Sermom by Ron Edmondson from Immanuel Baptist Church, Lexington KY
Month: July 2012
Why I Believe In Election
At the desiringgod.org blog David Mathis writes, “The doctrine of election is a sharp scalpel. It can be wielded with care and skill, and taken up to give life and heal. Or, in the hands of an untrained fanatic or detractor, it can be used to harm, to sever vital arteries and mutilate hurting people by spinning out untrue implications. In this five-minute clip, Dr. John Piper encourages us to follow the apostle Paul’s powerful example in 2 Timothy 2:10 and wield the dear doctrine of election with gospel care.”
“I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” – 2 Timothy 2:10
He Cannot Deny Himself
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. 14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
Why This Message Is For You
The reason Paul’s words to a young, male, constitutionally timid pastor named Timothy are relevant for you — though you may not be young, or male, or timid, or a pastor — is that the foundations (the arguments and the reasons) that Paul gives Timothy for why he should embrace his suffering in the service of the gospel instead of running from it, and why he should press on confidently and courageously in his work, are the same foundations (the same arguments and the same reasons) that you should embrace your suffering in the path of obedience and not run from it, why you should press on confidently and courageously in your work.
So if you are not young, and not a male, and not timid, and not a pastor, don’t think this text or this message is not for you. It is. I say it with no fear of contradiction: what Paul says here, every one of you needs. So pray that God will make it powerful in your life.
We’re in a nine part summer series on Paul’s last letter before he dies, 2 Timothy. We’ve given the series the title: “To Him Be Glory Forever and Ever”: Unashamed of Christ and Ready to Suffer. The reason for the title will become increasingly obvious. Tom Steller will preach next Sunday, and then I will finish the last four messages in the series in August — which I am very eager to do. I love and need the message of this book. I hope that’s obvious today.
The Overarching Burden of Chapter 2
Our focus today is on verses 8–19 of chapter 2. Here’s what I think Paul is doing in these verses. He is giving five reasons (foundation stones, arguments) for why Timothy should embrace suffering for the gospel instead of running away from it, and why he should press on in his embattled work with confidence and courage.
Remember that back in verse 1 Paul had said to him, “Be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” And then he told him to press on in his work of entrusting others with the gospel (verse 2). And then he said in verse 3, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” So that’s the overarching burden of this chapter (indeed this book) — that Timothy be strong in the grace of God in Christ, that he be courageous and confident, and that he press on in the work God has called him to do, and that when that path of obedience brings suffering he embrace it and not run away.
Five Foundations for Your Life
And now in verses 8-19 Paul gives five foundations for this kind of confidence and courage in ministry — and in your life! So the way I think you should listen to this message is by asking: are there foundation stones of truth that I should build into the bottom of my life to help me stand in the face of suffering? And to keep me going in what God has called me to do, even if it is embattled? And you will see in the last part of this text how painfully embattled Timothy’s ministry was.
Foundation Stone #1
Verse 8: “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel.”
Timothy, never let Jesus Christ be far from your mind. And he mentions two specific ways to remember Jesus. Remember him as risen from the dead. And remember him as the offspring of David. Why these two things about Jesus?
Because if he is risen from the dead he is alive and triumphant over death. “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:11). Which means, Timothy, that no matter how serious the suffering becomes, the worst that it can do on this earth is kill you. And Jesus has taken the sting out of that enemy. He is alive. And you will be alive. “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28).
The resurrection of Jesus was not a random resurrection. It was the resurrection of the son of David. “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David.” Why does Paul say that? Because every Jewish person knew what that meant. That meant that Jesus is the Messiah (John 7:42). And that meant that this resurrection was not a random resurrection, but the resurrection of an everlasting king. Listen to the words of the angel to Mary, Jesus’s mother:
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:31–33)
So, Timothy, remember Jesus, the one you serve, and the one for whom you suffer. He is alive and he will reign forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. No matter what they do to you, you do not need to be afraid.
So foundation stone #1 is that Jesus Christ, the son of David, is risen from the dead and reigns over the world forever. If Christ has conquered the last enemy, what can man do to you?
Foundation Stone #2
Verse 9: Paul says that this is the gospel “for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!”
