How to Raise the Dead

This is my Message for this Sunday, and NO I am NOT charismatic!

Revelation 3:1-6 How to Raise the Dead V. 1

Introduction:

1. In this passage of Scripture we read a letter that was dictated by Christ to the church of Sardis.

2. By way of introduction notice:

1. The Reputation of the Church of Sardis

1) They had the reputation that they were an alive and vibrant church.

2) When another church spoke of Sardis it would speak of a great church doing great things for the glory of God.

3) Ephesus might have said, “Their love for Christ is great.”

4) Pergamos might have proclaimed that "Sardis church solid church standing firmly upon the Word of God.”

5) Thyatira could have wondered and marveled at their great standards of separation from the world.

6) Smyrna might have thought that the believers @ Sardis were a great picture of what a healthy church should be.

7) Philidelphia might have looked upon this church as a great example of Christian service.

8) Laodecea might have thought that Sardis was a great place of vibrance and life.”

9) But the reality of this church was not as advertised.

2. The Reality of the church of Sardis

1) While others looked outwardly upon this church as a church that is vibrant, growing and alive, Christ gave us the reality of this church which was one of decay, & spiritual lifelessness!

2) This is a church whom the reputation does not match the reality.

3) And that startling reality revealed that while the church of Sardis had a good reputation that is was alive and well, in reality it was dead!

4) While others possible would look on the church with admiration, but here the Lord gives the church a condemnation.

3. As pastor of the Salem Baptist church I desire greatly that our church would have the proper testimony in the community which we are placed.

4. But more than just a testimony I would like for our church’s reputation to match the reality.

5. As a Christian I want my testimony to be one which brings honor and glory to Christ. But I want more than just a reputation of one who loves Christ. I want it to be a reality.

¨ Mt 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

6. One thing that I have learned in my Christian life is this: “It matters more what God knows I am, than what others think I am!”

NOTE:

¨ Think of Judas:

Reputation/ Possessor of Eternal Life

Reality/ Only a Professor of Eternal Life)

¨ Think of Annanias & Saphira

Reputation/ Compassionate towards the Saints

Reality/ Only Cared for Self

7. While the church of Sardis had the reputation of being alive and vibrant, in reality it was dead.

8. Like many, the Christian individually and the church collectively at Sardis were in great need of a resurrection.

NOTE:

¨ The church at Sardis needed something more than just activities to restore its life.

¨ This church needed something more than just special music to resuscitate its excitement and joy.

¨ This church needed something more than just preaching to give it life again.

9. What was it that this group of believers needed in order to have a spiritual resurrection?

10. Well in our text we will see to raise the dead.

I. Realize (vs. 1, 2)

1. These believers thought that everything was O.K. but it wasn’t.
2. They and their church was dead.
3. The organism of the church had become merely an organization.
4. This church was dead and didn’t know it!
5. It was continuing on in its activities, but there wasn’t life.
6. They continued on working, but toiling in the flesh and failing at the same time, because Jesus said that there works were not perfect before God.
7. Charles Spurgeon commented on verse two with these words:

“Have you ever read “the Ancient Mariner”? I dare say you thought it one of the strangest imaginations ever put together, especially that part where the old mariner represents the corpses of dead men rising up to man the ship; dead men pulling the rope; dead men at the oars’ dead men steering’ dead men spreading the sails! I thought what a strange idea, and yet I have lived to see that. I have gone into churches where there was a dead man in the pulpit, a dead man reading the scriptures, a dead man singing, a dead man taking the collection, and the pews were filled with the same.”

8. The first step of resurrecting the dead is to realize that there is problem.

¨ In the book of Malachi we see that the nation of Israel did not realize the shape that they were in.

1) Mal 1:2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,

2) Mal 1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

3) Mal 1:7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.

4) Mal 2:17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?

5) Mal 3:7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

¨ When Samson slept in Delilah’s lap and got up the next morning to fight the Philistines the bible says in Judges 16:20, “And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.”

9. So it is today Christian’s acting and in many cases believing that everything is all right when in actuality everything is all wrong.
10. May God this morning anoint our eyes with eye salve that we may see. Yes see the truth of our condition.

II. Remember (v. 3) “Remember”

¨ Ps 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. Ps 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

Remember God’s Word

Remember God’s Love

Remember God’s Mercy

Remember how you used to serve God

Remember how much you used to love Jesus

Remember how you used to long to be at church.

