But We See Jesus

Temple Baptist Church - 10-31-2018

Hebrews 2:9

Introduction:

A.  No one has physically seen our Lord Jesus Christ since the days of the apostles.  Our Lord’s last appearances were post-resurrection, and with the completion of the Cannon of Scripture, He has never left the right hand of the Father in heaven.

B.  “But we see Jesus!” We do see Jesus through the Scriptures and our spiritual eyes of faith!  And we have believed and been blessed.

John 20:27-29  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.  (28)  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.  (29)  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

C.  Unfortunately, in the good times, we do not see Jesus spiritually in our lives as we bask in the glory of peaceful lives of fulness.  It is easy to become apathetic and lukewarm in these days of fulness of bread.  These are “fat days,” but spiritually dangerous ones.

Psalms 106:12-15  Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.  (13)  They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:  (14)  But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.  (15)  And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.   (Fat bodies make for lean souls!)

D.  Fulness of bread and idleness of the hands also leads to sinfulness of the soul!  These last days are characterized by being like the days of Noe and Lot!

Ezekiel 16:49  Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.  (These conditions led up to the society of Sodom in Genesis 19 that caused our Lord to destroy the cities of the plains.

E.  It is the valleys that we grow and in the times of testing that we “see Jesus!”  We do not see Him physically, but we do see Him.

1 Peter 1:7-8  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  (8)  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

F.  We see Jesus despite our circumstances.  We see Jesus in our circumstances!

Habakkuk 3:17-19  Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  (18)  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  (19)  The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

1.  We See Jesus In Salvation – Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

2.  We See Jesus When We Are Fearful – Mark 6:47-51  And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.  (48)  And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.  (49)  But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:  (50)  For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.  (51)  And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

2.  We See Jesus When We Are In Need Of Grace – 1 Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

3.  We See Jesus When We Are Troubled – Isaiah 26:3-4  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  (4)  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

4.  We See Jesus When We Lack Assurance – Isaiah 32:17  And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

5.  We See Jesus When We Need Guidance – James 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6.  We See Jesus When We Lose Our Song – Psalms 42:7-8  Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.  (8)  Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

7.  We See Jesus When We Are Ready To Die – Acts 7:55-56  But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,  (56)  And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Israel’s Rejection-The Individual’s Acceptance

Temple Baptist Church - 10-28-2018

Romans 10:1-17

Introduction:

A.  Remember that the context of chapters 9-11 has not changed.  Paul is writing about the Nation of Israel, God’s Elect Nation.  The apple of God’s eye!

B.  No doctrine of Calvinism is found in these three chapters as we will again see tonight.

Chapter 9: The Selection of the Nation of Israel.  (The selection was in the sovereignty of God.)

Chapter 10: The Rejection of the Nation of Israel.  (Israel rejected their Messiah, became marred in the hand of the Potter, and was set aside.)

Chapter 11: The Future Restoration of the Nation of Israel.  (God is not finished with Israel.)

C.  Last week, we saw that Israel stumbled at two things:

1.  They sought self-righteousness and were ignorant of God’s righteousness.

2.  They sought a King instead of a Lamb and rejected their Messiah.

D.  Now, we see:

1.  A Rejection of the Nation of Israel. (9:22-23)

2.  A Remnant of the Nation of Israel Saved.  (9:27)

3.  A Requirement for Salvation.  (10:4-17)

E.  We use these verses as a vital part of the Roman’s Road to Heaven as we witness to the lost, but the interpretation is to the Jews who rejected Christ as the Messiah, the Deliverer and Saviour.

1.  Verses 4-5 – Christ is the end of the of the law for righteousness.  The only righteousness that will save is God’s righteousness found in the perfect Son of God alone.  Righteousness must be imputed! 

2.  Verses 6-7 – You cannot add to or take away from what Christ has already done.  He has already come to earth (verse 5) so you cannot bring Him down and He has already resurrected (verse 6) so you cannot go down to bring Him up.  Salvation’s word is a FINISHED WORK!

Hebrews 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  (Paul, when writing to the Jews, mentioned repentance from dead works.  This was the first of the two stumbling stones as Israel sought righteousness with God based on keeping the Law, personal merit.  Too many people continue to stumble today because of the teaching of self-righteousness or personal merit for salvation.)

3.  Verse 8 – Salvation is faith based!  We are saved by grace through faith and faith alone!  Faith is a gift of God given to every man to be exercised!

