So, for years I have been making pens as a hobby. When money has been tight, God has often provided a way for me to sell a few. My son Levi and I have worked together on several occasions that will always be very fond memories. For me, it is a way to piddle, relax, and be grateful for the people in my life.
Please enjoy this video.
PREFACE: Posted below are my notes for the Sunday morning sermon of November 27th, 2022. Due to a lightning strike, our audio and visual equipment has been out of commission for some time. Thus, I am unable to provide a link to the actual message. As usual, my notes do not always follow what was delivered. However, I provide these for your own study as a means to help you further your discipleship. These notes are unedited and are provided merely for guidance.
My Soul Magnifies the Lord
Luke 1:46-55
INTRODUCTION: Think of those moments when you were truly alive. Full of awe and wonder. You burst out in song. That is exactly what Mary does here.
Many of you know the operatic “Magnificat,” the song of Mary. Personally, I find it a dirge rather than a huge anthem. This song is a burst of praise. It is a soul being released from bonds to this world and being enraptured with the delight of God Himself.
THE SETTING: Mary sees Elizabeth, and within Elizabeth, John the Baptist leaps for joy. Mary has found a friend who can relate, one who can share excitement over the redemptive work of God.
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, (Luk 1:46)
SOUL=Psuche=part of life that is able to communicate with God.
Magnify/exult Found in several references in the Bible
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, (Luk 1:47)
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; (Luk 1:48)
for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.(Luk 1:49)
And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. (Luk 1:50)
Mercy=compassion His mercy is not wasted upon those who will not give it its proper place.
He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; (Luk 1:51)
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; (Luk 1:52)
he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. (Luk 1:53)
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy (Luk 1:54)
as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” (Luk 1:55)
CONCLUSION: My goal is for us to gain and never lose the awe and wonder of God. Of Christ with us, of redemption, of forgiveness and thankfulness. You exist, you were created for the worship of God. Does your soul Magnify the Lord?
True worship of God worships Him for Him, not just the stuff He provides. We want the Bread of Life, not the bread He gives.
Luk 2:16-19 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. (17) And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. (18) And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. (19) But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Mary treasured the awe and wonder of God. She worshipped. Worship is not just the expression of praise in song. It is a condition of the heart that fears and is in awesome wonder of God.
Today, our invitation is a little different. I simply want to pray for our church body……
Sunday, May 22 of, 2022, marks the darkest day of the Southern Baptist Convention in my recollection. I am ashamed of actions within my denomination, much akin to Isaiah when he cries out that he is undone in his sin and dwells among culpable people of unclean lips. This revealing report of blatant disregard and often intentional harm done to victims of sexual abuse is no better than the practices of the Pharisees themselves.
At present, my fearful thoughts center on these basic ten ponderings
Further, if we are going to work in the public eye, we would do well to fight the injustices of sexual abuse in all areas, none-the-least of which include pornography and human trafficking.
I believe God is bringing judgment. We should all repent in sackcloth and ashes while we can.
The following review was shared with me concerning yet another helpful book from Bob Kellemen. I am not the author, however, I find it helpful enough that it needed to be shared. Wes
Author Interview Q & A with Bob Kellemen About Equipping Biblical Counselors
Book Details
Title: Equipping Biblical Counselors: A Guide to Discipling Believers for One-Another Ministry
Author: Bob Kellemen
Publisher: Harvest House (2022) (336 Pages)
Category: Biblical Counseling, Discipleship, Equipping, One-Another Ministry, Soul Care
ISBN: 978-0736985673
Retail Price: $19.99
Releases: June 14, 2022
Book Cover Images
Author Jpeg
Book Author Interview Q & A with Dr. Bob Kellemen
Author Interview Question: “Bob, what’s the big idea behind Equipping Biblical Counselors: A Guide to Discipling Believers for One-Another Ministry? What would you like readers to take away from the book?”
