Seven Things We Have In Christ

Temple Baptist Church - 1-17-2018

2 Peter 1:1-4

Introduction: 

A.  We have spent a lot of time in the first 4 verses of this vital little book of the Bible, so I want to do a little summation tonight before we move on to the next verses.

B.  If the world only knew!  When we try to win them to Christ, they act as if we are trying to give them a dose of castor oil.  If the world only knew the blessings and joy of being saved!  In our world, the lost have equated salvation with religion and religion is enough to turn anyone away from Christ.  If they would only be saved, then they would know the truth about salvation.

1.  In Christ they will have the forgiveness of sins.

2.  In Christ they will have the gift of the Holy Ghost.

3.  In Christ they will have the peace of God that passeth all understanding.

4.  In Christ they will have a life that satisfies.

5.  In Christ they will have a conscience that Is pure.

6.  In Christ they will have joy unspeakable and full of glory.

C.  You can tell them that Jesus loves and died for them; you can tell them that hell is a fearful reality; you can beg and plead and they continue to walk the same road.  It is the “broad road” and the “wide gate” where the many of Matthew 7:13-14 walk.  It is heart breaking to see so many people that we know reject our wonderful Saviour.

D.  Sometimes, we that are saved forget what we have in Christ and take for granted His great salvation.  In Hebrews, Paul said, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?”  It is truly a “great salvation” and should be cherished by those redeemed from:

1.  A Life Of Despair

2.  A Life Of Defilement

2.  A Life Of Destruction

3.  A Life Of Damnation

E.  We have so much in Christ but, in our verses for this morning, Peter set forth some wonderful truths concerning our COMMON salvation.

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

a.  Faith Brings A Relationship With Christ That Is Precious – “precious faith”

1 Peter 2:4-7   To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God,and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

Galatians 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

b.  Faith Brings A Fellowship With Saints That Is Common – “like precious faith”

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

Titus 1:4  To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

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

a.  You May Question My Personal Righteousness - Romans 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

b.  You Cannot Question His - 1 Timothy 6:14-16  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

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

a.  Grace That Is Abundant – 1 Corinthians 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

b.  Grace That Is Available - 1 Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

c.  Grace That Is Multiplied - 2 Peter 1:2  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

d.  Grace That Is Sufficient - 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.

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

a.  Peace In The Midst Of The Storm - Mark 4:39  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.

b.  Peace In The Midst Of Sorrow - John 11:21-23  Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.  But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.  Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

c.  Peace In The Midst Of Confusion - Philippians 4:6-7  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

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

a.  Power To Overcome The World - 1 John 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith.

b.  Power To Overcome Evil - Romans 12:21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

c.  Power To Overcome Satan - 1 John 2:13  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.

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

a.  A New Life Of Faith - Romans 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

b  A New Life Of Holiness - 2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

7.  We Have The Hope Of Eternal Life – vs. 4b

a.  Hell Is Gone – 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.

b.  Heaven Is A Reality - John 14:2-3  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.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

The Entrance Of Thy Words Giveth Light

Temple Baptist Church - 1-14-2018

Psalms 119:129-136

Introduction: 

A.  First, I want to give a special thank you to Dr. Tom Wallace as much of this message came from one that he preached titled “Why Read The Bible Through This Year?”

B.  As the New Year begins, I want to look at the key role that God’s Word will have in your life this year.  As most churches, we encourage our people to read through the Bible at least once a year.  This is not an insurmountable task, as some would suppose. 

C.  For the average reader, it will take seventy-two hours to read the Old Testament and eighteen for the New Testament.  Ninety hours out of 8,760 hours that the Lord has given us in a year doesn’t seem like too much. A tithe of our time would be 876 hours.

D.  The Bible is filled with history, geography, science, engineering, music, philosophy, poetry, religion, drama, politics, struggle, suffering, prophesy, advice, warnings, direction, helps, encouragement, examples, and covers every conceivable area of human knowledge and experience.

E.  The Bible is a masterpiece on social problems, on economic issues, domestic settings, foreign relations, emotional disorder, mental disturbance, physical health, fiscal management, and spiritual victory.

