Trials

Temple Baptist Church - 11-30-2016

1 Peter 1:1-9

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Preaching through the books of the Bible, we look at these verses through the “eyes” of context. 

 

1.  So much preaching is done in a topical realm and these messages are both good and needed but they often do not pick the intended message of the context. 

 

2.  Topical preaching is needed but, the older that I get, the more that I feel the necessity of preaching line upon line, precept upon precept. 

 

3.  To whom is it written; what was the reason for its writing; proper interpretation of the verses within the realm of their context; and then making a practical application.

 

B.  Several of the New Testament Books of the Bible are written specifically to the Jewish believers to transition them from the Old Testament economy to the New. 

 

1.  From the sacrificial system of atonement and the priesthood to the fulfillment that is now found in the finished work of Calvary.  Instead of the Kingdom, they are now persecuted and scattered. 

 

2.  They are without a home in this world.  Hated by the Jews because they are followers of Christ and hated by the gentiles because they are Jews.

 

C.  Peter, an apostle to the Jews, is encouraging them in their trials.  Trials are a part of life!  Life can be hard at times for all of us as it was with these Jewish believers.  This open up two question in the minds of these Jewish believers that have continued in the hearts and minds of God’s people in our day.

 

1.  If God loves us, why does He allow suffering?

 

a)  God loved and continues to love the nation of Israel and these believers were Jews.  Jeremiah 31:1-3  At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.  (2)  Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.  (3)  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

 

b)  God loved us, shown at Calvary, and continues to love us.  John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 

Romans 8:35-39  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  (36)  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  (37)  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  (38)  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  (39)  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

2.  If God controls our circumstances, why does He allow suffering?

 

a)  2 Corinthians 12:7-10  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  (8)  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  (9)  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (10)  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

b)  Nahum 1:3-7  The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.  (4)  He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.  (5)  The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.  (6)  Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.  (7)  The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

 

D.  Hard places in life have both negative and positive aspects to them.  The negative aspects are easy to identify but there is also a positive side of trials! 

 

1.  Some trials are tougher than others and can run from not so bad but aggravating to ones of deep sorrow.  Problems vary in their depths but not one of us like valleys of any description!  Ecclesiastes 3:4  A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

 

2.  Some trials are short and some are long!  There is a place out west called Ten Sleep Canyon.  It took an Indian 10 days to get through it.  Valleys always take the long way around the mountains because they are an indirect route.  The shortest way is usually over the mountain. Psalms 77:2  In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.  (Job went from seven days and nights to 42 chapters!)

 

E.  Though we normally concentrate on the negative aspects of valleys in life, there are some positive things that come out of them.

 

1.  NUMBER ONE is that God is sovereign and controls our trials.!  “The trial”  Job 1:9-10  Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?  (10)  Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.  (Trust in the Lord with all thine heart!  God loves us and controls everything that touches us.  When you cannot track God, just trust Him.  God cares!)

 

2.  Trials reveal of what sort our faith is.  “The trial of your faith”  Matthew 13:20-21  But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;  (21)  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.  (A faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted.  Someone once said that troubles do not build character; they only expose it.  A right faith in the Lord will get you through the valleys in good shape spiritually.)

 

3.  Trails are places with the potential for Spiritual Growth. “being much more precious than of gold that perisheth”  1 Peter 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  (We grow in the knowledge that when God is all that we have, it is then that we find that He is all that we need.  We grow in the knowledge that God’s grace is always more than sufficient.  We grow in the knowledge that He will never leave us nor forsake us.)

 

4.  Trials cause us not to take the good times for granted!  “though it be tried with fire”  Job 29:2-4  Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;  (3)  When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;  (4)  As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;  (It is in the valley that we remember the mountains!  Too often, we take good days for granted.  Most of life is good and we should rejoice when it is.)

 

5.  Trials give us opportunity to glorify God before the eyes of the world!  “might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ”  Isaiah 24:15  Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.  (It is easy to be a good Christian when all is well but the world watches us closely when we are in trouble.  It is in the hard times that our little lights become big ones as the world fastens their eyes upon us and glorify our Father in heaven.)

