OF THE WORLD. PHIL. 3:18, 1 JN 2:15-17.
—SET AN EXAMPLE OF WICKED WORKS. COL. 1:21, PROV. 22:25.
—TO FEAR MAN RATHER THAN GOD. PROV. 29:25.
—TO A CRITICAL OR SCORNFUL SPIRIT. PROV. 29:8.

3. THE HOPES OF THE ENEMIES.    V.2.
A. DAILY SWALLOW YOU UP. LIKE FIRE, CONSUMING; OR A WILD
BEAST DEVOURING. PSALM 57:3, REV. 12:4, 1 PETER 5:8.
>DAVID’S KNEW WHAT WOULD OCCUR. PS. 21:9, PS. 50:3.
B. INCREASE THEIR NUMBERS AGAINST ME. THEY RECRUIT AND
ARE NOT ASHAMED TO DO SO. 2 TIM. 3:13, LUKE 21:8.
C. CANNOT SURMOUNT THE MOST HIGH. DAVID APPEALS TO THE
GREATEST POWER OF ALL. THE DEMONS KNOW IT—MARK 5:7,
LUKE 8:28, ACTS 16:17.
ALL ENEMIES ARE INFERIOR TO THE LORD GOD—LUKE 10:19.
THE ENEMY OF DOUBT IS JUST AS REAL AS A PHYSICAL ENEMY.
ROMANS 14:23, JAMES 1:6.
D. ALL ENEMIES ARE INFERIOR TO THE LORD GOD—LUKE 10:19.
>THE ENEMY OF DOUBT IS JUST AS REAL AS A PHYSICAL
ENEMY. ROMANS 14:23, JAMES 1:6.

4. THE DEPENDABLE SOLUTION.    V. 3
A. THE ISSUE OF A BELIEVER’S FEAR. ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE
HAS IT PERIODICALLY. PS. 55:5, HEB. 11:23, JER. 26:21, IS. 21:4.
>IT CAN BE OVERCOME. REV. 11:6,7 (THEY KNEW WHAT WAS
AHEAD). 1 JOHN 4:18—CASTING IT OUT.
B. THE ISSUE OF DOING SOMETHING WITH OUR TRUST. V. 4.
JAMES 2:20,26. LUKE 5:23, LUKE 6:8, ACTS 3:6, PSALM 46:2.
C. KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT AN ENEMY DOES HELPS US PREPARE
AND SEEK GOD EVEN MORE. V.4-6, ISAIAH 59:19.
>THEY TWIST YOUR WORDS. JER. 14:13-14, JER. 23:30.
>THEY FOCUS THEIR THOUGHTS AGAINST YOU. MATT. 12:25,
LUKE 6:8.
>THEY GANG UP AGAINST YOU. LUKE 22:52-53.
>THEY SECRETLY PLOT AGAINST YOU. JOHN 7:1, ACTS 23:14-15.

5. THE AMAZING COMPASSION OF THE LORD.    V. 8-9.
A. GOD REMEMBERS OUR TRIALS FOR HIM.
B. GOD HAS A TRACK RECORD OF COMING TO THE AID OF HIS
CHILDREN. PS. 28:7, PS. 37:40, 1 SAM. 7:12, 1 CHRON. 15:26,
2 CHRON. 18:31, 2 CHRON. 26:7, ROMANS 8:26.
—HE IS FAITHFUL. I PETER 4:19.
—HE IS CAPABLE OF DEFENDING US. REV. 19:11.

6. GOD ENABLES THE BELIEVER TO FACE TROUBLES.    V. 10-13
A. BY PRAISING HIS WORD.
WHAT IS IT ? HEBREW 13:15.
IT BRINGS THE LORD CLOSER TO US. PS. 22:3
IT MUST ACCOMPANY OTHER THINGS WHICH GOD MAY USE.
PS. 149:5-6.
B. BY OVERCOMING FEAR. PS. 34:4, PS. 91:5, PS. 112:7, IS. 12:2.
C. BY FULFILLING THEIR VOWS TO GOD. ACTS 18:18.
WHAT DOES A VOW DO FOR OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD ?
VOW TO KEEP ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD. EPH. 6:11-13,
VOW TO MAKE LIFE A LIVING SACRIFICE FOR CHRIST.
ROM. 12:1-3.
VOW TO COMMIT YOURSELF TO THE WORK OF GOD.
I TIM. 1:18, 2 TIM. 2:2.

PSALM 53

By | |
Comments Off on PSALM 53
This entry is part 50 of 65 in the series Psalms

PSALM CHAPTER 53

~~ The Fools And Their Fall. ~~

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient,
deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice
and envy, hateful, and hating one another.” —Titus 3:3

 

1. THE EPITOME OF A FOOL DENIES GOD.    V. 1.
A. THAT IS NOT THE ONLY CHARACTERISTIC OF A FOOL.
—HE ARGUES, AND HAS A FALSE CONFIDENCE. PROV. 14:16.
—HE REFUSES CORRECTION (INSISTING HE IS RIGHT ALL
ALONG, ANYWAY). PROV. 10:8, PROV. 12:15, PROV 15:5.
—HE HIDES HIS HATRED WITH LIES. PROV. 10:18.
—HE ALWAYS JUMPS TO ANOTHER PROJECT IN THE WORLD
RATHER THAN LEARN WHAT IS AT HAND. PROV. 17:24.
—HE IS PRIMARILY CONCERNED ABOUT UNDERSTANDING
HIMSELF RATHER THAN GOD. PROV. 18:2.
—HE DOES NOT OVERCOME HIS FOOLISHNESS. PROV. 26:11.
—HE OVERLOOKS THE INEVITABLE. LUKE 12:20.
—HE MOCKS AT SIN. PROV. 14:9.
B. THEY REJECT WHAT IS EASILY SEEN. V. 1. ROMANS 1:18-20.
—THEY OBSERVE, BUT REFUSE TO GET DEEPER AND
COMPREHEND WHAT THEY SEE REALLY MEANS. PS. 92:5-6.
C. THEY ARE CORRUPT IN THEIR ACTIONS. V. 1
—THEIR MINDS SPEAK THINGS THEY DON’T COMPREHEND.
JUDE 1:10, AND THIS RESULTS IN CORRUPT ACTIONS.
—THEIR ACTIONS BETRAY THEIR HEARTS. LUKE 6:43.

2. GOD’S VIEW OF THE FOOL.   V. 2-3
A. THEY ARE EVALUATED BY A HOLY GOD. TITUS 1:2, HEB. 6:18.
B. THE VERDICT:
—THEY ARE GONE BACK. (LIT. “BACKSLIDDEN”) JOSH. 23:12.
—THEY ARE FILTHY. JUDE 1:8 (APOSTATES), ISAIAH 64:6.
—NONE DOES GOOD. ROMANS 3:12.
NOTE THE EMPHASIS OF SCRIPTURE: PS. 14:1,3, PS. 53:1,3.

3. DAVID’S AMAZEMENT AT THEIR THINKING.    V. 4.
A. DON’T THEY KNOW ? NO EXCUSE. DEUT. 1:39. TITUS 2:11.
B. THEY HAVEN’T CALLED UPON GOD. (GETTING THROUGH).
C. THEY FEAR FOR NO GOOD REASON. ISAIAH 66:4.
D. YET, GOD HAS PROVEN HIMSELF BEFORE THEM.
ROMANS 1:19.