Bob Kellemen: “I had two assumptions as I wrote the book. First, pastors, counselors, educators, and church leaders are passionate about equipping God’s people for every-member ministry as biblical counselors and one-another ministers. Second, they are tired of seeing great effort expended on ‘programs’ that don’t launch, don’t last, or don’t result in leaving a legacy of loving leaders. So am I. That’s why in Equipping Biblical Counselors I offer a biblical, field-tested, best-practice approach to equipping God’s people for biblical counseling. As a result of reading the book, readers will be able to apply to their unique setting the ‘4E’ ministry training strategy of:
Author Interview Question: “What motivated you to write Equipping Biblical Counselors?”
Bob Kellemen: “By God’s grace, I’ve had the joy of launching and leading biblical counseling equipping ministries in four very diverse churches. Then, for the past quarter century I’ve had the privilege of teaching pastors and counselors the ‘4E’ process as a professor at Capital Bible Seminary, Crossroads Bible College, and Faith Bible Seminary. Additionally, for the last two decades I’ve consulted with hundreds of churches about the launch process. In each situation, people kept saying:
‘Dr. Kellemen, you need to turn this material into a book. There’s nothing else out there like this that provides a practical map without becoming a one-size-fits-all strait-jacket.’
So, it was really pastors, church leaders, biblical counselors, and students who motivated me to write Equipping Biblical Counselors.”
Author Interview Question: “Is the book only for equipping ‘biblical counselors,’ or is there a larger, broader focus? Who should read Equipping Biblical Counselors?”
Bob Kellemen: “In my churches, classes, and consulting, I’ve had students and church leaders use these ‘4E’ principles to plant churches, to launch small group ministries, to start women’s ministries, to begin para-church organizations, and more. The comprehensive, field-tested, best practice principles fit for anyone who wants to move from any ministry launch to ongoing ministry leadership. While the focus is on ‘biblical counseling,’ the broader emphasis is on equipping for one-another ministry so that every member is not only a minister, but a disciple-maker. Anyone interested in applying the 2 Timothy 2:2 process in their ministry would be the right ‘audience’ for the book.”
Author Interview Question: “You note that in one sense you did not write this book alone, but with twenty-four best practice church partners. Tell us about how these two dozen leading churches impacted the book.”
Bob Kellemen: “I’m convinced that no one person can possibly outline a comprehensive approach to church equipping. So, I enlisted twenty-four church ministry leaders to share their insights—in a multitude of counselors there is great wisdom. Among these two dozen churches are ‘mega-churches’ and ‘average size churches,’ and ‘small churches.’ There are churches that are predominantly Caucasian, African American, Asian American, and multi-cultural churches. I included urban, suburban, and rural churches. In every chapter I weave in their diverse insights that provide readers with a robust, relational GPS. In this way each church can apply the ‘4E’ principles in a way that uniquely fits their specific calling in their particular congregation and community.”
Author Interview Question: “You’re not writing out of academic theory, but out of real-life pastoral experience. How has your experience equipping believers in three churches impacted your writing of the book?”
Bob Kellemen: “Mainly I’m seeking to help readers not to make the same mistakes I made! For example, my first church was a ‘mega-church’ of over 3,000 in an urban setting with a long history of extensive equipping ministries. My second church was a smaller rural church with little history of equipping the laity. Initially I made the huge rookie mistake of trying to plop down the ‘mega-church’ model on my second church. I quickly had to backpedal. That’s why in the book I teach ‘relational change management and biblical conflict resolution.’ Big picture—this is not a pie-in-the-sky book. I know personally the struggles and joys, the downs and ups of launching and leading equipping ministries—in four very different churches. I’m trying to share that ‘wisdom’ with my readers.”
Author Interview Question: “You already briefly mentioned the “4Es.” Big picture: what are these ‘4Es’ and could you summarize what happens if any one of them is neglected?”
