Stand Fast in Freedom!

Scripture Text

1 Tim.2:1-5

Intro: America will celebrate its 241^st year since the declaration of independence from Great Britain was signed. Faith in God and prayer has played a major role in the establishment of this nation. Galatians 5:1a “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore.” We are to stand firm in our Christ given freedom by continuing to spread the gospel by which we were set free, and by praying for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Over 300 times in the bible prayer is mentioned. If we love the freedom we have in this nation we must pray for God to continue to have His way in America. Only then can we be blessed of Him. Every nation that has turned its back on God has fallen from within.

1 We are to Pray for all men! 1 Timothy 2:1 (NKJV) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.      It is both a privilege and an obligation. It is a sheer privilege for us to have audience with God on behalf of our nation and fellow men. And it is an obligation, too, for we are debtors to all with the good news of salvation.

    a. There are four aspects of prayer mentioned in this verse,—supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks. In modern usage, supplication has the thought of strong and earnest request, making specific requests for specific needs. The word here translated prayers is a very general term, covering all kinds of reverent requests to God. Intercessions describe petitions in which we address God as Supreme Authority in behalf of others. Giving of thanks describes prayer in which we realize the grace and kindness of our Lord, and pour out our hearts in gratitude to Him for the privilege of coming before His throne with our needs.

2 We are to pray for those in authority. 1 Timothy 2:2 (NKJV) For kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. Our prayers include Kings, presidents and all who are in authority. These must occupy a special place in our prayers. In (Rom. 13:1) Paul reminds us that the authorities that exist are ordained of God and in (Rom. 13:4) he says they are ministers of God to us for good. Without government we would have chaos. The NT teaches that a Christian is to be loyal to the government under which he lives. Part of that loyalty for the Christian is to pray for all those in our government as commanded in this verse. A Christian should not engage in revolution or in violence against the government, but take lawful ways to change government when we believe the government is wrong.  The reason Paul gives for praying for rulers is that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness [conforming to the laws of God] and reverence [deep respect for God]. It is for our own good that the government should be stable and God fearing so that the country is preserved from revolution, civil war, turmoil, and anarchy and have God’s blessings. We should also pray for those that protect and serve us, such as our military men and women, firefighters, policemen and all civil servants.

3 Prayer is the will of God our Savior. 1 Timothy 2:3 (NKJV)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

     God is pleased and accepts our prayers when we pray for all mankind, including all who are in authority over us. Therefore, to pray for all men is to promote the will of God in this regard. Prayer proves we depend on God for everything that we need in this world! We don’t depend on mankind alone because mankind is fallible. God alone is Supreme! He is our Savior, protector, and defender against all evil.

4 We are to pray for a spiritual awakening. 1 Timothy 2:4 (NKJV)  God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. We must pray for the salvation of people in America. Only by being saved will people turn from their wicked ways. No one is beyond salvation if they desire it. In order to be saved, man must come to the knowledge of the truth. God does not save men against their will. He does not populate heaven with rebellious subjects. Man of his own free will must come to Jesus who is: “the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” because Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone. So we are to pray for lost people to be saved and for God to open the eyes of the spiritually blind and open their hearts to the gospel message of Jesus Christ.

5. We are to pray for all mankind to know the truth about salvation! 1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV) For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

      God says He is one; He is the God of all men, no matter what their race or nationality, and prayer should be made to Him in behalf of all men. He desires the salvation of all mankind and that they may know the truth, which is, there is One God, and there is only One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus. This declares the deity of the Lord Jesus. In order to be the Mediator between God and men, He must be both God and Man. The Lord Jesus is God from all eternity, but He became Man in Bethlehem’s manger for us. He represents the whole race of humanity. No man can come to God in any other way. (John 14:6)

 Conclusion: If we love our nation we will pray for it daily to come to know the truth of God’s word. Without God this nation will never be what He intended it to be and that is one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. A nation established on faith in God and prayer. This is why we must continue in prayer and continue to proclaim the gospel message of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Invitation: Have there been a time in your life where you have stopped and asked Jesus to forgive your sins and save you from Hell? If not, now is the perfect time to do that. Jesus said “no one comes to the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6) God wants you in His kingdom but the choice is yours to make. How will you respond as we give the invitation to come to Christ right now?

