The Spiritual Blindness of Israel

Temple Baptist Church - 12-30-2018

Romans 11:7-12

Introduction:

A.  Last week, we biblically answered the question, “Hath God cast away his people?”  “God forbid” was the biblical answer.  God loves Israel just as He love them in Jacob’s day.  He loves them with an everlasting love.

B.  The purpose of God concerning Israel has never changed and—one day— “Israel, my glory”—will once again be gloriously restored.  God’s purpose always has and always will stand.

C.  Though a remnant is being saved, Israel—as a nation—is blind to the New Testament and the Gospel.  Missionaries cannot come to Israel as church planters.  They must come as students, teachers, business people, or visitor visas.  Church planting missionaries have their visas rejected.

D.  Their eyes saw but they did not see.  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.  (They saw Christ but did not see who He was.  They tempted Him, they taunted Him, the tested Him, and crucified Him.)

E.  Their ears heard but they did not hear.  Romans 10:16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

F.  Israel:

1.  Verse 3.  Killed God’s Prophets.  “they have killed thy prophets” Time and time again, God sent men of God to Israel and they systematically refused to hear God’s voice.

Luke 13:34  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

Proverbs 29:1  He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Jeremiah 17:23  But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction.

Zechariah 7:11-12  But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.  (12)  Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.

2.  Verse 3.  Destroyed God’s Altars.  “and digged down thine altars” 

Romans 11:9-10  And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:  (10)  Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.  (Their sacrifices became ritual, not faith.) 

Hebrews 13:9-13  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.  (10)  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.  (11)  For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.  (12)  Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.  (13)  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

G.  Israel continually rejected the longsuffering and grace of God.

H.  “Unto this day” speaks of the continuance of Israel’s blindness.  They remained blinded to the Gospel in our day.  Benjamin Netanyahu wishes us a Merry Christmas but, like the world, does not recognizes the Saviour as the Messiah.

1.  Israel was blinded because of National Pride.  Acts 10:28  And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.  (To the Jew, Gentiles were sub-human and often called Gentile dogs.  Jews do not listen to the witness of Gentile dogs.  They though that they had to be right with God because they were of His people, Israel.  Many people of our day believe that they are going to heaven based upon their parent’s faith.)

John 8:39  They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

2.  Israel was blinded because of their rejection of God’s Messiah, their Propitiation.  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.  (Jesus Christ is LORD of all and there is no salvation without acknowledgement and acceptance of His Person.  You cannot be saved and reject the Saviour!)

Isaiah 8:13-15  Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.  And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

3.  Israel was blinded because of their Self-Righteousness.  Romans 10:3-4  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.  (4)  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Salvation is to everyone that believeth, not everyone that worketh!  Repentance from dead works and faith toward God is the only way of salvation.)

Following Christ In 2019

Temple Baptist Church - 12-30-2018

Luke 9:57-62

Introduction:

A.  In our text, we find three men who had a desire to follow Christ.  I believe that every born-again believer has a desire to come to Christ and be where He is but, to be His follower, one must count the cost.

who said, 

B.  The first said, ““Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.” 

1.  He was a man with a right desire.  I have no doubt that he was serious when he made that statement. 

2.  Many people, when asked if they are willing to follow Christ, will say the same thing but stop when it cost them something.  They intend to follow Christ as long as it costs them nothing.  Great intentions do not get the work done!

C.  But, when our Lord said, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head,” we hear no more from this man. You see, it will cost you something to follow Christ.  That is why so many begin with a right intention but never really follow Christ.

D.  Then, our Lord said to another man, “Follow me.” 

1.  Then, this individual said, “Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.”  He had something that he wanted to do first.  I do not think that his father had died yet because he was here listening to Jesus instead of at the “funeral home” with family. 

2.  I believe that what he was saying was this: allow me to stay at home until my father dies and I bury him, then I will follow you. (A.M.)

E.  Now, a third man says, “Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.” 

1.  This man makes sure that he gives his excuse for not following immediately before the Lord could say anything to him. 

2.  There are many people who want to follow Christ as long as they can do it on their time or stay at home to follow Him.

F.  Our Lord answered him with my text for this morning: “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

G.  You see, following Christ requires cost, obedience, and continuance.  Many start well, but because of the cost, quit.  Their intentions were good, but somewhere along the way, their heart began to turn back to the place and people that they had to leave behind.

Hebrews 11:15  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

H.  God does not call everyone to leave home and family though, but I believe that every child of God should be willing to do so if the Lord called! 

1.  The servant is not greater than his Master so, as He left all for us, we should be willing to leave all for Him. 

2.  When God called me into the ministry, I and my family had to be willing to leave home, family, friends, job, and everything else to follow Christ.  Could we have done less?