Paul pulls no punches here. He doesn’t whitewash what Timothy may have to endure. He says, Look, we both serve the same gospel. And here is what it has cost me. Three things. I am suffering. In other words, it hurts. Second, I am in chains. Not just in a cell, but in chains. Third, I am accused of being a criminal — a evildoer. In other words, my suffering is not viewed as honorable or noble. I am accused publicly of being evil. That, Timothy, is what you may have to endure.
And then he gives the foundation for Timothy’s courage and confidence (at the end of verse 9): “The word of God is not bound!” I am bound. But the word of God is not bound. Timothy, if you ever have to sit in prison; if you ever feel beaten down and alone, and wonder if the cause you lived for was being defeated, remember, the word of God is not bound. The enemies of the gospel can imprison the preachers of the gospel. But they cannot imprison the gospel.
In fact, even the imprisonment of the preachers serves the advance of the gospel. “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. . . . Most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (Philippians 1:12–14).
Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. He is alive. And he is king. And he cannot be stopped. He promised, “This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world” (Matthew 24:14).
So foundation stone #2 is that chains or no chains the word of God is not bound. And it cannot be defeated but only advanced by the suffering of his servants.
Foundation Stone #3
Verse 10: “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
You might think Paul is simply building on the previous foundation stone here, but look carefully at the words he uses, and ask why? He could have said, “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the church.” Or, “I endure everything for the lost.” But he chose the word “elect”. Why? “I endure everything for the sake of the elect.” Because the tone of this text is one of triumph and confidence and certainty. That is how he is trying to help Timothy. The word elect means: God has a people. He has chosen them before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Timothy, in this ministry we cannot fail. God will call his elect.
We must be so careful when handling weighty doctrines like election. And Paul shows us how right here. He guards from two mistakes. One is the mistake of saying, “Well, if there are people chosen before the foundation of the world, then we don’t need to risk our lives to save them.” Paul says just the opposite: “I endure everything for the sake of the elect that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus.” The certainty that there are elect does not make me stop preaching or stop suffering, it makes me confident that my preaching and my suffering will not be in vain. The elect will obtain salvation (see Acts 13:48; 18:10).
And the other mistake he guards us against is saying: “Well if Paul must preach and suffer to persuade lost people to believe in Jesus and be saved, then there can be no eternal election. All there is is people’s own choice.” But Paul says the opposite: “I endure everything for the sake of the elect that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus.” My commitment to suffer for the gospel does not mean no one has been chosen to believe it. It means I am God’s instrument to save those who are.
And then he adds one more phrase to encourage Timothy to press on in his work: “. . . that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” Remember, Timothy, you are leading the elect to eternal glory. And you are one of them. And therefore you too will have eternal glory. Or as Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” Don’t begrudge your short suffering in this life. It is preparing for you an eternal weight of glory.
So foundation stone #3 is that the victory of the gospel is sure not only because Christ is risen as the eternal king, and not only because the word of God is not bound, but also because, from all the undeserving sinners in the world, God has chosen a people for eternal glory. Endure everything, Timothy, and you will be the instrument of their salvation.
he-cannot-deny-himself#ooid=g0d3hnNToyCjsPp2baVv2DX5PcQOQdUC
Charles Whisnant: The Purpose of Prophecy
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PROPHETIC LITERATURE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
Charles e Whisnant, Researcher, Teacher
We are in our study of the book of Isaiah. As I approached chapter two, I asked the question: “Just How Do You Interpret Prophecy of Isaiah’s?
This lead me to a research study of prophecy. I realized that I had little teaching on this subject. But I am never too old to learn.
OUTLINE OR NOTES FROM THE LESSON
INTRODUCTION
Interpreting the prophetic word is truly exciting! We are heirs of the apostles, who in turn lead us back to the prophets. In Jesus Christ all Christians are heirs of the prophetic-apostolic tradition and are called upon to understand the oracles of God, spoken through his prophets and the apostles. In Jesus Christ we, too, become involved in understanding what God’s Spirit has said concerning the salvation that is to come (1 Peter 1:10).
