Bible Text: Matthew 28:19-20 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

 God’s Word is inspired, inerrant, infallible, invincible. (2Timothy 3:16-17), “All Scripture is God-breathed [finding its origin in God ] and is useful [profitable] forteaching [instruction], rebuking [reproof], correction and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly [completely] equipped for every good work.”

What is the greatest work a Christian, can do? Jesus commands us (Matthew 28:19-20), “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

In Matthew 28:19-20, the participles (going, baptizing, teaching) give qualification and definition to the activity of the verb (making disciples).

The greatest work we can do is to share Christ, for it is a genuine belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior that brings immediate salvation from the curse and penalty of sin, immediate discipleship as a believer and follower of Christ, and immediate baptism into the body of Christ:

1Corinthians 12:13, “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body– whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free–and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”

It is imperative and clear (Matthew 28:19), that we are to be going, people won’t be coming to us.

We are then to share the gospel of Christ and to baptize (total water immersion, baptizo) those who confess Christ as Lord, identifying them with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey God’s Word and to serve God with their lives (Romans 6:4-11).

Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name [character] of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:23-24, “ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a 4! !4. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Peter first proclaimed the Word of God in Jerusalem, so that people might repent of their sins and receive forgiveness through Jesus Christ (making disciples).
Acts 2:36-40, “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”.

What was the result of Peter’s preaching?
Acts 2:41-47, “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.”
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

True repentance that brings salvation urges a person to devote themselves to four important disciplines, each based on the Word of God:

1. Apostles’ teaching – God’s Word is to be honored, proclaimed, explained, and obeyed, so that people will be saved, set apart, and equipped, in order to grow and mature in Christ, that they might serve Him.

Ephesians 4:14-16,”Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

God’s word is spiritual food for our growth; it is a wasted day when we do not learn something new from or are not affected by God’s Word.
Hebrews 5:12-14, “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

God’s Word saves us, sanctifies us, sustains us!
2. Fellowship – Through Christian fellowship [koinonia- intimate communion and sharing with one another], we stimulate one another toward love and good deeds.

When so-called believers isolate themselves from other Christians, failing to participate in the local church, they are in direct disobedience to God’s Word. Hebrews 10:23-27, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

True Christians are not independent agents but members of one body, serving Christ together.
1Corinthians 12:14, “Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.” 18 “But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” 27 “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

3. Breaking of Bread – The celebration of the Lord’s Supper by all believers, is to remember what Christ has accomplished and given through His own sacrificial death and sovereign resurrection from the grave.
1Corinthians 11:23-26, “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

The Lord’s Supper is essential for all believers, it causes us to exam our own heart attitude toward God, God’s Word, and God’s People, seeking unity in Christ. Ephesians 4:4-6, “There is one body and one Spirit–just as you were called to one hope when you were called– one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Remembering what Jesus did on the Cross should move us to confess our sins to God, allowing Him to purify us for His service, serving together in His Church. 1John 1:5-10, “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”

4. Prayer – When we come before God, acknowledging Who He is, confessing our sins, thanking Him for all He has done, trusting Him for what we need, it is much more likely that we will ask for those things that bring honor to God, and benefits to God’s people.

Matthew 6:9-13, “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”

1Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Prayer is probably the most difficult of our spiritual disciplines, for it is hard work to pray on behalf of God’s Word, God’s Will, and God’s People. Notice, there are no “Me’s” or “My’s” in the Lord’s prayer.

As we are diligent to study and obey God’s Word, to engage in Christian fellowship, to remember the Lord’s death and resurrection, and to continually be in prayer, God will be honored and people will be saved.

We must make and train up disciples, teaching them the Word of God that they might understand, obey, and apply it to their lives where others will see Christ in them, and they too will become witnesses, disciple makers, sharing the good news of salvation from sin’s curse, and eternal life with God in heaven.

Jesus promises (v. 20) to remain with us, until we die and go to be with Him, or until He returns to take us to be with Him. Until then we are to seek to fulfill His Great Commission, bringing salvation to the world through the Word of God, Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Lord and Savior.

John 14:1-6, “‘Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.’ Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

God’s Word saves [Jesus is the Eternal Word of God].
John 1:1-4, 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” 12-14, “to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” 18 “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.”

– pastor mike

Bible Text: 2Timothy 3:16-4:4 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

Instead of taking the time this morning to prove the inspiration, inerrancy, infallibility and invincibility of God’s Word – I will leave that for another time – I’m going to start with the premise that God’s Word is divine, holy, perfect, sovereign, necessary and eternal, that it comes from the very heart, mind, and mouth of God.

Let’s start with some very simple and basic definitions: Inspired = breathed out by, proceeding from God
Inerrant = without error, perfect
Infallible= incapable of error, incorruptible

Invincible = incapable of being defeated, sovereign
Let’s take a look at a portion of the text for today 2Timothy 3:16-17, “All

Scripture is God-breathed [inspired by God ] and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

This text is key to the doctrine of inerrancy, and it should be meditated upon and memorized by every genuine believer and follower of Jesus Christ.

Did you know that Paul is quoting Jesus Christ in this
text? Look at Matthew 4:4 with me — Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from [proceeds out of] the mouth of God.’” (Deuteronomy 8:3)

“All Scripture,” (OT/NT), comes from God, is breathed out by God, proceeding from the very mouth of God, i.e., the origin and authority of Scripture is God Himself!

Because God is perfect and incapable of any error, wrongdoing, or failure, so is His Word; therefore, the Holy Scripture is inerrant, infallible, and invincible, for it is created and empowered by God Himself.

It was this same Word of God that when spoken, by the power within i, the world and all that is in it was created (Genesis 1:1, 3, 6, 9, 14, 20, 24, 26, 31).