Remember the joy that you once hade.

Dear Christian let us remember!

III. Resolve (v. 3, 2) strengthen the things which remain.” “hold fast”

¨ Those things that you are doing that is right strengthen them

¨ Those things that you are doing which is wrong resolve to put them away.

IV. Repent (v. 3) “Repent”

¨ Repentance denotes 180 degree turn. It means a change!

Sermon Update

We have updated our preaching site. Hopefully the messages will be a help to you as you listen.

Preaching Update

Our sermon network site had been updated. You may find these sermons @ http://sermon.net/salembaptistchurchcinci .

Update

Today I was able to upload preaching to our sermon network. I hope that these messages will be a blessing to all who hear them! To access our sermon network just click on the title of this update or go to http://sermon.net/salembaptistchurchcinci

"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."
I Peter 3: 8, 9

This morning for my private devotional time with the Lord I was able to begin reading from the end of I Samuel to chapter 12 of II Samuel. While I was reading about the life of David, I noticed something that really convicted my heart. That which convicted my heart was the spirit of David. David was a man who really lived I Peter 3:8, 9.

Notice how David treated those who hated him.

I. When Saul was killed David honored him. (II Samuel 1:13-27)

II. When Abner was killed, David acclaimed him a prince. (II Samuel 3:31-39)

III. When Ishbosheth was killed David put to death his murders. (II Samuel 4:1-12)

Would to God that I could be more like David!

• 1Pe 3:9, "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing..."
• 1Th 5:15 "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."
• I Peter 2:21-23, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:"

May God instill in each of our hearts this day a gracious attitude and a Christlike spirit. Our churches, workplaces, homes, and hearts would be better off if it were so.

The Secret Source of Strength

I'm studying for tonight's preaching & prayer meeting. Over the past several weeks I have been preaching in the book of Proverbs. Tonight I will be preaching out of Provers 10:29 on the subject "The Secret Source of Strength". The secret of strength is "the way of the Lord", not vacation, not vindication, NOT WORLDLY AMUSEMENTS. AMEN!!! Proverbs 10:29, "The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity."

Standing ON or Staggering AT the Promises of God

"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;"-Romans 4:20

In the Book of Romans, the Apostle Paul pens down that Abraham "staggered not at the promise of God". The word stagger (according to Webster's 1828 Dictionary) means, "to cease to stand firm". The Bible here declares that Abraham stood firmly on the promises of God. This man 100 years old according to Romans 4, still believed that God would do what he said he would! What a faith in a God who still can.

Dear Christian, we are living in the last days and all around us we hear that the Lord isn't working like he used to do! Due to the continual berating of people it's easy as believers to begin thinking these things are so. As a pastor and you as well, have to continually remind ourselves that God still can! What are some of the things that God can still do?

I. He Can Still Save the Sinner!

• Luke 19:10 "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

II. He Can Still Supply for the Believer!

• Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

III. He Can Still Sustain the Church!

• Mt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

IV. He Still can Send Necessary Workers!

• Lu 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Years ago, Harold Sightler, that great pastor, preached a message called "God Can". The Tabernacle Baptist Church of Greenville South Carolina did great things for God because it was ingrained in them that the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David is the same God that still can work wonders among his people.

In our text, notice the result of standing on the promise of God: "giving glory to God". When we as God's children take God at his Word, it pleases him, and gives him glory! Friend let us "STAND ON, NOT STAGGER AT, THE PROMISES OF GOD".

BIBLE CONFERENCE

Beginning this Sunday our church will be honored to have with us Dr. Ricky Dunsford (Executive Vice President of the Rock of Ages Prison Ministry) for a Bible Conference. The theme for the conference is "SO GREAT SALVATION" from Hebrews 2:3. Bro. Ricky is a tremendous preacher and I know that he will be a blessing to our church. As soon as we can, we will post his preaching on our blog. Please be in prayer for us that the Lord would work in my heart and also in the hearts of the people.

-Ps 85:6 "Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?"

-Ps 138:7 "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me:..."


On a Personal Note:

Many have inquired on how my wife is doing after surgery. She is doing very well. She is able to walk without any aid, and also able to shower etc. Even though she is still in pain form the surgery she was able to attend the preaching service last Sunday. Thank you for your prayers!

