A FATHER’S ADMONITION

“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9

In this text, we have David, as king of Israel, giving 5 points of advice to embolden his son, Solomon, who will soon take over the leadership of the nation of Israel.
1. KNOW GOD
2. SERVE GOD
3. REMEMBER THE LORD SEARCHES ALL HEARTS
4. SEEK THE LORD
5. IF YOU FORSAKE THE LORD – HE WILL CAST YOU OFF FOREVER

Let’s notice what this ancient father had to say to his son, and make application to ourselves…

Rejecting the King!

We read in the scripture that Jesus was taken by lawless hands, tried by the Jewish Sanhedrin who find nothing to accuse Him of, so they turned Him over to the Roman Law, to Pilate. Pilate found no fault either which should have ended everything. But, when given a choice between freeing Jesus and a notorious prisoner called Barabbas the Jews chose Barabbas, and shouted crucify Him! When Pilate aske, “shall I crucify your King?”, the chief priests answered, “We have not king but Caesar!”

I want to see by the scriptures what it was that the Jews rejected when they followed after their leaders’ directions, as a warning to us not to do the same…

LOST AND FOUND
We know that the devil was a murderer from the beginning. . .
We know that the devil does not stand for truth. . .
We know when he speaks a lie, that it’s from his own self, because he is the father of it (John 8:44).

In the garden that serpent created a “desire to sin” in Eve’s heart simply by highlighting the “benefits” of eating the forbidden fruit.
Benefits, yes, but at a great cost!

in this lesson I’d like us to consider 3 things that were lost when sin entered the world…

THE MAN OF INTEGRITY

“I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?” (Job 31:1)

Integrity is a firm, unwavering commitment to ethical behavior. Real integrity is not like the waves of the sea – rather means you have a clear sense of morality, as received from God, and you stick to it at all costs. Real integrity does not depend on the status quo, or the wishe of society, does not depend on other people reactions to you, and  does not depend on your personal feelings.

How is it that Job knew not to look upon a young woman? How is it that Job understood the differeance between right and wrong?

DISCIPLES MAKING DISCIPLES

Jesus taught, “13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16). 

From here let us learn what a disciple is, and what makes a disciple…

A BODY PREPARED

“5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God.’ ” 8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), “Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me” (Heb. 10:5-8).

We hear of a body that was prepared for the Messiah, for Jesus, and with purpose. But we must understand that there were actually three bodies throughout the history of man. In this lesson we will consider these three bodies, their purpose and timing.

1. Is the body of Man himself…
2. The Lord’s physical body…
3. And three the “body of Christ”, the church…

We begin in the beginning with the first body that was prepared…

UTTING ON CHRIST CIRCLE OF FRUITFULNESS PART 1

Writing to the saints in the churches of Galatia Paul concluded by reminding them who they are saying: “26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Today we begin a few lessons that I pray will help us all understand JUST how we put on Christ. This is accomplished primarily by adopting the fruits that come from God’s Holy character which we learn of through the life and teaching of Jesus and the holy men of God who wrote the scriptures (2 Peter 1:21).

We must live fruitful lives – or be cut-off from the life-giving vine, which is Jesus (John 15:6). Jesus said, “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.” (Matt. 7:18). Let’s study the Circle of Fruitfulness. • Who we are will define what we do. • What we do defines who we are. It is an endless circle. 

Now, it is, therefore, impossible for me to say I have put on Christ – if I am not living a godly and fruitful life. I can no longer say as some say, this is who I am, like it or not, and I’m not going to change now! We thank God that Peter didn’t say that, Paul didn’t say that, and we must never adopt that self-condemning attitude. What we must do is imitate Jesus, and the Apostles’ life, and teaching to the extent that we may boldly and truthfully say, such was I, but now I am washed, sanctified, justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:11). . .

In his first epistle, John writes of victory in overcoming the world…
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1John 5:4-5)

This is the victory, means we have believed and obeyed Jesus, therefore, we have what we need to defeated Satan, and by the same power we’re able to cast the devil out of our life,.then one day we’ll put on immortality – and death is swallowed up in victory (1 Cor. 15:54)
This is the victory, means we have believed and obeyed Jesus, therefore, we will be among those caught up by Jesus on the last day (1 Thess. 4:17)
This is the victory, means we’ll be one of the “great multitude which no one could number” in Heaven, standing before the throne, and before the Lamb (Rev. 7:9)

Beloved, faithful, you, brothers and sisters, we are truly united by the one true faith that will lead us to total victory…
And my hope is that by these studies our God will grant us all according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit that is in us” (Eph. 3:16)

Let’s start with a talk about the WORLD…

THE UNPOPULAR WAY – SAINTS AND SWIMMING

Like clockwork, once a year summer comes. And, rightly so, many are thinking of vacations, picnics, gatherings with family, and all kinds of outdoor sports and
activities.

One such activity—is Swimming i.e., Public Bathing.

The question of the day: Is swimming sinful? Short answer is not if it is males together with other males out of sight of women. Not if it is women together with women, out of sight of men. But when you combine the two—i.e., summer mixed pool parties where both men and women swim together—then you have a problem. And it isn’t the act of swimming per say. The problem we will address has everything to do with the various states of undress among men and women. Improper clothing that shows the nakedness of the body, and what happens in the heart.

Please don’t insult me, or any other by claiming that nobody is looking, that nobody cares! After the lesson is done I believe you’ll have enough material to be convinced that somebody does care—God…

Paul wrote in his second letter to the saints at Corinth, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).

That’s a pretty amazing statement. A great change takes place in the life of one who is a Christian!
1. I’d like to know what this change is—and how it will affect me personally.
2. If I am a New Creation – how does God see me?
3. And how does this change me, my lifestyle, my likes, and habits?
4. What old things am I giving up, and how will these new things affect my old way of life?

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul gives us answers to such questions.

Turning to Ephesians 2 and verse 6 we begin to see some ways a Christian is described…