ABIDING IN CHRIST

John 15:5; I John 2:28; II John 9

Abide – to dwell, to rest to continue, to stand firm.

I John 2:28 “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

There is a place to abide. We are to abide in Jesus. All of our assurance and hope and every blessing resides in our abiding in Jesus. Abiding in Jesus indicates a close relationship. Our abiding in Him indicates that within His nearness, we have peace and re-assurance of His care for us and He is watching over us. I fear that sometimes He sees every moment of my life, whether it is joy or sorrow. He has experience all that I could ever experience in this life. He knows every step I take and every obstacle that hinders my walk. When I stumble, He is there to steady me. When I fall He picks me up and brushes me off and heals body and mind.

I cannot have confidence in this world and the rule of man. I cannot have confidence in government that they will always want the best for me. I cannot have confidence in fellow man that they will treat me right and never fail me or desert me. My confidence must stay on and with the Lord Jesus. He is always present when I need Him. I have confidence in His return to take me home one day. In His time, at the right time, I shall see Him in the air and hear the trumpet of victory sound and I shall meet my Lord in the Air. What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see, when I look upon His face . . .

My desire is to not be ashamed before God when I stand before Him. Therefore, I must abide. I don’t know when His return is so I must be ready at any time. I have confidence in his return as a thief in the night and because His appearance will not be announced, I must be faithful and true at all times. I must not be drawn away by worldly lusts or desires. I MUST abide in Jesus at all times.

John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.”

Abiding is fruit-bearing. The place of abiding is in Jesus Christ the Son of God. Some choose to abide in the world, in sports, arts, education, politics, power or prestige. The propensity of some to always gravitate to worldly things is evident in what holds their attention and receives their time. These days of hectic activity of the world, we hardly have time for Jesus, much less abiding in him. Abiding means to spend time with him. We abide in our house that we call our home. This is where we eat, we sleep and basically live our lives. This is the hub of our life. Jesus should be the hub of our life.

With Jesus, we are “in Him.” We should be just as comfortable being in him as we are at home. Abiding in Him means that no matter where we are He is ever-present. Since we are in Him at work, we should be just as faithful in representing Him at work as we are at Church. Where ever we are, if we abide in Christ, we will produce, not just fruit but much fruit. Notice that statement “… for without me ye can do nothing. If we are not producing fruit, maybe we should examine ourselves to see if we are abiding.

II John 1:9  “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”

If we are abiding in Christ, we have an overwhelming desire to abide in His doctrine. Truth is so important in a time of lying and deceit. So many distort and twist the doctrine of Christ in this modern depraved age. The Bible says, “ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” John 8:32. We areresponsible for diligently searching for the truth and finding it. Finding the truth tells of the love we have for Christ.

ANGER

Psalm 37:8; Proverb 16:32; James 1:19

Psa 37:8  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. 

Pro 16:32  He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. 

Jas 1:19  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 

There is an old saying, “They can git glad in the same britches they got mad in. Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: We each have been given an emotion that can be used properly or improperly. How often is it used wrongly and really is a witness against us?

The Psalmist says to cease from anger and forsake wrath:. The context shows that anger or wrath is inappropriate in some instances. The Lord says to not fret or be angry over those wicked that prosper. There are certain things that we can do nothing about, but we should depend upon the Lord in these situations. So let us not be angry over the wicked, that is God’s responsibility. Let us not be angry over what we perceive. We could be wrong in our perception.

Paul said to the Ephesian brethren in Eph. 4:26 – “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Consider that dwelling upon situations that bring anger accelerates anger. This is more or less, mental violence with a desire for revenge. The call is to settle the issue of wrath before the day was over. Anger is a self-defense mechanism that causes an immediate reaction to a sudden personal physical attack. We find an immediate anger is self protection from physical danger and yet there is an anger that is associated with mental perception of slight or verbal offence.

There appears to be those that are very sensitive to verbal responses and see slight that causes anger. My first advice is to not be so sensitive. The last part of Proverbs 16:32 makes a statement that we are advised to heed. – “he that ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a city.” Notice the thought, “ruleth his spirit.” An unchecked emotion such as anger is detrimental to your health. It can cause mental agitation, hand wringing and stomach problems. This sensitive disposition should be calmed by the Word of the Lord and prayer. Some people wreck their health over perceive slights. Take it to the Lord.

