With Patience Wait

Temple Baptist Church - 6-10-2018

Romans 8:18-25

Introduction:

A.  This morning, we took a short look at waiting and some of the lessons it teaches us.  Tonight, waiting in patience.  There are times when we wait because we have no choice, but we do not wait in patience.  Two words that we do not like:  Wait and Patience!

B.  I have a two-fold problem with the words “patience wait.”

1.  I am over punctual.  If I am on time, I am a few minutes late.  I have been that way from my childhood and it is hard to change.  It is my make up and, at age 70, I do not expect that to change.  Therefore, this morning’s message was meant for me.

2.  I tend to be impatient.  My prayer is, “Lord, please give me patience RIGHT NOW!” 

C.  One of the hardest things that you and I will ever do, is wait “open ended.”  To wait for something to happen but not knowing if it will happen tomorrow, next week, or next year.  It is so much easier to wait for something when you know the time of the event you are waiting for. 

D.  I remember well, when in the military, that I became a “short timer.”  We called it “getting short.”  Married two weeks when I got my draft notice and in the military two weeks later.  Married on June 13th, 1969 and sworn in July 15th, 1969.  At the end of my tour of duty, I had a “short timer calendar” and marked off the days until ETS.  I could see the end in sight.  On July 9th, 1969—I came home for good.  As I look back over the past 47 years that I have been home, it seems like a night when it is past.  Life is so short.

E.  In chapter 8, Paul addresses the expectation of the manifestation of the sons of God.  By either death or the Second Coming of our Lord, we are quickly approaching eternity and our experiencing the “glory which shall be revealed in us.”

F.  Paul said that those who have this hope should patiently wait for it.  The Old Testament saints, with a few exceptions, over a period of 4,000 years—gave up on the promises of God and slept spiritually before the First Advent. 

G.  God’s men have preached over 2,000 years concerning the Second Advent or Second Coming of Christ.  

1.  In John 14, Our Lord said, “If I go away, I will come again.” 

2.  In Acts 1:11, the angel said, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” 

H.  2 Thessalonians 3:5  And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

I.  This morning, I said, “God is not in a hurry, we are.  If God can accomplish anything immediately and He can, then why does He often make us wait for the answers to our problems?  Often, His silences are hard to understand because His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are higher than ours.”

J.  The work “patient,” in one form or another, is found 15x in 14 verses.  All but three are found in the New Testament.  Not that the Old Testament saints had no problem with patience, but the New Testament saints live in busier times with more things to distract.

K.  Just a few areas that we need to patiently wait in.

1.  Rest In Patience - Psalms 37:7  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.  (I began with this one because I dealt with learning to rest in the Lord as we wait this morning.)

2.  Pray In Patience - Psalms 40:1  I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  (God has a time and we have a time.  Thus the human problem arises when we expect immediate answers to every prayer.  As the widow before the unjust judge, we need to continue to pray until the answer comes.)

3.  Continue In Patience - Romans 2:7  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:  (Patient in godliness is one of our greatest witnessing tools.  People watch to see how long we will last.)

Hebrews 6:15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

4.  Suffer In Patience - Romans 12:12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;  (One of the harder aspects of patience is patient in suffering.)

1 Peter 2:20  For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

5.  Fellowship In Patience - 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.  (Love the brotherhood, though they may say and do things that offend. (Be ye kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.  Christ set the example to follow.)

6.  Labor In Patience - 1 Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.  (We plow, sow, water, watch, and wait for the fruit of our labors.)

7.  Witness In Patience - James 5:7-8  Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.  (8)  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.  (Never give up on a lost loved one!)

8.  Hope In Patience - Hebrews 6:15  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.  (“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.”  John 14:3) 

Wait

Temple Baptist Church - 6-10-2018

Romans 8:25; Isaiah 40:31

Introduction:  This morning and tonight, as we continue to preach through the Book of Romans, I want to look at waiting.  The Bible says that we are to patiently wait.

A.  I have often said that patience is not one of my “strong traits!”  More often than not, when problems come, they do not instantly or quickly disappear.  Valleys can be long and hard while God’s silences are the order of the day.

B.  Let me say first that, because valleys are long and God seemingly silent, it is not necessarily a sign that we are either out of the will of God or that God does not care.

1.  In John 11, our Lord allowed Lazarus to suffer and die before He showed up to raise him from the dead.  The Lord used the suffering of Lazarus to manifest His glory and many came to Christ because of it.  His suffering was not in vain.

2.  In the Book of Job, our Lord allowed Job to suffer for a while (we are not sure of the time frame).  He lost all plus his health while suffering at the hands of his “friends.”  God blessed him double in the end and left us this precious book of the Bible to encourage us.

