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Post by Bro. Freddie on May 21, 2006 5:39:52 GMT 12.75
Thanks Phil. I'll try that if I get a chance. The church that I'm preaching at doesn't have a pastor and I'm just filling in. Its a small congregation that is struggling. So, I have to be careful not to overstep my boundaries since I'm not a member of that church. I'm kinda like a permanent visitor ;D.
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Post by Toby Benoit on May 21, 2006 8:57:08 GMT 12.75
Well, doggone it Freddie, if I was a lot closer to you, I'd come and listen and join you in prayer.
I can't say I'd join the church or be a every Sunday kinda guy, but I would like to come and hear you and get a good feelin' from it.
Paws, you said that you were touched by God when the lights were down and the prayers were private. I feel touched by God with the wind in my face and I hear Him whisper to me as he sways the tops of the trees. Every gobble of a turkey, every splash of a jumping bass; that's where I first really found God. That's where I always go when I need to talk things over with Him.
I can sit and listen to the woods around me with no phone, tv, talking, cars, dogs barking, kids yapping, no distractions. Just me and God and I can feel Him out there with me.
I don't get that feeling when I sit in a church. I know that billions do, but I never have.
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Post by Paws on May 21, 2006 9:14:14 GMT 12.75
Pastor aren't we all! ;D
Well Toby quit leavin' it in the woods! Take it in to church with you! ;D
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Post by Toby Benoit on May 21, 2006 14:05:26 GMT 12.75
I'll be on Belle-Fair lake in Marion County in the morning for my own private sunrise service.
I'll have each of you in my prayers!
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Post by Bro. Freddie on May 21, 2006 22:29:23 GMT 12.75
Romans 8:12-14 (King James Version)
12. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live, 14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
As we begin to look at these verses there are a few things we need to notice in verse 12 to help our understanding. The word "therefore" is a logical indicator and it states a conclusion. So, we see Paul is making a conclusion to his arguments from some of the previous verses. Also notice Paul's usage of the word "brethren". This tells us to whom Paul is speaking. He is not speaking to the lost because he would not have called them brethren. He is speaking to the saved. Next, Paul uses the word "we". He is including himself in this statement. The word "debtors" This word is defined as one who owes anything to another which in this case is used metaphorically of a person who is under an obligation. Now, notice to what we are not under an obligation to. We are not under an obligation to the flesh, to live after the flesh. What Paul is saying is that we, as Christians, are under an obligation to someone, but not the desires of this body to live after those desires. As we look at verse 13 next, we see a pattern. If you live after the flesh, you shall die. If a person continually seeks after the things of the flesh instead of spiritual things, one day they will die. Remember, the definition of death is eternal separation from the giver of life, God. So, if a person never thinks (and acts) upon spiritual things, they will be eternally separated from God. Now, lets look further. The word "mortify" simply means to put to death. This speaks of the act of the believer himself to put to death the deeds of the body. So what Paul is saying is if we, as believers, put to death the things of the body, through the Spirit, we shall be with God eternally. Notice Paul said "through the Spirit". We could put to death the things of the body all day long, but unless we are led by the Spirit, it will be all in vain. Only through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit can we know that we have to put to death those things that God hates. Now notice verse 14. I found it interesting that Paul used the phrase "sons of God" here instead of the children of God. After a little thought and a lot of prayer, I think I know why. While a son and a child are both the same, a son denotes maturity. A child is small and immature, but a son denotes that the child is growing up and is ready to take on more responsibilities. Example. My oldest son is 8 years old. He is ready to start doing more things around the house to help his mother and me. When he was smaller, he expected us to cater to his every whim and desire. That's how his 4 year old brother is today. But, Lucas , age 8, is going to start helping around here. He is growing up. He is maturing. Shouldn't that be the way we are in the Lord's service? When we are first saved, we don't know how to work for the Lord. But as we grow in grace and knowledge, maturing in the Lord, we should take on more responsibilities. As we learn to put the things of the flesh to death and submit to the Lord's will, we should grow in the Lord, and be the sons of God, not children. Are you growing in the Lord today?
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Post by gsoflittledove on May 22, 2006 5:47:36 GMT 12.75
AMEN!! AMEN!!
ALSO ASK THE OLD QUESTION "WHAT PART OF "NO" DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND"
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Post by Paws on May 22, 2006 8:51:58 GMT 12.75
Remember too pastor that when Paul penned these words that a Son was the only worthwhile child. A daughter was virtually worthless. How encouraging it must have been for a worthless female to hear that she might too become a Son of God. I'll bet a dracma that more than one pair of tiny ears have heard these words and thus brought a sparkle to a pair of dark eyes and a quiet smile to a child's heart and soul.