The greatest commandment is (Mark 12:30-31),“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

If you have received the love of God through God’s One and Only Son, you will desire to tell others about Him (Matthew 28:19-20a), “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

You are to proclaim the Word of God, in love, wherever you are (Ephesians 4:15), for you have been set apart by God’s Word (John 17:17), and you are to speak of Jesus Christ, the Word of God (John 1:1-4, 14), by the power of the Spirit of God (John 14:16-17).

We are (Matthew 28:19) to baptize [fully immerse] converts of Christ, into the instruction of God’s Word about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – teaching them to obey all that Jesus has commanded, i.e., all that the Scriptures (OT/NT) teach, for these are from God.

Scripture is the Living Word, God’s spoken Word, written, and given (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23).

Remember the first thing Jesus said on the cross (Luke 23:34), “Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing?” Remember the last thing Jesus said on the cross (John 19:30), “It is finished!”

God is finished revealing His plan and provision for humanity, which was, is, and is still yet to be purposed through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1:8, ”I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” 17-18, “I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

Revelation 19:11-16, ”I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Hebrews 1:1-3, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at

many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his

Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

See John 1:1-4, 12-14, 18; 3:16-21; 1John 1:1-3, 5-10; 5:10-13; Romans 10:9-10, 13.

Jesus Christ is the Word of God, the One and Only Son of God, the Sovereign and Eternal KING of Kings and LORD of Lords;and only those who repent and believe in Him will receive forgiveness and eternal life.

2Timothy 4:1-4… There is no greater need in the world today than for God’s people to wholeheartedly and consistently draw near to God in prayer, feed upon His Word, obeying it; that we will intimately know and compassionately demonstrate Christ, to this confused, chaotic, deceived and depraved generation.

It really doesn’t matter where you are, or with whom you are, if you belong to God through Christ, you are His and you are to be serving Him by proclaiming His Word.

The 66 Books of the Bible were written from three continents, in three languages, over a period of 1500 years, by 40 human authors, as God spoke through them.
2Peter 1:20-21,“no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

God’s wisdom, righteousness, redemption and sanctification cannot be obtained through human intellect or human reasoning; therefore, Paul’s primary purpose was, as ours should be, to boldly proclaim the Inspired, Inerrant, Infallible, and Invincible Word of God – the Living and Eternal Word, born of a woman, raised in obscurity, put to death on a cross, yet He came out of the grave alive, proclaiming and providing victory over sin, death, and judgment to all who will trust in Him – Jesus Christ: crucified, resurrected, and coming again!

Bible Text: Psalm 1:1-6 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: New Years, Topical Study

Three days ago we left 2014 behind and moved into 2015, wishing one another a happy and blessed New Year.

For most of us, there were many changes last year, some for the better, some for the worse; but the good news is, the Word of God remains the same and it is God’s prescription for how we can be continually blessed.

From God’s perspective, there are only two ways to live and only two kinds of people in the world: the righteous and the wicked. This Psalm tells us the righteous are blessed, the wicked are not.

In order to be blessed in 2015, or another time, you need to pay attention to the content of this Psalm.
Verses 1-3… “Blessed [Happy] is the man,” who doesn’t do certain things and does do other certain things.

The world offers entertainment and enticement that, provides momentary and superficial pleasure, but lasting happiness, authentic joy, and genuine peace are found only in the Lord. It is possible for a person to have a truly blessed and happy life, but only on God’s terms.

God’s blessings come to those who don’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, don’t stand in the way of sinners, and don’t sit in the seat of mockers.

The “counsel of the wicked” describes the worldview of those who do not know the Lord.

The “way of sinners” describes their lifestyle choices.

The “seat of mockers” is the place of intimate fellowship with those who openly reject Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Picture this: you are walking down the street and you stop to hang out with a few unbelieving friends; they ask you to sit down with them for a bit, and in the course of the conversation they invite you to go to a new movie; even though you know the movie has lots of explicit sex and profanity (even using God’s name in vain), you don’t want to seem prude, so you agree to go with them to this movie.

Worldly thinking will leads to belief and behavior that will result in godless relationships and godless living.

Understand, we are blessed by what we do, but also by what we don’t do. The point is this: God’s people aren’t to hang out just anywhere, with anyone, doing just anything (Romans 12:9; Ephesians 5:15-17; Colossians 2:8-10).

1

When you determine to seek and to serve God, the devil will oppose you. One of his strategies is simply to surround you with associations that will lead you astray, people who do not share your faith and belief in God.

Sin is never stagnate, it always seeks to control you. What begins as a casual relationship, may lead to the lowering of your inhibitions. You may start to laugh at jokes you once considered crude, or compromise your values about right and wrong, remaining silent when things are said or done that troubled you in the past.

If you behave like your unbelieving acquaintances, they will never see Christ in you. The truth is, you either influence them or they will influence you, but you can’t reach people for Christ by lowering your standards or compromising your beliefs.

Instead of behaving like unbelievers, we must focus on knowing and doing God’s Will, (Psalm 119:16) “to delight in the law of the Lord,” God’s Holy Word of.

To “delight” means to take great pleasure in. We all “delight” in something: a hobby, certain foods, exercise, a career, money, stuff, and sometimes we even delight in sinful pleasures.

But the things we delight in will eventually set the direction and the speed of our travel,and the length of our stay, so to speak. What do you delight in? daydream about? What can’t you do without?

Those who are blessed by God should love His Word and meditate on it day and night (cf. Joshua 1:8); to “meditate” is to digest something thoroughly, to deeply consider it with honor, reverence, and great value.

We all need a regular daily time to read and meditate upon God’s Word (If you commit to just 20 minutes a day, you can read through the whole Bible in just a year).

Do you memorize Scripture? It is almost a lost art today, but when I came to Christ in 1978, it was commonplace to emphasize Scripture memorization.

When you put God’s Word in your heart and mind, it provides confidence in and the strength to obey it; as you delight in God’s Word, you’ll want to read it, meditate on it, even memorize it. You’ll become like a tree planted by a stream of water, with roots deep down in the soil pulling up moisture and nutrients, growing strong and producing fruit “in season,” at just the right time.