Galatians 3:10-14  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  (11)  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  (12)  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.  (13)  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:  (14)  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

4.  Verses 9-10 – Now, the Bible ties the two stumbling blocks together.  Remember, this was written to the Jewish people showing them how to become a part of the remnant that belongs to the New Testament Church.  In verse 9, the Bible looks backward in the process and in verse 10, the Bible looks forward.

a.  Believing in the heart – One MUST believe in their heart that “God hath raised Him from the dead!”  The resurrection of Christ was the “Capstone” of the gospel.  The death and burial would have no meaning if the grave was the end.  This is not just a head knowledge of a historical fact, it is a heart knowledge that Christ died, was buried, and resurrected for our justification.

1 Corinthians 15:17-20  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.  (18)  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.  (19)  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  (20)  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

b.  Believing has always been the way of salvation as the Old Testament saint looked forward to the Lamb of God and the New Testament saint look back to the Lamb of God.  This has never and will never change! 

c.  Confessing the Lord Jesus – God commanded the Jew to make confession publicly that Jesus Christ was the Lord, the Messiah, that Israel had rejected.

1)  Prior to Pentecost, this was not so.  We find that Nicodemus made no such public confession and yet he was a saved man, though a secret disciple who came with Joseph of Arimathea to claim the body of Christ.

2)  Many Jews believed on Christ during his ministry with no such open confession.

3)  After Israel rejected Christ and crucified Him, Peter at Pentecost preached repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus.  There were three such commands to do so.  Acts, chapter 2, to the Jews and Jewish Proselytes at Pentecost; Acts, chapter 8, to the Ethiopian Eunuch—a Jewish Proselyte; and Acts, chapter 19, to the disciples of John.

d.  These Jews who were there during Israel’s rejection of Christ were command be baptized in the name of Jesus.

e.  The Great Commission or Great Commandment declared that believers were to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

f.  This confession had nothing to do with salvation.  Romans 10:10 says that confession was made unto salvation.  It simply means that they were saved by believing on Christ and then made confession concerning whom they had believed upon, the Lord Jesus.  Confession for the Jews was a command to be obeyed.

g.  The perfect example was the Ethiopian Eunuch:

1)  His salvation: “If thou believest with all thine heart.” 

2)  His confession: “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God!”

h.  You and I have no such commandment.  We do have a command to be scripturally baptized.

5.  Verse 11 – True saving faith produces a people unashamed of the Lord.  He is their “all in all.”  He is their glory; He is their life.  To deny Christ after all that He has done for the believer would be something to be ashamed of. 

a.  Christ bore our shame.  Hebrews 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

b.  Christ is not ashamed of us.  Hebrews 2:11  For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

c.  We should never be ashamed of Christ.  2 Timothy 1:8  Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

6.  Verse 12-13 – Salvation is the same for both Jew and Gentile.  The ground is level at the foot of the cross, no man stands higher than I.  The word “Whosoever” is an open invitation that has no boundaries, limitations, or exclusions!  Whosoever surely meaneth me!

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Revelation 22:17  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Conclusion:  It the Jews desire to become a part of the New Testament Church, they must come the right way.  “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

The Church, The Pillar and Ground of the Truth

Temple Baptist Church - 10-21-2018

1 Timothy 3:15

Introduction:

A.  There are several things in this verse, which is the key verse of the Book of 1 Timothy, that I want to look at this morning.

B.  By church, I mean the local church.  The Book of 1 Timothy is one of the Pastoral Epistles and was written to set the guidelines for the operation of the local church. 

1.  Churches are not “free” to operate or do just anything that they feel like the “spirit” leads them to do. 

2.  If you are reading this message, you will notice that the word “spirit” begins with the lower case “s.”  The reason for this is that the Holy Spirit will not violate the Scriptures!

C.  The local church is called “the house of God.”  We need to be reminded that what we are doing this morning at Temple Baptist Church is being done in God’s house!  It should be respected as such.

D.  The local church is called “the church of the living God.” 

1.  We all understand that God always lives but we often forget that as God does not change, therefore, the church should not change. 

2.  Old Paths are to be expected and New Paths are to be rejected. Today, New Paths are accepted, and Old Paths are rejected.

E.  The local church is a place of “truth.” 

1.  By truth, I mean complete, unaltered truth, and unchangeable truth.  The Bible is our immutable and final authority for both faith and practice. 

2.  I have often said and will continue to say that we are Biblicists!  Biblicist or Biblicism means to adhere to the letter of the Bible.

F.  Our verse also explains two important aspects of the local church’s relationship to God’s’ Truth.  I will deal with them in reverse order as the Bible sometimes looks at the end from the beginning and then looks at the beginning from the end.