Just a Quick Note

This past week has been a very busy week due to my wife having surgery on her back. I just wanted to write a quick note to thank everyone that prayed for her. She came through the surgery very well and is now on the road to recovery. Right now she is in much pain, and unable to do much, but the Doctor is expecting a full recovery.

A Great VBS

Last week we were honored and privileged to have our annual Vacation Bible School. This is always an awesome time in the life of our church because the members of Salem Baptist Church always seem to rally around it that souls might be saved. I greatly appreciate the people that the Lord has given to our church. What a great spirit all of the workers had! No misunderstandings this year! No bad attitudes! Just a group of people serving Jesus!

The Lord really blessed us this year in both attendance and souls saved. On Monday night we had 99 kids & 29 workers. On Tuesday night we had 104 kids & 25 workers. Wednesday night there were 74 kids & 23 workers. Thursday night 89 kids & 28 workers. Friday night there were 73 kids & 29 workers. Then on Sunday evening we had a VBS commencement service and a country fair which many parents attended. There were also a total of 28 children come to know Christ as their Savior this week.

Personally, this week was exactly what I needed. It was a tremendous encouragement to me spiritually! I praise God for his goodness and grace. Isn't it a thrill to know that even in the midst of problems Jesus can still be glorified and souls can still be saved! Hallelujah!

Let me leave you with a verse that has encouraged my heart: 2 Corinthians 9:8, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:"

May the Lord Bless you today as you live your life for HIS glory!

PRAYER REQUEST: Please be in prayer for my wife, Jamie. Next Monday she will be having surgery. The Dr.'s expect her to be down somewhere between 4 & 6 Months.

New Series in the Book of Nehemiah

This morning I began preaching a series of messages from the Book of Nehemiah. The series is entitled: "Let us Rise and Build" from the text of Nehemiah 2:18. I thought that someone may enjoy this outline of the Book of Nehemiah.

Chapter 1- The Blessing of a Burden

Chapter 2-The Good Help of God's Hand

Chapter 3- Bringing Together by Building Together

Chapter 4- Perseverance amidst Problems

Chapter 5- Internal Troubles during Important Times

Chapter 6- Dealing with Distractions

Chapter 7- Watching over the Work

Chapter 8- The Working of God's Word

Chapter 9- The Reestablishing of a Right Relationship with God

Chapter 10- God's Word and our Works

Chapter 11- The Offering of Ourselves

Chapter 12- The Joy of a Job Well Done (from verses 43-47)

Chapter 13- The Sanctification of our Sanctuary

I hope that these might be a help. May the Lord bless each of you as you continue to serve him!

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST: Please remember to pray for our Vacation Bible School which begins Monday night (7-6-09). As of right now we have signed up 95 children. Please pray that God would speak to their hearts this week and that the Lord would use this to see parents saved.

SALEM BAPTIST BROADCAST

Due to illness, our church has some members that are no longer able to be present with us during our services. So over the past few months we have looked into posting our church's preaching services to the web. Now, we have made our services readily available on this blog and also @ http://sermon.net/salembaptistchurchcinci . This Sunday we will be privileged to have with us Evangelist Joe Bryant. Check back next week and we should have his preaching messages added.

KEEP THY HEART

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
Proverbs 4:23

The Bible, in this verse of Scripture, states that the Christian should, “keep thy heart with all diligence.” This verse gives a command and also a caution. The command is to "keep thy heart". The word "keep" speaks of guarding, and watching over. The caution is the words "with all diligence". The word "diligence" means to care for intently. This verse teaches the believer that he is not to allow the devil, anyone, or anything turn his heart from from God. How may we do this?

I. Be Diligent to have an Assured Heart

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 10:22, 23, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

II. Be Diligent to have a Cleansed Heart

SCRIPTURE: Ps 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

III. Be Diligent to have a Fixed Heart

SCRIPTURE: Ps 108:1 A Song or Psalm of David. O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.”

SCRIPTURE: Ps 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

IV. Be Diligent to have a Seeking Heart

SCRIPTURE: Ps 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

SCRIPTURE: Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

V. Be Diligent to have a Loving Heart

SCRIPTURE: Mr 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

VI. Be Diligent to have a Established Heart

SCRIPTURE:Heb 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

HOW THE LOST WAS WON

"And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." -Luke 14:23

Over the past four weeks our church had its annual church attendance campaign, and what a campaign we had! During those few weeks we invited 2,715 people to church, gave out 8,258 gospel tracts, knocked on 5,659 doors, presented the gospel by going through the Romans road to 467 people, 183 visitors attend church, and saw 30+ people saved!

