Sin Still Kills

Temple Baptist Church - 3-18-2018

Romans 6:23

Introduction:

A.  Romans 6:23 is one of the most quoted verses dealing with the penalty of sin.  It is directly tied to the First Mention of sin’s disobedience to God’s command and its ultimate penalty.

Genesis 2:17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.  (This verse is plain and simple.  Adam sinned, and Adam died.  A friend of mine preached a two-point sermon about Achan: Achan sinned and God killed Achan!!)

B.  It can also be coupled with Satan’s first lie concerning sin’s disobedience and penalty.

Genesis 3:4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:  (Satan, through the serpent, lied to Eve.  He only added “not” to God’s command to negate it.)

C.  Satan continues to this day telling the same lie. 

1.  People who live in gross sinfulness hasten their death despite the warning labels that the government applies to the product.  Sodomy and aids, alcohol and cirrhosis of the liver, drugs and death, tobacco and cancer, etc. are all well known penalties to mankind and, yet, these sins continue to be practiced. 

2.  Why?  Because sin’s penalty is always something that happens to others.  Satan continue to lie to mankind and mankind continues to ignore the evidence placed before them.

D.  In its context, this verse is speaking to the children of God.  Sin has its penalty.  Sin still kills!  The wage of sin was shown at Calvary when Jesus Christ, our Propitiation, became obedient unto death.  Death of the sinner was God’s righteous demand and was fulfilled in Christ.

1.  Many of God’s people have shortened their lives through willful disobedience to God’s Word.  Each of us live a sinful body that we battle every day.  The world entices us all through lust of the eye, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.

2.  Paul spoke of this battle with the flesh in Romans, chapter 7, which we will deal with later.

Romans 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

3.  What deceives the believer is that sin never looks so sinful in its beginning.  The end is never in sight and sin has definite pleasure.

Hebrews 11:25  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

4.  Sin will always destroy.  Sin will always leave a path of destruction in its wake.  God made it that way.  We sow to the flesh, we reap corruption.  Plain and simple!

a.  There are Physiological Consequences of Sin.  The loss of the peace of God.

Isaiah 48:22  There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.

b.  There are Legal Consequences of Sin.   The Penalty of Law.

Romans 13:4  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

c.  There are Social Consequences of Sin.  Breaks the fellowship of the saints.

1 John 1:6-7  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  (7)  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

d.  There are Physical Consequences of Sin.  Sickness and Death. 

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

Psalms 55:22-23  Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.  (23)  But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

James 1:14-16  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  (15)  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  (16)  Do not err, my beloved brethren.

1 Corinthians 11:30  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

e.  There are Disciplinary Consequences of Sin.  Church Discipline.

1 Corinthians 5:1-5  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.  (2)  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.  (3)  For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,  (4)  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,  (5)  To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 3:6  Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

Loving Your Church

Temple Baptist Church - 3-18-2018

Psalm 27:1-5

Introduction: 

A.  I want to preach for a few weeks on the importance of the local church in the lives of God’s children.  When our Lord ascended back to heaven, He left several things to the believers in His impending absence:

1.  The Holy Spirit.  John 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

2.  The Word of God.  1 Corinthians 13:10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

3.  The Local Church.  Acts 2:1  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

B.  These three are equally essential to the well being of the believer.  I may do a series on all three before I am finished because of the apparent ignorance of most professing believers of their value.

C.  David was both a man of war and a man of worship.  In these verses, we find his heart’s desire to assemble with the people of God in worship.  David loved the house of the Lord.  Your local church is important in your life as a believer!

Psalms 55:14  We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

Psalms 122:1  A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Hebrews 10:22-25  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.  (23)  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)  (24)  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  (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.

D.  Hebrews 10:25 is possibly the most quoted verse concerning church attendance and has been normally been preached as a negative. 

1.  Hebrews 10:25 says, “As the manner of some is.”  The word manner means a custom or habitual practice.  There are so many people who professed to be saved that have no desire to be faithful to the local church. 

2.  We have a good nucleus here at Temple.  I want to encourage the “as the manner of some is” this morning to get in.  I also want to encourage the faithful to stay in. Many of the unfaithful were once faithful. 

