Faith’s Journey

Temple Baptist Church - 6-23-2013

Hebrews 11:22; Genesis 50:14-26

Introduction:

A. I want to continue preaching through Hebrews 11 this morning as I continue to marvel at the unwavering faith of God’s people.

1. The bible is full of stories of great faith and each is so different because of the circumstances that necessitated such faith to withstand and, having done all, to stand.

2. One such marvel is that of the life of Joseph, which I will not try to preach a series on this great man, as God—in His wisdom—allowed him to suffer long and without understanding as to why.

3. Joseph was a young boy when his testing began (Genesis 37:2 says he was 17) and a grown man before he was elevated to power (Genesis 41:46 says he was 30). We find, that in the end of his life, Joseph understood much more fully the purpose for which he endured.

B. Joseph’s life is probably the most impeccable of all bible characters and is a beautiful type of Christ. Yet his life was marked by problems on every hand until he rose to the zenith of power, second only to Pharaoh. Isaiah’s description of Christ likewise was one of rejection and sorrow: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Joseph’s life was:

1. One of great sorrow. Life is not just one big, wonderful experience. Job said it all: “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” Weeping endureth for a night and those nights get more frequent as we get older.

2. One of great disappointments. Disappointment begets discouragement which can result in defeat. Every time Joseph got a glimpse of light, he was let down once and again. Joseph rose above life’s disappointments.

3. And possibly one of great consternation. We see Joseph through the eyes of the Bible but, during his life of sorrow and disappointment, we do not see into his personal feelings. Humanly speaking, I know that he suffered greatly and did not understand the why of his problems.

Genesis 40:14 But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: (Joseph, like you and me, was seeking any and all help that he could get!)

In Genesis

C. Let’s look at his life for a few minutes before we deal with our text verse. Joseph’s life:

1. Was one of Privilege. He was the son of Jacob’s old age and born to Jacob ‘s favorite wife. (He was the son of Jacob’s favorite wife and a child of Jacob’s old age. Joseph was given a coat of many colors; he did not keep the flocks along with his brothers.)

2. Was one of Purpose. God revealed, through dreams, what he purposed for Joseph in his later years.

3. Was one of Persecution. His brethren were jealous of Joseph’s special position. Through no fault of his own, he was hated!

4. Was one of Problems. Joseph’s life from his teenage years to manhood was enough to bring down the strong hearted!

a) He was sold into slavery by his brethren. Genesis 37:24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. Genesis 37:28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

b) He was bought by Potiphar and elevated. Genesis 39:2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

c) He was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and imprisoned. Genesis 39:20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.

d) He was elevated in prison and interpreted dreams for the baker and butler. Genesis 39:22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.

e) He was forgotten for two years long years. Genesis 40:23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him. Genesis 41:1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.

f) Through it all, the heavens were silent!

g) Finally, he was elevated to second in power to the Pharaoh. Genesis 41:41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

D. In Genesis 50, we find the wonder of Joseph’s faith as is expressed in Hebrews 11.

1. Joseph’s Faith remembered God’s Promise. Genesis 42:7-9 And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food. (8) And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him. (9) And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come. (The Lord is not slack concerning His promises as some men count slackness! We often envision God’s promises within the realm of our expectancy: our time, not His time and our way, not His way. Job said, “BUT He knoweth the way that I take.)

2 Peter 3:9a The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;

2. Joseph’s Faith relied upon God’s Providence. Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. (I read a poem once titled “It’s In The Valleys We Grow.” God’s providence gets us to the right place at the right time. You can be in the right place at the wrong time or the wrong place at the right time and be wrong either way you go. It was Ruth’s “hap” that she gleaned in the field of Boaz: God’s providence. The archer that killed Ahab drew his bow at “venture” and hit God’s mark: God’s providence! God has a will and has given to each of us a race to be run.)

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

3. Joseph’s Faith resulted in God’s Place. Genesis 50:19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? (Because of Joseph’s sufferings, God was able to use him to save the nation of Israel during the famine. Someone once said, “God can take a crooked stick and draw a straight line.” God certainly “meant it for good” during the life of Joseph.)

Genesis 24:27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.

4. Joseph’s Faith rested in God’s Promise. Genesis 50:24-26 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. (25) And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence. (26) So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. (Joseph knew that one day God would allow him to go home. He gave commandment concerning his bones before he died. The word coffin comes from a root word meaning to gather or to pluck. His coffin was a “hope chest” because he knew that God would remember His purpose concerning Joseph and complete the cycle. One day, God will take you and I home. My faith rests in that promise. Paul said it all when he said)

1 Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

Conclusion : Hebrews 10:35-37 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. (36) For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (37) For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

Father’s Day - 2013

Temple Baptist Church - 6-16-2013

 

Exodus 33:7-11; Joshua 24:14-31

 

Introduction:

A. Father’s Day normally takes a back seat to Mother’s Day and I have no problem with that. We need to make much of our precious wives and mothers because of their great importance to the family structure. We make much of the ladies and need to do so because we love them and are proud of them.