3.  In the Book of Genesis, our Lord allowed Abraham to wait upon Him for the promise of Isaac for 25 years.  God made Abraham a promise but was silent until all hope was gone before giving him a son.  They were long, troublesome years for Abraham but left us a promise of hope that God will do what He says He will do.

4.  Also in the Book of Genesis, our Lord allowed Joseph, having done nothing wrong, to spend years in slavery and prison with no answer as to either how long or why.  He suffered for app. 13 years.  The Lord then raised Joseph to a position second only to Pharaoh in order to deliver the nation of Israel.  What a blessing it is to us today!

5.  Moses chose to be afflicted with the children of Israel instead of becoming the next Pharaoh and having the wealth of the world at his command.  He fled Egypt and was rewarded with 40 years on the backside of the desert for his choice before the Lord appeared to him in the burning bush.  There is not greater man in recorded history than this man, Moses, who spoke face to face with God.

6.  The Lord allowed David, the anointed king of Israel, to spend 17 years running and hiding from Saul before elevating him to the promised kingship.  David gave up on God as he went down to Gath and offered to fight against the very people whom he would later rule.  David was later enthroned and it will be the Throne of David upon which our Lord sits during the Millennial Reign. 

C.  The list could go on but I believe that we all get the picture.  Waiting, in these instances, was vital for both the glory of God and the intended good of those who waited.  Waiting is neither a sign of sin on our behalf or a lack of compassion of the part of the Lord.  Waiting is one of the hardest things that the Lord will ever require us to do.

D.  I read this, “If the request is wrong, God says “no;” if the timing is wrong, God says “slow;” if you are wrong, God says “grow;” if the request is right—the timing is right—and you are right—God says “GO!”  Waiting on the Lord is both one of the hardest things that we will be asked to do but, in the end, can be one of the most beneficial things that we can do. 

Isaiah 43:1-5  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.  (2)  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  (3)  For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.  (4)  Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.  (5)  Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

E.  God is not in a hurry, we are.  If God can accomplish anything immediately and He can, then why does He more often than not make us wait for the answers to our problems?  Often, His silences are hard to understand because His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are higher than ours.

F.  I am not going to preach on  all that I know about waiting but I want to  deal with just one aspect in question form:  what does waiting accomplish in the life of the Christian?

1.  Waiting on the Lord teaches us submission to His will - Mark 14:36  And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.  (The Father did not even answer our Lord’s request for immediate removal of His problem.  Our Lord bowed to the will of the Father.)

2.  Waiting on the Lord is a cleansing agent for the child of God - Psalms 26:2  Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.  (Problems bring about self-examination and self-examination brings about confession and forsaking.)

3.  Waiting on the Lord produces a sincere prayer life - Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  (Often, our prayer life becomes a formality because life is good and we have need of nothing.  Problems “drive us to our knees” as we seek God’s deliverance.)

4.  Waiting on the Lord teaches us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts - Proverbs 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (When we do not understand and our problems seem to get the best of us, we need to remember that God is still in control.  Paul said, “For I have learned!”  God’s providence becomes a reality in our lives.)

5.  Waiting on the Lord teaches us to rest in Him - Psalms 37:7  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.  (The Lord loves us and cares for us.  He will always do right in our lives.  Yes, sometimes sin must run its course but God still controls everything in this universe and can be trusted.)

6.  Waiting on the Lord renews our strength spiritually - Isaiah 40:31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  (As bodily exercise profiteth little (and it does prosper), spiritual exercise also makes us to mature in the things of the Lord.  As our world is fat and lazy, so do we become if we have all that we want and never have problems.  We shall “mount up as eagles!”)

7.  Waiting on the Lord causes us to hope in Him - 1 John 3:2-3  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (3)  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.  (The older we get; the more problems that we endure; the more we long for home!) 

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.

Stirring Up Our Pure Minds

Temple Baptist Church - 6-6-2018

2 Peter 3:1-7

Introduction:

A.  Stirring up our minds is an important part of the work of the pastor.  Reinforcement is one of teaching’s greatest tools.  Repetition, repeatedly using the same facts or verses keeps the mind stirred.

2 Peter 1:12-15  Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.  (13)  Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;  (14)  Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.  (15)  Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

B.  Like most preachers, I am always looking for “nuggets” in the Bible so that I can peach something different or from a different perspective.  This is good, but it is also important to preach and reproach on the same subjects. 

C.  Often, people write in the margins of their Bibles who preached and when a portion of Scripture was preached.  This is both necessary and biblical. 

1.  First, we tend to forget over time.  

2.  Secondly, in the past 10 years, we have had children who have grown up and need to hear what you heard. 

3.  Thirdly, there are new people who join our fellowship who have never heard.

D.  We stir our cooking food often to keep the right consistency and flavor. 

1.  The Problem.  The possibility and probability of our minds tend to sleep spiritually as we live from day to day.    

a.  We are to remember and be mindful.  Romans 13:11  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

b.  Have you noticed when someone begins to quote a verse that we have not read of thought of in a long time, we are able to finish it?  Though we know these verses, we do not think upon them because of our busyness. 