The heritage of the prophets and apostles gives us a perspective on the past, present, and future acts of God in Christ. The prophets and apostles received God’s revelation and were faithful in proclaiming it, regardless of the consequences. By the Spirit of God, they committed his revelation to written form. The Holy Spirit still bears witness that their words are truly the Word of God and are profitable for instruction, reproof, and comfort, as the Spirit empowers his Word and applies it to our lives (2 Tim. 3:16 – 17; see 1 Cor. 2:10 – 16). Which has been our Adult Bible Study lessons since January 2012 and now July 2012.
Regrettably, the interpretation of the prophetic heritage has been affected by division, fragmentation, expressions of distrust, and misunderstanding. Disagreements arising from exegetical, theological, or philosophical differences have often been expressed with rigidity and lack of love, and certain approaches to interpretation have too often exalted eschatology as the test of orthodoxy.
SEEING THE WHOLE REVELATION OF GOD BOTH IN THE OLD AND NEW ARE NECESSARY IN ONE’S INTERPRETATION OF THE PROPHETIC WORD
An exploration of the prophetic word requires an openness to the whole revelation of God in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, to the cultural context of the prophets, to the prophetic language, metaphors, and forms of speech, as well as to the canonical importance of the prophetic message.
The Study of Isaiah in Light of Prophectic Prophecy
THE STUDY OF THE BOOK OF ISAIAH IN LIGHT OF PROPHETIC PROPHECY
I was studying Isaiah chapter two today and in the process of studying I came across some books and websites about How To Study Prophecy. Now that was a new one. The more I learn then more i know that I knew little to begin with.
Here are come quotes that I have been learning about understanding Propbecy.
The prophets were God’s servants in time applying God’s word during crises in the covenant relation between God and his people. They spoke a language their contemporaries could understand and in forms suited to their audience.
The prophetic speech is poetic, imaginative, full of similes and metaphors. It is the language of pictures and windows, drawn from the cultural context of the day. Through his servants, the prophets, God the Father pulled back the curtain of the new age and allowed his children, before and after Christ, to grasp a little of the glory prepared for them. The prophets were God’s messengers out of time, for they spoke of the visions of God.
Biblical language of God is metaphorical. Through figures of speech (as Creator, King, Father) humans express something of the reality of God in human figures..
The prophets were real human beings who shared their lives with their contemporaries in a cultural context.
They received a vision of God but spoke of it in a language that people could understand.
The prophets painted multifaceted pictures representing the acts of God from their days until the full inauguration of the kingdom of God The prophetic word has a bearing on the historical context of the prophet, but its relevance goes far beyond what the prophet said and how it was fulfilled.
The prophetic oracles are God’s word to each new generation in its own historical context. Each generation can find its identity in the history and progression of fulfillment while living in the hope of the great future God has prepared for his people. Each generation must get involved in the interpretation and application of the prophetic word so that it, too, may contribute to the progress of redemption.
Interpretation of the prophetic word requires both an understanding of the social world of Israel and a sensitivity to God’s accommodation to human language and images.
The prophet was primarily God’s spokesperson, and his voice was the voice of God. He spoke with the authority of the One who sent him. The prophet was aware of his distinct call and of belonging to a prophetic tradition.
Prophetic dialogue helps us understand the reality and difficulty of the prophetic mission. It is as if the prophet allows us to “‘overhear’ what was initially a transaction between him and the Lord.
The prophets, as God’s spokespersons, were communicators of the word. They spoke the message of God in ways that their contemporaries recognized as “prophetic”; they were “poets with a ‘message.’
The prophets used the art of persuasion in convincing their contemporaries of the certainty of judgment and the reality of God’s salvation.
Literary works written in verse, in particular verse writing of high quality, great beauty, emotional sincerity or intensity, or profound insight.
SUNDAY JULY 22, 2012 at Rivers of Joy Baptist Church
THIS SUNDAY JULY 22, 2012 our guest preacher is BOB TEMPLE, SR. Bob will be speaking in both Sunday Morning at 11 a.m. and again Sunday Evening at 6:00 p.m.