B. This is Father’s Day and today we will exalt the man and praise him in the position that the Lord gave to him.

1. He is the glory of his children - Proverbs 17:6 Children’s children [are] the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. (Daddy, you are so very important in the lives of your family and especially in the lives of your children!)

2. He is the head of his home - 1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (The father is the spiritual leader and as goes the father, so goes the home! Weak fathers = weak homes. Strong fathers = strong homes. Spiritual fathers = spiritual home.)

a) He is to take that responsibility seriously!

b) The wife is to willingly give him that headship. Dr. B. R. Lakin used to say, “Some husbands are so henpecked that they roost on the foot of the bed at night.” America needs some men who are born again with a strong spiritual backbone who will begin to lead their family.

C. Only time and eternity will show the real importance of men in both the family and the work of the Lord.

D. In our text, we find that wonderful testimony of Joshua as he declared to the people that he and his house would serve the Lord.

1. Joshua is well known in the Bible for his unwavering faith, commitment, and fearlessness in battle.

2. Joshua was a man of God! Joshua 10:12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

Dear Lord, Please Give Us Some Joshuas!

1. Joshua Was A Man Of Unashamed Conversion (Saved and know it!) – (Joshua means Jehovah is salvation.)

a. Joshua committed his life to the Lord as a young man! Exodus 33:11 And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

b. I thank the Lord for older men who came to the Lord and lived out that glorious change of life that salvation makes, but here we find the importance of young men giving their lives to the Lord. Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. (So many of our young people defile their lives and disqualify themselves from certain aspects of service through rebellion and sinfulness.)

c. God, Give Us Men Who Are Not Ashamed Of Their Salvation - Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and [my] hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. (Let the world know that you are saved and love the Lord!)

Joshua 8:30 Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,

2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

d. God, Give Us Men Who Are Not Ashamed Of Their Associations - 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; (Love and spend time with God’s people!)

2. Joshua Was A Man Of Unblemished Character (Saved and show it!) – Joshua 11:15 As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.

1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

a. God, Give Us Men Who Are Sober – “watch ye” (Spiritually discerning.)

b. God, Give Us Men Who Are Steadfast– “stand fast in the faith” (Doctrinally correct.)

c. God, Give Us Men Who Are Strong– “quit you like men, be strong” (Unwavering in the faith.)

3. Joshua Was A Man Of Unwavering Commitment (Saved and owe it!) – Joshua 23:1 (Joshua is an old man and still committed.)

Judges 2:8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.

a. God, Give Us Men Who Are Sold Out To God - Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Serving as an example to others.)

b. God, Give Us Men Whose Families Are Sold Out To God - Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Serving as an example to the home.)

Happy Father’s Day! I love the men of this church! Be a good Christian and then you will be a good Dad! God bless!

Standing Fast In These Last Days

Temple Baptist Church - 6-12-2013

 

Colossians 2:18-3:1-2

 

Introduction:

A. We have seen that we have liberty in Christ which is not to be encroached upon!

1. Paul warning of the possibility of Phariseeism which permeated many fundamental churches as they saw the liberalism creeping in and tried to correct it. You correct liberalism and ungodliness with biblical preaching and must be careful not to try to do the work of the Holy Spirit.

2. The key to separatism or practical sanctification is the preaching of truth and the work of the Holy Spirit. When believers fall in love with the Saviour, they have no problem separating from this present, evil world. Knowledge without compassion can be a dangerous thing!

B. The enemy of Phariseeism can arise from any one of us and we must have the spiritual maturity to stand fast:

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

C. Tonight, I want to look at several verses that show us another enemy from without that becomes within when it is allowed to do so. In light of these verses, we need to remember that we are in the end-time of falling away:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (In the past two thousand years, the church has gone from earnestly contending for the faith once delivered and the Old Paths of righteousness and holiness to a general forsaking of such churches for the liberal, stand-for-nothing, preach-nothing, and “fall-for-everything” churches of our day.)

2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (In the last two thousand years, the church has gone from being filled with godly, God loving, busy serving, unified people to what we just read: a vivid description of the average local church’s members of our day.)

2 Timothy 4:1-4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2) 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; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (In the last two thousand years, the church has gone from pulpits from which the Word of God was uncompromisingly preached to the “light” prophets who prophesy falsely and a people who “love to have it so.”)

Revelation 3:14-16 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (In the last two thousand years, the church has gone from the Church of Ephesus—that left its first love—to the Church of Laodicea—the “Lukewarm Church” – Laodicea means “The Rights of the People” which goes hand-in-hand with the misuse of personal liberty. We are not our own; we are His. We have been bought with a terrible price and are to glorify God in our bodies. We are the temple of the Holy Ghost.)