Bob Kellemen: “God ‘wired’ my brain with a focus on being comprehensive and ‘both/and.’ I’ve found how important this is when launching and leading biblical counseling and soul care ministries. In fact, in my consulting, I’m often asked to help churches to re-launch their ministries because something just didn’t ‘take.’ Once we start interacting, inevitably we discover that at least one of the 4Es was missing or minimized. Those 4Es are:
Author Interview Question: “Equipping Biblical Counselors has a built-in discussion-application guide. How do you envision churches, para-church groups, Bible colleges, and seminaries using the book?”
Bob Kellemen: “I like to say, ‘This is not your father’s equipping manual!’ Past approaches tend to be too academic (not written from the ‘trenches’ of real-life ministry), too uniformed (not written with the realization that every church and community is unique), and too ‘secular’ (not written from a biblical theology of equipping). Thus, I envision churches using Equipping Biblical Counselors as a workbook that a ministry leadership team walks through together. Launching and leading ministries is a relational process that God’s people share in a collegial way. The discussion-application guide helps ministry teams to interact in relational, practical ways so that they experience one-another community as they launch a one-another ministry.”
Author Interview Question: “Equipping Biblical Counselors has an extensive ‘Online Appendix’ with dozens of practical, user-friendly resources. Introduce our listeners to some of those resources.”
Bob Kellemen: “People who have reviewed and recommended the book have made the proverbial comment more than once, ‘The Online Appendix is worth the price of the book!’ It is extensive: over 125 pages! It is practical: sample Mission-Vision-Passion-Commission Statements, sample Congregational Analysis Forms, sample Informed Consent Forms, sample Confidentiality Statements, sample Church Discipline Statements, and much more. While I’m convinced that every church must apply biblical equipping principles to their unique setting,
I’m also convinced that there’s no reason to ‘reinvent the wheel.’ The extensive Online Appendix provides ministry leaders with the head start that I wish I had in my four church equipping ministries.” While leaders don’t need to reinvent the wheel, it also is very helpful to be able to ‘tweak the wheel.” So, I provide all sixteen Appendix documents online as Word documents so that anyone can easily take my materials and make them fit their own ministry situation. Anyone can enjoy free access to download all sixteen Online Appendix documents here: Equipping Biblical Counselors: Appendices and Resources.”
Author Interview Question: “How can people learn more about Equipping Biblical Counselors?”
Bob Kellemen: “People have several convenient options:
Welcome to my blog. In some instances, I am asked for notes on the sermons that I preach. Due to time constraints, I do not always have the time to create a manuscript or even detailed notes. But I share with you today my outline notes for your benefit.
These particulate notes were used to preach on two Sundays, April 3 and 10, 2022 at Poplar Springs North Baptist Church. It is my hope that the use of these materials will help you grow in sanctification and discipleship.
INTRODUCTION
Example of reading How to Read a Book, by Mortimer Adler. Listening to a sermon is different than entertainment, opinion, or a speech. It is a form of devoted discipleship with an openness to correction from and adulation unto God. A sermon is not seeker-sensitive, for it is more “Thus Sayeth the Lord” than a roadmap to some form of happiness or self-justification. (VERY MUCH of what is accepted as a Sunday Sermon is more psychology and self-help motivation) Sermons are to glorify God. We are to be awed by them. A sermon preached unto no matter how small a congregation, has eternal significance for every soul.
OUR TEXT
On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. And they took the youth away alive and were not a little comforted. (Act 20:7-12)
PREPARED HEARTS (The Seed and the Sower)
And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The Sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”(Mar 4:13-20)
YOU HAVE A DUTY TO EXAMINE THE SERMON AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD.
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. (Act 17:10-14)
FAITH IS CRUCIAL TO HEARING THE WORD/ YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1Co 2:12-14)
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Rom 10:14-17)
But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”(Joh 6:64-69)
CONCLUSION
Know that there is a command for the word to be preached
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2Ti 4:1-4)
APPLICATION
Preaching guards your soul.
Below you will find the rough draft outline for the sermon delivered at PSNBC.ORG on Sunday May 23. Please forgive any typos or misspellings.