Two Destinations

Scripture Text

Luke 16: 22-24

 Intro: Why do we spend our time, effort, energy, and money to support the church? Why do we preach and teach the word of God every week?  Why do we put the gospel on the internet? The answer is because we believe what Jesus said in His word. “I have come to seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) He also said go into all the earth with the gospel. (Matt. 28:18-20)

I. Jesus says there are two final destinations for mankind Revelation 20:15 (NKJV) And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 21:27 (NKJV) But there shall by no means enter the city of God (Heaven) anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

a. We are created with a soul and spirit that will live forever.

 b. When we die we continue to exist.

 c. We will live forever either in a place the bible calls Heaven or in a place called Hell.

 d. Each of us is responsible for our final destination. Either eternal life or Hell, the lake of fire!

II. A place called Hell. Luke 16:23-24 (NKJV) ²³ And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  ²⁴ Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' According to [Rev. 20:15] Hell is a Lake of fire!

  a. Hell is a place for the wicked.

  b. Hell is a place prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41 (NKJV) Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. It’s a place for the unsaved, evil and condemned spirits. Those who have rejected God’s Son Jesus Christ, His deity, and the salvation that He purchased on the cross. Hell is a place of eternal torment, punishment and fire for the lost. Luke 16:23-24 (NKJV) ²³ And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. ²⁴ Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.' Hell exists for the penalty and payback of evil deeds committed on earth. Hell is the place of God's final judgment. Here God, our King and Supreme Judge, finally rectifies wrongs through his avenging wrath. The damned will be paid back for the harm they have done.  Matthew 16:27 (NKJV)  For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

    III. A place called Heaven. Luke 16:22 (NKJV)  So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.

a. Heaven is a place for the righteous.  For those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for their salvation. (John 3:16) Abraham’s bosom was a place of the righteous dead in the O.T. until Jesus could come and die for their sins. Then when Jesus was resurrected, He took them to Heaven. Heaven is the abode of God, Jesus, the angels, and the spirits of the saved after death; the place of existence of the blessed after the mortal life. Heaven is described in Revelation 21:1-4 (NKJV) ¹ Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. ² Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

That’s why Jesus Christ paid the price for your sins and mine! He took upon Himself the death and punishment that you and I deserve through His death on the cross. That’s why the church exists, that’s why we continue to tell the same old story about Jesus and His love, that’s why we try to reach those who are lost, that don’t know Jesus Christ as their Savior, regardless of their age. That’s why we have mission offerings, they are to send our missionaries around the world with the gospel message. The bible tells us in; Galatians 6:9 (NKJV) Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

INVITATION: Have you made the choice for the Heavenly destination?  If you do not choose Heaven then Hell is your destination. God’s desire is that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim. 2:4) God chooses eternal life for you but you must accept His invitation. You do this by confessing your sins against God and asking Jesus to forgive and save you. You have the right to reject God’s invitation for salvation and Heaven. But if you do He will become your judge and you will face His judgment in Hell. The bible says “Now is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation.” The choice is yours! Consider the everlasting alternatives and choose wisely!

"THE CHOICE “ Father’s Day 2017

Scripture Text Joshua 24:15 (NKJV) 

¹⁵ And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." 

INTRO: "Choose you this day."  Man was created in the image of God. God gave man a free will to make his own choices. This is necessary if God is to receive meaningful love and worship from man. I can choose to love God or not and I can choose to serve God or not.

 I. MAN HAS THE CAPACITY OF CHOICE. It is a God-given capacity.

A. Every day we choose whom we will serve, either Satan, ourselves, or God our Creator. It is an awesome but rewarding responsibility to choose to serve God every day. God honors the choices we make or otherwise the power of choice would be meaningless. I have the power to determine my destiny which will in turn influence my family’s choice. No one can force you to believe in God and No one can force you to serve God. No one can force you to go to heaven.These are all choices you must make dad for yourself and for your family’s good. There are two powerful forces seeking to influence your choice dads; Satan and God. Satan appeals to your body appetites and pride. He uses fear, worry, and doubt. These are strong motivational forces and must be resisted in the power of the Holy Spirit. He also uses lies and deceit, such as; Happiness is free sex, booze and Happiness is a conscience that is free of God. The Holy Spirit uses the motivational force of love. He seeks to appeal to your reason. "Come now let us reason together." He seeks to lead you to truth. To follow body appetites will never lead to satisfaction. "Choose you this day... for yourself and for the good of your family."

II. YOU'VE GOT TO SERVE SOMEBODY.

A. No man is an independent island. Each man is ruled by some guiding force or principle. Everyone serves some religious idea.  Certain ideas or principles guide each of our actions and decisions. Every man serves his gods or the only true God. The gods your fathers served on the other side of the flood, the gods of the Amorites. Who were these gods? [v:15b] In our day these gods are the; Gods of pleasure and gods of force, power. There is the god of man's intellectual powers. If you do not choose to serve the true and living God, you are serving some god.Every man has his master passion which becomes the guiding principle of his life.