1. Today, there is a general Fascination among the religious crowd – “worshipping of angels, intruding (to go where you do not belong or have permissions to go) into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind” - Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

a. There is Rejection of the truth - 2 Timothy 4:3-4 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; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

b. There is Defection from the truth – 2 Peter 2:20-22 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. (21) For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (22) But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

c. There is Fascination with error - 2 Peter 2:1-2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

1) People are always looking for something special or extraordinary.

2) People who always seeking “some new thing” as the Greeks at Mars Hill.

3) People who are always seeking a “non demanding” religion of carnal comfort.

2. There is the possibility of Infiltration by false prophets – “Let no man”

a. Beware of Legalism– “the ‘do’s and don’ts” crowd: encroachment upon the personal liberties of believers. This is not separatism; it is Phariseeism.

b. Beware of Mysticism or Spiritism – the “angel in my pocket” crowd. Catholicism has slowly crept into most major denominations to some degree.

c. Beware of Gnosticism – the “special knowledge” crowd. Thinking they have a superior knowledge of spiritual things based upon education, pseudo-spirituality, etc.

d. Beware of Asceticism – the “Lenten” crowd. Thinking they are right with the Lord because they “give up something.”

3. There is the necessity of Observation – “beguile you” - Acts 20:29-31 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. (30) Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (31) Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

a. Observing the manners and methods of these “teachers.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

b. Observing the doctrines that they teach. Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

4. There is the attribute of Qualification – “If ye then be risen with Christ” Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

a. The qualification of salvation. - 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

b. The qualification of discipleship - John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

5. There is the affection that brings Obligation – “seek those things which are above … Set your affection on things above” John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

A “Treasure Problem” - Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Brings about a “Trust Problem” - Matthew 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (32) (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

a. Love for Christ brings about sacrifice - Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

b. Love for Christ brings about service - John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

The Results Of Not Growing Spiritually

Temple Baptist Church - 6-9-2013

 

2 Peter 1:5-13

 

Introduction:

A. In the epistles of Peter, Peter is trying to indoctrinate the Jewish believers in the reality of what salvation is and what it brings. In the first few verses, we find 7 things that every believer has in common. These things are INHERIENT: inborn, a right or privilege that comes WITH salvation.

1. We Have A Like Precious Faith – vs. 1a

2. We Have An Unquestionable Standing – vs. 1b

3. We Have The Grace To Endure – vs. 2a

4. We Have The Peace To Trust – vs. 2b

5. We Have The Power To Overcome – vs. 3

6. We Have The Reality Of A Changed Life – vs. 4a

7. We Have An Eternal Home In Heaven – vs. 4b

B. Salvation is by grace and is uniform in its nature and attributes.

1) Every believer is saved the same way – Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (This verse speaks of Gentile [Galatian] believers, Old Testament believers, and Jewish believers.)

Romans 10:12-13 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

2) Every believer is eternally saved – John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (Eternal life is the only kind of life that God gives!)

3) Every believer is instilled by God with all that they need to both grow and prospers spiritually. 2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (Therefore, there is no excuse of remaining a babe in Christ.)

C. Spiritual growth is different because it is left up to the individual believer. In these verses, we find some things that must be ADDED! These are things that come AFTER salvation. We have both obligation and opportunity to come to spiritual maturity. Some do and some do not! Some have less opportunity than others in some areas because of a lack of biblical teaching in many pulpits.

1) Two of the most prevalent problems concerning a lack of spiritual growth are:

a) Many spiritual babes oppose themselves by choosing carnality over spirituality - 2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (According to this verse, the teaching and opportunity are there but are not teachable.)

b) Many spiritual babes willfully reject the Word of God by not hearing or heeding it - Hebrews 5:12-6:1 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 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. (The key word here is “useth.” Babies do not “use” milk, they need milk. I get the impression that these babes in Christ want nothing but “milk” or light sermons that never get into the meat of God’s Word.)

D. There is a positive proceeding that leads to spiritual growth. Vs. 5-7

1) It takes Desire – “besides this” (Individual responsibility)

2) It takes Discipline – “all” (Not just those things that are convenient.)

3) It takes Diligence – “diligence” (It is hard work.)

4) It takes Discernment – “add to your faith” (Saving faith is not enough.)

E. Results Of Not Growing Spiritually.

1. You Will Be Unfruitful – “unfruitful”

a. Fruitfulness should not be optional - John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

b. Fruitlessness is dangerous - John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

2. You Will Be Spiritually Blind – “blind . . . cannot see afar off”

(Lack Of diligence in growth brings about carnality)

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Matthew 6:20-24 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

3. You Will Lack Assurance – “hath forgotten that he was purged”

Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

4. You Will Eventually Fall – “fall”

Acts 20:22-24 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

5. You Will Have No Reward – “so an entrance”

Hebrews 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.