I.  You see, all three of these men came to where Christ was but were not willing to follow Him where ever He wanted them to go. 

1.  Last year is almost gone.  It will be history in a couple of days and a New Year lies before us.  the new Year is “history that has not yet been written.”  A “tale that has not been told.”  We cannot change history but we can re-write it well.

a.  There is nothing wrong with remembering last year.  It was a good year.  Some things could have been better but we are here this morning and not sitting at home.

b.  There is value in reflecting upon last year and changing what needs to be changed.

c.  There is need for repentance.  Sorrow for our failures last year.

d.  There is need for resolve.  A determination to not make the save mistakes.

2.  This year, we need to keep our hand on the plough!  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.  (We cannot follow Christ until we put our hand to the plough!  Following Christ is a life of self-denial and cross bearing.)

1 John 2:12-14  I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.  (13)  I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.  (14)  I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

a.  You young families need to “step up to the plate.”  As the older generation goes on to be with the Lord, this is, for the younger generation, becoming more “your church.”  Get involved!  What you leave behind will be all that your children will have.

b.  You middle aged families need to bear the burden of the work of Christ in spiritual maturity. 

c.  Some of us are getting older but that is not a time for quitting.  We need to make some adjustments because of age but each of us are still needed to get the job done.  We cannot look back!  We cannot quit, we cannot retire.

3.  This year, we need to keep our eyes on the Point, Jesus Christ. 

a.  Keep our eyes on Christ and “plow to the Point!”  When you plow a field, looking to the side or looking back causes you to become distracted and plow a crooked furrow. 

b.  Keep our eyes on the Bible.  May it ever be our guide!  The Truth shall make you free and, if you be free, you will be free indeed.

c.  Keep our eyes on the Old Paths wherein is the good way.  If we ever let up, then the Old Paths will be gone.  Just look around at the direction and condition of churches in our day.  They are not even a shadow of what they used to be.

Conclusion:  I preach this often and I always will because following Christ is of the utmost importance.  We cannot follow Christ:

a.  If we lose sight of Him.

b.  If we forget the Word of God.

c.  If we leave the Old Paths.

Christmas

Temple Baptist Church - 12-26-2018

John 3:16

Introduction:

A.  Christmas is a very special time of the year.  It follows my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving.  I try to be thankful each day for the blessings that God has bestowed upon me but this time of the year makes thanksgiving special.

B.  I still remember the awe and wonder that I had as a little boy when the story of Jesus Christ was read.

C.  Christmas has been so commercialized that, to many, how they view it is so different from how it should be viewed.

1.  Christmas:  The Carnal View

a.  Christmas Is A Holiday – I have no problem with that.  I want people to have time off for Christmas.

b.  Christmas Is Family Time – I have no problem with that.  I want people to have time to spend with family.

c.  Christmas Is Tinsel And Glitter – I have no problem with that.  I love the way that our home looks for Christmas.

d.  Christmas Is Buying Gifts – I have no problem with that.  We live at 2311 Rabon Road if you are interested in sending or bringing us one.

e.  Christmas Is Eating – I have no problem with that.  I love the smell of baked cookies and candy along with a good Christmas meal.  You know that I love eating.

f.  Christmas Is Santa Claus And Magic – I don’t do Santa and am not a fan of magic as you well know.

g.  Christmas Is Letdown and Debt – Christmas to the world is all about things and things cannot satisfy for long.

h.  Christmas Is A Time Of High Suicide – People feel so much pressure around Christmas.

2.  Christmas:   The Religious Man’s View

a. A Quick Drop-in For A Special Service.

b. Poinsettias Instead Of Easter Lilies.

c.  A Soothed Conscience For Another Year or So.

3.  Christmas:  The Christians’ View

a.  Christmas Is About Remembering.

1)  Who Christ was.  Almighty Jehovah God in the flesh.

2)  Why Christ Came.  He came to die.

3)  How much Christ loves sinners.

4)  Without Bethlehem, there would have been no Calvary.

5)  Without Calvary, there would be no resurrection, and there would be no salvation.

b.  Christmas Is About Joy And Peace.

1)  The joy of knowing that we are saved and safe in Christ alone.

2)  The joy of knowing that Christ lives within us.  He abides with us and have given to us His Holy Spirit.

3)  The joy of knowing that heaven is our home and death holds no fear.

c.  Christmas Is About Love And Sharing.

1)  Spending time with our families.

2)  Spending time with our church family.

3)  Sharing Christ with a lost world.

d.  Christmas Is About Worship And Praise.

1)  What a beautiful thing to be in church during the Christmas Season.  The flowers and decorations are a thing of beauty.