1.  The Local Church is the Ground of the Truth.

If you can crack the foundation of a building, the building will eventually fall.  Houses in Kentucky have a problem with the brick walls cracking because of the explosions being set off in the coal mines, both above and underground.  It is not one “shot” in the mines that make them crack and fall, it is a constant shooting of the coal over years that causes a constant vibration in the ground.  

A local church cannot be God’s church unless its ground is found in the Bible ALONE.  The word “ground” means settled, steadfast, immovable.  Churches have moved.  They have moved from ONE Bible to MANY “bibles” to ANY “Bible!” 

I have said often that either one bible is right, and the rest are wrong because they disagree with it or all of the bibles are wrong because they all disagree with each other.

We must stand firmly upon the foundation of truth.  Three things make up the foundation of the local church: 

a.  A Firm belief in the Inspiration of the Scriptures.  2 Timothy 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (Inspiration is an act of God.)

2 Peter 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.  (Inspiration is not an act of man.)

b.  A Firm belief in the Preservation of the Scriptures.  Psalms 12:6-7  The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.  (7)  Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.  (Preservation is an act of God.)

Matthew 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  (Our Lord said that we MUST have every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.  All scripture proceeded out of the mouth of God.  Let God be true but every man a liar.)

c.  A Firm belief that the Bible that we hold in our hand is the Word of God.  1 Thessalonians 2:13  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

2 Peter 1:19-21  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  (20)  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  (21)  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

THE FOUNDATION OF THE LOCAL CHURCH MUST NOT BE CRACKED!

2.  The Local Church is the Pillar of the Truth. 

Though many churches were started on the right foundation, they have failed to uphold the foundational truth because of the infiltration of liberalism. 

Eventually, the Old Path of Scripture is forsaken for the Modern Path of Scriptural Deviation. 

As we stand firm upon the Word of God, we must stand firm in holding up the Word of God.

We must firmly hold up the pillar of the truth!  Here are three reasons for holding up the pillar of truth.

a.  Because the salvation of mankind depends upon it.  Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  (If saving faith is based upon the Word of God, then we MUST have the Word of God!)

1 Peter 1:23-25  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  (24)  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  (25)  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.  (To be saved by the Word of God, we MUST have the Word of God.)

b.  Because the Sound Doctrine of the local church depends upon it. 2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  (To rightly divide the Word of God, we MUST have the Word of God.)

2 Timothy 4:2-3  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (3)  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

c.  Because the Spiritual Growth of the believer requires it. 1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:  (To grow by the Word of God, we MUST have the Word of God.)

Psalms 19:7-11  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.  (8)  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.  (9)  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.  (10)  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.  (11)  Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

THE PILLAR OF THE LOCAL CHURCH MUST NOT FALL!

Conclusion:  The “falling away” has been in full swing for many years now as people, preachers, and local churches have left the Old Path of the Scripture found in our King James Bible for the New Path of Doctrinal Deviation from the Scriptures.

Jude 3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Why Israel Stumbled

Temple Baptist Church - 10-21-2018

Romans 9:30-10:4

Introduction:

A.  We have studied the Selection of the Nation of Israel.  A Nation much loved by God but one that became marred in the hands of the Potter.  As we end chapter 9, we must remember that chapter divisions are manmade and were not in the original manuscripts.  

B.  The breakdown that I have used (Chapter 9-The Selection of Israel; Chapter 10-The Rejection of Israel; Chapter 11-The Restoration of Israel) could be a little misleading as these three chapters are one continuous passage.  I gave them as a general outline but the chapters overlap.

C.  When Israel became marred in the hands of the Potter, the Potter set that piece of clay (Israel) aside and made a new lump (Gentiles) into a vessel of mercy.  The Church Age.

D.  What caused Israel to “stumble?”  Israel stumbled because their position on salvation had changed and their view of the Saviour also changed.

E.  Israel’s Ignorance of Self.  At some point in time, Israel went from God-dependent to Self-dependent.  I normally go back to the 400 Silent Years between Malachi’s Prophecy to Matthew’s Gospel and the Voice Of One Crying In The Wilderness, John the Baptist. 

F.  During the times of the Maccabee’s, the sects of the Sadducees and Pharisees arose.  They stress the outward instead of the inward and believed that they were right with God because of their separation from the world instead of being right with God through the faith of Abraham.  Biblical separatism and Phariseeism are not the same!

G.  This self-righteousness has continued until our day as there are many who believe that they can live good enough to go to heaven or can live good enough to keep their salvation.  Paul said that Israel had a “zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.”

H.  Romans 11:17-21 gives a warning to the Gentiles.  As Israel turned from God and the natural branch was broken off, so will the Gentiles be cut off if they follow the same pattern of apostasy.  There are two things that caused Israel to fall and I want to look at them in verses 30-33 of chapter 9.