F.  The Bible has the answer to the crime problem the divorce tragedy, the moral slide, the evolution debate, the liberal drift, the pornography blight, the aids epidemic, the abortion question, the teen delinquent problem, the illegitimate birth situation, the world energy problem, the world hunger problem, the birth defect burden, the pollution fear, the alcohol plague, the drug disaster, and the terror threat.

G.  The Bible also answers questions such as:  Where do I find out about heaven, and about hell? Where can I learn how to be saved? What will the millennium be like? How will the world come to an end?  The Bible is a reliable source of insight on these and many other subjects.

H.  One man wrote a song about the Bible and one of the verses goes like this:

                        How do we find out what is right from wrong?

                        How get the power to make us strong?

                        How grows our faith from a tiny seed?

                        Open the Bible and read.

 I.  The Bible is our instruction book for living.  The prophet Amos wrote, “For they know not to do right sayeth the Lord.” (Amos 3:10a) He did not say they did not want to do right, or that they did not intend to do right. He said they did not know what was right, and because of it, it cost them dearly. Their houses were spoiled. An adversary stole all the integrity, character, decency, and morals. They were like a lamb that had been mangled by a lion. All that was left was two legs, and a piece of an ear.

J.  The Bible tells us what is right and what is wrong.  It is not what I think is right, or the way I feel about it, or what some learned theologian says is right, but what the Bible says about it. The Bible tells us that God is right, and the Bible is right. I must get into the Bible and find out what is right, so I too will be right.  If I do this I will be able to think right, then I will do right, do right in a right way, and do right at the right time, do right for the right reason, and do right with enthusiasm. I must do right in a right way lest I make right wrong.

  

What will it do for me if I read my Bible through this year?

1.  IT WILL RESULT IN PROSPERITY.  Prosperity is promised repeatedly in the Bible to those who understand and obey the teachings set forth therein. However, the promised prosperity covers a lot more ground than money and finances.  Success and prosperity will come in the spiritual, the physical, the social, emotional, the mental, domestic, as well as the financial area of life.

3 John 1:2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.  (There is a hint of at least three areas of prosperity in this one verse.  He touches on the financial, the physical, and the spiritual.  The Lord wants His children to prosper.)

Joshua 1:8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Deuteronomy 29:9  Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do. 

1 Kings 2:3  And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

Isaiah 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Psalms 1:2, 3  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 

1 Timothy 4:15  Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

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:

James 1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 2. IT WILL DEVELOP AND BUILD FAITH.  Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.   D. L. Moody said, “For years I prayed for faith and thought that someday faith would come down and strike me like lightening, but faith did not seem to come, then one day I read Romans 10:17.” (Many in this day are basing their faith on experience.  It is not safe to build one’s faith on feeling or something that happened to us. The devil is very subtle and deceptive, and has led away a multitude in this way.)

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

b.  Second, the Bible develops a faith that will please God.  Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

c.  Third, the Bible will quench the fiery darts of the wicked.   Ephesians 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

d.  Fourth, it is through the Bible that we find the secret to answered prayer.  Matthew 21:22  And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

 3.  BIBLE READING WILL GIVE VICTORY OVER SIN.  David said, in Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.”  (Someone once wrote, “This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book.”)

a.  Reading the account of Achan will help one to think about the seriousness of stealing and deception.

b.  Reading the account of David’s act of adultery and murder with the awful fourfold judgment of God upon him and his family will help one to think about the consequences of such sin.

c.  Reading the account of Ananias and Sapphira will help one see the seriousness of lying about the things of God. 

d.  Reading the account of Absalom and the resulting heartache and tragic end surely will keep a person from rebelling against authority.

e.  The terrible outcome of Lot’s turn toward Sodom resulting in the awful exposure to wickedness, the loss of his wife, and the resulting incest with his own daughters, should keep anyone from turning away to the world.

f.  We are told that the things that happened to the people in the Old Testament times were recorded and shared with us for our examples.  1 Corinthians 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition.

 4. IT WILL GIVE PEACE.  Peace comes in three stages.

a.  First, there is peace with God.  Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

b.  Second, there in peace of God.  Philippians 4:6, Paul said, “ and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

c.  And third, there is peace with others.  Psalms119:165  Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.  (The word “nothing” covers a lot of area.)