Proverbs says to be slow to anger. Let us not mistake a situation and be wrong in our anger. Often, prayer and patience reveals that anger is not necessary. James says be slow to wrath. Haste to become angry often testifies against us. It reveals a heart of unforgiveness. We are to be a forgiving people. Do not misunderstand what is said. The scriptures do not say to never be angry, but our encouragement is to use our anger in such a way that it is beneficial to all. Do not allow anger to rule us but rule anger as Jesus did when he drove the money changers out of the temple. Eph. 4: 30 – 32, – “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Anger, don’t lose it, use it.

AFFLICTIONS

Job 5:17; II Cor 4:17; Hebrews 12:11

Job 5:17  Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: 

Eliphaz is declaring that correction should bring an emotion that we don’t normally associate with correction. find in other places in God’s Word. He is declaring the joy of correction because of the advantages of correction. He says to not despise the chastening of the Almighty. The advantage of correction is that correction keeps us off the wrong paths that would bring us unhappiness. There is another reason to be happy about correction.

Hebrews 12:5-11

We find in these verses a relationship because of chastening. We are called children. Our earthly fathers disciplined us because we were his children. They did not discipline children that were not theirs. This is a demonstration of love. Our heavenly Father must have a relationship with us before He disciplines us. Since we are His children, He has the right to discipline us to correct us and bring us back to Him. He has the right to demonstrate his love to us. Verse 7 says “if we endure chastening He treats us as sons. That means blessings. God wants good things for His children. Pay attention to verse 8. If we have never experience chastening, it is because we are bastards and not sons. We are illegitimate. He will say, “depart from me I never knew you.” He chastens His children for the benefit of the children. That benefit is Holiness. And according to verse 11 we produce peaceable fruit of righteousness because of our chastisement.

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

This passage bears the thought that correction that brings us back into the paths we should walk brings us great glory and God receives glory from our righteous and glorious walk. Notice that it is called, “light affliction” and the duration is for a “moment”.

Proverbs 3:11-12. – My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 

12  For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. 

Why despise chastening when it proves the love of the LORD. Whom He loves He chastens and corrects us and delights in us. Let us all be delightful for the LORD.

No chastisement, no love. Know chastisement, Know love.

PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS

William Andrew Dillard

In His tremendous “Sermon on the Mount.” Jesus taught His the newly formed nucleus of His church to “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” This admonition is a stopper, a virtual brick wall to disciples who pass around it, leaving it in the bin of incomprehensible possibilities. Much of the problem with the statement is that of accepted, or colloquial, assignment of word definition to the contrary. In modern day preachments and personal castigations, “Perfect” is implied and inferred as meaning without sin or error. In many modern contexts as well as in biblical usage, the term means “Complete.” Jesus wanted His disciples to grow in knowledge and grace to be complete in their understanding of God’s will and way for human life.
A brief look at how the term is used in the Bible is in order. Noah was perfect [compete] in his generations, and walked with God, Genesis 6:9. When God appeared unto Abraham He said, “I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou [complete, whole, not fragmented] perfect.” Genesis 17:1. God Himself testified of Job to Satan, “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect [complete] and an upright man. . . “ Job. 1:1. Such usages continue.
The apostle Paul reminded the church at Ephesus that Jesus upon His resurrection and ascension gave gifts unto men “For the perfecting of the saints. . . till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, . . . “ Eph. 4:12-13. In keeping with that, Paul prayed in ceaseless thanksgiving for the church that God would give to them “A spirit of wisdom and of revelation in full knowledge of Him.” Eph.1: 17 That spirit would bring the church at Ephesus and every other New Testament church into a state of maturity known as perfect or complete.
The world, even the religious world cannot comprehend the faith once delivered unto the saints. Salvation by grace through faith plus nothing else is totally foreign to their thinking, and it simply cannot be apprehended by the carnal mind. The same is true with other cardinal doctrines of the Word, especially including the doctrines of the church. So Paul made such prayers for the church which are similar to Jesus’ prayer for the church in John 17:23, “. . . That they may be made perfect in one. . . “
The churches and pastors who may be treading water, so to speak, by engaging in religious activity without any plan to impart the tenants of the faith once delivered to the saints fail in bringing disciples to that biblically enjoined state of perfection and its subsequent peace and rest. It seems there is time for everything but prayer and meditation in the Word. But even the ancient prophet Isaiah wrote, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect [complete] peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isa. 26:3. Yes, saints may arrive at that blessed state of maturity in the faith that is called “Perfect,” but even then there is no stopping to the learning process. How wonderful!