God’s Word provides all you need to exhibit the fruit of your new life in Christ (Galatians 5:22-23), “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

2

These characteristics are part of the spiritual DNA of all believers, as we walk with the Lord, feeding upon and delighting in His law, our “leaf will not wither” because we are refreshed by God’s Word every day, for His blessings are new every morning.

In this world we may face disappointment, sorrow, rejection, failure, pain, and illness; even so, we can survive and thrive for we will not be destroyed (1Corinthians 15:55-57; 2Corinthians 4:7-10).

The righteous prosper in all they do, when they are nourished by the Word of God; and they can face whatever life brings (Romans 8:31-39).
Verses 4-5… The wicked do not receive God’s blessings on earth or in heaven, because they aren’t God’s children.

They are like chaff (husk or hull surrounding a nut or a kernel), without value, destined to be blown away in the wind or burned in the fire; all the wicked (unbelievers) are destined to be punished in hell for eternity.

The judgment mentioned here (v. 5) is not for punishment but reward; this is for the righteous (those who are being saved), those who have stood strong, like trees by a stream, with deep roots into the Word of God, resulting in good works that will be rewarded in heaven.
Verse 6… This verse sums up the destiny of those who belong to God (the righteous) and those who don’t (the wicked); the righteous are preserved through Christ, despite how they do on earth, but the wicked, no matter how they do on earth, will be eternally punished in hell, because they rejected Christ.

The Hebrew text here says the Lord “knows” the way of the righteous (those who are being saved), as a father “knows” his own children. It is because of God’s loving kindness that we are protected and preserved through our trials on earth, ultimately, to be brought into God’s presence in heaven, forever.

So, why is this passage important to us as we enter this new year? What does it tell us we are to do and not do in the days, weeks, and months ahead? Consider the following, as you resolve to honor and to obey God in 2015.

Our casual daily interactions with unbelievers can lead us into relationships where we are influenced by those who do not know the Lord; perhaps desensitizing us to the holiness of God. We must be mindful, alert, forewarned, we influence others toward righteousness or they will influence us toward wickedness!

Until we die and go to be with the Lord, or He returns to take us to be with Him, those who live to honor Him on earth will be at odds with those who don’t.

3

Christians living in a sinful world must maintain a separation from evil, at the same time not ignoring it, but exposing and rebuking it, for God doesn’t judge according to the world’s standards, human opinion, or majority vote – God judges by His own sovereign standard, Himself.

God repeatedly and clearly reveals and expresses His plan, purpose, and pleasure in the 66 Books of the Bible.

God’s Word tells us to be encouraging one another toward love and good deeds, serving in a local church, where the Bible is the center of Worship (Romans 12:1). As Christians, we must feed upon God’s Word, so that we know what it says and

what it means by what it says, so that we might obey it (Romans 12:2). Ephesians 5:1-2 commands us, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved

children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

We are “children of God” (1John 3:1-2; 5:1-5) and we are to follow the example of God the Son, Jesus Christ (1John 2:6); we need to live out and proclaim the gospel of Christ, so that others might be saved and come to know and to enjoy the blessings of God.

In order to know and enjoy God’s blessings, you must first belong to God the Father through God the Son, having repented of your sins, believing in Jesus Christ as Savior, confessing Him as Lord (Romans 10:9-10, 13)
Philippians 4:4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 12-13, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” 19-20, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

God’s best to you this New Year, Pastor Mike

Bible Text: Ephesians 1:1-6 | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

Read Ephesians 1:1-3… God doesn’t necessarily bless all His children with good looks, intelligence, health, wealth, or long life here on earth; but we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in and through Christ, i.e., everything we need to know Him, serve Him, trust Him, and enjoy our life on this earth, while waiting to go to heaven to be with the Lord forever..

If you are a Christian, you belong to God and your eternal home is in heaven, but you are on temporary duty assignment here on earth (1Peter 1:3-5).

The phrase “inhabitants of the earth” is used 7 times in the Book of Revelation, always referring to those (17:8), “whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world…”

At the present time it appears that the inhabitants of the earth (the unbelieving majority) have more wealth and influence then God’s people; but God has blessed His people with wisdom and power.

God doesn’t choose wise, strong, rich, handsome, or influential people, to serve Him; instead, He chooses regular people like you and me, people who have been forever changed by Christ, that we might testify to the world how the holy and mighty God of Creation is reconciling sinful humans to Himself (2Corinthians 5:17-21).

As a Christian you have everything you need to serve God victoriously, as you grow in a personal and eternal relationship with Him, through Christ.

If you have never trusted Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and save your soul, please consider it as we study the Scriptures together today.
Read Ephesians 1:4-6… It is not my intention today to try to settle the issue of God’s sovereignty vs. man’s free will; but I do want to encourage you in reference to what the Scriptures clearly declare concerning why you should believe in Jesus Christ.

The Bible teaches that God is sovereign, and that man has free will to accept or reject God’s will; those who reject Jesus Christ will be condemned; whereas those who believe in and receive Him will be saved (John 1:11-13; 3:16-18; 14:6; Acts 2:21; 4:12; Romans 10:9-10, 13).

Both Peter and Paul proclaimed, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”; the Lord Himself said (John 6:44), “no one can come to Me unless the Father draws him,’ (John 6:65) “enables him”.

God is the Almighty, the Creator, the Savior, the Sustainer and the Judge over All of Creation for Eternity.
Revelation 1:8, “’I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’” 18, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys

of death and Hades.”
Even so, God has sovereignly determined that people from every nation and

tongue will believe in His Son. In fact, (v. 4) God chose us before there were any people on the earth. The Greek word for “chose” or “chosen” infers that the One making the choice is selecting a small number out of a larger number for a specific purpose.

Wow! God has sovereignly selected, out of all those who will ever live on earth, a measure of people to be set apart for the purpose of knowing and worshipping Him.