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Post by Toby Benoit on May 22, 2006 10:13:05 GMT 12.75
Amen!
;D
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Post by Bro. Freddie on May 22, 2006 10:53:10 GMT 12.75
Bonus sermon ;D
Romans 8:15-18 ( King James Version)
15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father ' 16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God, 17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together. 18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us.
As I began to look at our text, the first thing I noticed was the word "bondage". This is defined as the condition of being a slave and came to denote any kind of bondage. When I was saved, the Holy Spirit came to live in me. But, this is not a spirit of fear or dread of God. This is a Spirit of adoption. "Adoption" is defined as the placing and condition of a son given to one to whom it does not naturally belong. I am not naturally a son of God because of my inherent sin nature. But, when I was saved, I became a child of God. I was adopted into the family of God. As we look further we see the phrase "Abba, Father". Abba is an Aramaic word that relates to a personal name. Slaves were forbidden to use this word. Abba is the word used by infants and denotes an unreasoning trust. "Father" denotes an intelligent apprehension of the relationship. The two together express the love and intelligent confidence of the child. When my two sons were born, they didn't know why they loved me, they just did. Now, that they are growing older, they know more about why they love me. Isn't that the same way it is with God? When I was first saved, I didn't know everything about God (and I still don't), all I knew was that He loved me and gave His life for me. All I could do was say Abba like an infant. But, as I grow in the Lord, I'm able to be like an older child, who knows not just that he loves his father but why. I'm able to say Abba, Father. Are you able to say Abba, Father, or are you just at the stage where all you can do is say Abba? I've known several people who say that they are saved and satisfied. That is wrong! We should never be satisfied with just salvation. We should always seek to know more and more about our Lord. Where are you in your relationship with God? Looking at verse 16 we see that the Holy Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit so that we can know that we are children of God. In my soul, I have a knowledge that I am saved. It is not a hope but a deep knowledge that when I die I will be with Jesus. Looking at verse 17 now, we see that if we are children of God then we are heirs. A heir is one who obtains a lot or portion especially an inheritance. I'm a heir! I'm a child of God and as such I will receive an inheritance. I'm also a joint-heir with Christ. Joint-heir is a co-inheritor. I'm going to inherit along with Jesus! But why? I didn't suffer on the cross with Him, or give my life for mankind's sins. Why would I be a co-inheritor? The answer is found in the latter part of verse 17. If we suffer for Jesus, we will be recompensed or repaid for it by being glorified with Christ. Down through the ages, and today too, people are suffering for the cause of Christ. Are you willing to do the same? If a person held a gun to your head and tell you that if you didn't deny Christ, you would die, would you be willing to tell them to pull the trigger? Or, if you child was the one that had a gun to their head, would you deny Jesus then? Would you be willing to be beaten till you could not lay on your back for 6 months, all for the cause of Christ? Do you love Jesus above all others, including your own life? If you do, and suffer for the cause of Christ, it will be worth it all in the next life. Looking now at verse 18, we see a promise. It will be worth it all when we get to heaven. The sufferings we go through while on this Earth will be nothing compared to the glory that awaits us in Heaven. Like the old song says, It will be worth it all. But, are you willing to pay the price now for glory later? I've heard several people say that they would do anything for Jesus, but when the time came, they were nowhere to be found. Are you willing to do whatever it takes?
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Post by Paws on May 22, 2006 12:03:50 GMT 12.75
Boy I wish I knew the answer to that question. I know that Peter in his heart there was no doubt that he would affirm Christ yet when the cock crowed he had denied Him thrice. How will I do? Only give it my best shot and pray that God grants me the strength to do rightly.