  

E.  There has been a great forsaking of the assembling in the past few decades with many in America unchurched. 

1.  Our nation if following the same path as England and Europe: the path of godlessness which always leads to ungodliness. 

2.  The faithful few that make up the nucleus of the local church have become fewer in number, especially Sunday and Wednesday night crowds.  Few want any time of “extra” services such as revival meetings or mission conferences.

F.  With many, it is a leaving your “first love” problem.  This morning, I want to encourage you to love your church! Make it a major part of your life.  What a privilege it is to come to church!  What a blessing to be able to come to church!  What a benefit to be able to come to church!

What makes the local church so special:

1.  It Is The Place That God Loves - Ephesians 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.  (Jesus Christ died for the Church!  He gave His life for that which He loves.  Truly, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  When you get saved, you should love what God loves!)

2.  It Is The Place Of Worship - Psalms 5:7   But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.  (You can and should worship anywhere but the church house is a special place.  It was a place built to worship in.  You can come here and sing as loud as you please; you can say “Amen” or shout “Glory to God;” you can give your tithe and offerings scripturally in God’s house.  What a blessing!)

3.  It Is The Place Of Preaching And Teach God’s Word - 1 Timothy 3:15  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.  (You probably know it by now, but I love this blessed old King James Bible that I hold in my hand.  We can read it at home; We can study it at home; but here in the house of the Lord, men of God preach like they know what they are preaching about!  I rejoice with the Apostle Paul when the Bible is heralded and the preacher lifts up his voice like a trumpet!)

4.  It Is The Place Where God’s People Gather - Psalms 55:14  We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

(The greatest people on earth are there!  When I got saved I fell in love with a lot of things that please God but one of the greatest of all was the people of God.  No, they are not perfect, but they are my brothers and sisters in Christ!  We are all in the Body of Christ which is the Family of God and we love you!)

5.  It Is The Place Where Sinners Are Both Sought And Loved - Luke 14:23  And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Matthew 9:10  And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.  (I love to see sinners come to the church house and be privileged to sit under the power of the Word of God and have an opportunity to hear the gospel and give their hearts and lives to Christ.  The to watch the Lord gloriously change their lives for His glory.)

6.  It Is The Place Where I Pay My Tithes And Give My Offerings - Malachi 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  (So many professing believers never get this!  The tithe belong to the Lord and giving begins only above the tithe.  What a blessing; what a thrill to be able to give to the work of the Lord.  I saw this sermon title on the sign in front of Mount Zion Baptist Church one Sunday morning:  “There’s going to be a hold up Sunday morning.”)

7.  It Is God’s Instrument For World Evangelism - 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:  So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.  For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God–ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.  (I love to give an offering to missions!  We can help support precious families as they cover the globe preaching the same gospel that we preach.  Missionaries are the greatest people in the world!  There is no greater calling than that.  Carrying the Word of God to a world that needs Jesus Christ and we can help go by giving!  We can go on organized visitation where we can personally witness to the Lost and occasionally see one get saved!)

8.  It Was There That I Heard The True Gospel Preached And Was Gloriously and Eternally Saved – Luke 18:10, 13-14  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican …  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.  (If it weren’t for the local church, this pastor would still be lost in my sin.  I got saved on a Sunday night in an independent Baptist Church.  Thank God for Bob Lamb!  God laid it upon his heart to come to Madisonville, Ky and start a church under an old gospel tent!  Barbara and I were saved because of it!  Ask me why I love the local church!!)

9.  It Is A Place Of Comfort And Spiritual Joy - Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.  (The church is a refuge; a stronghold; a place of peace and tranquility; a place where we come and enjoy the things of God.  It is a place of comfort to the troubled and a source of joy to those who are hurting.  It is in the church that you will find encouragement and help.  It is in the church that you will find that you never walk alone.)

10.  It Is An Encouragement Filling Station - 2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (We can get filled up at church.  We can go to put something into the service and also to get something out of it.  If you do not get a blessing, then it was because you were not blessable!  I know blessable is not a word but I can make one up if I wanna!  If you want a blessing, you will get one.  If you do not want a blessing, don’t blame it on anyone or anything but yourself.  You get out of a church service what you put into it.)