The church attendance campaign is the highlight of our year! Every year that we do this our church experiences a touch of revival. I believe that this is so because the church as a whole, is obeying Christ in trying to reach the lost through soul winning.

I am so proud of our people for the many hours and sacrificed evenings that they gave just to try to keep souls out of hell! I want all of our folks who read this blog to know that I appreciate them and I am grateful to the Lord for allowing me to be the pastor of such a great church!

In Luke14:23, you will find the theme verse that we used for our church attendance campaign. Notice four points on the subject: "How the Lost is Won".

I. WHAT ARE WE TO DO TO WIN THE LOST? (v. 23 "go")

SCRIPTURE: Mark 16:15

• Some may say, "I'll just live right and that will draw people to salvation. Living holy is a great and wonderful thing for God's people to practice, but that will not tell one sinner how to be born again.
  
• Those who practice lifestyle evangelism are not obeying the scriptures. God's way is for the believer to go and testify with our mouth how one may be saved!

II. WHERE ARE WE TO GO IN ORDER TO WIN THE LOST? (v. 23 "out into the highways and the hedges")

Notice the scope of the believers responsibility:

1. Highways- This is the well travelled place
   
2. Hedges-This is the least populated place

The believer is to give the gospel everywhere and to everyone!


III. HOW ARE WE TO WIN THE LOST? (v. 23 "compel")

The word "compel" means to constrain, to beg, and to plead with. We are to compel people to be saved so that they will come to the father's house!

Life is uncertain,
Death is sure,
Sin is the curse,
Christ is the cure!

The same fervency that we would warn people of a physical immediate danger is the same fervency by which we should warn souls of their spiritual impending danger.

IV. WHY ARE WE TO WIN THE LOST? (v. 23 "that my house may be filled")

God's desire is that all come to repentance! God's desire is that all be saved that His house might be filled!

OUR WANT FOR WISDOM

"My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path"
Proverbs 2:1-9

No matter who one may be or what station one holds in life, wisdom is needed! If you are father or mother, wisdom must guide you in the decisions you make as you raise your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. If you are a son or a daughter, wisdom must direct you as you learn to honor and follow your parents. If you are a pastor, the under shepherd of God's flock, then wisdom must be present in your life to enable you to lead the church according to the will of God.

In the Book of James, we find two sources of wisdom. (James 3:13-18) One source is earthly while the other is heavenly. Earthly wisdom is flawed because it is relies on human reasoning and bases its counsel on earthly circumstances, while heavenly wisdom is flawless because it bases its counsel on God himself and this will never cause one to err.

How may we, as the children of God obtain wisdom from the Lord? In this text of Scripture, I believe, we are taught how to obtain wisdom.

I. IF WE ARE TO OBTAIN GODLY WISDOM, THEN WE MUST RECEIVE GOD'S WORD (v. 1 "...receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;")

1. SCRIPTURE: Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;"
2. SCRIPTURE: Psalm 119:105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

II. IF WE ARE TO OBTAIN GODLY WISDOM, THEN WE MUST RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD (v. 2 "...apply thine heart...")

• SCRIPTURE: Psalm 119:133, "Order my steps in thy word:..."

III. IF WE ARE TO OBTAIN GODLY WISDOM, THEN WE MUST RESEARCH GOD'S WORD (v. 4 "...seekest her as silver...searchest for her as for hid treasures;")

1. SCRIPTURE: See Job 28:12-21
2. SCRIPTURE: Psalm 119:162, "I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil."
3. SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed..."
   

Our Reasons to Rejoice

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." Philippians 4:4

This past Sunday our church ended its annual attendance campaign with an "Old Fashioned Day". The sanctuary was decorated. Most of the people were dressed up in old fashioned clothes. Many visitors were in attendance. The choir opened the morning preaching service with the song "I'd rather be an old time Christian than anything I know". The congregational singing was great! The special that was sung by Bro. Hisle was a blessing. After the message, many were at the altars, and four people were baptized. What a joyous morning we were having!