WE ARE NOT ALONE

William Andrew Dillard

A study of angels always proves to be most interesting. They intrigue our minds as their basic nature, order and ministry are considered. Contrary to common thought, angels only assume material expressions (bodies) to be seen of men when it is necessary. Otherwise, they carry out their God-given duties precisely in their natural form. Basically, they are ministering intellectual spirits according to Hebrews 1:7-14.
God created angels and His ministers to minister unto Him in the triune realm of his constitution: mental, spiritual, physical. The chief angels over these orders are Gabriel, mental realm; Michael, spiritual realm; and Lucifer, the material realm.
Of course we know that Lucifer fell because of originating sin, and many of the angels under his command fell with him, and doubtlessly some that were not under his command, too. Hence, the presence of demons on earth, and the locking away of some to the day of judgment.
Angels of God continue to minister unto Him. They are also given charge over affairs on earth. “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and delivereth them.” Psalm 34:7. Guardian angels are not myth, but reality.
Of course, one can recall so many times in the Old Testament that angels appeared unto men for the purpose of delivering a message from God or for other purposes. It was Jacob who wrestled with an angel all night, Genesis 37. Angels also executed judgment by destroying Sodom and Gomorrah and thousands of Israelites on certain sinful occasions. It was also an angel who announced the birth of Jesus to Mary and Joseph.
No, we are not alone. The songwriter penned, “I can see an angel peeking through a broken windowpane.” Angels are here. They occupy the same space, but live in another dimension. Angels can cross over into our dimension, but we may not cross over into theirs until death. Notice in the defense of Dothan, the city was surrounded by Assyrians and the prophet’s helper was beside himself as he pointed the situation out to his master. The prophet was not disturbed and said that they that be for us is more than they that be for them. Then he prayed that God would open the eyes of his helper that he might see what the prophet could see. God opened his eyes and he saw angels and chariots of fire ringing the hills about them. Elisha prayed that God would smite them with blindness which He did. Then Elisha led them away into the midst of Samaria where they were defenseless.
How marvelous is the Lord! How great is His love and care for His people. We are not alone. Angels are here and some have entertained them unaware. We are not alone!

We need revival, folks !

Joseph Caples

1. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN CHURCH DINNERS ARE BETTER ATTENDED THAN PRAYER MEETINGS.

2. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN WE DO NOT LOVE GOD AS WE ONCE DID.

3. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN WE WOULD RATHER WATCH TV THAN READ THE BIBLE AND PRAY.

4. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN WE MAKE LITTLE EFFORT TO WITNESS TO THE LOST SINNER.

5. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN WE HAVE TIME FOR RECREATION AND SPORTS ,BUT NOT FOR BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER.

6. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN WE TOLERATE “LITTLE” SINS OF GOSSIP, A CRITICAL SPIRIT, AND LACK OF LOVE.

7. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN OUR HEARTS ARE COLD AND OUR EYES ARE DRY.

8. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN WE ATTEND CONCERTS AND GUEST SPEAKERS BUT FAIL TO BE FAITHFUL TO OUR CHURCHES SERVICES.

9. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN BELIEVERS CAN BE AT ODDS WITH EACH OTHER AND NOT FEEL COMPELLED TO PURSUE RECONCILIATION.

10. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN WE AREN”T EXERCISING FAITH AND BELIEVING GOD FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE.

11. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN THE FIRE HAS GONE OUT IN OUR HEARTS,OUR MARRIGES, AND THE CHURCH.

12. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN THE FAMILY IS NOT PRAYING TOGETTER.

13. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN PEOPLE HAVE TO BE BEGGED TO GIVE AND TO SERVE IN THE CHURCH.

14. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN WE KNOW THE TRUTH IN OUR HEADS THAT WE ARE NOT PRACTICING IN OUR LIVES.

15. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN WE WOULD RATHER MAKE MONEY THAN GIVE MONEY.

16. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN PEOPLE HAVE TO BE ENTERTAINED TO BE DRAWN TO CHURCH.

17. WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN WE ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR CHILDREN”s EDUCATION AND THEIR ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES THAN ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THEIR SOULS.

18 .WE NEED REVIVAL WHEN WE DON”T LONG FOR THE FELLOWSHIP OF GOD”S PEOPLE.

GOD’S GRACE FOR DESPERATE TIMES

THE SUFFICIENCY OF GOD’S GRACE

Lesson 1. God’s Grace for Desperate Times

Lesson 2. Grace Brought God’s Blessings

Lesson 3 Questioning God’s Grace

Lesson 4. God’s Grace Affirmed

Lesson 5. Testifying of God’s Grace

Lesson 6. Salvation is by God’s Grace

Lesson 7. Calling of God is by Grace

Lesson 8. Empowered by God’s Grace

Lesson 9. God’s Grace upon His Churches

Lesson 10. Grace For Speaking

Lesson 11. Grace for Singing

Lesson 12. God’s Throne of Grace

Lesson 13. Growth in Grace

GOD’S GRACE FOR DESPERATE TIMES

Application: To show that regardless of the circumstances, God’s grace is sufficient.

Scriptures to Read:

Text: Genesis 6:1-8

Related Scripture: Genesis 19:19-22; Exodus 33:12-17; Psalms 37:21-26; 84:11; 119:21; Proverbs 3:34; Jeremiah 1:5; Amos 5:15; Luke 1:30; Acts 2:41-47; 4:33; 14:26; Romans 5:15-20; 6:14; Galatians 1:15,16.

Devotional Readings: Paul Found God’s Grace To Be Sufficient, II Corinthians 1:5-11

Introduction:

God’s grace. What is this theme that will be the focus of these lessons? One definition of grace is God’s favor bestowed on those who are undeserving. The Old Testament word comes from a root that means to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior. Since the subject is God’s grace, the idea presented is of the infinitely superior God stooping down to offer His favor to those who are undeserving. The New Testament word implies being happy and well-off. Here, the picture if of one who had cone nothing to deserve the favor of another; yet, the one who is greater grants kindness to the lesser. God certainly was not required to offer grace to a created race of beings, but He is so loving and kind that He willingly offered to humanity something it could never deserve. This is His grace being bestowed on those who are less than He.

Often, grace is only applied to teaching on salvation. While God’s grace definitely has its part in salvation, it does not stop there. His grace is necessary for every aspect of life. An example of this came in the life of Paul. He had been called by God to be a missionary, but Paul had a physical ailment. He called it “a thorn in the flesh” (II Corinthians 12:7). This thorn was so difficult that he compared it to “the messenger of Satan to buffet me” (verse 7). Paul prayed to God for the removal of his problem, but God answered, “My grace is sufficient for thee” (verse 9). God would not remove the difficulty but would help Paul succeed in his work in spite of the problem. God’s grace would direct the glory to Him, not Paul.

People often do not recognize the hand of God in their lives when life is smooth and without care. God’s grace is needful in the good times and the bad times. It is during the bad times when people recognize their need and cry out to God for help. God’s grace is available during these desperate situations. God’s people should never fail to approach Him for help. He has promised, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

1. THE SINFULNESS OF HUMANITY – Genesis 6:1-5
   1. Adam created in innocence.
      1. Adam had the capacity to make the decision to sin or not sin.
      2. This does not mean that God created a sinful person.
      3. God gave man the ability to choose.
   2. The time for choosing came.
      1. Adam could have chosen not to partake of the forbidden fruit.
      2. Adam rebelled against the commandment of God.
      3. Adams act of rebellion cast all of his descendants into a state of sin.
      4. Rebellion has been initiated into the spiritual DNA of everyone born.
   3. As time went by the population of the earth increased.
      1. Some of Adam’s descendants had chosen to follow the path God had selected for them.
      2. The offspring of Seth chose to “call upon the name of the Lord” according to (Genesis 4:26).
   4. This has the ability to have two meanings.
      1. One meaning could be – they began to call themselves by God’s name much like people today call themselves Christians.
      2. Here is what a true saved person does – They began to call out to God in prayer and worship.
      3. Seth’s descendants endeavored to worship God and serve Him properly.
      4. This was not true of all the people.
      5. The descendants of Cain did not have the spiritual outlook they needed.
   5. Therefore, the people of earth were divided into two groups.
      1. Here is where we stray. The attraction of the world.
      2. We find that those whose minds were focused on God began to notice the physical attractiveness of those who pursued worldly things.
      3. The sons of God became so distracted that many began acting and living like the daughters of men.
      4. We find that eventually God was left out of the equation of living.
   6. Worldly activities have taken the place become so attractive that many focus on those activities.
      1. Therefore going to church falls behind the attractions of the world.
      2. Children sacrificed to entertainment rather than the service of God.
      3. The reaction of God during Noah’s day lets us know how God feels about this.