Conclusion:  The Local Church Is Just A Little Bit Of Heaven On Earth - Psalms 84:1-12  How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!  My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.  Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.  Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.  Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.  Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.  They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.  O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.  Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.  For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.  O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.  (If you don’t like church, don’t go to heaven!  A lot of people have imagined a heaven that is not the heaven of this Bible.  There will be praising and singing; there will be worship like we have never experienced; it is a prepared place for a prepared people!  You won’t like it there because church is a little bit of heaven on earth!)

And Many Shall Follow Their Pernicious Ways

Temple Baptist Church - 3-14-2018

2 Peter 2:1-9

Introduction:

A.  Though all of this has been prophesized for thousands of years, it still amazes this preacher that America has gone so spiritually “south.”  In my lifetime, I have witnessed the decline in every major denomination.

1.  Older people, who have seen this change come, have evidently gotten used to the dark because they refuse to “come out from among them.”  Just because Granny is buried in the church cemeteries, they remain faithful to these liberal churches and will be buried there too.

2.  Younger people, who have never known the old paths of their fathers, now run after these false prophets who are leading contrary to the Word of God.

B.  We know what time it is and, yet, lose so many to follow their pernicious (wicked) ways.  They speak evil of those who hold to the truth of God’s Word and the multitudes are in agreemet with them.

2 Timothy 3:13-17; 4:1-4  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  (14)  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;  (15)  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  (16)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works … (4:1)  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  (2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (3)  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;  (4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,  (2)  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.  (3)  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;  (4)  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.  (5)  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

1.  Lucifer beguiled the angels in heaven to rebel against God.

2.  The satanic serpent beguiled Eve in the beginning.

3.  False Prophets in the Old Testament led the people astray.

4.  Pharisees of the times of Christ found fault and led to the crucifixion of Christ.

5.  Judaizing teachers followed the Apostle Paul and led the people away from his teachings.

5.  False teachers in churches and seminaries have challenged the Word of God in our day and turned the multitudes from the Bible by undercutting its purity and authority.

C.  Why do so many reject the Truth?  You would think that everyone would follow truth, but this is not the case.  They follow those who speak evil of truth instead.  Why does the world choose to reject the truth of God’s Word. And follow these false teachers?

1.  They do not want an authoritative Bible.  If the Bible is God’s Word, and it is, then they would have to submit to that authority.  The world rejects the Bible without ever reading it.  They have no personal knowledge of truth and follow those who pervert the truth.

2.  They do not want a salvation that changes the heart and desires.  The world loves their sin and is not willing to give it up for a holy life.  The world rejects righteousness and chooses to follow those who promote unrighteousness.

3.  The god of this world has done a good job of blinding their minds to the gospel.  The gospel gives salvation to all who come to Christ by faith.  The world rejects the concept that few are going to heaven and the many are on the broad way to hell.  The gospel is exclusive!

4.  The false religions appeal to the flesh.  The world loves worldliness and false teachers who make their message appealing to the sinful.  Sinners are sinners by birth and sinners by choice.  The world wants a religion that requires nothing and judges nothing.  The Word of God condemns sin and judges it.

5.  The minds of the multitudes has been programed to think according to the philosophy of the world.  This world has gone mad.  Our children are being raised up in an ungodly world where common sense and right is labeled as the enemy of society.  Their thinking is perverted and that is the reason that our minds must be renewed through God’s Word.

D.  Why do so many professing Christians reject the truth?  People who have known truth, people who were raised in truth, follow those who attack and speak evil of the truth.  They leave good churches for ones that do not preach on sin, practical sanctification, and service.

1.  Because they reject God’s command of distinction!  We that are saved are not of this world!  We are new creatures, we are different, and we are the enemy.

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  (Transformation to Christ comes through the renewing of our minds and the renewing of our mind comes through the Word of God.  We are to love God, not the world.  People follow their pernicious ways because of their affinity with the world.)

2.  Because of their love for sinfulness!  God’s people love God!  But, as sinfulness comes, that first love begins to cool.

Matthew 24:11-12  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.  (12)  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  (The preaching of our day is mostly exhortational and positive were as Biblical preaching is mostly reproving and rebuking.)

2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  (Notice the Biblical order of preaching.  This does not mean that the pastor is hateful or always negative.  The key to reproving and rebuking is longsuffering and doctrine.  Longsuffering shows compassion while doctrine does the rest.  People do not want a church whose doctrine is right.)