Relationships: Marriage a Gospel Witness
INTRO: Our engagement, obedience first love secondary.
Biblical marriage does not look like the world.
Modern takes on marriage, though good in their books, methods an procedures, often muddy the water. Marriage is not about us. It is about the glory of God.
Is summary, this passage in Ephesians carries the meaning that God created marriage to demonstrate His glory. In all of creation, marriage was to exalt Him.
OUR TEXT
Eph 5:22-33 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. (23) For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. (24) Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
(25) Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, (26) that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, (27) so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
(28) In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (29) For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, (30) because we are members of his body.
(31) “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” (32) This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. (33) However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Nor does it take its clues from the world. Worldly marriage is often self-centered driven. “What’s in it for me?”
A secular marriage can be fantastic, it can be long lasting and filled with love. Ut as Christians, our calling is to have a marriage that honors God that is quite evident to the church, our children, and the lost.
WHAT DOES BIBLICAL MARRIAGE LOOK LIKE?
Biblical marriage is a lot like a tandem bicycle. 1 drives the other supports.
Without the encouragement of support =drudgery
Without a clear leader= ambling without purpose
Biblical marriage is quite different from the Greco-Roman or even Jewish marriages that existed at the time that these Scriptures were written. Because of the culture, both Jewish and Gecko-Roman, the idea of submission was involved.
The only time submitting is a problem is when you do not want to submit.
This is so because of 1, your heart position 2 poor leadership that you cannot respect.
To lead in biblical marriage is to be a leader who leads with love and not threats or conditions.
Biblical marriage is a heart issue that seeks to glorify God together.
Christian Gospel Centered marriage therefore demonstrates how God makes a difference.
As Christ loves the church, so should the husband love the wife. This is imperative, non-negotiable.
GOD’S PLAN
Gen 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
It is a joy despite circumstances. As a matter of fact, the cleaving of a marriage often occurs as the couple seek God together through the hard trials of life, rather than placing blame or working in selfishness.
The union between man and wife is to grow and return to a condition of being unashamed
Gen 2:25 R1And the manH120 and his wifeH802 were bothH8147 nakedH6174 and were not ashamedH954.
bôš: A verb meaning to be ashamed, to act shamefully, or to put to shame. It is both an external and a subjective experience, ranging from disgrace (Hos_10:6) to guilt (Ezr_9:6). In Gen_2:25, shame is related to the sexual nature of humans. Moreover, to act shamefully is equivalent to acting unwisely (Pro_10:5; Pro_14:35). To be ashamed is to experience distress, as farmers with no harvest (Jer_14:4; Joe_1:11), but the blessing of God means that one will never be put to shame (Psa_25:20; Joe_2:26-27).
Gen 2:23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
It finds joy in pleasing the other as a means of honoring God.
The motive of biblical marriage is to honor God.
Purposes of a Biblical Marriage
CONCLUSION
God calls us to be holy and no other relationship (except with Jesus) will be used more for our sanctification.
To neglect your marriage is to shun Christ’s work, His best for you.
Marriage like salvation and church membership is a covenant.
Your committal to God is greater than to your spouse, but God works through your spouse.
Marriage is a witness to the world of
Marriage is a gospel witness.
Below you will find the rough draft notes for the sermon preached today at PSNBC.ORG. I post these as a study guide for those who participate in the sermon. Please enjoy and grow.
Melchizedek priesthood is greater than that of Aaron.
The law covenant was given to Moses. This was to abate the wrath of God. (We talked of Hell last week)
The New Covenant in Christ’s blood falls under that of Melchizedek who is a King of righteousness and of Salem (Peace) (Jeru=salem)
Thus Christ is the one by which we are saved from the wrath of God.
Christ alone (Solus Christus)
Not Jesus and__________________
Salvation is in Christ Alone!
It is also not Jesus and “now move onto other things.”
It is Christ and abiding at His feet.
Union with Christ is the only way of salvation.
Act 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Joh 15:4-6 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (5) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (6) If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Hebrews 7 is thus pointing out the sufficiency of Christ for saving the people of God.