2)  What a beautiful thing to hear the old Christmas Carols that we have loved so long.

3)  What a beautiful thing to worship our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ together.

Conclusion:  Christmas is special to the child of God because it is all about Christ.

But Exhort One Another Daily

Temple Baptist Church - 12-19-2018

Hebrews 3-7-13

Introduction:

A. In my 42+ years of being saved, I have never seen such malicious attacks being made against God’s people. 

1.  If God’s people ever needed each other and the fellowship of the church, it is today.  It is of no wonder that the Holy Spirit said, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching!” 

2.  Satan hates you; Satan hates the family; Satan hates this church! He does not worry about the liberal churches or the apostate churches.  He controls those.  He hates conservative, fundamental, Bible believing, sin hating, soul winning, straight preaching churches because, if he can destroy the church, he can destroy you.  If he destroys you, he can destroy your family.

B.  A man once used the phrase “men of quiet desperation.”  We will never know the extent of another’s burden. 

1.  I need you, you need me, and we all need each other!  I do not have the power, in most instances, to take a burden away from you but I can help, to some extent, to bear a part of your burden. 

2.  I heard this somewhere: “A burden shared is half a burden.”  There are times though when I cannot help you, either because of the magnitude of the burden or because of the privacy of the burden but I can pray for you.

a)  People Carry Burdens Of Sin

b)  People Carry Burdens Of Sickness

c)  People Carry Burdens Of Sorrow

d)  People Carry Burdens Of Poverty

e)  People Carry Burdens Of Disappointment

f)  People Carry Burdens Of Discouragement

C.  How can we exhort the brethren daily?  1 Thessalonians 5:14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded,support the weak, be patient toward all men.

1.  Someone who is weak in the faith.  Romans 14:1  Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.  (I find it interesting that the “weak” one in Romans 14 is the individual that says, “You can’t do this” or “you can’t do that!”  We are certainly not at liberty to commit sin, but we are at liberty instead of under law.  Though we are to receive such a weak one, I do not believe that this is what the verse refers to.)

2.  Or it can mean someone who is going through a trial that has “taken the wind out of their sails!” 

2 Corinthians 1:8  For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: (Though God gives both grace and strength in trials, we are still human and often have a disquieted soul in the midst of troubles.)

Psalms 42:5  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.  (Three times in Psalms 42 and 43, we find this verse.  The Psalmist wasn’t too spiritual either, was he?)

D.  How to exhort one another daily.

1.  By having compassion on each other. 1 Peter 3:8  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: (Just a shoulder to lean on.)

2.  By praying for each other.  James 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  (It is the best thing that I can do for you.)

3.  By just being there with each other and for each other.  2 Timothy 4:11  Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.  (Often, during a great trial, one has a tendency to feel alone.)

4.  By being a “listening ear” for each other. Galatians 6:1-2  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  (2)  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.  (A listening ear, not a telling tongue!  Learn to listen and then to keep what you hear in confidence.  Sometimes, people just need to “unload” a little and get something off their chest.)

5.  By doing what we can to strengthen each other’s faith.  Job 16:5  But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.  (Letting them know that they are not alone in their trial: God loves them and will not forsake them, neither will their brother or sister in the LORD.  There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.)

6.  By exhorting each other to continue in the faith. Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  (Your being faithful to church exhorts the weak.  What a blessing it is when, during a great trial, you can come to church and see God’s people!  My family has been there and want you to know what a blessing it is to just come apart [church means a called our assembly] from the world for a little while and worship the Lord together.)

7.  By weeping with each other. Romans 12:15  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.  (Sometimes, you just cry with them.  I have been with families that are hurting and, when I tried to pray for them, I just cried with them.  Let me give you an Old Testament example of something to do and something not to do.)

Job 2:11-13  Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.  (12)  And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.  (13)  So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

Job 4:1  Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,  (Job’s three friends were just that, his friends.  They hurt for him and with him but would have been much better off to listen and not say a word!  When you do not know what to say, just be there and say nothing.)

The Elijah Syndrome

Temple Baptist Church - 12-9-2018

Romans 11:1-6; 1 Kings 19

Introduction:

A.  Paul begins this chapter with a question that he immediately answers for the believers in Rome.  “Hath God cast away His people?”  “God forbid!”

B.  We need to remember that chapters 9-11 deal with the Nation of Israel.

1.  Chapter 9 – The Election of the Nation of Israel.

2.  Chapter 10 – The Rejection of the Nation of Israel.

3.  Chapter 11 – The Restoration of the Nation of Israel.

C.  Though the Nation of Israel became “marred” in the hands of the Potter, the Potter did not throw the clay away. 

Jeremiah 18:1-6  The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,  (2)  Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.  (3)  Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.  (4)  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.  (5)  Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,  (6)  O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.