3.  Because the world has changed their thinking!  We that are saved are being constantly bombarded with the philosophy of the world. 

1 Corinthians 2:14-16  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  (15)  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.  (16)  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Philippians 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  (We have the mind of Christ but have to allow that spiritual mind to operate within the realm of our thinking.)

2 Corinthians 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  (I do not like to take a text our of its context but do want to make a spiritual application from this verse.  Satan is busily seeking whom he may devour.  He uses philosophy to get his work done.)

4.  Because of spiritual loneliness!  If you live for Christ in these last days, you will have to travel the road less traveled.  “Though none go with me, still I will follow” is easily sung but takes spiritual resolve to accomplish.  The sword of division brought by Christ is a reality.

2 Peter 2:2  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Let Us Not Be Weary In Well Doing - Part 2

Temple Baptist Church - 3-4-2018

Galatians 6:1-10

Introduction:

A.  Last week, we looked at the first of the three types of believers mentioned, the carnal man overtaken in a fault.  He sowed to the flesh and is reaping corruption.  His spiritual condition is so dire that he cannot easily help himself and must be restored by another.

B.  This morning, I want to look at the spiritual man who sows to the Spirit and reaps eternal things.  He is the one who needs to be able to restore the overtaken. 

1.  We lose so many people by allowing them to “fall between the cracks.”  They get out of the will of God and have a hard time finding their way back spiritually.  We have a responsibility to each other in burden bearing.

2.  I am not excusing the overtaken but rather explaining.  God gives to every believer the Spirit of God, the Word of God, and the local church but some still like the integrity or spiritual character to confess, forsake, and get things right with God.  They are the ones who have been taken captive by Satan at his will.

2 Timothy 2:24-26  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  (25)  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  (26)  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

C.  As we get into the message, it is pertinent that I take a short look at the dangers of restoration.  There are a couple of things listed that the spiritual man who tries to restore the overtaken must realize.

1.  He is to restore in “the spirit of meekness.”  Realizing that we are but flesh also.  But for the grace of God go I!  I have often said that I have never met a spiritual man who considered himself spiritual.  At the same time, we can know that we are living a victorious Christian life and desire the same for the fallen.

1 Corinthians 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

2.  He is to restore in consideration, ‘lest thou also be tempted.”  Men are overtaken in different sins and, therefore, the restore must refrain from areas where he has the same weakness.  The one who is restoring also must maintain a proper spiritual distance from the appearance of evil.  He cannot go where the sin is taking place lest he also be tempted by the same wicked flesh.

1 Thessalonians 5:22  Abstain from all appearance of evil.

D.  Sowing right is imperative to standing right!  Not to sow right is to end up in one of the other two spiritual conditions found in our text: overtaken in a fault or weary in well doing. 

E.  Sowing to the Spirit or the Satisfaction of Sowing.

1.  The Direction Of Sowing – 8  “To the Spirit”  Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  (The inward fruit of the Spirit is a result to sowing to the Spirit.  Hearing him speak in a “small still voice” that only the child of God can recognize.

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

2.  The Desire Of Sowing – 8  “Shall of the Spirit reap”  Matthew 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.  (Sowing to the Spirit is a desire live for Christ and not the world.  Being heavenly minded and of much earthly good.)

John 6:27  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

3.  The Dividends Of Sowing - 8        “Life everlasting”  Galatians 6:8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  (Sowing to the Spirit is trading the temporal for the eternal, the corruptible for the incorruptible.)

2 Corinthians 4:17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Matthew 6:19-20  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  (20)  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

4.  The Discipline Of Sowing - 9         “Let us not be weary ... faint not”  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.  (Sowing to the Spirit takes spiritual discipline which brings about spiritual integrity which brings about spiritual character.  Living for Christ is a hard road and one less often traveled.)

5.  The Dereliction Of Sowing - 9      “Weary in well doing”  James 5:7  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.  (Sowing to the Spirit is often hard and lonesome.  Many get tired along the way.)

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.

6.  The Duty Of Sowing – 10  “Good unto all men ... especially ... household of faith”

1 John 3:13-19  Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.