Jesus Christ is thus three things to us, Prophet, Priest, and King.
“Christ and Christ alone, is fitted to be mediator between God and man.” 1689 London Baptist Confession
Jesus Christ as Prophet
The prophet whom we need to instruct us in the things of God so as to heal our blindness and ignorance.
Deu 18:15 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—
Mat 17:5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”
Jesus reveals to us God Himself.
Rom 16:25-27 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages (26) but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— (27) to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Jesus Christ as Priest
“Because of our estrangement from God and the imperfection of our services at best, we need His priestly office to reconcile us to God and render us acceptable to Him.” 1689 London Baptist Confession
Salvation is in Jesus only as there are two conditions that must be met, and can only be me t in Him.
Rom 5:19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
Rom 5:10-11 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (11) More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Jesus remains our High Priest and Intercessor forever.
Rom 8:34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Jesus Christ as King
Jesus reigns through the Holy Spirit taking care of the judicial matters of atonement. He convicts of sin and righteousness and imparts faith to those whom would believe.
Act 2:30-36 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, (31) he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. (32) This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. (33) Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. (34) For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, (35) until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ (36) Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
CONCLUSION
“ Shall we say that we have done our duty to God? Shall we say that we have done our duty to our neighbor? Shall we bring forward our prayers? Our regularity? Our morality? Our amendments? Our church going? Shall we ask to be accepted by any of these?” J C Ryle
Mat 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ (23) And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
The will is that
“Through Him alone we can have peace with a Holy God. By Him alone we can have admission in the presence of the Most High, and stand there without fear. We have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. In Him alone we can be just, and justify the ungodly.” J C Ryle
Underneath, you will find the rough draft sermon notes for the sermon preached at Poplar Springs North Baptist Church on Sunday January 17, 2021. You will find the video link of the service here.
Rom 13:1-14 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (2) Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. (3) For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, (4) for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. (5) Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. (6) For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. (7) Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. (8) Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
(9) For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (10) Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (11) Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. (12) The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. (13) Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. (14) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
1Pe 2:13-21 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, (14) or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. (15) For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. (16) Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. (17) Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (18) Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. (19) For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. (20) For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. (21) For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
Joh 18:33-36 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” (34) Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” (35) Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” (36) Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
INTRODUCTION
I quoted on Facebook John Calvin the other day. He once said, “When God wants to judge a nation, He gives them wicked rulers.”
This is not a commentary on political leaders, but rather, look at our nation, why should God not treat us as Sodom and Gomorrah?
Abortion, sexual perversion, false prophets, the total disregard of His holy name.
What we read in Romans, and in 1 Peter applies today.
The early church faced times worse that we do today
Nero Persecuted the Christians as a coverup.
John, while in exile was under the rule of Domitian, who may be the hideous beast of Revelation.
Christians were often under local threats of persecution. The church was born in adversity from the local governments.
Paul and Peter write our texts today under Claudius who had banished Jews from Rome.
The Bible was written to give the church hope.
Let us now look at Scripture to understand first What God Demands.
Exegesis
Rom 13:1-14 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (2) Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. (3) For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, (4) for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. (5) Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. (6) For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. (7) Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. (8) Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
God sets up in His word 3 authorities to govern our lives
Ethical and Moral dilemma Questions are raised. Not the scope of today.
We all have situational problems, they must be lived within the parameters of Scripture.
Transition
Peter, just as Paul ,says many of the same things. SO we have two authorities writing in a manner that is to build doctrine and remove confusion.
1Pe 2:13-21 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, (14) or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. (15) For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. (16) Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. (17) Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. (18) Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. (19) For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. (20) For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. (21) For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
Now we turn to see what God commands?
Back in Romans 13 we find what God is commanding us to do.
We are to check our hearts in the matters.
(9) For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (10) Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (11) Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. (12) The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. (13) Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. (14) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Verse 9 goes over the part of the Ten Commandments that relate to the laws of our country. These laws are written as to how we are to relate to one another.