AND IN THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS AT 10 A.M. OUR ASSOC. BILL BOWER WILL BE TEACHING
Consecutive Expositiory Preaching Video
Isaiah 1:18-25 Sin Is Like A boa constrictor outlines
COME NOW LET US REASON TOGETHER
ISAIAH 1:18-20
Charles e Whisnant, July 04, 2012 #2
Read Isaiah 1:18-20. God speaks to Judah. “Come let us reason together.” God is trying to come to an agreement with Judah, to resolve this conflict. He is willing to forgive Judah their sins, whatever they are and not hold them against the people if they will return back to God.
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD,
God speaks to Judah. “Come let us reason together.” God is trying to come to an agreement with Judah, to resolve this conflict. He is willing to forgive Judah their sins, whatever they are and not hold them against the people if they will return back to God.
Isaiah 1:18 Christ Can Make Sin of Scarlet As White As Snow.
(Let us – Isaiah 41:21; 43:24-26; I Samuel 12:7; Jeremiah 3:5; Micah 6:2; Acts 17:2; 18:4; 24:25; Isaiah 44:22; Psalms 51:7; Micah 7:18-19; Romans 5:20; Ephesians 1:6-8; Revelation 7:14)
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.
The Miracle of the Crimson Wool.
“Come now, and let us reason together,”
- 1. “Come, let us talk about these things. Though your sins are like scarlet, they can be as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18)
- 2. “All you who are thirsty, come and drink.” (Isaiah 55:1)
- 3. “Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
- 4. “Come to the wedding feast.” (Matthew 22;4)
- 5. “Come follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” (Mark 1:17)
- 6. “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” (John 7:37)
“Though your sins are as scarlet,
In Psalm 22:6, an indisputably Messianic psalm, the Messiah cries out, “I am a worm” (towla’). The picture our humble Messiah presents parallels the worm’s life cycle, for Jesus died on a cross of wood in the process of giving birth to us, leaving a bloody stain that turns our sins from scarlet to white as snow! This is surely amazing, utterly incomprehensible grace and love in action! O come let us adore Him! Psalms 51:1-7
They will be as white as snow;
Speaks of total cleansing. God grants the repentant sinner amnesty as it were. He stays the execution and grants pardon to the guilty sinner, for another has paid the price to set the sinner free and allow the granting of “amnesty”. The word amnesty is from the word from which we get amnesia which means to forget. What a beautiful picture this presents, for when the holy God washes away our unholy sins, they are completely forgotten. We’re left whiter than snow, purer than wool. Revelation 7:9-14, Michal 7:18-19; Isaiah 38:19;, Psalms 103:8-13; Acts 3:19-20
David put it this way: Psalms 32:1-6
Isaiah 1:19-20 “if you be willing and obedient; you shall eat the good of the land: BUT if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land: Isaiah 58:1-14.
You can consent and obey or you can refuse and rebel. You can have health, physical and spiritual, or you can have a short life, and a low spiritual life.
Choices have consequences always. Let me ask “Which category are you falling into this week?”
YOU CAN REFUSE and REBEL
You can reject an offer. You can refuse to obey God’s law.
- 1. In word: Number 17:10; 27:14
- 2. In complaining: Psalms 78:17
- Challenging and defying God to do the abnormal
- To cater to your own tastes and delicacies.
- 5. In deed: I Samuel 12;15
- 6. To obey man rather than God. I Kings 12;21,26
HOW CAN A FAITHFUL NATION BECOME AS A HARLOT
GOD RESTORES HIS ELECT AND BURNS HIS ENEMIES
GOD’S WILLINGNESS TO HELP HIS PEOPLE
ISAIAH 1:21-31 Charles e Whisnant, July 11 2012
SIN IS LIKE A BOA CONSTRICTOR
Sin will take you further than you ever wanted to stray!
Cost you more than you ever dreamed you would pay!
Keep you longer than you ever thought you would stay!
Isaiah 1:21: How the faithful city has become a harlot, She who was full of justice! Righteousness once lodged in her, But now murderers.
Revelation 17:1; Isaiah 1:22; 57:3; 59:3, 14, 15; Jeremiah 2:20; Hosea 2:5 and Habakkuk 1:4; Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted
Isaiah 1:22 : Your silver has become dross, Your drink diluted with water.
ISAIAH 1:23: Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.