2.  The Prophecy.  The Bible, correct as usual, prophesized the rising denial of creation.  To deny creation is to deny God. 

a.  The God Is Dead Theory.  Verse 4.

1)  In this verse, we find the prophecy of the “God is Dead Theory.”  That God created the heavens and the earth and, in the process of time died.  I am sure that you older folks remember those days. 

2)  Modern “scientists” reject the “God Is Dead Theory, because it implies that there was a God in the beginning.  They want that thought thoroughly erased because they do not want there to be a God.  Thus:

b.  The Evolution Theory.  Verse 5. 

1)  Over the past 100 years, the Evolution Theory has become the “Evolution Fact” to be taught in public schools.  “Science falsely so-called” has taken the place of true science.  To do away with God, some plausible beginning must be concocted.  

2)  To view the universe in all its perfect design, to view this earth in all its distinction and perfection, and to reject God requires (verse 5) willful ignorance!  No randomness caused by the destructive force of an explosion of something that had to previously exist which denies a “true beginning” that all believe in.

3.  Their Person.  Scoffers! 

a.  By both biblical definition and Merriam-Webster, to deride or to ridicule, to jeer or mock, to make fun of.  They reject the judgement of sin (Genesis 6) because they do not want the judgement of eternal fire (Revelation 20:15-20) that is to come. 

b.  Our society puts people on medication or in mental institutions that talk to someone who does not exist.  When Vice President Pence said that God spoke to him, he was ridiculed but Christians understood what he said.  God speaks to the heart of His children and they know His voice. 

John 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

1 Kings 19:12-13  And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.  (13)  And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

4.  Their Perversion.  “Walking after their own lusts.”  When men scoff at the very thought of God, perversion becomes the norm.  Just look at our society over the past 60 years as God has been banished from the homes, schools, and nation.  Perversion is taught as normal and to be accepted while true Christianity has become abnormal and to be rejected.

Conclusion:  Saved people have “pure minds” and understand how the beginning transpired but must be careful to not fall into the trap of public opinion and scoffers.

The Glory of the Glory to Come

Temple Baptist Church - 6-3-2018

Romans 8:18-21

Introduction:

A.  Last week, we took a short look at the suffering of this present time.  Life is hard; life is unfair; life can both physically and spiritually crush you if you allow it to do so.  There are times when I am disappointed, hurt, angry, confused, and just plain tired of life.  In these verses, Paul gets the spiritual eyes of the Roman believers on the future instead of this present, evil world.

B.  One of my favorite songs says, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus; life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ.  One look at His dear face, all sorrows will erase; so bravely run the race, ‘til we see Christ.”

1.  Verse 18, we see the comparison.  “Not worthy to be compared.”

2.  Verse 19, we see the expectation.  “The manifestation of the sons of God.”

3.  Verses 20-21, we see the deliverance from corruption.  “From the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” 

C.  The song writer got a spiritual glimpse of the glory to come: “Oh, that will be glory for me, glory for me.  When by His grace I shall look on His face, that will be glory, be glory for me!”

D. The glory which shall be revealed.  It will be revealed “in” us as well as to us.  Let me clarify the use of the preposition “in.”  Many years ago, when we went to the Grand Canyon, I looked at it through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy.  Being raised in Kentucky, I had seen strip pits all my life.  We swam in these abandoned surface coal mines.  My thought was that the Grand Canyon was the biggest gully that I had ever see.  My day said that if he had been there when that thing started and had a couple of bales of hay, he could have stopped it.  Most see it in wonder and awe.  Everyone sees the same thing with their eyes but their perspective is different.  When we get to heaven, we will all see the same thing, but our inward perspective will be the same.

1.  The Glory of Seeing Christ!  For the first time, we will see Christ—not as we imagine Him to be—but as He is.

John 14:3  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.

John 17:24  Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

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

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

2.  The Glory of Experiencing A New Body!

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.

1 Corinthians 15:51-54  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  (52)  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  (53)  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  (54)  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

Philippians 3:20-21  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:  (21)  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

3.  The Glory of Our Eternal Home!  Heaven and earth will exceed all our expectations! 

1 Corinthians 2:9  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.

Revelation 21:1-2  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  (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.

John 14:1-2  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  (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.

4.  The Glory of Former Things Passed Away!  One of the greatest things about heaven is what will not be there!

2 Peter 3:13  Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Revelation 21:4-5  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  (5)  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Revelation 21:27  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Revelation 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Romans 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Will Someone Please Hold Up My Hands?