Right after the morning service, folks had their pictures taken. Then, we all went outside so that I could get some whip cream pies thrown in my face. (As you can tell I am a dignified preacher, and we are a dignified church! Right???) Anyway, everyone was excited about the prospect of getting to hit the preacher in the face with a pie!

After the pie throwing was over the treasurer and I went inside the church and found that the money bags with all of the mornings tithes and offerings were missing. Immediately we called all of the ushers, and church staff hoping that the offering was just misplaced, but sure enough someone had stolen it.

Sunday night as I told the church what had happened, I tried to convey to them that every time the Lord gets victory through His saints, Satan fights and seeks to discourage the people of God.

What a great church we have! Instead of the people getting angry and being discouraged, our folks had a sweet spirit which was manifested by the prayers offered up to God. We prayed not for retaliation or vengeance, but for the salvation of the one who had taken the offering.

As Christians, if we are not careful, Satan will turn every height of victory into a valley of despair. We as God's children must remember that God is still on the throne, and no matter what happens God is still good and we should still rejoice.

Here are just a few reasons that we, as believers, have to rejoice:

I. We can Rejoice in our Absolute Pardon

SCRIPTURE: Romans 4:7, "Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered."


II. We can Rejoice in our Awesome Privilege

NOTE: Our awesome privilege is the ability to be co-laborers together with Christ in winning the lost.

SCRIPTURE: Acts 15:3, "And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren."

SCRIPTURE: 1Thessalonians 2:19, "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?"

SCRIPTURE: 2Corinthians 5:20, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God."


III. We can Rejoice in our Answered Prayer

SCRIPTURE: John 16:24, "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."


IV. We can Rejoice in our Assured Persecution

SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 4:13, "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

The Wonder of the Word

"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."
-Psalm 119:18

In January of this year, I came across something that has been a great blessing to me. It was a reading schedule that would enable me to read through the Bible in ninety days. The truth is, I had become stagnant in my walk with the Lord. Even the messages that I were preaching did not have the same power as they once did. I knew that the reason that I had lost my freshness is that I was not truly taking in God's Word in my private devotional time. Sure I was reading the Bible, but I was not allowing God's Word to penetrate my heart. Oh, what great conviction grabbed a hold of my soul and shook it to its very core! God has called me to preach his blessed Book, yet his Word was becoming a just a tool to use in sermon preparation. On my knees , I prayed and asked the Lord to forgive his wicked servant and there I promised him that I would begin to consume his Word and esteem it more than my necessary food. So this year I have set a personal goal to read through the Scriptures four times during my personal morning devotions. This may sound like a great feat, but honestly it is only around 15 or so chapters a day. Now, since beginning this schedule, Lord has really opened up his Word to my heart, and once again I am truly amazed and stand in awe at the wonders of God Holy Word. Let me give you just a few thoughts about the Wonders of God's Word.


I. It's Complete in its Compilation

SCRIPTURE:Psalm 119:89 "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven."


II. It's Right in its Renderings

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 12:6, 7 "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."


III. It's True in its Teachings

SCRIPTURE: John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."


IV. It's Preeminent in its Position

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 138:2 "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name."


V. It's Absolute in its Authority

SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:18, 19 "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."


READING SCHEDULE NOTE: If you would like a copy of this reading schedule it may be found at http://www.havenministries.com/schedule.pdf. I do not know anything about the articles and such on the site itself! This is just where I found the reading schedule.

The Folly of the Foolish

On Wednesday evening, at our church, I usually preach and teach (actually a lot more preaching than teaching) through a series. And tonight I am excited about beginning a new series in the book of Proverbs which we have entitled "Precious Pearls from Proverbs". As I have been studying through Proverbs, I have been amazed by the Lord's great depiction of the folly of the foolish. I hope that these few thoughts will be a help to you as it was to me.

The Folly of the Foolish

I. A Foolish Man Despises Knowledge

SCRIPTURE:Pr 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

II. A Foolish Man Depresses his Mother

SCRIPTURE: Pr 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

III. A Foolish Man Deceives Himself

SCRIPTURE: Pr 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

SCRIPTURE: Pr 17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

IV. A Foolish Man Defies Commonsense

SCRIPTURE: Pr 14:16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.

V. A Foolish Man Declares His Mind

SCRIPTURE: Pr 29:11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

SCRIPTURE: Pr 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

SCRIPTURE: Pr 14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.