God (v.5) predestined us (all Christians) to be saved and adopted into His eternal family, that we might be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus. The word “predestined” means “to mark out ahead of time,” to “predetermine” those who would belong to God.

Notice (vv. 4-6), it is sovereignly God who has determined (9 times the words He, Him, and His are used to express God’s divine act in choosing) those who would be saved and set apart for His intended purpose.

Before Adam and Eve were created, before the curse of sin entered the garden, God had determined to choose for Himself out of all those who would be born on earth, a people of His very own, a people who would become His children and recipients of His unconditional and eternal love expressed in and through Jesus Christ.

The Scriptures are very clear that God has predestined a people to be set apart for salvation, and to live with Him forever in heaven; but do the Scriptures also teach that God has predestined a people to be lost and separated from God’s love, condemned to an eternal hell?

No! And again, I say definitively, “No!” The Scriptures do not promote or allow any such teaching, for nowhere in the Word of God does it imply that God has sovereignly predestined or set apart a group of people to be “marked out ahead of time,” specifically for condemnation, to spend eternity apart from God in a place of torment.

The very opposite is repeatedly taught in the Scriptures (1Timothy 2:3-4), “God our Savior wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth”; and (2Peter 3:9), God “is patient not wanting anyone to perish, but for everyone to come to repentance.”

Scripture does not say God has predetermined a people to go to Hell; but it does say God has sovereignly chosen some for heaven, to be adopted as His children (v. 5) in accordance with His good pleasure and will.

And all this is (v. 6), “to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves,” Jesus Christ: God’s Son, Savior & Lord.

God is, by nature, a loving, merciful and gracious God who blesses those who obey Him; but He is also a just, holy and righteous God who must bring judgment and punishment upon all those who disobey Him.

By His own pleasure and will, God sovereignly determined that He would have a people of His very own.
Titus 2:11-14, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self- controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

Yes, God is sovereign in salvation. And yes, every person will be judged for all of eternity according to what they did or didn’t do with Jesus Christ.
1John 5:11-12, “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

The greatest reason in all the world for giving thanks, is this: God loves us so much that He sent His Own Son to take our punishment for sin and to provide forgiveness and eternal life to anyone, to everyone, who will believe in and receive Him as Savior and Lord.

And so, for that reason we are commanded (1Thessalonians 5:17-18) to, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Bible Text: Topical Study | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

Romans 1:17 says, “The righteous will live by faith.” The object of our faith is Jesus Christ: crucified, resurrected, coming again.
Philippians 3:8, “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” 2Corinthians 5:21, “God made him [Jesus Christ] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him [Jesus Christ] we might become the righteousness of God.”

Only those who belong to Christ can live by faith, for our faith is in the One who has saved us; we therefore, express our faith by doing that which pleases God.

Genuine Faith requires effort and action…
2Corinthians 1:3-4, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”
James 2:18, “But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.’” 23-24, “And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.”

Through the use of our time, our talents, and our treasure, we benefit God’s people and bring glory to God.

Genuine Faith has the right priorities…
Colossians 3:2, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things,” (Hebrews 11:1), “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

The world’s people pursue the pleasures and treasures of this earth; while God’s people seek to know and to do God’s will. By obeying God (Matthew 6:20), we lay up “treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Our purpose and focus is to encourage other believers while witnessing to the lost. Only when we live by faith can we please God (Hebrews 11:6), “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

Genuine Faith doesn’t get bogged down in past or become overly concerned in the present…
Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Philippians 3:13, “One thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining
toward what is ahead.”

Often we live in the past, our testimony often relating to something that happened long ago; we cannot survive on past victories, nor should we be held captive by past failures. We must move away from the past, living in the here and now while looking forward to the future, with great anticipation and expectation of all that God will do.

The best is yet to come for those who live by faith, and so, we trust God for the present, as well as for the future.
1Corinthians 2:9, “However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.’”

!

! Genuine Faith trusts God for everything – now and forever – in Christ… Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Too many Christians are spiritually soft. They want to have (and do) everything the easy way, instead of by trusting God to get them through the tough times. 2Timothy 2:3, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2Timothy 3:12, “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

2Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

To live by faith is to experience and endure hardships. When temptations, testings, and trials come our way, we must keep the faith, trusting in God’s provisions.
Acts 20:22, “compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.

“Going…not knowing,” Paul made that statement as he was saying goodbye to a group of friends, maybe never to see them again.

As believers and followers of the Lord we know He leads us in certain directions, and at times that leading is unmistakably clear, although, it may not seem logical or even practical, and yet it can be crystal clear to us.

Out of love and obedience we go, trusting God to provide and protect. We pack our bags, pull up the stakes, roll up the tents, and bid our friends farewell; off we go on a new adventure, sensing God’s clear leading. How strange, and yet, how typical for people of faith.

Abraham faced this walk of faith at the age of 75, when he pulled up roots and journeyed to an undisclosed location. Think about that, Abram gathered his wife, his family, his servants, and his animals, and then he headed for parts unknown! Hebrews 11:8, “By faith Abraham, when called to go… obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”

Going, not knowing where. Obeying without fully understanding how God would work it all out. Often the Christian journey is unpredictable, and at times, rough, even risky, but God has promised to care for us, provide for and protect us, and to never leave us.

We must be willing to stay and contend for the faith just as much as we must also be willing to pull up stakes and venture off into the “unknown,” trusting God to guide, provide for, and protect us, as He directs our steps according to His own plan and purpose.
Philippians 4:12-13, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
2Peter 1:3, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”
Titus 2:14, Jesus Christ “gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

So, let us seek to become and to remain people of faith, people of hope, people of love, encouraging one another toward love and good deeds, and proclaiming the message of Christ, while serving God and trusting Him to provide all we need, now and forever, in and through Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, the One and Only True God, who was, and is, and is yet to come, the Almighty.

Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

Tomorrow we begin VBA 2014. Our Renton family has come to First Baptist
Church in order to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the kids of this community. We have prayed many months for this week, and we look with anticipation at what God is going to do in the hearts of many children.

Mark 10:13-16, “People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And He took the children in His arms, and blessed them.”

The manifestation of God’s love for us is so clearly and simply revealed, a child can understand and respond to it.

Jesus loves little children, their tender hearts and minds; what a contrast they are to the hardhearted Pharisees and dull-minded Disciples, who continually were, “seeing but not perceiving, hearing but not understanding.”

Where a child may easily trust in Jesus, an adult is much more reluctant to respond because they lack the innocent faith and trusting nature of a child. It was God’s desire and pleasure to provide His gospel of salvation to trusting, believing, and receptive hearts:

Matthew 18:3-4, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 10:21, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.”

Entrance into God’s family is revealed to little children.

The word translated “change” in Matthew 18:3, means to turn from sin and self,
to God and salvation, this is done in response to God’s Spirit leading us to repent and believe in God’s Son (John 3:16; 16:8; Acts 2:21; 2Corinthians 5:17).

God reveals Himself to all who believe in and trust Him, all who come to Him like little children whose minds and hearts have not been hardened by years of exposure to this fallen and corrupted world.

Most young children trust their father [Okay, let go, I’ll catch you]; but as children grow up, they are exposed to a variety of experiences, leaving them more calculated and somewhat distrusting of their fathers [But, what if you don’t catch me?].

Satan used a similar ploy, trying to tempt Him in the wilderness:

Matthew 4:5-7, “The devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If You are the Son of God,; he said, ‘throw Yourself down. For it is written:’ ‘He will command His angels concerning You, and they will lift You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'”

The Son of God did not need to “test” the Father; He fully trusted Him, as we also must trust Him, by believing and receiving salvation through Christ, like a tenderhearted child.

There is a song that has been around for at least 100 years, and I’m pretty sure that most, if not all of us, have sung its lyrics. The song is, “Jesus Loves the Little Children,” and it is one of the first songs many children learn in church.

The words are so simple and so true: “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world: red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.” [In 1991, alternate words were written, ”Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world – Every color, every race, all are covered by His Grace, Jesus loves the little children of the world.”

There is another favorite song, “Jesus Loves Me,” that has been around for 150 years, it expresses God’s deep love for children. There are five verses to the song, here are three:
1st “Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong. Refrain: “Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.”

2nd “Jesus loves me this I know, as He loved so long ago, taking children on His knee, saying ‘Let them come to Me.’ Refrain: “Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.”

4th “Jesus loves me, He who died, heaven’s gate to open wide. He will wash away my sin, let His little child come in. Refrain: “Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.”

God’s love is merciful and it is freely given. Anyone coming to God with a childlike faith, trusting and believing in Jesus Christ, will receive forgiveness for their sins and salvation for their soul, and the God of all Creation will become their Father for all of eternity.

God offers for us to know Him, to trust Him, and even to serve Him; God has proved His love by taking upon Himself our penalty for sin, just as He promised He would do (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 8:1; 10:9-10, 13).

God is loving, merciful, faithful, gracious, compassionate, and forgiving, and He wants to have a personal and intimate relationship with each one of us that starts here on earth and continues in heaven for eternity, with everything in creation being made new.

1Timothy 2:3-4, “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men [everyone] to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

2Peter 3:9, “The Lord [doesn’t want] anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

God wants us to believe in Him and to receive His greatest gift. He is a loving and gracious Father who cares for, and abundantly provides for, His children.
The first and foremost gift from God is forgiveness and eternal life, available only through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6); you must come to God as a little child – humble, believing and trusting – or you will not enter the kingdom of heaven, you will not become a child of God, for God reveals Himself to little children.

VBA starts tomorrow, the children who come will be told about Jesus Christ all through the week; for many of them it may be the very first time they have been introduced to the God Who loves them so much, that He and laid down His own life for them.

I cited two verses earlier today – Matthew 18:3, where Jesus is speaking to His followers saying, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,” and Luke 10:21, where Jesus, says, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.”

God loves His children, and Jesus repeatedly expresses His loving protection and provision for little children.

Matthew 18:5-6, “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

All true believers and followers of Christ who attend the First Baptist Church of Waldport, OR, and Trinity Baptist Church in Renton, WA, sincerely desire that children be brought to Jesus Christ. It is our prayer that nothing will hinder them, and that none of them will be led away from the saving grace of our Lord: VBA is a wonderful opportunity for children to be led to God’s Son.
Please, all of you, be in prayer this week for those who are serving the Lord here at VBA, that the Love of God will be shown through our lives.

Please pray for the children who attend, that their hearts might be tender and receptive, and that they will hear and believe the Good News of Jesus Christ – confessing Him as Lord and Savior – receiving God’s gift of forgiveness for sin and eternal life, and this is granted by the One and Only True God Who loves them now and forever.

Bible Text: Topical Study | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

It is recorded in Genesis (1:27-28) that “God created man in His own image; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves along the ground.’”

God is the Creator of all, and yet His desire is to be your Father. And just how does that happen?
Ephesians 1:13-14, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession -to the praise of his glory.”

In Mark 3:35 Jesus says,“Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” So, what is the Father’s will?

1Timothy 2:3-6, “God our Savior …wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for us.”

2Peter 3:9, “[God] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

We (Romans 3:23) “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” i.e., we are not acceptable to God; in fact (6:23) “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” for (5:8), “while we sere yet sinners Christ died for us,” therefore (10:13), “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” for God turns no one away.

John 1:12-13, “to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God —children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

God wants everyone to become a child of His, but there can be no family relationship between you and God apart from salvation, no salvation apart from forgiveness, and no forgiveness apart from repentance. All who believe and receive Jesus Christ become a child of God.