Luke 24:27, James 1:27; Exodus 23:8 “Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.” Isaiah 5:23; 10:2 to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.
Isaiah 1:24
Therefore the Lord declares, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: “Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge myself on my foes.
Genesis 40;24; Deuteronomy 28;63; 32:43: Psalms 132:2; Isaiah 35:4; 49:26; 59:18; 60:16; 61:2; Jeremiah 9:9; Should I not punish them for this?” declares the LORD. “Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?” Ezekiel 5:13; “Then my anger will cease and my wrath against them will subside, and I will be avenged. And when I have spent my wrath upon them, they will know that I the LORD have spoken in my zeal. Micah 5:15; I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed me.”
ISAIAH 1:25
And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: OR ALLOW, OR IMPURITIES.
Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalms 119:119; Isaiah 27:9; Jeremiah 9:7; Ezekiel 22:19;20; As men gather silver, copper, iron, lead and tin into a furnace to melt it with a fiery blast, so will I gather you in my anger and my wrath and put you inside the city and melt you. Zechariah 13:7; Malachi 3:3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,
ISAIAH 1:26
And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
Isaiah 33:5; 54:14; 60:14, 17; 62:1; Jeremiah 31:23; 33:7; Micah 4:8; Zechariah 8:3 which says: This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain
ISIAH 1:27
Zion shall be redeemed with judgment and her converts with righteousness. (Convert: or penitent, repent, repentant, pardoned, bring back, return,)
EZEKIEL 20 SEPARATION OF THE JEWS:
REDEEMED FROM UNREDEEMED
ISAIAH 1:28
But transgressors and sinners will be crushed together, And those who forsake the LORD will come to an end.
Psalms 8:5; Isaiah 1:4; 24:20; 33:14; 50;1; 58:2; 65:11; 66:24; Jeremiah 17;13; 44:12; Hosea 14:9, Job 31:3; Proverbs 29:1; Luke 12;45-46; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; 2 Thessalonians 1;8-9; 2 Peter 3:7 and Revelation 21:8
2 Thessalonians 1:8, and 9 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power
ISAIAH 1:29
Surely you will be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired, And you will be embarrassed (confounded) at the gardens which you have chosen. “For they shall be..”KJV
Isaiah 42:17; 57:5 says: You burn with lust among the oaks and under every spreading tree; you sacrifice your children in the ravines and under the overhanging crags.; 65:3; 66:17; Hosea 4:13
A BRIEF EXCURSUS ON…IDOLATRY & IMMORALITY
ISAIAH 1:30 WHAT SIN DOES TO MEN
For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf faded, and as a garden that hath no water.
Genesis 12:6 and Isaiah 64;6
ISAIAH 1:31 And the strong shall become tinder, and his work a spark, and both of them shall burn together, with none to quench them. Matthew 3;12; mark 8:43; Isaiah 4:4; 5:24; 9:19; 24:6; 26:11; 33:11; 34:10; 43:17; 66:17;, 24; Jeremiah 21:12
Luke 1:5-25 The Result Of A Christians Unbelief Outline
THE INAUGURATION OF THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE
Luke 5 to 25
Charles e Whisnant July 15, 2012
Zacharias is the main character.
We remember his personal righteousness from verses 5 to 7.
We saw his priestly responsibility in verses 8 to 10.
As we said last time, while he was in the Holy of Holies an angel of the Lord appeared to him. Now we see his prophetic revelation: in verses 11-25
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
Now let’s see Zacharias’ distrust response.
19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.
I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. The other angel is Michael, and they seem to be God’s appointed angels to be in connection with the human race and its enemies. Gabriel is the special messenger of good news. He comes to David and tells him of the restoration of Jerusalem. And we saw Michael in Daniel in the war against Satan.
Gabriel and Michael are standing in God’s presence, nearest to his throne, standing ready at the command of God and their eyes are upon the Lord.
The Judgment Upon Zacharias]
He could not talk. Vs. 62 tells us. That would be a great idea, if God would just shut up those who did not believe His word. In that case many people would not talk most of their lives.
Now for Zacharias that would be bad. You know if I couldn’t talk, oh my, that would be bad. But to be both deaf and dumb by an act of judgment form God would be worse. That is what Zacharias did, he told people about God and gave them counsel and wisdom.