 

6.  Trials deepen the child of God’s love for Him!  “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” 2 Corinthians 8:2  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  (Hard times in marriages either “make them or break them!”   When a couple truly love one another, they will cleave to each more in the hard times and their love deepens.  Thus it is with the Lord.  When we walk with Him in the hard times our love for Him deepens.)

 

7.  Without trials, there would be no deliverances!  “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”  2 Timothy 4:16-18  At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.  (17)  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  (18)  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  (Without valleys, there would be no mountains climbed or to be climbed.  From the valleys, we view the mountains and from the mountains, we view the valleys.  Both, when viewed from a distance become things of great beauty.)

Things That Paul Was Thankful For

Temple Baptist Church - 11-27-2016

Ephesians 5:18-20

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  For the past 5 weeks, I have been preaching on some spiritual things that I am thankful for.  The Bible says much about thankfulness.  One of the problems with our society (which has also infiltrated the churches and God’s people) is a lack of thankfulness! 

 

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.

 

B.  Writing to the church at Thessalonica, Paul said, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

 

1.  Paul was thankful for His great salvation based upon the finished work of Christ!  1 Timothy 1:15-17  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.  (16)  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.  (17)  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.  (I am so thankful this morning that I am saved graciously, wonderfully, and eternally!)

 

2.  Paul was thankful for the amazing, marvelous grace of God!  2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (I am so thankful this morning that God’s grace has been and is always sufficient!)

 

3.  Paul was thankful for the call of God placing him into the ministry!  1 Timothy 1:11-12  According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.  (12)  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;  (I am so thankful this morning that God called me into the ministry on March 17, 1983!)

 

5.  Paul was thankful for the people who loved him and whom he loved!  1 Corinthians 16:23-24  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.  (24)  My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. (I am so thankful this morning for Temple Baptist Church and the precious people that God has placed into our lives!  You are “Number One!”)

 

6.  Paul was thankful for meeting his temporal needs!  Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  (I am so thankful this morning for the many temporal blessings that God has bestowed upon my family!)

 

7.  Paul was thankful for his eternal heavenly home! Philippians 1:21-23  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  (22)  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  (23)  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:  (I am so thankful this morning that one day like today, and it could be today, I will be finally home!)

 

C.  We have so much to be thankful for this morning!  God’s children should be grateful for the many blessings that He has bestowed upon us, both temporally and spiritually. 

 

1.  For the privilege of being born in America, the land of the free and home of the brave! 

 

a.  You and I could have been born in some 3^rd world country where freedom is only something to be dreamed of.  We are free this morning to do as we please within the realm of the laws of the land. 

 

b.  We can come and go; we can worship as we believe; we can attain our goals; we can dream our dreams and live them.  This is the greatest nation on the face of the earth and we live here.

 

c.  For the jobs that we have.  So many people do not work because they will not work.  I have pumped gas, mowed lawns, raked leaves, along with a myriad of others menial jobs to put food on the table.  Dad taught us to work!  He would not take “public assistance.”  He was a proud man in a right way.  I thank God that I have always had a job.

 

2.  For the homes in which we live!

 

a.  Safe homes.  We sleep in peace instead of in fear; quiet instead of in war.  In many countries, war is a way of life and no one is safe anywhere but our homes are safe and quiet.

 

b.  Comfortable homes.  Central air and central heat that are almost unheard of in other countries.  I know what it is like to “burn up” in the “ovens” that some people call home.  They sleep on the roofs because the concrete block homes are ovens in the summer.  The same homes are refrigerators in the winter.  We grip if the church gets out of our personal comfort zone.

 

c.  Convenient homes.  I heard a Chinese man once say that the perfect home was an American kitchen with all appliances, a Japanese wife who is trained to take care of her husband, and Chinese cooking.  I am no agreeing with him on two of these and am sure that, if his wife who was standing beside of him understood English he would have had knots on his head, but he was correct.  We have every gadget in the world in our homes to make life easier for us.

 

3.  For the bounty that God has provided! 

 

a.  Money to put groceries in the fridge, freezer, and cabinets.  The hardest decisions that we make each day are what to have for breakfast, dinner, and supper.  (Notice it was not breakfast, lunch, and dinner?  It is the Marriage SUPPER of the Lamb, not dinner.) 