As a child of God you are a believing, learning, and following, servant of Jesus Christ (a Christian). The Family of God is God’s Church, a Fellowship of Believers, the Bride of Christ, and the Body of Christ, of which, we are each one a “body” part or member, and Jesus is the Head.

1Corinthians 12:12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. Colossians 1:18, “And he [Christ] is the head of the body, the church.”

1Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

Titus 2:14, “Jesus Christ “gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

Ephesians 5:1-2, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God”
Hebrews 10:10, “we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

God predestined us (Ephesians 1:5), “to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ,” (Ephesians 2:4), “it was because of His great love for us that He did this.”

1John 4:7 exhorts us to “love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” The reason we express love for each other is because God has given us birth into His family and (1John 4:16) “…God is love,” (1John 4:19) “We love because He loved us first,” and therefore (Ephesians 4:32) we are to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

If you are a Christian, then God is your Father and you are sovereignly called to live in such a manner so as to imitate Him. You and I owe it to each other, to our brothers and sisters in the Lord, to Jesus Christ who gave His life for us, and to our Father in heaven who has purposed His great plan and provision of forgiveness from sin, eternal life, and fellowship with God and those who belong to Him.

As I have been blessed to serve people with the hope of Christ, it has become clear to me that the lost and lonely people of our society are separated from what they desperately need, Jesus Christ. They need to be born into the eternal family of God–where they will find life, hope, purpose, and love.

Our priority is to those who come into God’s family; in fact, the evidence of God’s Fatherhood in our lives is expressed by our love for one another.

And we are to love (1John 3:18), “not with words or tongue but with actions and in truth,” (Galatians 6:10), “especially …those who belong to the family of believers,” with whom we are (1Peter 3:8) to “live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be[ing] compassionate and humble.”

The world is full of lost, lonely and hurting people; we, God’s people, must bring them the good news of the Father’s plan, purpose, and provision through His Son.

Some of the people we reach out to will accept the free gift of God; but many, (probably most) will only want services and resources for their felt needs.

God’s Word has the power to bring conviction, confession, repentance, forgiveness, and salvation; we must pray for God’s wisdom, power, and strength, as we reach out to receive God’s children into His Family!“

As Christians, God is our Father, and we should live in such a way as to honor Him, while at the same time encouraging one another (1Corinthians 15:58) to, “stand firm. …[giving] yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,” which is (1Peter 3:15-16) to “set apart Christ as Lord [in your heart]. Always prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” exemplifying the Fatherhood of God, your love for one another, and your compassion for the lost.

2Corinthians 13:14, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ [God’s Son], the love of God [the Father], and the fellowship of the [God] the Holy Spirit be with you all.” And all God’s people said? Amen!

Bible Text: Topical Study | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

Last week I shared about protecting your “spiritual” heart; in fact (Ecclesiastes 3:11) God “has set eternity in the hearts of men,” therefore (Proverbs 4:23) “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

We guard our heart by training ourselves (Romans 12:9), to “hate what is evil, [and] cling to what is good.”

Read Ephesians 6:5-18. Slaves serve their masters obediently, employees are to serve their employers respectfully; for this is good and pleases the Lord (v. 5).

As Christians, we are to serve others (v. 6) as if we are a slave to Christ, (v. 7) wholeheartedly, as if serving the Lord; we may find ourselves serving under, over, and alongside other believers; but (v. 8) the Lord is watching and He will reward our good behavior; for we all (v. 9) serve God in heaven, to whom we will give an account.

vv. 10-12… God provides spiritual armor to be used against the devil, the flesh, and the world system.

Satan is the ultimate enemy of God and of God’s people; he attempts to confuse and disable us, to destroy our witness for Christ; but our struggle is against the spiritual forces of the devil. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (1John 4:4), “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

Christians have victory over sin, death, judgment, the enemies of God and all those who oppose God.

1John 5:1, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.”

1John 5:4-5, “And everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

As men, women, husbands, wives, parents, children, brothers and sisters, employees and employers, we are able to live victoriously, bringing honor and glory to God.

vv. 13-15… Our battle is not against flesh and blood, political parties, religious organizations or academic institutions; we fight spiritual forces, requiring that we have spiritual armor and weapons for spiritual attacks.
Paul uses the analogy of a Roman soldier preparing for battle by putting on his armor, giving us a vivid picture of the armor God has provided for each one of us.
The belt (v. 14), was made of heavy leather, secured around a soldier’s one piece outer garment, it held the scabbard for the sword (God’s Word), cinched up tight and secure for battle, only to be loosened when off duty.

God’s Word of truth should always be at hand, ready and available to be drawn.
The breastplate, made of bronze, protected the stomach & intestines (Gr., the place of our feelings, emotions, appetites); but primarily it protected the spiritual heart, where we have been made righteous through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-24). Through Him we are justified, sanctified, and protected by the God of Eternity (Romans 10:9-11)!

The footwear (v. 15) is an essential part of our armor; these were very special boots, fitted with sharp nails embedded in the soles, providing good firm traction in any terrain. Foot protection is important if a soldier is to securely and efficiently stand his ground and fight.

Every Christian has the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace (Romans 10:12-15; 2Corinthians 5:17-21). Christ’s victory over sin, death, and hell, has leveled the battlefield; no matter how slippery, rocky, or treacherous it might become because of the devil’s snares and deceptions, we have peace with God and He will secure the ground under our feet (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The shield (v. 16) was made of several layers of wood, covered with animal hide, and bound with iron and bronze; it was large and oblong, being used on the front lines of battle to provide protection from spears and arrows [wrapped in cloth, soaked in pitch and set on fire before being shot]. The “flaming arrows of the evil one” target our faith, creating doubt, discouragement, distrust, leading to disobedience and desertion, giving up.