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Post by Bro. Freddie on May 28, 2006 23:43:51 GMT 12.75
Romans 8:19-21 (King James version)
19. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God, 20. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who had subjected the same in hope, 21. Because the creature itself shall also be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
As we begin to look at these verses we need to remember what we learned last week. We learned that we need to grow up in the Lord and be able to cry Abba, Father, like a child growing up. Remember that Abba is like a baby loving his parents without knowing why, where Father is like a child that is beginning to understand why he loves his parents. We also learned that no matter what our pains and sufferings are on this earth, it will be worth it all when we get our glorified bodies. We are going to be joint-heirs with Christ! With all this in mind, let's look at this mornings verses. As I began to look at these verses I noticed some interesting things. The first thing I noticed was the phrase "earnest expectation". It signifies a strained expectancy, eager longing, or the stretching forth of the head indicating an expectation of something from a certain place. It could be summed up 'to wait for in suspense". But it also denotes a time. So, it means a continual waiting. To put it in language we might understand, this phrase means a waiting for something you know is going to happen, you just don't know when, but you are always on the look out for it. Just like a soldier on guard duty in hostile territory. They know they are going to get attacked, but not the exact time. As we look further, we next see the word "creature". Like the word creation, this signifies the product of the creative act. So we see that everything that God has created is looking for something. But what? Let's look further and find out. The word "manifestation" is better translated revelation. No, not the book. But, an uncovering. But, what is to be revealed? It is the sons of God! Remember, there is a difference between being a child of God and sons of God. Sons denotes a maturity where child denotes a immaturity. So, all of God's creation is looking forward to the time when the mature child of God is revealed. This, I believe is when we will be in our glorified bodies. Some will be more mature than others, but we will all be revealed to God's creation. Are you ready for that day? Do you want to be shown to all of creation as an adult child of God, or a just a child? As we begin to look at verse 20, we see that God's creation was made subject to vanity. The word subject is a military term and it means to rank under. The word vanity is defined as an emptiness as to results. It is akin to the word vain. What does this mean? As a result of sin in the world, God's creation is not like it was when He created it. Think about this for a moment. When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, the earth gave forth its fruit willing, but when they sinned, God said that the earth would bring forth thistles and thorns.Now, the earth didn't do this willingly, but being subjected (rank under) God, it had to do it. As we look further, we see the word "hope". It is defined as the favorable and confident expectation. Just as at one time the earth brought forth its fruit in abundance, so it will again. Now, it doesn't right now, but one day in the future, it will. I believe the earth is looking forward to that time. Will you be here to see this wonderful time? Verse 21 goes hand in hand with verse 20. God's creation will be delivered from the bondage it is now under and give forth its fruit willingly. See, the earth is in bondage because of sin. When sin entered into the world, the earth came under bondage too. The word corruption means to be brought under a inferior or worse condition. The earth is worse now than when it was first created. All because of sin. But, when the children of God are freed from their bondage of their sin nature, so will the earth be free from its bondage. Are you looking forward to that day? As i sat and thought on when this time will come, I began to ask myself if this was to happen during the millennial reign of Christ or during the heaven age which is afterword's. To tell the truth, I'm still not sure. Does it matter? To the saved it doesn't but to the lost it does. See, the saved will be raptured out before the millennial reign begins, but the lost that survive the tribulational period will enter into the millennial reign in their fleshly bodies. But, why not guarantee that you will see the fantastic sight of the earth giving up all of its fantastic yield by accepting Jesus as your Saviour today? Jesus died for you, so that you might have eternal life. This is one of the many great things that the saved will see in the next life. Won't you ask Jesus to be your Savior and see these fantastic things?
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Post by Paws on May 29, 2006 2:55:31 GMT 12.75
Why yes of course. I'll confirm, reconfirm and restate the prayer I spoke in June of 1986 in my buddies living room. Father, I now I have sinned and fallen short of your glory. I know that the wages of my sin are death. I also know Father that You sent Your only Son Jesus to be born in the flesh, crucified and resurrected as a Holy sacrifice to atone for my sin and grant me forgiveness. Father I accept that sacrifice and repent of my sin. I accept the shed blood of Jesus as my salvation and His gift of eternal life. Father I ask that You grant me forgiveness on behalf of Your promise and His sacrifice. In Jesus Holy name I ask Amen
You know, the words aren't so important. As a matter of fact when you are ready and really want to reach out for God's forgiveness your prayer will do just fine. You see, God already knows what you need to say. He is just waiting for you to figure it out.
Thank You Lord for saving my soul. Thank You Lord for making me whole. Thank You Lord for granting to me perfect salvation so rich and so free.