D.  Last week, we saw that God has saved a remnant in Israel and is saving a remnant in our day.  GOD HAS ALWAYS HAD HIS REMNANT!

E.  I want to leave Israel for a few minutes tonight to look at what I call “The Elijah Syndrome.”  Something that none of us are exempt from.  Paul takes us back in time to the condition of the Nation of Israel in the days of Elijah, the prophet.  (1 Kings, chapter 19)

James 5:17  Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are …

F.  Often, in this time of apostasy, when most churches and preachers are “falling away” from the Old Paths, we find out selves seemingly alone in the fight.

G.  I use the word “seemingly” because of God’s promise in Hebrews 13:5 to NEVER leave us nor forsake us.  Never is often referred to as an absolute negative. It means never for any reason or at any time.

H.  We often forget this in these last perilous days.  Bible believing, Bible following people are once again a remnant in our day.  Little hands full of people gather around America and the world worshipping God in the old ways of the fathers.

I.  I want to look at Elijah for a few minutes because we now sit where this great prophet of God once sat.

1.  In 1 Kings, chapter 18, Elijah stood alone on Mount Carmel against the 450 prophets of Baal and God stood with him. 

a.  God wrought a great victory that day through a solitary prophet.  God still controls and victory in our day is assured.

b.  You would have thought that Elijah would now be bold enough “to go bear hunting with a switch!”  Instead of defeat,

2.  In 1 Kings, chapter 19, Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah telling him that on the morrow, he would be as dead as the 450 prophets of Baal.

1 Kings 19:1-2  And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.  (2)  Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

3.  Elijah fled from the face of Jezebel though God was still with him.  “He requested for himself” implies that he was speaking to God.

1 Kings 19:3-4  And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.  (4)  But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: (Elijah left his servant and went alone.  No one is invited to a “Pity Party” because they may tell you their problems instead of listening to yours.  This messes up the party!)

4.  Elijah says that “It is enough.”  Spiritually, Elijah was done.  He had had enough and wanted to die.

1 Kings 19:4 and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.  (Both religious people and the world have always “killed the prophets … tore down the altars” of God.  Sometimes, people of God and men of God come to the point of quitting because their eyes are upon their surroundings instead of upon God.)

5.  God’s patience with Elijah.  God sent an angel, ministers to the heirs of salvation, to attend to feed Elijah.

1 Kings 19:5-7  And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.  (6)  And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.  (7)  And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.  (God understands what it is to feel lonely at times.  Just look at our Lord Jesus’ life.  You can be alone in a crowd!  God knows our frame and is very gentle with us.)

6.  Elijah’s journey to come.  “The journey is too great for thee.”  We often sing the little song “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus.”  One verse says, “Though none go with me, still I will follow.”  Are we willing to live for the Lord if we must do it alone?

7.  God gave Elijah all that he needed to carry on.  1 Kings 19:8  And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

8.  God’s question for Elijah. 

1 Kings 19:9  And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?  (The will of God for us in these days is not hiding in a cave but standing openly for the LORD.)

9.  God’s reminder to us that we are not alone in the battle.

Romans 11:4  But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.  (As in Nehemiah’s day, we may be scattered upon the wall, but we are not alone.  Live each day for Christ as if it is you last day on earth.)

Where to find encouragement:

1.  You Will Find Encouragement In The Lord - 1 Samuel 30:6  And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

a.  There Is Encouragement In His Person - Habakkuk 3:17-18  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:  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

b.  There Is Encouragement In His Presence - Hebrews 13:5  Let yourconversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

c.  There Is Encouragement In His Power - Romans 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Hebrews 13:6  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

d.  There Is Encouragement In His Purpose - Philippians 4:12-13  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.   I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 1:9  But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

e.  There Is Encouragement In His Protection - 2 Corinthians 1:10  Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

2.  You Will Find Encouragement In the Word - Psalms 119:28  My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. 

a.  There Is Encouragement In Its Promises - Deuteronomy 1:21  Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.

b.  There Is Encouragement In Its Preaching - Hebrews 13:22  And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

3.  You Will Find Encouragement In The Church - Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

           

a.  There Is Encouragement In Your Pastor

1)  To Continue - Deuteronomy 3:28  But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.

2)  To Contend - Jude 1:3  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.

3)  To Conform -  Titus 2:11-15  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

b.  There Is Encouragement In Your People

1)  There Is Visual Encouragement - Hebrews 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  (It encourages me just to see them!)

2)  There Is Vocal Encouragement - Hebrews 3:13  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  (It encourages me just to hear them!)