The shield of faith protects us, encouraging us to stand firm under God’s shield (Psalm 18:30), “God, is a shield for all who trust in Him, by faith.”
The helmet (v. 17) made of leather and metal, protects the head (brain, eyes, ears). Paul characterizes it as salvation, for Satan’s lies and deception seek to confuse us about salvation and eternal life, this should never be the case (Ro 8:29-31, 38-39; 1Jn 5:11-12).

God has supplied us with supernatural assurance now and forever, for God sovereignly watches over and protects all those who belong to Him.

V. 17… The last piece of armor is the sword of the Spirit [the Word of God]; this small sword (12-18 inches) must be handled with skill to block an opponent’s thrust during close-in fighting, or suffer the consequences.

Christ illustrates (Matthew 4:3-11): the Devil repeatedly attacks, only to be defeated by God’s Word.

V. 18… In Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian finds victory in the valley of the shadow of doubt through his powerful weapon, prayer.

Prayer is as essential as breathing, in every situation, we are able to know God’s presence, provision, protection, and pleasure (Luke 21:34-36); and then to put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit [the sovereign Word of God].

God’s greatest desire and our greatest need is to be in constant fellowship with Him, and prayer is the means by which we come into and remain in His presence, safe in the arms of Jesus that were stretched out on the cross for all our sins, and then again to doubting Thomas, after defeating death, to prove our God is a living God.

Praying in the Spirit is to pray in a manner that is consistent with the nature and the will of God, lining up our thoughts and desires with the Word of God. We must remain alert for we are in a spiritual battle against the Devil, the world, and the flesh; this battle must be spiritually fought using prayer and the Word of God.

Our confidence cannot be in our own ability or resources, but must be placed solely in the inerrant, infallible, eternal, and sovereign Word of God, Jesus Christ: crucified, resurrected, and coming again to take us to be with Him forever!

He has provided all we need!

Bible Text: Topical Study | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

“What is Your Heart Condition?”

The greatest killer of adults in America is heart disease. The condition of a person’s physical heart can greatly affect a person’s life on earth; the condition of a person’s spiritual heart will not only affect the quality of their life on earth, but also the quality of their life for eternity.

In the book “Lord of the Rings,” there is a character named Bilbo Baggins. He finds a gold ring, puts it on his finger, and he disappears. This is a great, more and more he uses the ring to escape bad situations, the more he uses it the more he becomes controlled by the force behind it. Through the ring the Dark Lord of the kingdom of darkness has power over all who wear it.

Even if the person wearing it knows that the ring is ruining his life, he won’t take it off, because it has obtained such a strong hold on his life.

Scripture talks about how the flesh tries to control us. The more we give into it the harder it is to get free from it. Bad habits are very easy to start or make, but they are very difficult to stop or to break.

James 1:14-15 “…each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
Satan knows the weakness of the flesh; he is diabolical and strategic! Satan does his work in the inner man, the place where all of our thoughts and desires are controlled (cf. Genesis 3:4-5), “You will not surely die, for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Psychologists call this the place of the human intellect, the ID, or the Ego. God’s Word calls this place the heart, not referring to your physical heart, but to the seat or throne of your spiritual person or life.
The Hebrew word translated heart refers to the totality of a person’s immaterial being. The Greek word is similar and means the place of conscious awareness each of us has; but it also includes the spiritual dimension of responsiveness or unresponsiveness toward God.

In other words, the heart refers to the place of our spiritual life, our conscious self; this is the inner man and the part of us that will live forever.

In Ecclesiastes 3:11, Solomon tells us that God has put eternity in the heart of man; and in Proverbs 4:23, Solomon gives us some very sound advice, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

How can a believer guard his heart? We are to put on the Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14), as we live in obedience to God’s Word, in communion with Christ, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we gain spiritual protection for our heart.

“Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9). We must fortify our hearts with the Word of God; turning from what God says is bad, to that which God calls good. We must be actively engaged or our heart will be taken captive.

Prov. 2:1-2, “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding…” 10-11, “…wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.”

Proverbs 3:1-2, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.” Proverbs 4:20-22, “My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.”

Proverbs 7:1-3, “My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.”

Your heart is the place where your true spiritual condition before God exists, your position in Christ is settled, and you are known by God. A heart without Christ is unclean, unacceptable to God, a heart’s condition will be clearly evidenced by the way a life is lived.

Matt. 15:18-19, “the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man `unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”

Jeremiah 17:9-10, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? ‘I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.’”

Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Ezekiel 18:31, “Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.”

Your eternal destiny is determined by what you do with Jesus Christ; the quality of your life here is determined by the desires of your heart. If you train your heart to follow the flesh, the flesh will control you like the ring controlled Bilbo Baggins (1John 2:15-17; Genesis 3:6-7).

If you condition your heart to resist what displeases God, you are preparing your heart to trust God and to do what brings God honor. We are responsible for the influences we give into, and just as we are for those we reject. We all, at times, give in to those things we know we should avoid; cravings often taunt and entice us into pleasures that give immediate momentary gratification; but the long term and/ or collateral damage will most likely not be beneficial for us or for those we love.

In the end, the attitudes and actions that displease God will ultimately damage and disable our spiritual heart, just as a high cholesterol diet, overeating, smoking, and a lack of exercise will ultimately harm our physical heart.

As Christians, we are redeemed by the shed blood of Jesus Christ to be part of the family of God; and God not only dwells in us, He continually nurtures, strengthens and cleanses our spiritual heart (Titus 2:11-14; 3:3-8).

Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you [new birth, regeneration]; I will remove from you your heart of stone [stubborn & self-willed] and give you a heart of flesh [pliable & responsive to God].”

What is the condition of your spiritual heart? What habits, cravings, weaknesses constantly lead you into temptation, causing you to trip, stumble, and perhaps fall? 1John 1:8-9, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Jesus Christ is God: He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! He becomes your Savior when you repent of sin and trust Him to forgive you. He saves you and He gives you a new heart that seeks to do good and to honor Him.

Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” 12-13, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.”