 

b.  People all around the world are not blessed to have even one good meal a day, much less three.  Their choices are extremely limited while we cruise down the road and “cherry pick” which restaurant that we want to visit.  Our problem is dieting instead of fasting, enormous instead of emaciated, stuffed instead of starving.  Thanksgiving is over but the feasting goes on.

 

c.  For the clothes that we wear.  Our closets are full of “big” sizes and “little” sizes for when we expand and contract.  Clothes for winter, summer, seedtime, and harvest! 

 

d.  For the automobiles that we drive.  Many of you remember the “hill staters” and “tree breaks” of our childhood.  Cars that had to be replaced or rebuilt at 100,000 miles.  Cars with little windows called “vents” or “wind wings” that were the source of A/C.  Cars that needed keys to start.  Now these cars are a lot smarter than this preacher.

 

4.  For the blessing of the gospel. 

 

a.  We have heard the message of salvation all of our lives.  So many people have missed the message because their churches have changed it.  Now, going to heaven, is who you are—who you know—and what you do, instead of repentance and faith in the finished work of Christ at Calvary. 

 

b.  We have believed the message of salvation.  I am so glad that my faith is in “The Way” and not in “a way!”  Salvation is found singularly in the Person of Christ and His gospel.  Most denominations have a “mixed faith” which will not save.  I am so glad that I know “whom I have believed” instead of just “what I have believed.”

 

c.  Heaven is our final home! God has been so good to us!

Live Hope Or Dead Religion

Temple Baptist Church - 11-23-2016

1 Peter 1:3-4

 

Intro:

 

A.  We looked at election and predestination over the last couple of weeks.  Both are according to God’s foreknowledge:  You enter election WHEN you get saved because it is the body of Christ that is elect and you become predestined AFTER you enter into election because only saved people are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ.  Through His foreknowledge:

 

1 .  God knows who will be saved.

 

John 14:2  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

 

2.   God knows what they will receive.

 

1 Peter 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

 

B.  I want to look at two things tonight in our text:

 

1.   We Are Saved From Something.  (“begotten us again unto”)

 

a.  First Birth Is A Sinful Birth - Psalms 51:5  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

 

b.  First Birth Is A Sorrowful Birth - Genesis 3:16  Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

 

1)  We Are Saved From Destruction - Psalm 103:1-5  Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

 

2)  We Are Saved From Eternal Death - Revelation 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

 

c.  The Second Birth Is A Spiritual Birth - John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

 

d.  The Second Birth Is A Saving Birth - Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

 

2.  We Are Saved Unto Something  “unto a lively hope”

 

a.  We Are Saved Unto A New Life

1)  We Are Saved Unto Holiness - Romans 6:22  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

 

2)  We Are Saved Unto Heaven - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

b.  We Are Saved Unto An Inheritance  “to an inheritance”

 

1) Our Inheritance Is An Unearned Possession

 

INHER'ITANCE, n. An estate derived from an ancestor to an heir by succession or in course of law; or an estate which the law casts on a child or other person, as the representative of the deceased ancestor.  The reception of an estate by hereditary right, or the descent by which an estate or title is cast on the heir; as, the heir received the estate by inheritance.

 

2)  Our Inheritance Is A Splendid Possession – Revelation 21:2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

 

3)  Our Inheritance Is An Unchanging Possession – “incorruptible, and undefiled” - Matthew 6:19-20  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

 

4)  Our Inheritance Is A Permanent Possession – “and that fadeth not away” -  2 Corinthians 5:1  For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

 

5)  Our Inheritance Is A Personal Possession – “reserved in heaven for you”

           

Nor By Letter As From Us

Temple Baptist Church - 11-20-2016

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2; 2 Corinthians 11:1-4

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  The “falling away” is in full bloom in these last days and the deception is not a new one.  In verse 2, we seen the threefold heresy that is destroying churches and their people.  In our text, it is a “spirit,” a “word,” and a “letter as from us.”  2 Corinthians gives valuable light on these three things as it labels them:

 

1.  Another spirit, which ye have not received.  A spirit that is not the Holy Spirit.

 

2.  Another gospel, which ye have not accepted.  A gospel which is not another. (Galatians 1:7)

 

3.  Another Jesus, whom we have not preached.  I have always maintained that you cannot change the Bible without changing the Jesus of the Bible.