III. "AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE WE WILL SERVE THE LORD."

A. How great it is when the father can speak for the house. He rules his house well. So many dads today seeking to escape the responsibilities of the family and home. They are strangers to their own children. What a strong influence the father has on his family. Your children are learning from your father role. The influence can be for good or evil. Some children never have a chance because of their dad.

Conclusion: How beautiful when a man will lead his whole family to serve the Lord. How blessed are his children. How rewarding it is when dad’s pray for their families daily. The greatest thing a dad can do is fulfill his role as spiritual leader of his family is to dedicate or commit his wife and children to the Lord, Even if they are grown and married. 

Invitation: It’s time to Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve, either the gods of this world or Almighty God, Maker of Heaven and earth.  Are you willing to choose to know God personally and become His child by confessing your sins to Jesus and asking Him to forgive your sins and save you from Hell? Dads are you living each day for God and leading your family in a way that honors your Savior and Lord?  God will hold you responsible as the spiritual leader of your family.

Doers of the Word

James1:22-25

Intro: How can we hope in God’s word unless we read it? How can we claim His promises if we don’t know what they are? How can we expect God’s word to help us unless we do what it says?

1. A hearer only deceives himself.  James 1:22 (NKJV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

  a. If a person thinks that he can hear and learn the Word of God and then go out and live like he wants, he deceives himself. There are many who sit under the Word of God week after week, and they learn and know as much of the Word as anyone. They think that their listening and learning makes them acceptable to God, that it makes them safe and secure. When they slip into sin, they feel that they can ask God for forgiveness and that He will forgive them.

      They just feel that God would never reject them or what they do.

  b. God does not accept us because we hear and know His Word. These are necessary and very important, but they are not enough. It’s when we take action on His word that He accepts us.

      God accepts us because we [confess and repent]. Repentance means that we turn away from our sins and turn to God. God accepts us because we turn to Him and live for Him. When we believe God—really believe Him—then it is that we trust and follow Him and do exactly what He says. Worthwhile knowledge is a prelude to action; but God’s word can only grow in the soil of obedience. We can measure the effectiveness of our Bible study time by the effect it has on our behavior and attitudes. The devil doesn’t care how much we read and know God’s word as long as we don’t use it. He only fears when we claim God’s word, live by it and use it against him.

2. A hearer only forgets what he has heard. James 1:23-24 (NKJV) ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
²⁴ for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

  a. The person who only hears and knows the Word soon forgets what he has heard. If a person does not practice what he learns, it soon fades from memory. Some people take a casual look at God’s word without letting it affect their lives, like the person who looks so quickly into a mirror that flaws go undetected and nothing is changed. It is just forgotten, and it never becomes a part of the person's life. He is like the person who looks in a mirror to see if he needs to do anything to his appearance, then walks away and thinks of something else and forgets what needed to be cared for. Some listen and maybe study God’s word but don’t act on it. So it’s soon forgotten! Does a person no good!

3. A doer of the word is blessed.  James 1:25 (NKJV)  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

 a. People who look steadily into God’s word and studies it with serious attention and then makes God’s law their chosen lifestyle, are blessed of God.  They study with attention not only once, but continuously; as a result, they remember God’s word and do what it says. Note that the Word of God is called the perfect law of liberty. This law is perfect; it cannot be improved. This law sets people free because it is only in obeying God’s law that true freedom can be found. John 8:31-32 (NKJV) ³¹ Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 

³² And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."                                      As Christians, we are saved by God’s grace, and salvation frees us from sin’s control. As believers we are free to live as God created us to live.  We are not free to live as we would. God will bless these people who look steadily, continually at God’s word, do what it says, don’t forget what they have heard, and obey it. The person who hears and does the Word of God is blessed. He is freed from all that enslaves his soul upon earth. He will discover love, joy, peace, and a soul that soars above every circumstance and situation he finds himself in. This means that the Word of God will set a person free from the bondages of sin and death. The Word of God will free a person from all the temptations of this life and give him the full and victorious life for which his soul longs—a life that will continue on and on eternally with God.

Invitation: Have you been set free from the slavery and bondage of sin? Have you found the blessed life that Jesus Christ can bring you? Call on Jesus today to forgive your sins and save you from Hell! The bible says in Romans 10:9 (NKJV)  That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. If you have been saved, are you a doer of God’s word or a hearer only? Is God’s word a part of your daily life and actions? Remember, the one who does the word is blessed!