I.  IGNORANCE OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS. Chapter 10.

1.  Ignorance of God’s Righteousness.  Vs. 3.  “not according to knowledge…ignorant of God’s righteousness”  

Psalms 71:19  Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!

Ignorance is not necessarily a bad word as it means that one has not learned.  In Romans 10, I believe that the ignorance was willful.  Israel was familiar with the Old Testament and especially the Pentateuch.  One of the greatest of Old Testament truths found in these first 5 books was that of the holiness of God.  Mt. Sinai should have left a lasting impression upon the nation of Israel as God thundered from a mountain that was on fire.  Israel’s ignorance was willful! The world of today tries to bring God down to man’s level and man up to God’s level.

2.  Impeccability of God’s Righteousness.  Vs. 3.  “God’s righteousness”  The Bible declares that God dwells in a light that no man can approach unto.  He is absolutely holy.  He is immutably holy.  He said, “I am the Lord, I change not.”

1 Timothy 6:15-16  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;  (16)  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

Salvation must always be by grace through faith because God demands absolute holiness and He alone is holy.

3. Impossibility of God’s Righteousness.  Vs. 3.  “going about to establish their own righteousness.” 

Ecclesiastes 7:20  For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

1 John 1:8-10  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (9)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

One fact that every saved person understands is that of personal sinfulness.  There are those who believe that they are sinless, but they are deceived and lost.  No conviction of sinfulness means there is no Holy Spirit there to convict.  Men everywhere are trying to be right with God with what they do instead of what He did.

4.  Insubordination to God’s Righteousness.  Vs. 3.  “have not submitted themselves” 

Galatians 3:1-3  O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?  (2)  This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  (3)  Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 

Along with recognition of God’s righteousness must come obedience to the holiness of God’s demand: obedience to the gospel.  Vs. 16.  Romans 1 shows the progression of the knowledge of God rejected:  a)  When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God - God gave them up)  b)  They changed the truth of God into a lie - God gave them up again  c)  They did not like to retain God in their minds - God gave them over to a reprobate mind.

5.  Imputation of God’s Righteousness.  Vs. 4.  “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”  Salvation is a result of God’s righteousness being imputed to the believer through propitiation and faith. 

Jude 24-25  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,  (25)  To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. 

“Dressed in His righteousness alone; faultless to stand before the throne.”  “When He sees me, He sees the blood of the Lamb; He sees me as worthy and not as I AM!”

J.  IGNORANCE OF GOD’S MESSIAH.

1.  Israel stumbled at Christ because of the way He was born, the Virgin Birth. 

Isaiah 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.  (They should have known the prophecy of Isaiah.) 

John 8:41  Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 

I believe that this statement was an indictment of the conception of Jesus.  They believed that He was born of fornication, not born of God.

2.  Israel stumbled because of where they perceived that Christ was born, Nazareth.

Micah 5:2  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Matthew 2:1  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

John 1:46  And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

Luke 2:16-18  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  (17)  And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  (18)  And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

Micah’s Prophecy foretold the birth of the Messiah would take place in Bethlehem.  The Jews knew that Jesus came from Nazareth, not Bethlehem.  The shepherds announced His birth in Bethlehem.

3.  Israel stumbled because of what Christ preached.

John 5:40  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

Matthew 23:13  But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Eight times in Matthew 23, our Lord said “Woe” unto the scribes and Pharisees.  Christ Jesus continually preached and rebuked these self-righteous men for their wickedness.

4.  Israel stumbled because of what Christ came to do. 

Mark 11:8-10  And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way.  (9)  And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:  (10)  Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

John 19:14-15  And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!  (15)  But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

John 1:29  The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

They looked for a King instead of a Lamb.

5.  Israel stumbled because of those whom Christ preached to.

Luke 7:34  The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

Luke 7:39  Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

Luke 18:11-13  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  (12)  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  (13)  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

1 Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

The Pharisees remained distant from “sinners” lest they be defiled.  Christ Jesus loved sinners for whom He died!

6.  Israel stumbled because Christ peached the message of repentance. 

Matthew 3:1-2  In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,  (2)  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  (John the Baptist preached repentance.)

Luke 13:2-3  And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?  (3)  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  (Jesus preached repentance.)

Acts 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  (The disciples preached repentance.)

Luke 24:46-47  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  (47)  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  (Repentance was to be preached among all nations.)

Self-righteous Israel thought they needed no repentance.

7.  Israel stumbled because salvation is through faith in Christ alone.

John 3:16-18  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  (18)  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Acts 16:30-31  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  (31)  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

The Jews, as a nation, rejected their lost condition.