5. IT WILL ASSIST YOU IN GETTING PRAYERS ANSWERED.

a.  Jesus taught in John 15:7, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

b.  John wrote in 1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.

1 John 3:22  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

c.  Doubt is the major enemy of answered prayer and reading the word of God expels doubt.  Romans 10:17“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” 

 6. IT WILL BRING IMMENSE JOY.

a.  Jeremiah the prophet of old cried out, in Jeremiah 15:16, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” 

b.  Jesus Himself said, in John 15:11,  “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

c.  We read in 1 John 1:4, “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full”

d.  In these verses it is clear that joy comes from hearing the word of the Lord.

7. IT WILL MOTIVATE US TO SERVICE.

a.  The Spirit of the Lord uses the word of the Lord to build a fire in our heart.  Jeremiah 20:9  But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

Being Now Justified By His Blood

Temple Baptist Church - 1-7-2018

Romans 5:9-11

Introduction:

A.  “Being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”  What a promise!  Just as if we had never sinned!  I know that some do not like to use this definition but it is a biblical one.

Jude 24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,  (The word is faultless, not forgiven.)

B.  The Acknowledgment of Justification – “being now justified”

1.  Justification is a Present Possession.  We are justified, not going to be justified.  “When He sees me, He sees the blood of the Lamb; He sees me as worthy and not as I am.”

2.  Justification is a Powerful Force.  The blood of Christ cleanses all sin!  There is no sinner that God cannot save because there is no sin that Christ did not die for.

C.  The Agent of Justification – “by his blood”

1.  It Cleanses us White.  “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

2.  It Cleanses us Wholly.  “Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.”

D.  The Availability of Justification – “we”

1.  An Abundant Opportunity.  “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  You come, He gives rest!

2.  An All-inclusive Offer.  “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

E.  The Accomplishment of Justification – “shall be saved”

1.  Justification Produces a Living Hope.  “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

2.  Justification Produces a Longing for Home.  “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.”

F.  The Author of Justification – “through him”

1.  His Blood Purchased It!  “the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

2.  His Bible Proclaims It!  “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

3.  His Blessings Prove It!  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”

Now, Let Us Look At The Impact Of The Blood:

1.  The Blood Of Christ Brought Redemption.  Ephesians 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Redeemed – To be bought back.  The freedom of a former slave purchased off the slave block.  The believer has been bought off the slave block of Satan.  Purchased and “made free” by the blood of Christ.  Loosed and set at liberty: free praise the Lord, free at last!

2.  The Blood Of Christ Brought Righteousness.  Romans 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

The believer is judiciously declared righteous solely upon the merit of the blood of Christ.  He is justified—just as if I had never sinned!  Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne!  (Jude 24)  “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.”  (2 Corinthians 5:21)  Made Him what He was not that we might be made what we are not!

3.  The Blood Of Christ Brought Remission.  Hebrews 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

The complete, eternal purging of all sin!  Once for ever is our purchase in Christ Jesus.  “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”  (Hebrews 1:3)  Our slate has been wiped clear, never to be remembered again.

4.  The Blood Of Christ Brought Reconciliation.  1 Corinthians 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Man’s relationship with God was severed by sin in the Garden of Eden.  The Lord made an immediate effort to reconcile Adam and Eve.  The Lord went to them when they would not come to Him.  They chose to hide while He chose to reconcile.  “ And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”  (Colossians 1:20)  By faith, regeneration , and adoption—man is back in fellowship with God.

5.  The Blood Of Christ Brought Reception.  Ephesians 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

The believer is not only forgiven, he or she belongs!  Welcomed into the greatest family on the face of the earth.  The Body of Christ.  “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”  ( Romans 5:2)

6.  The Blood Of Christ Brought Rejoicing.  Romans 5:10-11  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  (11)  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Oh what joy the cross of Christ brings to the believer!  Though nothing, we have been made nigh by the blood of Christ.  Our life is saved, our soul is saved, eternity is secured, and joy floods our souls!

7.  The Blood Of Christ Brought Responsibility.  Matthew 27:25 - Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.  (It is both foolish and fatal to reject the precious blood of Christ.  That blood that brings about eternal life also brings about eternal damnation.)