2. THE JUDGMENT OF GOD – Genesis 6:3, 6, 7
   1. Even when facing a time of judgment, humanity still has the offer of God’s grace.
      1. The lord looked down from heaven and saw their rebellious lives.
      2. His Spirit shall not always strive with man.
         1. This is not a physical struggle.
         2. This indicates that the spirit does strive or convict man of his wickedness and need for a Savior.
         3. Also demonstrates that men can resist the Spirit.
         4. This also reveals that there is a point of no return. A point where the Spirit will no longer convict or try to persuade a person to repent and turn to the Savior.
      3. 120 years later the flood came on the earth.
         1. A witness to the rebellion of man is Noah, a righteous man.
         2. The building of the Ark was the witness of the calamity to come.
   2. As God continued to watch His creation, He “saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (verse 5).
      1. People turned their backs upon the Lord and did not care for his ways.
      2. Only evil continually shows their focus.
      3. Therefore God stood ready to judge.
      4. God’s mercy and grace was sufficient to continue convicting and drawing people to Him.
      5. God does not want any to continue in rebellion against Him.
      6. If they do not respond then judgment comes.
   3. The warning issued by the Lord:
      1. God gives warnings – “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; foe it repenteth me that I have made them.
      2. God’s mercy has a limit.
      3. When people continually refuse His offer of grace, the time will come when they will no longer have the opportunity to be saved.
      4. This is a warning for people to stop trying the patience of the Lord.
      5. They need to come to Him now.

3. THE MAN OF GOD – Genesis 6:8
   1. God Found a man.
      1. God approved of the life and habits of this man.
      2. Noah found grace in the eyes of God
         1. Gen. 5:29 – And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
         2. This a prophecy
         3. His Father Lamech prophesied this character of Noah
      3. In the very next verse we fine three descriptions of Noah.
         1. Just man.
            1. Lawful, – God’s law
            2. righteous, – Looking to the righteousness of the coming Saviour.
            3. Faithful – “The Just shall live by faith” – Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38
         2. Perfect in his generations.
            1. Morally
               1. Principles of right and wrong
               2. Conforming of standards of behavior.
            2. Integrity – a completeness of standards established.
            3. Truth – a quality of speaking correct things. Not lying. Accuracy in speaking.
            4. Sincere – solemnly earnest in all good things.
            5. Upright – good and just.
            6. Complete – Highly skilled – having all necessary qualities
         3. Walked with God
            1. According to God’s will.
            2. Walked in truth
            3. Walked in Righteousness
            4. Walked in a manner that was pleasing to God.
            5. Walked in communion with God.
   2. Often people consider Biblical characters as spiritual giants.
      1. Noah was a just man that was committed to God.
      2. We can be just and committed to God.
      3. Noah wanted his life to be pleasing to God.
      4. We should desire that our life is pleasing to God.
      5. The problem for many is that they choose the way of the world over God.
      6. Because of this their lives do not please God.
      7. For some that is why their lives are falling apart.
      8. Galatians 6:7 says “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”
      9. This is not a mere possibility, this is a certainty.

CONCLUSION:

• Noah faced difficult, even desperate days.
• He had a special work to do.
• He would be ridiculed and mocked.
• He was preparing for judgment that was coming.
• He was the man that God wanted for the job.
• He was faithful and true.
• We need this kind of man, this kind of woman that will prepare for the judgment of God.

Drive-in Church