We are to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our example.
We will NEVER find our own strength to endure, therefore, we must all the while seek Christ. Cry for revival.
TRANSITION
Jesus put it this way in John 18
What does this say about God? (Our conclusion)
Jesus view of the Earthly Government
Joh 18:33-36 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” (34) Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” (35) Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” (36) Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
This world is not our home, However it is our mission field
Last night at Poplar Springs North Baptist Church we arrived at Exodus chapter 20. It is here that God gives us the Ten Commandments.
You may find the video on our Facebook page or link to it here.
The Authentic Jesus: Purification for Sins
Hebrews 1:1-4
These rough draft notes are provided to help you follow along with today’s sermon, Sunday October 25th, 2020. Once published, you can find the sermon at http://psnbc.org/
INTRODUCTION: Why this Study, Why Hebrews?
Our goal in this series is to gain a deeper and authentic understanding of God Himself through the person of Jesus Christ. In some ways this is a push back on the false teachings and false narratives that dominate the airwaves, books stores, and pulpits of today.
It is so we can know Him. This, is incredibly important considering John 17:3, Matthew 7, and the book of Romans. It is the fulfillment of John chapter 1, and the entire reason that God would even give us the Bible, His word, is that we would truly know Him.
We are using the book of Hebrews, though it is the most difficult book of the New Testament to understand, as it reveals a depth regarding the nature of Christ, and ultimately, it teaches us what authentic faith is. So we will learn about the authentic Jesus and the authentic church.
Heb 1:1-4 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, (2) but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (3) He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (4) having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
THE TEXT
PART 1 The nature of God makes salvation possible.
Heb 1:1-4 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
(2) but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
(3) He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
(4) having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
PART 2
Understanding His nature, is to understand Holiness
Explain the nature of God as Holy which produces love, justice, wrath, and the purification of sinful people that they may be redeemed.
Holiness is the most overlooked trait. His holiness means that He is separate from the world, there is no sin in Him. He cannot be anything other than holy. His nature will not contradict itself. (Would not make a rock He cannot lift) We call this transcendent; He is other than anything else.
His nature of holiness therefore is so pure that it is right and just to be the object of worship. It is true to worship such an existence.
Thus, God created man and woman to be abiding worshippers and to enjoy the expression of His nature. (Genesis 2 & John 4)
But man sinned. (Genesis 3)
This brought a rift of separation. For God cannot abide with sin.
God, to remain Holy must also remain just. To be just, sin must be punished. It cannot be overlooked or excused.
Therefore, sin against a holy God deserves wrath. Wrath is the just recompense for our sin. Even eating a piece of fruit is thus deserving because of the holy nature of God. Therefore, hell exists.
But God, so loved. (John 3:16)
God’s love desires His creation to be saved. Think on this, to be saved means to be saved from the wrathful nature of God. Therefore, rather than being fair and giving us what we deserve, God so loves. He satisfies the wrath that is due by venting His wrath upon the only one who can fully satisfy it, His own perfect Son.
This sin is punished and a way is made to express His nature of love to the fullest by loving those who do not deserve love at all. Romans 5:8.
Now the gift is free. But it is also costly.
It is also not given out arbitrarily.
To take what is precious and to make it common is shameful, it is a disregard for the Creator of the gift.
Thus, there is a qualification for receiving the gift. All who would forsake their sins, those desires of self-establishment, who turn unto God acknowledging his holiness and rightful honor to receive all glory, honor, and praise, to these beggars He provides a cleansing, a new nature, and an adoption by which they dine at the Father’s banquet. They leave behind all that once entangled them to find God is good.
To be a Christian is to forsake sin and embrace God as Savior, Lord, and love.
CONCLUSION
So, let us be worshippers of Jesus Christ. Knowing Him by knowing His nature, not just seeking stuff as a beggar who looks for food Let us rather come as sons and daughters, adopted into the family of those whom we once spurned, and know Him for who He is, giving Him the glory He is due.
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