In the beginning God

Temple Baptist Church - 1-7-2018

Genesis 1:1

Introduction:

A.  As I was contemplating the New Year, Genesis 1:1 turned on like a light bulb. 

1.  I love the Book of Genesis because it answers the questions plaguing the scientists of our day.  All that they teach seems to gender more questions that give answers as their theories are constantly changing because true science does not bear them up. 

2.  Genesis is so rich because it is the Seedbed of the Bible, therefore, it is full of First Mentions.

B.  Last week, I preached on “This Is The Beginning.” 

1.  The Bible begins with the words “In the beginning.”  There are so many applications that can be made but, first, there needs to be interpretation.  This phrase describes what is called a “True Beginning,” or a beginning from which something was created from nothing. 

2.  Nothing cannot create anything so, if there was nothing and then there was the universe, then something miraculous had to have taken place.

3.  Stephen Hawking, one of the most followed physicists, tries to circumvent God by his theory of the beginning:

"Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing," he writes. "Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist.”  (That is one foolish statement!  Nothing cannot create something.  If I hold nothing in my hand forever, there will still be nothing in my hand!  It is of no wonder that God said that the fool hath said in his heart there is no God.  Interesting that he uses the word “create.”  To bring something into existence that would not naturally evolve.  Matter cannot be created nor destroyed.  Only God could begin the universe from nothing!)

1.  God.  1:1 In the beginning, there was God.  As we begin 2018, He will still be God!  As Dr. S. M. Lockridge so eloquently put it: “You can't get Him out of your mind.  You can't get Him off of your hands.  You can't outlive Him, and you can't live without Him.” I see the “fingerprint” of God in all nature.  He will be there.  This is my Father’s world.

Deuteronomy 33:27  The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

2.  Sovereignty.  1:1  In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.  He sought no advice because He needed no advice, neither was there anyone to advise Him.  As we begin 2018, it would do us well to remember that God is a sovereign God who will do as He wills.  Nothing can exist nor can anything act without His permission.

Romans 11:33-34  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!  (34)  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

3.  Power.  1:3 “And God said.”  In the beginning, we find the unlimited power of God.  Power belongs to God and, in 2018, there will be nothing impossible for Him to do.  What will you face?  What will you need?

Psalms 62:11  God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

Ephesians 3:20-21  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,  (21)  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

4.  Order.  1:4  “It was good.” In the beginning, God designed everything and said that it was very good.  There are no hybrids, n0 intermediate species, no cross pollination.  In the beginning, everything brought forth after its own kind.  God said that this was so and it continues until this day.  All of our variety of plants and trees live together but remain different.  Animals live together but remain different.  Birds live together but remain different.  Fish live together but remain different.  God is a God of order.  He will order our steps and our lives.  The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord.  All things were done well and with purpose.  2018 will be a year of God’s design as He will fulfill His purpose.

1 Corinthians 14:40  Let all things be done decently and in order.

5.  Perpetuality.  1:14  “Signs … seasons … days … years.”  In the beginning, what God set forth continues to this day.  As we begin this year with God, we will end it with Him.  By the grace of God, we will neither fail nor fall.  The sun will come up each morning in the east and go down that night in the west.  We will have winter, spring, summer and fall!  We do not have to move to another planet as some foolish men believe.  See how Climate Change and Global Warming are working out and how little that we now hear about it.  We can and will live here until God determines otherwise.

Genesis 8:22  While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

6.  Failure.  3:6  “And he did eat”  “  In the beginning, there was failure.  In 2018, there will be times when we fail God.  As much as we desire to be like Him, there will be failures and disappointments.  These are a part of life and, as long as we live in this old sinful flesh, sin will dwell with us.  Failure is a part of our humanity.  Never give up!  When you fall, JUST GET UP!

Romans 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

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

7.  Forgiveness.  3:21  “Coats of skins”  In the beginning, God made an atonement for the sin of Adam and, in 2018, we have the precious blood of Christ applied!  When, not if, we fail—there will be the forgiveness of God!

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Conclusion:  I look forward to a great year in 2018! 

Romans 8:31-32  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  (32)  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?