He was to be deaf and dumb until John was born, vs. 57 tells us this.
We are now going to proceed to the first stage of the wonderful history in the annunciation of the birth of John.
- I. THE CHARACTER AND POSITION OF ZACHARIAS.
- II. THE FAULT OF ZACHARIAS.
- III. THE PENALTY ZACHARIAS INCURRED.
UNBELIEF IS EVERYWHERE A GREAT SIN, AND A SERIOUS MISTAKE.
Unbelief does from time to time come to the heart of Christians. There are times of doubt in the life of believers. There is nothing that can drain the joy and energy from the Christian than doubt. When a saint begins to disbelieve God’s Word, he is more than likely going to rob himself of comfort, deprive himself of strength and really cause himself a real injury.
1A AS TO THE CHARACTER OF ZACHARIAS
2A THE FAULT OF ZACHARIAS.
“Okay if this is true, then how can it be done.” He was looking at the difficulty. “My wife is well up in years, you know.” And while he looked at the difficulty he would fain suggest a remedy, he wanted a sign.
“Whereby shall I know this?” I guess it was not enough that Gabriel came directly from the throne of God. He wanted some collateral evidence to guarantee the truth of the word of the Lord.
III. THE PENALTY ZACHARIAS INCURRED.
He had doubted and he became dumb, and likewise deaf. This was not out of anger but out of love. He in his silence took time to search his heart and to know the Lord better. Deep humility had taken the place of arrogant presumption. He learned to lean on the Lord more
Sometimes in deep doubt it will require strong corrective measures.
Now I am afraid there are many believers who have had to suffer something like this, for many days, on account of their unbelief. I think I can point out some who are unable to hear the gospel as once they did many years ago, a friend said that he could not hear me preach.
Buy a horn.” “No,” he said, “it is not your voice; I can hear that, but I don’t enjoy it.” My reply was, “Perhaps that is my fault, but I am far from sure that it is not your own.” I fear, in such cases, it is quite as often the hearer’s fault as the preacher’s fault.
At any rate, when others profit, and our judgment approves, though our hearts find no refreshment, there is reason to suspect that in the dullness of our senses we are compelled to bear chastisement for our unbelief.
- You go where others go, and find no solace.
- You hear what edifies and comforts them, but there is no cheer for you.
- You are deaf; your ears are closed to what the Lord says.
Very often it has happened, I fear, to some here, that, for want of faith, they have lost their speech.
- Time was when they could tell of the Lord’s goodness, but they seem silent now.
- They could sing once, but their harps are hung on the willows now.
- As they get with their companions, they seem as if they have lost all their pleasant conversation.
- If they try the old accustomed strings of the time-worn harp, the ancient skill is gone.
- They cannot praise God as once they did; and all because on one occasion, when the promise was clear before their eyes, they would challenge and mistrust it.
Romans 8:26-27 But Just How Are We To Pray Outline
BUT HOW ARE WE TO PRAY
ROMANS 8:26-27 (27 TODAY)
Charles e Whisnant, July 15th 2012
Ever NOT Known What To Pray?
The Holy Spirit – Romans 8:26 – ‘Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.’
8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray,29 but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. 8:27 And he30 who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit31 intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will. NET BIBLE
HOW ARE WE TO PRAY THEN?
So when we are in the place of tribulations and trials in this life as Christians and how should we overcome them?
First: Christians are to face their trials and tribulations by means of hope, that it is hope which comforts us and sustains us and enables us to go on.
Plus in this journey of life, in this fight of faith, and in the middle of persecutions, and disappointments, and trials of various description we are driven to PRAYER.
BUT HOW ARE WE TO PRAY?
We are given help from the Holy Spirit. So we have hope yes, we have faith yes, but there is an additional aid in this matter. We have the Holy Spirit’s aid.
Now what Paul is doing in this chapter is giving us a continuing exposition of the theme he established in verse one. The whole object of this chapter is to show that our final glorification is absolutely guaranteed from the moment of our justification. And Paul has given us several varieties of ways to show us this.
And the work of the Holy Spirit has been the assurance of this happening.
AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT PAUL IS SAYING IN ROMANS 8 (Lloyd-Jones)
Vs. 26 “ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.” And specifically in our prayer.” For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought,”
As we as true believers are traveling through this life as Christian believers in Christ the Lord, what is more important for us than that we should know how to keep in touch with God.
THE PROBLEM OF PRAYER:
Primarily the problem of prayer comes from our infirmities or wickedness. Paul is referring to our general state and condition, which is one of infirmity. Hebrews 5:2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.
Weakness, lack of strength is not sinful in and of itself. There is a difference between infirmities and sins.
Our infirmities, our character flaws, lack of strength, may lead us to sin, but our weakness is due to the Fall of man. There is in us a certain weakness, lack of powers, certain disabilities and inabilities that result in our humanness. But its more than just a physical thing here, it is more spiritual than physical.
Example of our weakness:
Infirmities: lack of strength, medical conditions that causes a lack of strength or vitality
There is a physical aspect in our lack of strength. There is a connection between the mind and the soul and the spirit of us, nothing can happen to the one part without a variety of repercussions on the other parts;
For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought,
There is nothing more important than our relationship with our Heavenly Father, our ability to speak to God and to listen to God; that is the purpose of prayer really.
Our trouble is not that we do not know how we ought to pray – it is not a question of prayer in general – but what to pray for in particular, and in certain given circumstances.
It’s been pointed out that in the Greek that the word “what” is preceded by the definite article. It is “the what”, We know not what we ought to pray for as we ought.
As we ought”. Means “what is necessary in the nature of the case.” This particular case.
“We know not the what to pray for as it is necessary:” A.T. Robertson says
A.S. Way put the verse this way: “We are not even sure what boons (greater benefit) should rightly be the object of our prayer.” (A paraphrase rather than a translation.)
So why should this problem concerning “the what’ be such a difficult matter?
One reason is that we do not understand, we do not always know what is best for us, what is right for us, and we may pray for the wrong thing.
Greater men than any of us have done so. Deuteronomy 3:;23-26 and 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
SO HEREIN LIES OUR DIFFICULTY; WHAT ARE WE TO PRAY FOR?
Because of our infirmity, or weakness, Paul tells us we do not always know how to pray for? Who would have guessed that having some kind of physical illness would have been a blessing! So we have to be really careful what we pray for!
That is why I say we need to be careful about how we pray? You might say “Pray about it” or you might say “Let us have a word of prayer about it.” And I am going to say, let’s be careful how we pray about that. A good idea is to take the position of the writer of Psalms 77
Research For Sermons
MATERIAL DOWNLOADED FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 09 THRU 14, 2012
Charles e Whisnant, Pastor-Teacher, Google Image enthusiast
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1A Sin is Like A Boa Constrictor: Isaiah 1:21-26 25 pages
2A So Here Lies Our Difficulty: What Are We To Pray: Romans 8:26-27 13 pages
3A The Inauguration of the Dispensation of Grace: Luke 5 to 25 10 pages
4A The Question We Should Ask “What is the Qualification For Translation:” 7 pages
5A Why Is Bible Translation so Hard? 11 pages
6A Bible Text of Romans 8 and Commentary 5 pages
7A Bible Text of Isaiah 1 and Commentary 12 pages
8A Bible Text Luke 1 and commentary 20 pages
9A Bible Translation Differences by Leland Ryken 32 pages
10A The Importance and Advantage of a Thorough Knowledge of Divine Truth: Edwards 12 pages
11A What Is Spirituality: 1. Getting to Known God: 2. I Don’t Feel Like Reading My Bible:3
Are We Guilty of Negative Suggestions(Bible Reading): 5. Current Options in Spirituality: 6
Fighting Sin With Worship: 8. Is God Really Among Us? 19 11 pages
12A 25 Pointers for Preaching Epistles Effectively Peter Meads 12-14 3 pages
13A Jerry Sandusky, Penn State’s class catalog and sexual deviance… 4 pages
14A Bible Translators Who Changed The World 20 pages
15A Consecutive Expository Preaching 21 pages
16A What Is Evangelistic Preaching And 07 pages
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216 pages
Rivers Of Joy Baptist Church 