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Post by Bro. Freddie on May 29, 2006 9:21:30 GMT 12.75
Bonus sermon ;D
Romans 8:22-25 (King James version)
22. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now, 23. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24. For we are saved by hope; but hope that is not seen is not hope;for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for/ 25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
As we begin to look at these verses the first thing I noticed was the word groaneth. This means to groan together. The word travaileth means to be in travail together. Travail essentially means a birth pang. As we put these two together we see the picture of a woman giving birth. The groaning and birth pain (travail) are both pictures of this. This is also mentioned in other parts of the Bible as signs of the last days. Now, notice that Paul said "until now". If the earth was acting like a woman giving birth in Paul's days, how much more so is it doing that now? Remember, when the scripture talks about the pain of a woman giving birth, it is usually talking about earthquakes. If you study earthquakes, you will notice that in the past 50 or so years, earthquakes have been increasing in frequency and in strength. Just like a woman giving birth. The labor pains get closer and closer and stronger and stronger. So, we see that Paul is talking about the latter days. As we look at verse 23 we see that not only creation is groaning, but the ones who have the firstfruits of the Spirit are groaning too. The word groan in this verse means grieve. The word "firstfruits" means just that, the first fruits of the harvest. But, what is the firstfruit? If I understand it correctly, the firstfruit offering was to be brought to the temple right after the passover. It was offered three days after passover. now, Jesus was crucified on the passover, thus becoming the passover lamb. What happened three days after His Crucifixion? He arose from the grave! So, Jesus is the firstfruits. We are His harvest. The Holy Spirit testifies to this in each believers life. So, we see that we grieve within ourselves, waiting for the adoption or redemption of our body. Just like a child in an orphanage, I'm waiting for my Father to come and get me. The papers have all been signed, and everything is ready. I'm anxiously awaiting His arrival. I'm looking for His coming, and every day that He delays His coming I grieve. Why? Because I'm looking forward to go live with Him. Are you? Now, as we look to verse 24 it seems like Paul is changing subjects but that is not the case. Paul is speaking about faith. If something is seen, it is not faith. Faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. If something is seen, it is not of faith. Isn't that the same thing that is written here in verse 24? Paul also asks the question that if a man sees anything, is that faith? In verse 25 we see that if we wait for something with hope, then we do it with patience. I know I'm saved. Thats faith. I know Jesus is coming back for me. Thats faith. I just need to have patience and wait for the proper time. Only the Father knows the time of the return. We can look at the signs and see that it is close, but only the Father knows the exact time. Are you ready for His coming?
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Post by Toby Benoit on May 29, 2006 16:39:07 GMT 12.75
That's a lot for me to take in and get right all at once, so I've had to read it a few times and savor it some.
After much thoughtful deliberation, I'm pretty sure I get the point of what Paul was trying to get across, although he took the long way around in saying it.
I had to go back and read the 8th chapter in its entirety before I fully understood what it was all about and how you were explaining it.
I get the message loud and clear and I too look forward with earnest expectations.
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Post by Bro. Freddie on May 29, 2006 21:20:31 GMT 12.75
Toby,
You noticed that Paul takes the long way around to get there too huh? I realized yesterday that Paul, and David too to a large degree, go into a lot of detail in their writings. Example, the 23rd Psalm. It is one of the most quoted passages of the Bible but also one of the most misunderstood. David starts the Psalm out by saying the Lord is his shepherd and then goes into detail on what a good shepherd does for his sheep. Next time you read it, look at it with the idea that you are a sheep and the Lord is the shepherd. It will bring a whole new meaning to this Psalm.
PS. The reason that I've posted 2 sermons in the last 2 weeks is that I've preached 2 sermons each Sunday. ;D I thought I would post them so ya'll could keep up and hopefully draw closer to the Lord through His Word.
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Post by Paws on May 30, 2006 1:57:29 GMT 12.75
Wasn't it Paul who said "It was better to marry than to burn?" ;D Seems to me like ya got kind of the same situation going on here. I guess the old boy never heard the word "yearn" maybe it didn't exist.
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Post by RogueWarrior1957 on May 30, 2006 4:13:54 GMT 12.75
I guess it would depend upon what they were burning (or yearning) for and what they wanted to marry! Some people this day and age need a brain-scan to make sure they have one. I think there are a few things on the slate nowadays that Paul never fathomed coming about (if you read between the lines a bit here).
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Post by Paws on May 30, 2006 19:55:48 GMT 12.75
After much thoughtful consideration, deep thought, and casual observation I came to the intuitively obvious conclusion that some things never ever change. I'm certain that Paul was never married because only a single person would have said something like that! ;D
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Post by Bro. Freddie on May 31, 2006 9:25:28 GMT 12.75
Paws, I think you are right. The verse you quoted earlier is from I Corinthians 7:9. But, if you look at verse 8 you will see where Paul said that he wished the unmarried and widows remain like he was. To me this means Paul was single. ;D
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Post by Paws on May 31, 2006 10:18:36 GMT 12.75
Freddie I think you are right on the nose. Something else there that got me curious where he was talking about marriage. He indicates that in Heaven we will not be married but rather "like the angels." Where do you suppose he got such first hand knowledge? How do you think he got such an intimate knowledge of angels?
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