Temple Baptist Church - 6-3-2017

Exodus 17:9-16

Introduction:

A.  The Amalekites were the perpetual enemies of Israel.  They ALWAYS fought them.  The Amalekites are a type of both the devil and our flesh in this regard. 

B.  This passage is an excellent example of the church/pastor relationship.

1.  Just as Israel needed Moses, the church needs a pastor.  But just as Moses needed Aaron and Hur, the pastor needs people to hold up his hands.  This includes both men and women. 

2.  Too often, people who love their pastor still get the mindset that the ministry and local church are his responsibility alone.  When a church gets “too large” for the pastor to handle or the pastor gets old enough to have to slow down, it becomes time to get an “assistant to the pastor” to carry out the responsibility.

C.  This is a message of how much we need one another at Temple Baptist Church.  The pastor needs the people as much, if not more, than they need him.  Our is a reciprocal relationship.  I want to look at the story for a minute and then draw some biblical conclusions that will help our church.

D.  Spiritual war is a thing of perpetuality.  Exodus 17:16 “war with Amalek from generation to generation.”  War is not a new thing!  We are not alone in it as God’s people have always had to fight for what is right. 

1.  Spiritual war is perpetual because churches are full of people and people have problems.  My pastor used to say, “If people did not have problems, they would not need a pastor.  If they did not need a pastor, you would have to get a legitimate job!”  I always wondered if pastoring was therefore a de-legitimate job?  😊

2.  Spiritual war is perpetual because the local church has enemies who would destroy the unity, purity, and work of the church.  At times, our church is infiltrated with people who are not in doctrinal agreement or bring division.

3.  Spiritual war is perpetual because Satan hates the local church and will go to any length to destroy it or its pastor.  Cut off the head and the church may die.

E.  We find several things in our passage that directly affect the local church and God’s men.

1.  There is Outward War.  Exodus 17:8  “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim” 

a.  Against The Flesh -  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.  (You can hold up my hands in prayer that I will neither fall nor fail in this life.  Pastors are just men and men are human.)

b.  Against The Devil - Ephesians 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  (Satan is a formidable foe and God’s men do not need to stand alone in the battle for doctrinal purity, spiritual purity, and unity in the church.  As I stand for right, you need to openly stand with men.)

2.  There is Inward War.  Exodus 17:11-12 “And when he let down his hand … but Moses’ hands were heavy”  The Attrition Rate Is Great. 

a.  God’s People Get Tired And Quit - 2 Timothy 4:10  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.  (Many of God’s people have become disappointed or just plain beaten down by circumstances.  Life is hard; life is unfair; sorrow and suffering are a way of life.)

b.  God’s Men Get Tired And Quit - Jeremiah 20:7-9  O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. 8  For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. 9  Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, (We older pastors get tired, both physically and emotionally.  Perpetual war is never ending, it never lets up. A pastor must “keep his ear to the ground” always.  He cannot rest from war as eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.)

3.  The Warning.  Exodus 17:11  “and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.”

a.  The People Could Not Prevail Without God’s Man - Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  (Without God’s man, the church people will begin to faint and scatter.  This is the way that God intended the church to be.  Churches without pastors tend to decline rapidly.)

b.  The Preacher Could Not Persevere Without God’s People - Romans 16:1-6  I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2  That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3  Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4  Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5  Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6  Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.  (As the people of the church need God’s men, God’s men need the people of the church.  None of us can stand alone.)

4.  The Winning.   Exodus 17:12-13  “And they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.  (13)  And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”  Together they overcame Amalek!

a.  Israel Needed Moses During The Battle.  If Moses’ hands were raised, Israel prevailed.  Church members need God’s men!

b.  Moses Needed Israel During The Battle.  When Moses’ hands began to fail, Aaron and Hur seated him to rest and held up his hands.  God’s men need the local church people.

c.  You need the pastor and the pastor needs you!  The work is not mine; the work is not yours; the work of the local church is OURS!

5.  The Witness.  Exodus 17:14-15  And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.  (15)  And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: 

a.  God’s People need to Remember – “memorial”

b.  God’s People need to Rehearse It – “rehearse it”  Rehearse – to practice.

Conclusion:

Ecclesiastes 4:7 –12   Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. 8  There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. 9  Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. 11  Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 12  And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

1.  We Need To Hold Each Other Up In Prayer – You pray for me as I pray for you!

2.  We Need To Hold Each Other Up In Encouragement – Do not always have to be encouraged, but be an encouragement!

           

3.  We Need To Hold Each Other Up In Faithfulness – You be as faithful to me as I am to you!

           

4.  We Need To Hold Each Other Up In Service – Help with both the physical and spiritual work of the ministry!

           

5.  We Need To Hold Each Other Up In Battle – Be there for me when trouble comes.  I will be there for you!