As we prepare to receive the Lord’s Supper, please consider your own heart attitude toward God, God’s Word, and God’s People; (Revelation 7:10, 12) ”Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” “Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

Bible Text: Topical Study | Preacher: Pastor Mike Hale | Series: Topical Study

In case you haven’t notice, over the past few decades there has been growing opposition to those who profess to believe in, to know, and to serve, Jesus Christ.

This really should not catch us by surprise, as Jesus told us the world would hate us because it hates Him.
2Timothy 3 is happening today (see 1-5, 12-13).

First, let me take you back about 60 years, to a time when you can clearly see the rise of godlessness that lead to a post-Christian America: In 1955 The first lesbian-rights organization in the U.S. was established, yep, you guessed it, in San Francisco. In 1960 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of oral contraceptives, and within five years, one out of every four married women in America, under the age of 45, had used the pill. In 1962 prayer was banned from public schools, and Illinois became the first state in the U.S. to decriminalize homosexual acts. In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its official list of mental disorders; also, the Supreme Court through Roe vs. Wade, stated it was the Constitutional right for women to have an abortion, and since then 50 million babies have been murdered. In 1982 Wisconsin became the first state to outlaw discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. In 1993 the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was instituted in the U.S. military, permitting gays to openly serve in the military. In 2000 Vermont became the first state in the U.S. to legalize civil unions between gay or lesbian couples.

In 2003 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that engaging in sodomy was constitutionally protected. In 2004 same-sex marriages become legal in the first U.S. state, Massachusetts, and by 2013 there were 16 states that had legalized same sex marriage.

As you can see, America has set itself on a steep and slippery slope away from the teachings of God’s Word. The line in the sand is becoming more and more defined, as those who live for Christ begin to realize that they are a definite minority; but fear not, one lone candle in a lightless room will push back the darkness.
Speaking of Jesus (John 1:3-5) says, “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” Jesus said (John 8:12), “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Matthew 5:16, “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

John 3:19-21, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

Our God is an awesome God, a Loving and Merciful God, a Righteous God who will bring all sin and rebellion to judgement. We can trust our Lord to protect us and to provide for us, for He has promised to do so.
In 2Peter 1:3-4, God promises that we have been given everything we need for this life and the next. In Hebrews 13:5-6, God says that He will never leave us or forsake us; we can confidently proclaim “the Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid, what can man do to me?”

Romans 8:31, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” 37-39, “But in all these things we are conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God , which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The Bible says that we must accept by faith the fact that God exists (Hebrews 11:6), Jesus said (John 20:29), “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Bible states (Psalm 19:1-4), “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

Looking at the stars and the vastness of the universe, observing the wonders of nature, seeing the beauty of a sunset—all of these point to a Creator God. And if these were not enough, (Ecclesiastes 3:11), “…He has also set eternity in the hearts of men.”

Deep within us is the knowledge that there is something beyond this life and someone beyond this world. We can deny this knowledge intellectually, but God’s presence in us and all around us is clearly obvious. Even so, many will deny God’s existence (Psalm 14:1), “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God,’”
The universe displays such amazing design, there must have been a divine Designer and Creator, e.g., if the Earth were significantly closer or farther away from the sun, it would not be capable of supporting life. If our atmosphere were changed in even a small way, nearly every living thing on earth would die.

Every culture throughout history has had some form of moral law. Everyone has a sense of right and wrong; and we all know that murder, lying, stealing, and immorality are wrong; this is almost universally accepted.
Where did this sense of right and wrong come from if not from a holy God? But then, we were made in the image of God!

What has happened to cause the majority of the inhabitants who have lived, are living, and will yet live upon this earth to reject the clear and undeniable existence of God, and to instead, believe a lie?

Romans 1:25, “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” There is no excuse for not believing in God.

Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

The true reason why people reject God is that once they admit that there is a God, they become accountable to God, subject to His holiness, and so, they are in need of His forgiveness (Romans 3:23, 6:23; 5:8; 8:1).
If God exists, we are accountable to Him for our actions. If God does not exist, we can do whatever we want without having to worry about the judgement yet to come, and that is why so many deny God’s existence.

But why do those who reject God’s existence, let alone His authority, work so hard to disprove that He exists? Why would it matter? Why not leave us simpleminded and foolish Christians alone to believe in our God, to love our neighbors as ourselves, to care for the environment as stewards of that which belongs to God?

I believe the vehement, aggressive, hateful, and relentless attacks on our freedoms as Christians, is in itself a strong argument for God’s existence.

As Christians, believers and followers of Jesus Christ, children of God, we know God exists because we speak with Him every day. We may not audibly hear His voice, but we sense His presence, His power, and His pleasure in our lives. We trust in His leading, we experience His love, we are humbled and blessed by His grace.

Things occur in our lives that have no possible explanation other than God. God has so mercifully saved us and miraculously changed our lives that we cannot help but proclaim His existence, seeking to bring honor and praise to His name, telling others about Him, so that they too might know Him and be saved.

There are no arguments by which a person can be intellectually coerced, compelled, or persuaded to acknowledge God’s existence, believe in Him for the forgiveness of sins and to trust Him for eternal life.
God’s existence is so obvious; but in the end, He must be accepted and believed in by faith (Hebrews 11:6), “Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”

Faith in God is not a blind leap off a cliff in the dark; faith in God is the first step in a marvelous journey that begins on earth and moves to heaven for eternity.

Yes, we are in the Last Days, and just as Jesus told us through His Word, when He walked in the flesh, all His true followers, those born of the Spirit of God, will continue to be mocked, despised, minimized, and persecuted in greater degree as it gets closer to His return. Christianity is the most discriminated against religion in the world today, and Christians are the most reviled people group. Who would have ever thought that would be so? And yet, here we are. So, what do we do Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good…”

2Timothy 3:14-17 encourages us to continue in the things we have learned and become convinced of, …which are able to give us the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ, for all Scripture is inspired of God and is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that we may be thoroughly equipped for every good work of God.