 

B.  The foundation for our beliefs is the Bible.  According to our text, false manuscripts were in circulation in Paul’s day.  We also have a false text in our day that has produced the new translations and is exalted above the Received Text from which our King James Bible came.  I will also maintain that the final authority of both faith and practice MUST be the Bible.  Otherwise, what man thinks become the authority.

 

1.  Our foundation is the Word of God.  Otherwise, it is simply my beliefs compared with their beliefs and everyman will “stick to his guns” in the final analysis.  We must have a common ground to base our beliefs upon or there is not solitary Truth.

 

2.  Do we have a “bible” that is the Word of God or do we simply have a “bible” that contains the Word of God?  Let me say, at this point, that if our “bible” is preserved by man instead of God, it is fallible and errant in nature.  This is what most of the “Bible Scholars” teach. 

 

3.  I unapologetically believe that the Bible teaches divine preservation of scripture and “things that are different are not the same!”  I believe that we have the infallible, inerrant, perfectly preserved Word of God in the King James Bible!

 

C.  The gives both Jesus Christ and the Bible the EXACT same attributes.  How can you apply these attributes to Jesus Christ and then say that they do not work for the Bible?  The liberals “cherry pick” what they want to believe instead of believing all the Bible.

 

1.  The Incarnate Word is an Eternal Word - vs 1 “In the beginning”

 

Psalm 90:1-3  Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.  Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.

 

     The Inscribed Word is an Eternal Word 

 

Psalm 119:89  For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. 

 

Matthew 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

 

Peter 1:25  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.   

 

2.  The Incarnate Word is an Ever-Present Word - vs 1 “the Word was with God”

 

Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 

 

Hebrews 1:12  And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. 

 

Psalm 102:27  But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

 

The Inscribed Word is an Ever-Present Word 

 

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 

 

Psalm 12:6-7  The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.  Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. 

 

3.  The Incarnate Word is the Faultless Word - vs 1 “Word was God” - equal (you cannot separate Jesus Christ from His Word, they are one and the same)

 

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

 

Isaiah 53:9  And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 

 

Hebrews 7:26  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;  

 

1 Peter 2:22-23  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 

 

            1 John 3:5  And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in     him is no sin. 

 

The Inscribed Word is The Faultless Word

 

Psalm 12:6  The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times

 

Psalm 19:7  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 

 

Psalm 119:140  Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. 

 

Proverbs 30:5  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 

 

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: 

 

4.  The Incarnate Word is the Authoritative Word - vs 3 “all...made...him”

 

Mark 1:22  And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. 

 

Mark 1:27  And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

 

Mark 4:39-41  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.   And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?  And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? 

The Inscribed Word is the Authoritative Word

           

Peter 2:21  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.

           

Proverbs 6:23  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: 

 

Proverbs 13:13  Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. 

 

Romans 16:26  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:  

 

5.  The Incarnate Word is the Essential Word - vs 3 “without him was not any thing made that was made”

 

Colossians 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

 

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

The Inscribed Word is the Essential Word   

 

Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

 

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 

James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

 

6.  The Incarnate Word Gives Life - vs 4, 14  “in him was life...light of men”

 

1 John 1:1-2  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 

 

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

The Inscribed Word Gives Life

 

John 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 

 

Philippians 2:16  Holding forth the word of life;  

 

7.  The Incarnate Word is an Illuminating Word - vs 4 “light of men”

 

John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

The Inscribed Word is an Illuminating Word

 

2 Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 

 

8.  The Incarnate Word is a Fathomless Word - vs 5 “comprehended it not”

 

Romans 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

The Inscribed Word is a Fathomless Word

 

1 Corinthians 2:9-14  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  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.  

 

9.  The Incarnate Word is the Rejected Word - vs 9-11 “knew him not...received him not”

 

Isaiah 53:3  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

 

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

The Inscribed Word is the Rejected Word

 

Hebrews 3:15  While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

 

1 John 5:6-12  This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.  And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.   He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 

 

10.  The Incarnate Word is the Living Word - vs 14  “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us”

 

Matthew 1:23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

 

Luke 1:35  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

The Inscribed Word is the Living Word

 

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 

Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

Conclusion:  As we are no better than our word, God is no better than His!  If our word is fallible, then we are fallible.  If God’s Word is fallible, then He is fallible!  “Another Jesus” has to do with the Bible!